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AmaWaterways Review | What Makes AmaWaterways Different? | What We Like About AmaWaterways

Avignon photo courtesy AmaWaterways

Our Rating

5/5

AmaWaterways masterfully delivers experiences that all can enjoy, no matter what ages, interests or mobility levels. Celebrating 20 years in operation, the innovative river cruise company boasts beautiful ships plying the waterways of Europe, Asia, Africa and soon, Latin America. 

What We Like

What We Like About AmaWaterways

When we think about AmaWaterways, the first thing that comes to mind is two of the company’s founders, Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner, known as The Godfather of River Cruising. The German-Austrian husband and wife are committed to at least two principles: 1) delivering exceptional river cruise experiences; and 2) always under-promising and over-delivering. The latter goes a long way in explaining why you seldom – if ever – hear anything except praise for AmaWaterways. That praise starts with the company’s crew and office staff and works its way up to travel agents and end consumers, people like us who cruise on AmaWaterways. 

In the decade-plus that we’ve operated this site, we can’t recall a single complaint about AmaWaterways, which is remarkable when you consider that the company operates more than two dozen ships on three continents. We believe part of the reason for this is what we just mentioned, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. We encourage you to spend a few minutes to watch the video below, because it encapsulates the mission and the feeling of AmaWaterways. 

What Makes AmaWaterways Different

We’ve had our own magical moments on AmaWaterways, cruising the mighty Mekong, enjoying the coziness that AmaWaterways creates on Christmas Markets cruises and exploring Europe in what feels like a boutique luxury hotel that glides along the rivers. What we have found is that AmaWaterways highlights people – staff and guests – above all else. In fact, when we’ve cruised with the co-founders, we’ve found it remarkable that they take time to talk to and visit with so many people on board. Kristin and Rudi are fond of saying that “Ama Means Love,” and that is the feeling that is conveyed, one of warmth and welcome. 

More of what makes AmaWaterways different:

  • Spacious river view staterooms and suites range from 160 square feet to 710 square feet and most include the revolutionary signature twin balconies—a French balcony and a full outside balcony.
  • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs dining experience—featuring all meals on board, including exquisite multi-course dinners and bountiful breakfast and lunch buffets
  • Multiple dining venues, including the one-of-a-kind exclusive Chef’s Table specialty restaurant featuring a unique tasting menu with perfectly paired wines for intimate dining experiences
  • Entertainment-On-Demand and Ship-Wide Wi-Fi – all staterooms offer a flat screen monitor featuring moves, news, TV, and music.
  • In-room internet access and ship-wide Wi-Fi are also complimentary
  • Choice of complimentary shore excursions in every port that are led by expert guides. AmaWaterways offers choices for tours for gentle, regular, and active walkers.
  • Expertly guided shore excursions with choices to tailor your experience as you like
  • Exclusive Special Interest and Culinary Tours are included excursions to experience local culture in a unique way
  • Adventurous guided bicycle and hiking tours, as well as options to bike on your own with complimentary bicycles and helmets
  • Enriching onboard programs, including lectures, theme dinners, cooking demonstrations, onboard music performances and afternoon/evening piano music
  • Experienced and dedicated Cruise Manager who accompanies you throughout your entire journey, both on land and on your cruise
  • With a high staff-to-guest ratio on our ships, our team is fully dedicated to providing each guest with the highest level of genuine service with a smile
  • Wellness Program offering a variety of exercise classes; discussion groups with a focus on healthy eating and relaxation. 

Where AmaWaterways Cruises

AmaWaterways operates in Europe, Asia, Africa and soon, Latin America. You’ll find more than two dozen itineraries in Europe alone, not including the unique Seven Rivers Journeys that debut in 2023. Sailing on seven rivers through 14 countries, these will be the longest and arguably the most epic river cruises that Europe has ever seen.

Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America

In Southeast Asia, AmaWaterways sails Vietnam & Cambodia’s Mekong River. In Africa, the company operates the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen (pictured) sailing the Chobe River. In Egypt, AmaDahlia operates Nile River Cruises and will soon be joined by a second ship AmaLilia, in 2024. AmaWaterways will begin cruising in Latin America on a new ship, AmaMagdelana.

