Cruise on custom-designed ships, with high-end amenities, impeccable service and expertly guided shore excursions.
A family-owned company celebrating nearly 21 years on the river, AmaWaterways has grown from one to 25 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong, Africa’s Chobe River, Egypt’s Nile River and, soon, Colombia’s Magdalena River.
Led by experienced river cruise co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, the company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wellness activities including a wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars.
AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation with ships such as the AmaMagna, which at twice the width of traditional river ships, offers a new dimension in luxury river cruising. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families as well as group and charter options.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including TRAVVY’s 2022 Gold Award for “Best River Cruise Line Overall,” 2022 Porthole Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line,” Aspire Awards 2022 “Luxury River Cruise Line of the Year” and 2022 Recommend Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best River Cruise Line” as well as “Best River Cruise Itineraries.”
When you travel with AmaWaterways, you do more than simply visit a destination – you experience it in a truly authentic and in-depth way. It begins with a champagne welcome as you step aboard and meet the courteous crew and your fellow passengers, many of whom you will consider friends by the end of your journey. You will also meet a personable and knowledgeable Cruise Manager who will be with you every step of the way, even on your optional pre-cruise or post-cruise land program. It is this attention to detail that distinguishes AmaWaterways from all the rest and keeps satisfied guests coming back again and again.
Itineraries are thoughtfully planned to maximize your enjoyment of the scenery, history and atmosphere of your chosen destination. Marvel at the ever-changing views through the panoramic windows in your ship’s Main Lounge or from the expansive outdoor decks. Visit famous landmarks and explore “hidden gems.” Taste bold new flavors and delicious regional specialties, with menus designed by the revered team of classically-trained chefs. And every evening, there is onboard entertainment provided by local musicians and performers to enjoy
Rest assured you will have ample time for socializing and relaxation, too. AmaWaterways' ships feature comfortable lounges, lively bar areas, swimming pools or whirlpools, salons and fitness rooms. At the end of the day, you will be pampered with turn-down service, plush linens, and peace and quiet for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, there is more to see and experience!
A Hotel That Travels with You
Rivers were once Europe’s “highways” across the continent, serving as life-sustaining links between the continent’s grandest capitals. Nowadays, your river cruise ship is a “floating hotel” that can often dock right in the heart of these historic cities, steps away from top cultural attractions and historic sites. Beautiful river views and superb locations…and you only have to unpack once! Daily shore excursions with expert guides will show you the “must see” sights of your destination, visiting famous landmarks as well as hidden gems.
An Intimate Onboard Setting
Every vessel in the luxurious European fleet has a capacity limited to no more than 164 passengers, allowing for truly personalized service in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
State-of-the-art Public Spaces
AmaWaterways’ custom-designed ships offer comfortable lounges with panoramic windows, inviting dining rooms, cozy libraries stocked with books and games, and a choice of enticing dining venues.
Onboard Entertainment
Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, a “Sound of Music” sing-along, a classical quartet, or contemporary piano favorites, you will enjoy an eclectic schedule of onboard entertainment every night.
AmaWaterways' Compliments
AmaWaterways offers a generous selection of complimentary amenities on all European voyages, including in-room Internet access, Wi-Fi and Entertainment on demand system (complete with movies, music and satellite TV). All of your onboard meals are included, along with unlimited fine wine, beer and sodas with lunch and dinner. AmaWaterways also provides complimentary bottled water, specialty coffees and teas throughout your cruise. In addition, your cruise price includes enriching shore excursions with expert guides in every port and bicycles for exploring on your own or on a guided bike tour.
Health & Beauty
Pamper your body and rejuvenate your spirit any time during your river cruise. Our Massage, Beauty and Hair Salon offers a variety of treatments. Your ship also has a Fitness Studio, Sun Deck walking track, sauna (select ships), and a heated whirlpool or swimming pool with swim-up bar.
Begin with a sophisticated and stylish setting. Toss in a cheerful atmosphere. Add sumptuous cuisine, wonderful regional wines and attentive service; then sprinkle in gorgeous views. The result — an outstanding dining experience. Expert chefs create culinary masterpieces that highlight regional cultures and traditions. All European ships and the AmaDara (Mekong River) feature multiple fine dining venues, including the exclusive Chef’s Table Restaurant, serving a unique tasting menu paired with premium wines.
