AmaWaterways Adds Carnival Veterans to Lead Fleet Expansion
The expansion includes three ships planned for 2027 on the Rhine, Danube and Mekong, plus new vessels for the Nile, Chobe and Portugal's Douro River.
AmaWaterways has appointed two former Carnival Corporation executives to senior finance and fleet roles, naming Quinby Dobbins chief financial officer and Stefano Negro vice president of newbuild and maintenance. The May 15 appointments come as the Calabasas, California-based river cruise line prepares to expand from 31 ships in operation to more than 50 by 2032.
The hires place capital allocation and shipbuilding oversight with executives who have direct experience in corporate finance, refinancing, naval architecture and new project development. AmaWaterways’ current growth plan includes 15 new ships in Europe and more than 60 percent capacity growth outside the region, including additional vessels in Africa and Asia.
“These appointments underscore our continued focus and investment in the future of AmaWaterways,” CEO Catherine Powell said. She said Dobbins and Negro will play roles in strengthening operations, expanding the fleet and improving the guest experience.
Finance and newbuild roles tied to fleet growth
Dobbins will oversee AmaWaterways’ financial strategy and capital allocation. She has more than 25 years of global finance and transformation experience, most recently as senior vice president of corporate finance and treasury at Carnival Corporation, where she led major capital and refinancing initiatives.
“AmaWaterways has built a phenomenal brand rooted in exceptional experiences and genuine hospitality,” Dobbins said, adding that she looks forward to supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy as it expands its fleet and global presence.
Negro will lead AmaWaterways’ newbuild and maintenance strategy, with responsibilities covering fleet performance, sustainability initiatives and guest experience. Trained as a naval architect and marine engineer, he began his career with Fincantieri before joining Carnival Corporation’s shipbuilding team, where he spent nearly a decade supporting new project development and shipbuilding work across the company’s brands.
Negro said he aims to bring “innovative ideas and sustainable solutions to life” as the company continues developing its river cruise fleet.
New ships scheduled across Europe, Africa and Asia
AmaWaterways, founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, has described the current expansion as its most ambitious to date. The line has already announced three new ships for 2027 on the Rhine, Danube and Mekong, while the broader plan adds vessels across its core European markets and in developing programs on the Nile, Chobe and Mekong rivers.
In Europe, the company has confirmed eight new ships and added seven more to the plan, including a vessel for Portugal’s Douro River. AmaGaia is scheduled to debut on the Douro in 2028 alongside AmaVida, AmaDouro and AmaSintra, while AmaClara is planned for the Rhône in France that same year with 76 staterooms.
The 2027 schedule includes AmaRudi on the Danube, AmaWaterways’ second double-width ship on that river after AmaMagna, with 196 guests in 98 staterooms. AmaFiora is planned for the Rhine with 76 staterooms, and AmaMaya is scheduled for the Mekong with 60 staterooms.
Africa is also part of the expansion plan. AmaWaterways is adding one ship on the Chobe River alongside Zambezi Queen and two vessels on the Nile in Egypt. There, AmaNubia is scheduled to debut in September 2026 with 38 staterooms and will sail alongside AmaDahlia and AmaLilia before AmaCleo joins the program in 2028.
AmaWaterways said more details on upcoming ships and onboard offerings will be released in the coming months.
