River Cruises · AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways River Cruises, Booked by Travel Consultants Who Know the Rivers
What an AmaWaterways river cruise feels like
AmaWaterways sails Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, and the experience is built around the destination: you dock close to town, choose how actively you want to explore it, and come back on board to food and wine from the region you just walked through.
The ships are known for innovative layouts. The double-width AmaMagna on the Danube has room for more restaurants and open space than a typical river ship, and her sister ship, the AmaRudi, joins her in 2027. Today AmaWaterways sails 31 ships, with plans for more than 50 by 2032.
What our clients tell us
Members of our team have taken river cruises, and we share the good and the not-so-good, based on the feedback we receive, so you can make the right decision for you.
What they love: the hospitality and the level of customer care, which reviews consistently praise. It is a foodie’s paradise, with a wide variety of dining options and regional menus that change with where and when you sail, and every cruise includes a Chef’s Table experience. Active travelers love the excursion choices and flexibility: guided hikes, bike rides and onboard wellness options, a department where most river cruises tend to be rather thin. And the innovative cabin design, including the signature twin balcony.
What they flag: as with every river cruise, you are subject to the water levels at the time of sailing. Cruise lines can’t control the river’s flow, or manufacture water to keep it at a sufficient level (who would have thought?), so flexibility remains key in river cruise planning. When you sail matters, and we cover that below.
A foodie’s river cruise
Dining on AmaWaterways follows the region, so the menus vary depending on where and when you take your cruise. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, with sparkling wine at breakfast.
Every cruise includes the Chef’s Table, a multi-course tasting menu prepared in an open kitchen. For foodies, this is a particularly nice benefit. Reservations are required, so we make sure it is on your plan.
Active excursions and wellness
In Europe, you choose from several excursions in each port at a gentle, regular or active pace. Wellness-focused travelers will find a myriad of options: guided hikes, bike rides on complimentary bicycles carried on most European ships, and Wellness Host classes on board, such as yoga and stretching.
It means two people traveling together can each have the day they want, then meet back on board for a drink before dinner.
Choosing your river
| River | What to know |
|---|---|
| Danube | Vienna, the Wachau Valley and Budapest, plus the dramatic Iron Gates on longer voyages. Home of the double-width AmaMagna. |
| Rhine | Amsterdam, Cologne, the castle-lined Middle Rhine and Basel. |
| Seine and Rhône | Paris and Normandy on the Seine; Lyon, Provence and the wine country of the Rhône. |
| Douro | Portugal’s terraced vineyards and Porto, on a smaller fleet built for this narrow river. |
| Nile | Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Aswan. |
| Mekong | Vietnam and Cambodia, including Angkor Wat. |
| Magdalena and Chobe | Colombia’s Caribbean coast and colonial towns, and a southern Africa river safari. |
Routes and ships are set by AmaWaterways and can change. We confirm the current routing for your sailing before you book.
When to sail: water levels and timing
River levels change with the seasons, and timing is one of the biggest decisions in river cruise planning. Early season, April through June, carries less low-water risk, but trades it for a risk of flooding. From late July through October, low water becomes the risk to watch. That makes late June to late July the sweet spot for many river cruises.
Guess when fares tend to be highest? Not then. Fares can actually be lower in late June and early July. That is the kind of thing we track for you, so you don’t have to learn it the hard way. Remember: we do this every day.
Why your stateroom choice matters
Many AmaWaterways staterooms have the signature twin balcony, a hybrid of a full step-out balcony and a French balcony in the same room, so you can sit outside or open the whole wall to the river. Lower decks have windows at the waterline, and in busy ports river ships often dock side by side. We look at the deck, the side and the itinerary together, so you pay for the view you will actually use.
What’s included in an AmaWaterways fare, and what isn’t
Included
- All meals on board, with regional menus
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Sparkling wine and fresh juice at breakfast
- The Chef’s Table, by reservation
- Excursions in every port, at several activity levels
- Bicycles on most European ships, and Wellness Host classes
- Unlimited Wi-Fi
Extra
- Gratuities on European and South American sailings
- Premium drinks outside mealtimes
- Airfare and transfers, unless added
- Pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions
Gratuities are included on Mekong, Nile and Africa sailings. Our Voyage Journal walks through how to compare cruise costs side by side: Not Another Cruise Cost Comparison, Stop Comparing Cruise Prices and Everything That’s Included. And Everything That Isn’t. Or let us do it for you while we plan your journey: we do this every day.
Inclusions and gratuity policies are set by AmaWaterways and can change. We confirm the current terms for your sailing before you book.
Who AmaWaterways suits
- Foodies who want regional menus, wine with meals and a Chef’s Table evening.
- Active and wellness-minded travelers who want hikes, bike rides and classes on board.
- Couples with different paces, who can each pick the excursion that suits them.
- Travelers who value service, with a crew known for hospitality and care.
See all our cruise line guides
AmaWaterways questions we hear
What is an AmaWaterways twin balcony?
It is a stateroom with both a French balcony and a full step-out balcony, a hybrid AmaWaterways pioneered. You can sit outside on the step-out balcony or open the French balcony to bring the river into the room.
What is the AmaWaterways Chef’s Table?
A multi-course tasting menu prepared in an open kitchen, included on every cruise. Reservations are required, and for foodies it is one of the highlights of the voyage.
Is AmaWaterways all-inclusive?
Much is included: meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, excursions, bicycles on most European ships, wellness classes and Wi-Fi. Gratuities are extra on European and South American sailings and included on Mekong, Nile and Africa sailings. Premium drinks outside mealtimes and air are extra.
When is the best time for a European river cruise?
April through June has less low-water risk but some risk of flooding, and late July through October brings low-water risk. Late June to late July is often the sweet spot, and fares can be lower in late June and early July. We watch water levels for your sailing and talk you through the options if conditions change.
Does AmaWaterways offer active excursions?
Yes. In Europe you choose from excursions at gentle, regular and active paces, including guided hikes and bike rides, plus Wellness Host classes on board.
Does it cost more to book AmaWaterways through a travel consultant?
No. You pay the same fare as booking direct with AmaWaterways. Through us you also get a river, ship, stateroom and sailing date chosen for how you travel, air and hotel nights arranged around your sailing, planning before you sail, and Shore Secrets port guides for every stop.
Plan your AmaWaterways river cruise with travel consultants who know the rivers
Tell us how you like to travel, and your Aurévia travel consultant will reply within one business day with river, ship, stateroom and fare options. Let us hold your cabin.