Europe · Africa · Asia · South America · Egypt

AmaWaterways River Cruises

Discover the world’s most captivating destinations from the heart of every city. Family-owned and award-winning, AmaWaterways delivers luxury river cruising with exceptional cuisine, included excursions, and intimate ships that feel like home.

Luxury River Cruising, Family Style

Ama means love — and AmaWaterways puts love into everything they do. Co-founded by river cruise pioneers Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy, this family-owned cruise line has redefined luxury river travel with a hands-on approach, treating every guest as part of their family. With intimate ships accommodating an average of approximately 156 guests, AmaWaterways delivers a spacious, uncrowded experience with award-winning cuisine, included excursions, and the kind of warmth you only find when hospitality comes from the heart.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: AmaWaterways – Luxury River Cruises, Family-Owned

Fleet: Award-winning fleet of intimate river cruise ships accommodating approximately 140–196 guests

Destinations: Europe (Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro, Dutch & Belgian Waterways), Africa (Chobe River), Asia (Mekong), South America (Magdalena), and Egypt (Nile)

Signature Feature: The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, twin-balcony staterooms, onboard bicycles, and a dedicated Wellness Host on every sailing

Philosophy: “Oceans take you to countries. Rivers take you through them.”

  • Ship accommodations in elegantly appointed staterooms and suites
  • All onboard meals featuring regionally inspired, locally sourced cuisine
  • The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant (on most ships)
  • Beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with champagne, spirits, and specialty cocktails
  • At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port
  • Complimentary bicycles for independent exploration
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment programs
  • Wellness program with dedicated Wellness Host
  • Gourmet coffee, tea, and bottled water available 24/7

  • Family-owned and operated with a hands-on approach — every guest is treated as family
  • Intimate ships with an average of ~156 guests for a spacious, uncrowded experience
  • Member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs — internationally recognised for culinary excellence
  • Innovative twin-balcony stateroom design offering both a French balcony and outside balcony
  • Industry-first swim-up pool bar on river ships
  • Active exploration focus with guided bike tours, hiking excursions, and wellness activities
  • Ships dock in the heart of each city — step ashore and start exploring immediately

The Main Restaurant: Regionally inspired, locally sourced cuisine at every meal with open seating

The Chef’s Table: Intimate multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings and an open kitchen concept

Al Fresco Restaurant: Outdoor dining on the sun deck during fair weather (select ships)

Jimmy’s Wine Bar & Restaurant: Available on the AmaMagna

Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour: Complimentary champagne, wine, beer, spirits, and a specialty cocktail of the day — one hour before dinner every evening

Plus specialty coffee station, afternoon tea and light bites in the Main Lounge, and continental breakfast room service.

AmaWaterways offers a range of stateroom categories to suit different preferences. Options include standard staterooms with fixed windows, balcony staterooms with French balconies, and their signature twin-balcony staterooms featuring both a French balcony and an outside balcony — the best way to take in the always-changing countryside.

Spacious suites offer expanded living areas with added enhancements. All staterooms feature plush bedding, marble-accented bathrooms, cotton bathrobes and slippers, Entertainment-On-Demand system with complimentary high-speed internet, movies, music library, and English-language TV stations.

Suites include both a shower and bathtub, plus larger sitting areas for added comfort.

At a Glance

Family-Owned Luxury

All-Inclusive

River cruising at its finest

  • Elegant staterooms & twin-balcony design
  • All meals with regionally inspired cuisine
  • Wine, beer & soft drinks with meals
  • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour daily
  • Shore excursions in every port
  • Complimentary bicycles & Wi-Fi
  • The Chef’s Table dining experience

Explore

Discover AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways river cruise ship sailing through Europe

Rivers Take You Through Them

Rivers are the arteries that feed the heart and soul of each destination they visit. AmaWaterways’ carefully crafted itineraries are the lifeblood that takes you there. Whether you want to see the animal-rich shores of Africa’s Chobe River, the opulent capital cities of Europe along the Danube, the legendary castles and towns of the Rhine, or the tranquil rural communities lining the banks of the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, you’ll get insider access to places that only the river can offer.

Award-Winning Cuisine

As a member of the internationally recognised La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, AmaWaterways prepares exquisite, regionally inspired, locally sourced cuisine at every meal. All meals are included in your river cruise fare — at the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, where a delicious multi-course menu awaits paired with local wines from Europe’s renowned wine regions. On the AmaMagna, you’ll also enjoy two additional venues: the Al Fresco Restaurant and Jimmy’s Wine Bar & Restaurant. And what is fine food without fine wine? Beer and hand-selected wine are always included with lunch and dinner, with new wine selections daily. Their renowned Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour features champagne, wine, beer, spirits, and the specialty cocktail of the day — every evening before dinner.

AmaWaterways gourmet dining experience
AmaWaterways bicycle excursion along the Danube

Active Exploration & Immersive Culture

Part of the draw of traveling to new destinations is immersing yourself in authentic local culture. AmaWaterways brings that culture onboard with evening entertainment featuring musicians, folkloric dancers, and storytellers who live and work in the cities you sail to. While on land, guests enjoy myriad small-group excursions — from walking tours suited for gentle, regular, and active guests to complimentary bicycling and hiking excursions. Culinary-themed Special Interest Tours highlight regional specialties, cooking demonstrations, and tastings. And because AmaWaterways often docks just steps from the heart of each city, you can explore many destinations on your own by foot or with one of the complimentary bikes.

Experience

The AmaWaterways Difference

Family-Owned & Personal

In contrast to corporate-run hospitality, AmaWaterways imbues its onboard culture with warmth, charm, and attention to detail. The crew goes above and beyond, treating every guest like family — you’ll feel immediately at home the moment you step aboard.