Europe

In Europe, AmaWaterways offers more than two dozen itineraries along the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Main, Seine, Saône, Rhône, Dutch and Belgian Waterways, Dordogne and Garonne, and the Douro. On our bucket list: the Seven Rivers Journeys, sailing seven rivers through 14 counties. the ultimate European river cruise. 

A Few Of Our Best AmaWaterways Travel Experiences

My Favorite River Cruises Of 2016: Boats & Bikes With Backroads & AmaWaterways

Do you enjoy bicycling and seeing new places? If so, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mix than bicycling in Europe during your river cruise. I did just that, traveling with my 19-year-old son on a “bikes and boats” trip with AmaWaterways and Backroads. As regular readers of River Cruise Advisor know, AmaWaterways is a multi-awarded river cruise company. Not as well known among RCA’s readers, Backroads bills itself as the world’s #1 active travel company. The combination of cycling and river cruising was a match made in heaven, and a perfect way to travel for this father and son duo.

Read More »

Popular AmaWaterways Articles

What Makes AmaWaterways Different?

Headquartered in Calabasas, CA, AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, a husband-and-wife team with much river cruise line experience, and the late Jimmy Murphy, founder of Brendan Worldwide Vacations. So, what sets the line apart? It’s highly inclusive, strikes a balance on included beverages, has dedicated wellness hosts, and so much more.

Read More »
The fabulous Owner's Suite on AmaMagna spans 710 square feet.

News About AmaWaterways

Vintage Video: Christmas Markets With AmaWaterways

River cruising is much more than just seeing beautiful sights along the way. It’s about the people you meet, and the people who make our experiences on the rivers so special. That old video at the top of this post reminded me that we encounter many such people during our journeys on the rivers – and through life.

Read More »

Big Savings For First 25 Staterooms | October 2024 Dream Cruise

I’ve released special pricing for my Dream Cruise, which takes place in the autumn of 2024. My Dream Cruise spans 11 nights departing Amsterdam on October 2, 2024, sailing the Rhine and Moselle rivers, and ending in Basel on October 13, 2024. Those reserving the first 25 staterooms will receive (at no additional cost) a two-night package in Amsterdam, with hotel and tours. 

Read More »

Shh, AmaWaterways Has A Secret

Sailing in the late fall has a number of advantages, from lower airfare and cruise fares on some sailings to smaller crowd sizes (both at airports and in port). We want to share this secret with you all so that you can take advantage of the slower season and get the most of your river cruise experience. 

Read More »

Our AmaWaterways Experiences In Video

Below you’ll find some videos that we produced during our savings on AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways On Instagram | A Collection From Those Sharing The Heart Of The River

We are proud to announce our newest ship, the extraordinary AmaMagna, will be featured on a brand-new episode of openhousetv this weekend on nbc! The two minute segment will showcase AmaMagna’s exquisite design and offers the perfect opportunity for you to get an inside look at the ship that is redefining the river cruise experience. Check your local listings for showtimes and join us for a tour on board!
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#AmaWaterways #NBCOpenHouse #AmaMeansLove #AmaMagna #cruise #rivercruises #Ama #Travel #Danube #visiteurope #travelphotography #photography #europe #cruiseships
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Which of our wonderful ships are your most excited to discover (or rediscover) when we return to the rivers of Europe? ...

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Last month, my husband and I took our first big trip without the kids. A 7-day amawaterways river cruise in France, simply enjoying the wines of Bordeaux and each other. We didn’t even know what to do with ourselves for the first day! It was such a fabulous time, and so special after spending the last 18 months mostly at home. Europe, how I have missed you!

And here is where I have to give a shout-out to aaa_national Travel. In addition to roadside assistance and discounts, that little card gets you access to exclusive travel deals. For example, I hosted two chef’s table dinners aboard the ship, something offered only to the AAA members onboard. I’m talking multi-course meals made right in front of you by the executive chef.

Additionally, AAA’s unprecedented customer service is clutch in the ever-changing time of Covid. If anything changes with your plans, AAA will handle all the details, from rebooking to figuring out refunds, and saved customers so much time (3-hour wait times on a customer service line? No thank you!), money and frustration.

