AmaWaterays and its Portuguese partner DouroAzul christened its newest ship, the AmaVida, with actress Sharon Stone. Guests at the March 22 ceremony were also treated to a special performance by singer Michael Bolton.

“A beautiful ship deserves a beautiful godmother. We are so thrilled to have the lovely and gracious Sharon Stone here to bless the AmaVida on this very special day,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ executive vice president and co-owner.

The new 106-passenger AmaVida, built and owned by DouroAzul, incorporates many innovative design features, with spacious staterooms and suites that measure up to 323 square feet. Complimentary fine wine and beer are served with every dinner, and there is a choice of dining venues. The AmaVida also features a Sun Deck, heated pool, massage and beauty salon, fitness center, and complimentary in-room Internet access and Video On-Demand. AmaWaterways has a partnership agreement with DouroAzul to lease the ship on a long-term basis.

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.

Founded in 2002 by river cruise pioneers Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways calls itself the premier river cruise line on Europe’s Danube, Douro, Main, Mosel, Seine, Rhine and Rhône rivers.

AmaWaterways’ European fleet counts 12 vessels built from 2004 through 2012, plus its newest vessels, the AmaVida. The company also sails in Vietnam and Cambodia, Russia and Africa.