AmaWaterways will let cruisers ring in 2015 with a brand-new theme cruise – and its appeal is likely to be broader than you might first imagine.

With theme cruises revolving around wine, Jewish heritage, and culinary delights, AmaWaterways has unveiled their Knitting New Year’s Cruise along the Danube, sailing from December 27, 2014 through to January 2, 2015. Aboard the beautiful AmaBella, guests will sail from Vilshofen, Germany to Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Along the way, they’ll be able to enjoy guided excursions ashore along with the traditional festivities that come with a sailing over the New Year, including a champagne toast at midnight.

But there’s no question that the real draw here will be the ability for guests to engage and socialise with other knitters, not to mention the fact that the line has tapped acclaimed textile expert Barry Klein, who has made a name for himself as one of the most influential men in knitting. Klein is the past president of the National Needlework Association and is a prolific author of needlework books.

“Given the fast learning curve, cross-gender appeal, the social aspect and the impact of the Internet, it’s little wonder that knitting is such a growing trend,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. “Knitting appeals to a younger generation these days, and we thought it would be a fun and creative outlet for our guests. This cruise will bring together a community of knitters and give them opportunities to learn new techniques, find inspiration for new projects, and show off their personal style and creativity.”

Capable of carrying 161 guests, the AmaBella offers river cruisers spacious staterooms with French or Twin Balconies, and is one of the newest ships in the AmaWaterways fleet. Its contemporary onboard elegance makes it perfect for cruisers of all ages, and the knitting theme is a fantastic way to introduce river cruising to travellers of all ages who may not otherwise have had a reason (or opportunity) to experience this wonderful method of travel.

It’s also an excellent way to explore the magic of the “Old World.”

“Younger knitters may be using the same techniques and equipment as previous generations, but their use of Facebook and Twitter to form online communities and share patterns is a distinctly modern twist,” added Karst. “Think of this cruise as an onboard knitting meetup for people of all levels, from beginners to advanced. It will definitely be a unique and fashion-forward way to ring in 2015.”

More information on AmaWaterways and their AmaBella can be found by viewing our complete AmaWaterways profile here on River Cruise Advisor.