In this ever-changing world, it’s nice to know someone has your back. These folks are up to date on the latest health and safety restrictions, have access to the absolute best deals, and will support you both before and DURING your trip. And did you know that working with a AAA travel advisor is free for AAA members? Yep, you heard that right.

So, where are you dreaming of traveling next?

#sponsored #travelcomesback #amawaterways
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The most beautiful part of my job as a cruise manager on river ships in Europe is meeting amazing people! ❤️You all are the reason why I cruise for so many years!
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I love so much when we cruise trough Germany and guests come onboard and bring their traditional Bavarian outfits just like this gorgeous guest camillesworldtravels in her traditional dirndl - blue dress covered with flowers😍❤️😘 So beautiful!🥰
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Dirndl is regarded as a folk costume (in German Tracht). A dirndl [ˈdɪʁndl̩] is a type of dress worn by women not only in Germany, but also in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and South Tyrol. Originally the term dirndl meant girl in Bavarian.
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Today dirndls are worn on special events like for example Octoberfest and many others. There are different types of dirndls and believe it or not, some which are made of silk and decorated weeks can coast around 5000 - 100,000 dollars!
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#germany #ship #rivercruise #amawaterways #cruiseaddict #onboard #cruisingagain #amameanslove #inspiration #billionwoman #tooblessedtobestressed #lovemyjob #outfitoftheday #dirndl #dirndltime #tradition #octoberfest #womenentrepreneurs #fasion #designerclothes #traditionalclothes #traditional #travelinstyle #womensfashion #womenstyle #uniqueclothing
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Just a reminder that on November 29, 2022, I set off on an amazing week-long AmaWaterways river cruise along the Main and Rhine rivers visiting some of Germany`s storied Christmas markets. But here`s some even greater news: Amawaterways has extended their 20th-anniversary pricing of a 20% discount OR FREE roundtrip economy airfare till the end of October! Will you be joining me?

For more information, including a detailed itinerary, click on the link in bio!

Have you been on an Amawaterways river cruise? Share about your adventure in the comments below!

Places to Love is proud to have AmaWaterways as a Sponsor since Season 1.

#samanthabrown #placestolove #germany #rivercruise #amawaterways #holidayseason
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Hello from Amsterdam, where I’m about to board my first river cruise! For the next seven days I’ll be sailing along the Rhine on the 156-passenger AmaSiena - AmaWaterways’ newest ship - through The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. As you know I’ve done a gazillion Caribbean cruises, so I’m looking forward to having this decidedly different experience. Stay tuned to my stories for the play-by-play.
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#amawaterways #amasiena #jetsetsarah #jsssails #cruising #cruiser #rivercruise #rivercruising #amsterdam #cruiselife #cruiseship #rivercruises #holland #hermesscarf #blacktravel #blacktravelwriter #travelwriter #travelblogger #visitnetherlands
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Holiday festivities don`t end when you leave one of Europe`s sensational Christmas Markets for the day. When you return to your floating hotel, you`ll be greeted with halls decked with boughs of holly and a Yuletide carol. How do you spend your time on board after a day of exploring? ...

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On behalf of our Co-Owners: Kristin Karst, Rudi Schreiner, and Gary Murphy, tonight we proudly accepted 5 WAVE awards at the 2020 travelagewest Virtual WAVE Awards Gala: Best Travel Advisor Support; Highest Client Satisfaction; Best New River Cruise Ship: AmaMagna; Best River Cruise Line for Families and Best Onboard Dining, River Cruise! We are truly appreciative of these incredible recognitions from TravelAge West, and look forward to safely welcoming our guests back on board once we return to sailing! #amawaterways #amameanslove ...

