Sharon Stone named AmaVida godmother

AmaWaterways has named actress Sharon Stone as the godmother of the AmaVida. The new 106-passenger vessel is leased by AmaWaterways from Douro Azul, its Portuguese partner. Stone will bless the ship at a traditional christening ceremony in Porto, Portugal on March 22. In addition to her starring roles in such acclaimed films as Basic Instinct and Casino, Stone is a passionate philanthropist who supports a number of charitable causes. Since 1995, she has helped raise more than $300 million for AIDS research, including $1.1 million in a single night at an amfAR Foundation charity auction in 2012. Stone currently works with Drop in the Bucket, a non-profit organization that builds wells and sanitation systems at schools in Africa. The AmaVida will cruise exclusively in Portugal’s pristine Douro River Valley, designated one of the world’s top sustainable destinations by the National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations. In an effort to be as environmentally responsible as possible, the AmaVida’s technically advanced design features photovoltaic solar panels on the Sun Deck to generate energy for the ship’s operating systems. The AmaVida will serve the Douro River on several itineraries in 2013 and 2014: Portl Wine & Flamenco (2013 and 2014); Enticing Douro (2013 and 2014); Impressions of France & Portugal; and Classic Port Wines & Charming Quintas. (http://www.amawaterways.com)