Gold-Medal Dining
Primus Perchtold, AmaWaterways' Executive Chef and winner of three gold medals at the European Championship of Culinary Art in Nuremberg, designs exquisite menus for our passengers’ enjoyment in Europe.
La Chaîne des Rotisseurs
AmaWaterways is proud to be the first river cruise line invited to join one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations founded in 1950 in Paris. Every AmaWaterways vessel cruising in Europe is an official member of La Chaîne des Rotisseurs. Membership is considered an achievement of world-class culinary acumen.
A Variety of Dining Venues
As AmaWaterways continues to design new ships, unique dining experiences are a major emphasis. Guests sailing in Europe or on the Mekong River (Vietnam & Cambodia) can enjoy the Chef’s Table Restaurant, serving a tasting menu and paired with premium wines.
An Array of Dining Options
Early Risers enjoy breakfast in the Main lounge while a full buffet breakfast with made-to-order specialties, accompanied by freshly-baked breads and pastries is served from 7am daily. At lunch, you’ll find an enticing buffet laden with fresh salads, pasta dishes, hot entrees, and desserts, as well as meals to order from the menu; a light lunch option is also available in the Main Lounge. In the afternoon, stop by the Main Lounge for tea or complimentary espresso, as well as sandwiches, pastries and cookies. Dinner is a multi-course affair, accompanied by free-flowing wines and beer.
Wine, beer, and more wine
Every lunch and dinner on board includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. In Europe, complimentary sparkling wine is also served with breakfast. Bottled water, specialty teas and coffees are always available free of charge.
Set your own pace on shore excursions. Enjoy the full attention of your guide. AmaWaterways ensures that you’re treated with personalized attention, on land as well as on the river. The complimentary Small Group Shore Excursions provide a world-class land tour in every destination. AmaWaterways hires the top local guides in every location. You’ll find no more intensive and immersive introduction to the culture and heritage of the region you’re visiting. With AmaWaterways, you will enjoy a canal cruise and city tour of Amsterdam; journey to the Black Forest and visit Heidelberg, the oldest university town in Germany. They’re but a few examples of the shore excursions included in your cruise.
Daily Shore Excursions
The complimentary Small Group Shore Excursions will take you to the heart of your destination, visiting its most famous landmarks as well as its hidden gems. You’ll find an intensive and immersive introduction to the culture and heritage of the region you are visiting. With AmaWaterways, there is no waiting in line to visit famous landmarks, no getting lost as your bus drops you off within walking distance from your tour, and no language barrier as all AmaWaterways guides and crew members speak English.
Set Your Own Pace
In order to accommodate each and every passenger’s pace, AmaWaterways offers a “Gentle Walkers” group, for those who’d like to explore at a more leisurely pace. Wherever possible, you also have the option of an “Active Walkers” group for those interested in covering more ground; and a “Late Starter” group for those who prefer to sleep in.
Experienced Guides
Enjoy the full attention of your guide. AmaWaterways ensures that you are treated with personalized attention, on land as well as on the river. AmaWaterways only hires the top local guides for your tours.
State-of-the-art Headsets
To enhance your touring experience in Europe, AmaWaterways provides you with a complimentary headset system allowing you to hear our guides’ live-audio transmissions, without the need to huddle together.
Guided Bicycle Tours
AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to carry more than two dozen bicycles and safety helmets, free for you to use throughout Europe. The bicycles give you the freedom to venture out and explore the riverside bikeways or participate in complimentary guided bicycle tours. Whether you join a guided bike tour or explore on your own, their user-friendly bicycles offer the ultimate in touring freedom.
Land Programs with AmaWaterways
Amawaterways' Ama-Zing service is with you from beginning to end. Stay in 4-star (or higher) deluxe hotels located in prime locations and city centers featuring an Amawaterways Welcome Desk. Land programs are fully-hosted by an AmaWaterways cruise manager and include daily complimentary hot buffet breakfast, a complimentary city tour and transfer from ship to hotel.
AmaWaterways is the proud winner of the 2011 TravelAgeWest “Best Cabin Features and Amenities” WAVE Award.
