AmaWaterways adds a second ship for Colombia program Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Ama Magna D E Passau N B C I M G 7237 Edit 2000x800, Quilting (Photo: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock.com). These excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and tradition on a deeper, often hands-on, level. Unlike ocean cruises that may dock in industrial areas in Europe, a river ship docks right in the heart of the city, town or even village. Explore the heart of 15 fascinating European countries on an enthralling 49-night journey. Plus, venture with us for the first time ever into the Danube Delta with incredible new ports including Giurgiulesti, Moldova. Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. 2015-2023 AmaWaterways. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. At intervals during the day one of the crew will appear with a nice cooling wine spritzer, cold beer or cocktail of the day. Bathrooms have heated floors, a surprising and wonderful detail, especially in the middle of the night. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Throw pillows are elaborate, and wood and marble touches are dark. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. You can enjoy traditional dance performances, authentic musical performances, and even local storytelling. At a glance. These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. So how do you decide? You will find a selection of tea and coffee available throughout the day, the main lounge has a coffee machine, fresh iced water and biscuits. At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment on-demand system in staterooms and suites, Gratuities onboard and on shore excursions, Select complimentary shore excursions in every port, Interactive entertainment system with complimentary movies in cabins, Wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner, complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water throughout, At least one shore excursion in each port, Interactive television system with complimentary movies in cabins and suites, Two glasses of wine, beer or soda at dinner, In-room entertainment system with complimentary movies, Complimentary hotel stays or land extensions on select itineraries, All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, teas, and water, Complementary specialty dining venue on select ships, Gratuities ashore on shore excursions for guides and drivers, Special, private Tauck-exclusive events, such as dinner in a castle, In-room television system with complimentary movies, Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, Special events, such as dinner in a castle (mostly on theme cruises), Complimentary coffee, tea and water; juice at breakfast, At least one shore excursions in every port, Alternative restaurant with lighter meals, Beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; complimentary coffee, teas and water throughout, At least one shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment system in all cabins with complimentary movies. Cruisers on AmaWaterways get one dinner per cruise at The Chef's Table, an included alternative restaurant that has a set menu. Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. Select itineraries, such as our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings, also include a select number of meals on shore. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. Still have questions? The line offers luxurious touches at mid-level prices, featuring fantastic service and modern amenities that keep passengers comfortable as they sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. the differences between ocean and river cruising. AmaWaterways is a family-owned company that was established in 2002 and is still run by the families. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: Which Cruise Line Is Best for You. Weve curated a list of questions submitted by first-time river cruisers to give you a better picture of the unparalleled experiences youll have while sailing with us. There is more than enough to keep you entertained while onboard, especially since on river cruises you typically spend much of your time at various destinations. Suite guests receive a complimentary stocked mini-bar . Courtesy of AmaWaterways. some of the leading championship courses on the continent. This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. The majority measure 355 square feet, but six Grand Suites are 474 square feet and an Owners Suite is 710 square feet. (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfastotherwise, alcohol is la carte. AmaSiena has 78 staterooms across nine room types, each of which can have the bed configured as a queen or two twins. We have in place an exemption process that may result in a small number of guests onboard who are not fully . Modern coaches provide the primary mode of transportation for each, though Viking's are branded with the cruise line's logo and photos of the ships or exotic locations (making them easily identifiable among the crowd), while only some of AmaWaterways' buses are branded. I was having second thoughts on staying there and I am so glad he talked me out of it. Bring a raincoat and warm sweater for chilly evenings, especially in the spring and fall, and warmer clothing and a heavy coat for winter cruises. She sings and entertains to a variety of familiar songs from around the world. My wife and I celebrated our 20 Year Marriage Anniversary at Secrets Akumal. And as with most European river cruises, the demographic skews towards older couples with a moderate activity level (many guests take advantage of the complimentary bicycles available at every port, for instance). Both lines offer concierge services, books to borrow on topics like history or tourism, comfortable bars for drinks and dancing and top-deck walking tracks and giant chess boards. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. I would highly recommend choosing the carefully selected wine pairings, handpicked by the onboard sommelier. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. All business is transacted under VAT Number: 246 2003 43, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, GERMANY, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, GERMANY, HUNGARY, AUSTRIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, LUXEMBOURG, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, GERMANY, HUNGARY, NETHERLANDS, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA, SLOVAKIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, CROATIA, SERBIA, BULGARIA, ROMANIA, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, CROATIA, SERBIA, BULGARIA, ROMANIA, MOLDOVA, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, ZIMBABWE, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, TANZANIA, ZIMBABWE, FRANCE, GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, SWITZERLAND, LUXEMBOURG, CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, CROATIA, SERBIA, ROMANIA, BULGARIA, MOLDOVA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, LUXEMBOURG, SWITZERLAND, With Emmy-winning Travel Expert Samantha Brown. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail the Douro River in Portugal and the Elbe River in France, which runs through Germany and the Czech Republic. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Go Out Of Mobile Al. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Norfolk Va. AmaWaterways opened the ODA Free Village English School in the province of Siem Reap, Cambodia in association with ODA the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association. The ships that sail in Europe are similarly designed and can accommodate about 164 passengers. If theyre able to keep themselves entertained, enjoy traveling and seeing the sights, and are happy with a good dip in the onboard pool, then both AmaWaterways and Uniworld are excellent choices. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. Ama offer a full itinerary of classes throughout the day, a gym with spinning bikes and the addition of a relaxation area. All the restaurants were great. There are fitness classes (during COVID times, these were provided outdoors, weather permitting, rather than in the fitness center), massages and beauty treatments in the one-room spa and salon, a small pool, and an outdoor giant chess set. Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. The four 350-square-foot suites have separate living and sleeping spaces, the former of which has a pull-out sofa that can accommodate two extra guests. Am I missing something? And there are plenty of locks. We use cookies to analyse our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance and provide a better experience for our users. Expanded to North America and now has itineraries for many ports around the globe. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. Uniworld has a broad range of staterooms offering a luxurious, high-end designer feel and one-of-a-kind interiors. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. For other couples, either cruise line would be great depending on what you are looking for. Planning to sail with AmaWaterways for the first time but not sure what to expect? This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Top FAQs for First-Time River Cruisers - AmaWaterways The rooms are nicely decorated and everything worked perfectly with no problems. Similarly to Uniworld, AmaWaterways has an all-inclusive dining experience, with tapas and snacks served between meals, multi-course dinners prepared right in front of you, and hand-selected red and white wines paired with each meal. The greeters was great! Because of the nature of river cruising many of the tours are within walking distance. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! Although dining is more intimate with less venues on a river cruise ship. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. The dining was outstanding on the AmaMagna, offering lots of diverse choice and quality, including child friendly meals for fussy eaters. There was something for everyone this will be a vacation that we will talk about for the rest of our lives! The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. However, the heated swimming pools and swim-up bars are quite popular on AmaWaterways. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Which meals and beverages are included in my river cruise fare? About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. For trips that require transport, that was also provided. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. There were plenty of grass thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination its the journey. 2024 Seven River Journeys Spring - What's Included Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. Cabin categories for Viking and AmaWaterways are pretty similar and vary from a standard riverview cabin with small windows all the way to suites with French and walk-out balconies. All Rights Reserved. There is a cancellation fee of $100 payable on sailings cancelled 121 days or more before the sailing date, which increases on a sliding scale closer to the departure. AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of included shore excursions, from walking tours for gentle, regular and active guests to guided hikes and bike rides. However, these lines have tailored their offerings, making them more inclusive for North Americans while keeping pricing a la carte for Europeans. Here are a few complimentary amenities that are added along with your land package. Ama's cabins in virtually every category are slightly bigger than Viking's. Viking River Cruises invests in finding some unique shore excursions. The next deck is the Cello Deck, home to staterooms and the main restaurant, followed by the Violin deck, with more staterooms, reception, the lounge, a gift shop, and the Chefs Table restaurant. Excursions are operated in small groups of just 10-15 guests. AmaWaterways: A Guide to European River Cruises - Every Avenue Travel Most if not all of the river cruises along the Danube include an optional Mozart concert in Vienna. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. Passengers can bring onboard their own drinks from port as well. