AMAWaterways

Cruise Circle says...

The wonderful family-owned AmaWaterways has been wowing guests since 2002 and are one of the leaders in innovation, with a fleet of state-of-the-art custom-designed vessels, built with cruiser comfort in mind. They sail on Europe’s Danube, Douro, Rhone, Rhine, Main, Mosel and Seine rivers, offering itineraries in Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar and coming in 2023, Colombia.

The award-winning Ama fleet carries between 24 and 164 passengers and has perfected the art of river cruising. Sail with AmaWaterways and discover a relaxed, contemporary experience onboard, with exceptional service from a dedicated, professional team. Their exquisite itinerary catalogue allows for exploring charming villages, magnificent cities and hidden gems with specialist tour guides.

Their ships in Europe are members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs - one of the most prestigious culinary societies in the world. Chefs create menus that combine delicious, locally sourced food with Western classics. The Chef's Table is an exclusive speciality restaurant, where you can watch the chef prepare an exquisite multi-course tasting menu right in front of you. Guests at The Chef's Table are treated to complimentary hand-selected reds and whites from renowned wine regions around the world with each dinner.

According to the highly regarded Berlitz Cruise Guide, the company has the best fleet on Europe's rivers and having fewer guests on board allows AmaWaterways to provide a more luxurious experience. Enjoy a relaxing massage after a day of exploring, work out in the fitness room, or watch majestic castles glide by while sipping a cocktail on the sun deck. Or perhaps have a calming dip in the pool, which also has a swim-up bar. With travel trends shifting at a rapid pace, AmaWaterways continually looks for ways to improve their guests' journeys and this is apparent every time you sail with them.

Who goes on AMAWaterways cruise ships?

Most passengers are North Americans, though a good share come from Australia and the U.K. Most are in the 50-plus range, and are well-educated and active. AmaWaterways attracts solo travellers and couples, and recent ships draw families and multigenerational groups with stateroom designs accommodating multiple passengers.

Do I have to dress up on a AMAWaterways cruise?

A little bit, particularly in Europe where, in general, the dress code is country club casual, with cruisers turning up the notch a bit for the captain's night and farewell dinner, showing up dressed as they would be for a fine restaurant. In Southeast Asia, the line urges cruisers to travel lighter with smart casual clothing for the welcome and farewell dinners, and in Africa the rule is casual throughout.

Is everything free on AMAWaterways cruises?

In all destinations, AmaWaterways offers free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea and bottled water, and in Europe, Vietnam and Cambodia, a complimentary shore excursion is provided in each port. In Africa all excursions are included in the fare. On all European river cruises (except Portugal), there is complimentary sparkling wine and juices at breakfast, and beer, soft drinks and unlimited wines at lunch and dinner, plus a cocktail hour with complimentary wine, beer and spirits. These same cruises provide free bikes and helmets for independent use in port. In Vietnam and Cambodia, cruisers have complimentary soft drinks, juices, house brand spirits, local beers, filtered coffee and tea during the cruise, with free flowing wine with lunch and dinner onboard and bottled water, replenished daily. In Africa complimentary wine and beer is served with all lunch and dinners onboard. Gratuities, laundry, spa and beauty services and some shore excursions carry an additional fee, as do premium alcoholic beverages and drinks outside of meal times.

What are AMAWaterways's most popular activities?

The destinations visited are the main draw for cruises on an Ama sailing, and passengers take advantage of shore excursions that range from Gentle to Active Walker groups; there's even a concentrated Late Starter option for people who want to sleep in but still see key tour highlights. In Europe there are also guided bicycle and hiking tours in some cities along the way. While sailing, wine tastings and lectures draw a crowd, and when nothing is on the schedule, cruisers are just as happy to relax on deck or in the lounge and watch the scenery go by or read. Some afternoons local cultural groups come onboard to perform and share their heritage. AmaWaterways has found that many of its passengers want active pursuits onboard, so the line established a wellness program onboard. Passengers do relax in the lounges, but they also show up for stretch sessions, yoga, cardio/core strengthening, resistance band workouts and circuit training. There are quite a few reasons to be in your stateroom, too; the line's Entertainment-On-Demand system not only provides high-speed internet access but also movies, music and English language TV stations.