Their newest ships, the AmaKristina, AmaViola and AmaStella, continue the tradition of innovative luxury with their uniquely-configured public and private spaces. The ships’ groundbreaking features are new stateroom configurations, including connecting staterooms and staterooms that can accommodate up to four guests - perfect for group or family travel. 11 of AmaWaterways’ ships feature exclusive Twin Balcony Staterooms. The ships’ groundbreaking feature is their exclusive Twin Balcony Stateroom. This imaginative design is available on most staterooms, and consists of a French Balcony plus a separate Outside Balcony for private enjoyment. Relax and enjoy a drink or your morning coffee from your full-size outside balcony; or simply slide open your French Balcony to marvel at the passing scenery. TheirTwin Balconies offer the best of all possible worlds.
Exclusive Twin Balcony Staterooms
One of AmaWaterways’ groundbreaking innovations is their exclusive Twin Balcony Stateroom. The Twin Balconies consist of a French Balcony plus a separate Outside Balcony for the private enjoyment of your river cruise experience. Twin Balcony Staterooms are available on select vessels cruising in Europe.
Innovative French Balconies
Simply slide open your floor-to-ceiling glass door in your stateroom to enjoy the fresh air and incredible scenery as you travel on the rivers of Europe.
Feel at Home in the Privacy of Your Room
In-room furnishings include white-on-white plush down bedding, a cozy sitting area, flat-panel TV, hair dryer, safe, terry bathrobes, slippers, individually controlled air-conditioning, ample closet space and bottled water replenished daily on all the European ships. Your spacious bathroom features a shower with multi-jet shower heads, spa bath and body toiletries and a magnifying mirror.
Top-of-the-line Entertainment on Demand System
AmaWaterways offers the industry’s most comprehensive information and entertainment experience in Europe. Stay connected, thanks to the computer with high speed Internet access in your stateroom, plus Wi-Fi. The exclusive movie-on-demand system offers Hollywood’s newest releases and a selection of classic movies. Enjoy a variety of English-language news, sports and satellite TV stations, as well as a large selection of music channels. It’s all available on your flat-panel TV, and it’s completely free of charge.
The Privilege Rewards Program Offers Three Tiers
Blue Members: Qualify on your 2nd Cruise!
Benefits include: An exclusive $100 per person savings on the cruise price and a private AmaWaterways guest reception on board
Silver Members: Qualify on your 3rd Cruise!
Benefits include: An exclusive $100 per person savings on the cruise price, a private AmaWaterways guest reception on board, complimentary welcome amenity, a complimentary coach transfer to and from the airport, and a $100 discount on a one-category stateroom upgrade (excluding suites)
Gold Members: Qualify on your 4th Cruise & Onward!
Benefits include: An exclusive $100 per person savings on the cruise price, a private AmaWaterways guest reception on board, complimentary welcome amenity, complimentary coach transfer to and from the airport, and a complimentary one-category stateroom upgrade (excluding suites)
Ask your Travel Consultant for details.
AmaWaterways offers exclusive wine cruises that showcase the acclaimed wine regions along Europe’s Danube, Douro, Mosel, Rhine, Rhone and Seine Rivers. These unique sailings are hosted by top wine experts and feature complimentary lectures, wine tastings, exquisite cuisine with paired wines, and excursions to historic vineyards and wine cellars. Guests learn about centuries-old wine traditions, sample one-of-a-kind vintages and enjoy private wine-themed excursions.
Other highlights include: music and newly pressed wine at a rustic Austrian tavern; Alsatian wines in Colmar, the French “Capital of Alsatian Wine”; and a German "Oktoberfest" in the village of Vilshofen, held year-round exclusively for our guests. Love wine? These are the perfect cruises for you!
The Paris & Normandy itinerary takes you on a journey through renowned regions that inspired the likes of Monet, Renoir and Gauguin. On the special Art Cruises on the Seine, you not only get to see – you get to experience.
Imagine taking a tour of Monet’s gardens, and then returning to the ship where you will be shown how to paint the beautiful scene you just saw! Each Art Cruise will be hosted by an expert art instructor that will lead easy, step-by-step painting classes. After being immersed in local art culture on included excursions, you will have the unique opportunity to bring it all to life with complimentary painting sessions on board. There is no better way to experience Paris & Normandy.
Complimentary Bonus Features:
• Create your own masterpieces during onboard painting sessions
• Expert onboard art teacher makes painting easy
• All painting materials provided
• Take home your paintings as one-of-a-kind souvenirs