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. AmaWaterways' Revolutionary Ship, AmaMagna, Welcomes First Guests On You are the best. Again, this isnt a new concept, but one that AmaWaterways has done to perfection. Some river cruise operators include wine, beer and soft drinks only with lunch and dinner while others include unlimited drinks, served at your discretion throughout the cruise! An immense variety of ports means more unique travel destinations and options. Explore Danube River on two wheels with AmaWaterways included onboard bicycles, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Where Do River Cruise Ships Dock In Basel Switzerland, Cruises From Los Angeles To Hawaii Round Trip, 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, Which Is The Best River Cruise Company In Europe, Who Has The Best Alaska Land And Sea Cruises, Indoor glass-walled observation lounge at the front of the ship, Three meals a day and group shore tours included. Uniworld has 17 ships in its fleet. A not-to-be-missed performer. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. If youre not sure about a river cruise and want to investigate ocean cruise lines, you might be interested in these articles: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian, Carnival Cruise vs Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity, Are Viking Cruises Adults Only, and Royal Caribbean vs. Princess. Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. We strongly encourage getting a slice of Sacher Torte or strudel with your cup at one of Viennas coffeehouses on the Danube River, and tasting authentic Rdesheimer coffee made with Asbach brandy in Rdesheim, Germany along the Rhine. Viking requires a $500 nonrefundable deposit, with final payment due 90 days before the cruise is scheduled to begin (a 20 percent deposit of the full fare is required for World and Grand Cruise itineraries with payment 180 days prior to departure). So, yes, you should bring a book. The AmaSienas home river is the Rhine in Europe. You might go truffle hunting in Bordeaux or cognac blending in Camus, for example. AmaWaterways Cruises AMA - CruiseCompete While some other major river cruise lines have eliminated their onboard bikes or charge a fee to rent them ashore, AmaWaterways for maintains a fleet of bikes on every European vessel. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Pools feature underwater stools so passengers can sit at the bar and watch the scenery go by. Color palates are subdued, relying on shades of gray, cream and steel blue along with neutral woods. Our Programme takes you straight from your ship to the course and back making your golfing experience seamless Golf and River Cruise truly is a marriage made in heaven. AmaWaterways is currently operating our river cruise ships with vaccination rates approaching 100%. Typically, theres just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum. On board AmaWaterways, however, you will find their in-house pianist and a variety of unique performances and shows throughout your trip. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Shows include acts from various destinations on the itinerary and help bring the cultural experience enjoyed through the day on board for the evening. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Viking stands at the top of the river cruise industry when it comes to fleet size. The word inclusive gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? Everything is taken care of with no worries. Just be sure to check your Daily Cruiser onboard newsletter to ensure you are back on board the ship before it departs for the next port. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. AmaWaterways - The Points Guy Debuting in 2023 for the first time ever, our unforgettable Seven River Journeys will forever mark their place in history as the longest and most epic river cruises. I will book all future trips with only her. It feels very close to all-inclusive. She is very informative and full of knowledge of any location you are traveling to. You can also venture off without officially joining an excursionbicycles are available to borrow any time the ship is docked, and you can always use your own feet or a taxi to get around. Each of these cabins features a twin bed and space for one, perfect for solo cruisers. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. AmaWaterways on Twitter: "Our land packages include some of the most With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. On Uniworld ships, you will enjoy a 5-star all-inclusive experience, inclusive of fine wines, premium spirits, and every meal on board, as well as onshore excursions, access to the fitness center and wellness classes, all gratuities, and airport transfers. AmaWaterways has safari cruises in Africa, wine cruises in Europe, and cruises with focuses like golf, ancestry, classical music, and more. Find out everything from whats included to how to dress on board our river cruises. How? River cruise lines employ local entertainment to come onboard for the evenings show either while still docked or even while underway. This beach is gorgeous. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. [8] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chane des Rtisseurs. Hello! We stayed at the Dreams Resort & Spa in La Romana, Dominican Republic and it was perfect for our family reunion of our former foreign exchange students. At breakfast, you can enjoy sparkling wine, juices, tea and coffee. These are sometimes in mini trains to save tired legs and also add a little adventure. As a high-end river cruise line, you'll find an awful lot included in your cruise, including: Unlimited fine wines, sparkling wines, premium spirits and beers on-board; Welcome bottle of sparkling wine and two bottles of wine in-suite; 24-hour self service venue offering tea, coffee, wines and non-alcoholic beverages; Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that includes seven rivers, fourteen countries and the exclusive experiences only AmaWaterways provides.