AmaWaterways has been a leader in river cruising since its founding 15 years ago, building a strong reputation on Europe’s great waterways, especially the Danube and the Rhine. The line continues to raise the bar with high-end touches while adding features that appeal to younger, more active travelers.
Based in California, AmaWaterways operates 19 river ships, each carrying no more than 164 guests. Cabins are roomy for river vessels, service is attentive, and the cuisine consistently receives high marks. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to be inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Its specialty restaurant, the Chef’s Table, offers a true tasting menu and is available at no extra charge to every guest at least once per voyage. Wine, beer and soft drinks are complimentary at lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine and fresh fruit juices are provided at breakfast. Fares also include internet access, Wi-Fi and a shore excursion at each port.
In 2018 AmaWaterways enhanced its nearly all-inclusive offering by adding a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour and a wellness program featuring healthful menus and group exercise classes. Long known for its wine-focused sailings, the line hosts vintners and tastings aboard and offers excursions to nearby vineyards, with more than 50 wine-themed departures planned for 2018. AmaWaterways was also the first river cruise company to provide a fleet of bicycles, allowing passengers to explore ports independently. Group bike tours are available as well, some organized in partnership with Backroads, a respected operator of biking and hiking adventures.
Sandeman Winery tasting © AMAWATERWAYS
While the newest river ships, AnaKristina (2017) and AnaLea (2018), primarily operate on the Rhine and Danube, AmaWaterways is also expanding into more adventurous waterways. The Zambezi Queen offers four-day cruises on Botswana’s Chobe River that can be combined with seven-day wildlife safaris in East Africa. The AmaDara travels the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia and in 2018 featured a wine cruise hosted by California’s Sbragia Family Vineyards.
Looking ahead, AmaWaterways plans to increase its luxury and active offerings with the 2019 introduction of AmaMagma on the Danube. This super river ship will feature an open-water sports platform and a wider beam—twice the width of the company’s standard river vessels—providing a more spacious, sport-oriented experience that aligns with current trends in river cruising.