Cruise Planners hosted its annual River Cruise Academy in partnership with AmaWaterways, an onboard training program designed to help advisors deepen their river cruise knowledge and better serve growing client demand, the company said in a press release.

The fifth annual ASTA River Cruise Expo brought 1,600 travel professionals to Amsterdam for nine days of masterclasses, peer exchange and ship tours, including 900 first-time attendees.

A group of 153 Cruise Planners advisors and guests participated in the River Cruise Academy, which began March 7 aboard the AmaVenita.

“River cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, but there’s still a lot of mystery,” said Scott Koepf, chief strategy officer of Cruise Planners.

“The River Cruise Academy provides that hands-on learning environment where advisors can live on the boat and get a feel for the product while building the confidence and expertise to grow their business.”

AmaWaterways co-founder and chief brand ambassador Kristin Karst and Florida regional business development manager Herlan Ruiz led sessions highlighting the cruise line’s fleet and destinations.

The weeklong program included sessions on river cruise operations, sales strategies and positioning, as well as how to effectively communicate the value of river cruising to clients.

The Expo concluded with the christening of the AmaSofia, AmaWaterways’ newest river cruise ship.