Culinary Excellence

With membership in La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and a Culinary Director from the prestigious Tables et Auberges de France, every meal is a celebration of regional flavours. From The Chef’s Table to the Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour, AmaWaterways sets the bar for river cruise dining.

Active & Wellness Focused

Every ship features complimentary bicycles, a dedicated Wellness Host, fitness centre, sun-deck pool, and guided active excursions including bike tours and hikes. Whether you want to relax with a soothing massage or explore by bike, AmaWaterways has something for every pace.

AmaWaterways elegant stateroom with twin balcony

Elegant Staterooms & Suites

AmaWaterways’ award-winning fleet offers elegantly appointed staterooms and suites with welcoming amenities. Reserve one of their signature twin-balcony staterooms for the best way to take in the always-changing countryside. Expansive bathrooms come lavished with marble countertops, high-quality bath and body products, and suites feature both a shower and bathtub. All accommodations include plush bedding, cotton bathrobes and slippers, a safe, and complimentary water replenished daily. The Entertainment-On-Demand centre is available in all categories with complimentary high-speed internet, movies, an extensive music library, and English-language TV stations.

Images

Gallery

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

AmaWaterways offers an exceptional all-inclusive experience. Your cruise fare includes shore excursions in every port with multiple options to choose from, all onboard meals featuring regionally inspired cuisine, complimentary wines, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, complimentary Wi-Fi, bicycles for independent exploration, fitness classes, and entertainment. The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant is also included at no extra charge on most ships. Plus, their Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour features complimentary champagne, wine, beer, spirits, and the specialty cocktail of the day every evening before dinner.

AmaWaterways stands out for its family-owned philosophy, focus on active exploration, and culinary excellence. Each ship carries a fleet of bicycles for guests to explore ports independently, and many itineraries include guided bike tours. The award-winning Chef’s Table restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu experience, and AmaWaterways pioneered the concept of a swim-up pool bar on river ships. Their wellness program includes a dedicated Wellness Host offering guided fitness activities both onboard and ashore. The intimate ship size — averaging approximately 156 guests — ensures personalised service with a crew that treats every guest like family.

The Chef’s Table is AmaWaterways’ signature specialty restaurant, available on most ships at no additional cost. It offers an intimate multi-course tasting menu experience featuring locally sourced ingredients and wine pairings selected to complement each dish. The open kitchen concept allows guests to watch the culinary team prepare each course. Reservations are required, and most guests can dine at The Chef’s Table at least once during their cruise.

AmaWaterways offers river cruises across multiple continents. In Europe, they sail the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro, and Dutch and Belgian waterways. Beyond Europe, they operate cruises on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Chobe River in Africa (Botswana and Namibia), the Nile in Egypt, and the Magdalena River in Colombia. Each destination offers unique cultural experiences and stunning scenery.

AmaWaterways ships typically accommodate between 140 and 196 guests, depending on the vessel and itinerary. This intimate size ensures personalised service with an impressive crew-to-guest ratio, easy access to ports without long tender waits, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can get to know fellow travellers. The smaller ship size also allows docking in the heart of each city — often just steps from the main attractions.

AmaWaterways offers a range of stateroom categories to suit different preferences and budgets. Options include standard staterooms with fixed windows, balcony staterooms with French balconies or twin balconies (both a French balcony and an outside balcony), and luxurious suites with expanded living space. Most staterooms feature the innovative twin balcony design, allowing you to enjoy fresh air and views in multiple ways. All accommodations include plush bedding, marble-accented bathrooms, cotton bathrobes and slippers, and the Entertainment-On-Demand centre.

AmaWaterways features a comprehensive wellness program led by a dedicated Wellness Host on every sailing. Activities include guided morning stretches, fitness classes, and walking and hiking excursions ashore. Ships are equipped with a fitness room, heated sun deck pool, and spa with massage services and beauty salon. The wellness program integrates seamlessly with active shore excursions like guided bike tours and hikes, allowing health-conscious travellers to maintain their routines while exploring new destinations.

Yes! AmaWaterways partners with Adventures by Disney to offer specially designed family river cruises in Europe. These sailings feature dedicated youth activities, Disney-trained Adventure Guides, family-friendly shore excursions, and unique experiences designed to engage travellers of all ages. Standard AmaWaterways sailings also welcome families, with connecting staterooms available and shore excursions suitable for various activity levels.

AmaWaterways offers multiple dining venues on each ship. The Main Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with regionally inspired menus. The Chef’s Table provides an intimate tasting menu experience. Al fresco dining is available on the sundeck during good weather. On the AmaMagna, two additional venues — Jimmy’s Wine Bar & Restaurant and the Al Fresco Restaurant — expand your choices further. A specialty coffee station serves complimentary barista-made drinks throughout the day, and the Main Lounge offers light bites and afternoon tea. Continental breakfast room service is also available.

Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare but are left to the guest’s discretion. AmaWaterways provides guidelines suggesting approximately €12–15 per person per day for the ship’s crew and €3–4 per person per day for the Cruise Manager. Gratuities can be paid in cash or charged to your onboard account at the end of the cruise. Tips for local guides and drivers during shore excursions are also at your discretion.

When you book AmaWaterways through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares — with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors, many with real cruise ship experience, provides personalised stateroom selection advice, itinerary planning, and destination guidance. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees — ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you enquire to the moment you disembark.

Get Started

Ready to Explore by River?

You can never have too much love — and on AmaWaterways, you’ll experience the luxury of more. More ways to discover, more ways to indulge, more dining, more service, and more included excursions. When you’re ready to plan the perfect river cruise, our expert advisors at Cruise Help are here to help. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees — ever — your river cruise adventure begins with us.