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And, just like that, a new week is served. Mine will include morning runs; writing deadlines; an oil change; several Zooms; a pre-travel COVID test; and, hopefully, renewing my Florida drivers license after multiple unsuccessful attempts to book a DMV appointment online. What’s on your agenda, dear ‘grammers?
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#jetsetsarah #jsssails #amawaterways #amasiena #rivercruising #cruiselife #omaginsiders #blacktravel #blacktravelwriter #mondayvibes #monday #rivercruise #rivercruises #cruising #cruiselover #rivercruiser #waiter #cruiseshippool #traveler #passenger #cruiser #chasethesun
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And, just like that, my first river cruising adventure has come to an end. I’ve hiked in Heidelberg; sampled currywurst in Cologne; visited a vineyard in Rüdesheim; strolled the streets of Strasbourg; trekked through the Black Forest; and discovered a new obsession with locks. I’ve tried tarte flambée and Rüdesheimer coffee; bought several new stickers for my luggage; eaten my weight in ice cream; and made new friends along the way. (See my Stories and AmaSiena highlight for deets.) By any measure, this was a fun, eye-opening and unforgettable trip. Would I do another river cruise? In a heartbeat. Danube, here I come!
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#jetsetsarah #amawaterways #amasiena #rivercruising #rivercruise #rivercruises #cruising #travelwriter #travelblogger #blacktravel #blacktravelwriter #travelnoire #essencetravels #exploremore #explore #instago #travel #travelingram #instadaily #ttot #igaddict #bestoftheday #igtravel #travelgram #instatravel #traveler #traveller #andjustlikethat #omaginsiders
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Embarkation Day is almost here! Will you be joining us?

Tomorrow we`ll invite our guests on board for the first time in over a year as we set sail on the Douro River.

Check out our story today for exciting onboard footage!
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Happy World Rivers Day!
Today we celebrate the timeless beauty and importance of rivers, which connect us to some of the planet`s most breathtaking destinations. From the majestic Mekong River to the historic Seine, these legendary waterways have provided us with timeless beauty and memories.
Share this with someone with whom you would like to create memories along the rivers!
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#rivercruise #amawaterways #worldriversday #amameanslove #love #instagood #europe #asia #africa #egypt
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From my meetings this past week in Vegas with the best in luxury cruise 🚢 and travel. This is Guillaume from hotelcaferoyal in London, thesetcollectionofficial , one of my top partners.
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JoshFriedmanLuxuryTravel #ultraluxury #luxurytravel
#luxurycruise #luxurytours #PrivateVacations #ultraluxury #luxuryhotels #luxuryresorts
#GlobalExpertise #VirtuosoTravel

#TopLuxuryCruiseAdvisor
#VirtuosoVoyages #Seabourn #ExploraJourneys
#CrystalCruises
#SilverseaCruises
#RegentCruises #RitzCarltonYachtCollection #AmaWaterways #FSJet #TCSMoments #AbercrombieKent
#tauck
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Went to bed in Germany; woke up in France. It’s a river cruising miracle! (See my Stories/AmaSiena highlight)
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#jetsetsarah #amawaterways #amasiena #rivercruising #rivercruise #cruiseshiplife #cruiser #blacktravel #blacktravelwriter #blacktravelmovement #travelnoire #essencetravels #oldisthenewblack #advancedstyle #agelessstyle #ootd #fitpic #outfitoftheday #whatIwore #wiwt #wiw #instastyle #instafashion #fashionover40 #style #fashionover50
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From my meetings this past week in Vegas with the best in luxury cruise 🚢 and travel. This is Giusy from hotel_lapalmacapri , the newest ultra luxury hotel in Capri, oetkercollection , one of my top partners.
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JoshFriedmanLuxuryTravel #ultraluxury #luxurytravel
#luxurycruise #luxurytours #PrivateVacations #ultraluxury #luxuryhotels #luxuryresorts
#GlobalExpertise #VirtuosoTravel

#TopLuxuryCruiseAdvisor
#VirtuosoVoyages #Seabourn #ExploraJourneys
#CrystalCruises
#SilverseaCruises
#RegentCruises #RitzCarltonYachtCollection #AmaWaterways #FSJet #TCSMoments #AbercrombieKent
#tauck
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Tag someone who wants a #cruise for #Christmas
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.#cruisenorwegian #royalcaribbean #celebritycruises #princesscruises #hollandamerica #oceaniacruises #disneycruise #azamara #crystalcruises #silversea #regentcruises #seabourncruise #seadreamyachtclub #rivercruise #amawaterways #avalonwaterways #carnivalcruise #windstarcruises #MSCCruises #CruiseOne #pgcruises #InstaTravel #InstaCruise #ChooseFun #NorwegianCruiseLine
#LetsMakePlans #LetsGetTraveling #MerryChristmas
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