AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways ships feel like they were designed by people who actually spend time on board. You get the good bits (space, food, comfort.) The fleet ranges from very small ships carrying fewer than 30 guests to the double-width AmaMagna on the Danube, which carries 196. Even at full stretch, you'll find space to think and room to sit back and fully relax.

AmaWaterways ships are purpose-built for river travel. The cabins are larger than average, many with full balconies. If you are used to mainstream river ships, you will notice the difference before you finish unpacking. The public spaces feel open and service is attentive without feeling too performative.

The sailings cover all the classic European rivers, alongside more unusual routes in Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong, Egypt on the Nile, Africa on the Chobe River and Colombia on the Magdalena River. AmaWaterways are the only major river cruise line to operate in Colombia, which says a lot about how they think and where they invest.

Why choose AmaWaterways?

River cruising can feel confusing at first. AmaWaterways keeps things clear. The company is still run by its founders, who have spent their lives working on Europe's rivers. That shows in the way the itineraries flow, how the ships operate and how smoothly days tend to run.

Guest numbers are kept deliberately low, which means larger cabins, more space in public areas and a calmer feel on board. Even on the largest ship, AmaMagna (one of only two double-width ships), the atmosphere stays relaxed and uncrowded.

AmaWaterways also operates far beyond Europe. You can sail through vineyards in Bordeaux, explore temples along the Mekong, travel deep into Colombia on the Magdalena River or combine a Chobe River cruise with a safari and Victoria Falls. The range is wide, but the style stays consistent.

Shore time that suits you

Excursions are designed around choice rather than volume. In most ports you can select from gentle, regular or more active options, depending on how you want to spend the day.

Walking tours, cycling, hikes and food or wine focused visits are all included. Bikes are carried on board most of the European fleet if you want to explore independently and guided hikes are available for those who prefer countryside to busy towns.

Dining and wine on board

AmaWaterways is a member of La Chaîne des Rotisseurs and food is taken seriously. Menus focus on regional dishes alongside familiar Western options, using local ingredients wherever possible.

The Chef's Table is a small specialty restaurant found on most ships, where you can watch the chefs prepare a multi-course tasting menu. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, creating an easy, sociable dining rhythm.

A company that feels personal

The staff get it: be there when you need them, vanish when you don't. And the Cruise Managers have the kind of sixth sense you wish for on every trip. Crews are warm, professional and attentive without being overbearing. Cruise Managers are consistently praised for keeping things organised while staying kind, approachable and considerate.

Many clients return to AmaWaterways again and again, which tends to say more than any award list.

Where and how to travel

AmaWaterways offers a wide spread of rivers, from Europe's classics to more adventurous routes further afield. Choosing the right one just comes down to what you enjoy spending your days doing.

Choosing the right river

For first-time river cruising, AmaWaterway's Danube river or Rhine river cruises are a popular starting point, with a mix of vineyards, historic towns and major cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam and Basel.

Food and wine focused itineraries work particularly well on the Bordeaux region and on a Douro river cruise, while the Seine, Main and Moselle suit travellers drawn to history, art and smaller medieval towns.

Beyond Europe, the Mekong, Chobe and Magdalena rivers offer a very different style of journey, centred on wildlife, local communities and landscapes best visited from the water.

Cruise lengths and themes

Most AmaWaterways river cruises run for 7 to 14 nights. There are also themed sailings, including wine focused departures, festive Christmas Market cruises and journeys hosted with Smithsonian Journeys experts, who add lectures and special shore experiences.

Pre and post-cruise land stays are available across most AmaWaterways itineraries, both in Europe and on the exotic routes. They work well if you want more time in a certain destination before settling into the pace of the river, or if you want to round off the trip with a few days in a city you have just sailed through.

What's included with AmaWaterways

All meals on board, including The Chef's Table

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Daily guided excursions with multiple pace options

Use of onboard bicycles on European rivers

Hosted wellness activities

Daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour

WiFi on board

Port charges and onboard gratuities

Our AmaWaterways insider view

Our team has travelled with AmaWaterways and works closely with returning clients, so our advice is shaped by first-hand experience and consistent feedback.

AmaWaterways suits those who want depth without fuss. The ships feel thoughtfully designed rather than flashy, days ashore are well paced and the service is quietly excellent.

If you like to unpack once, wake up in the centre of where you are visiting and still have choice in how active or independent your days feel, this is one of the strongest river cruise options available. We know the fleet well and can help you choose the right ship, river and stateroom or suite based on how you actually travel.