AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. 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. In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to explore, touch and change as part of their journey into Floriade which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls. Thank you! Both lines sail on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Elbe, Dordogne and Douro in Europe, and both offer Christmas markets cruises. Several of AmaWaterways ships feature cabins for single travelers. We chose the Black Sea Voyage since their AmaPrima ship, which was built in 2013, has 82 cabins that can hold a total of 162 passengers. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. All meals are included on AmaSiena. My Final Thoughts On Our AmaWaterways River Cruise? We also encourage you to visit some of the local coffee shops ashore. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. Most if not all of the river cruises along the Danube include an optional Mozart concert in Vienna. All meals are included in your fare. 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. What are the Benefits of an AmaWaterways Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Package? How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey. Fresh local dishes and favorite drinks are stocked on board at every location to make you feel like . When you consider that most Europeans ride bikes everywhere, its no surprise there are wide paved bike paths throughout every port of call. Trips And Excursions On An AmaWaterways River Cruise, WIFI Throughout Your AmaWaterways River Cruise. Since your ship will be making port at so many unique cities you'll have a chance to eat local cuisine. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. Where to Eat and Drink . One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. These included spacious staterooms with French balconies (sliding doors with railings) or Twin balconies, glass elevators, plush robes and luxury bedding, marble bathrooms, complimentary Internet, Wi-Fi access and Infotainment Systems; the newer vessels have heated swimming pools with swim-up bars. 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. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. Its difficult to feel hungry on The AmaMagna there are always snack available somewhere on the ship. The bathroom is far more spacious than in other cabins with a double vanity and a tub. Technically, AmaWaterways is not all-inclusive but it offers a wide selection of alcoholic drinks throughout the day on European cruises. Note that the Sun Deck is only accessible via stairs, not the elevators. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! Elbe River Cruise Ships Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, The 8 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers of 2023, Carnival Magic - Cruise Ship Photo Tour and Profile, This 49-Night European River Cruise Is Open to Book for 2024, The Worlds Longest River Cruise Itinerary Was Just Announced, A Three-Story Racetrack, Food Hall, and Infinity Pools: Inside the Norwegian Prima, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. That leaves plenty of room for lounging, either in full sun or under shade. They have a larger variety of ship sizes than Uniworld, with the AmaDahlia holding 72 passengers and the AmaMagna holding 196. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination its the journey. There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. Also for those with mobility issues, or indeed families with young children AmaWaterways offer gentle trips. While jackets for men and cocktail dresses for ladies are recommended for a few special nights at dinner , you most likely wont be stopped at the door if youre not wearing those. First Vacation out of the country for my boyfriend and I and it was absolutely amazing. Shows include acts from various destinations on the itinerary and help bring the cultural experience enjoyed through the day on board for the evening. Complementary drinks Viking also has an impressive lineup of partners, including Masterpiece Theatre, so passengers could elect to visit Highclere Castle, where "Downton Abbey" was shot, and get behind-the-scenes exclusive access as part of a cruise land extension for Paris and Normandy cruises. The building design is classy and quality. Plan to pack attire that is casually elegant; and something a little dressier to wear to the Captains Dinner or an evening concert. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. To truly make your vacation, Uniworld ships have a great selection of gourmet restaurants and elegant bars. Thats not to say that friend groups or multi-gen families wouldnt enjoy sailingseveral cabins do have connecting doors. All of the tours are very interactive and high-end, offering you more than a regular tour ever could. Within Europe, Viking offers cruises to a number of different countries, including France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and Portugal. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. Viking offers a beverage package option, called the Silver Spirits package, which runs about $30 per person per day and allows passengers to drink unlimited premium wine, spirits and beer while onboard. Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. We are booked on AMA and are considering the Xmas Market 2-day post-cruise extension in Prague in December. Dress-code wise, guests can leave their ball gowns and tuxedos at home. AmaMagna's itineraries include Romantic Danube, . The ships that sail in Europe are similarly designed and can accommodate about 164 passengers. Take a tour of a AmaWaterwayss suite. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. Gentle tours are designed for those who need a slower pace or have mobility issues. Additionally it does help when considering booking a river cruise for the first time to know exactly what is included. For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. Thanks so much Cheryl! What's Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Seating on both lines is open, meaning passengers can sit wherever they'd like. However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! They run around lunch and breakfast schedules, thus allowing you to pop on board for a sport of lunch or indeed head in to town for lunch and some time exploring. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. 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. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive and pricy is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost . Founded in 2002, this European riverboat operator is California-based and won several awards for river cruise innovation . Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. Born in Austria, Schreiner always dreamed about building a larger river cruise vessel to sail the Danube, and now thats become a reality. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. [8] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chane des Rtisseurs. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. How Do AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Itineraries and Fleet? AmaWaterways has safari cruises in Africa, wine cruises in Europe, and cruises with focuses like golf, ancestry, classical music, and more. Opened in 2002, with 18 amazing years in operation. Although it is considered a more moderately priced line, Emerald offers a fair number of inclusions (see below), primarily because many of its travelers are Australian (and prefer fares to be more bundled than a la carte). Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. No need to dress for dinner here, and passengers don't have to show up at a set time, either. Debuting in summer 2019, the creatively designed AmaMagna is twice the width of a normal Danube river vessel and offers some of the largest staterooms on European rivers. The closet and drawers were roomy. Included tours and excursions led by knowledgeable local guides 5. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. This website uses cookies. Your Cruise Manager will explain more when applicable. Also you leave the ship there is cold water available to take along with you. More excursions offered than any other company. 14 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, 16 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, AmaWaterways Ltd | Abbots Place Suite B | Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4RW. A not-to-be-missed performer. Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so theres usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. AmaWaterways Deck plans AmaDahlia Current cruise: 7 days, round-trip Secrets of Egypt the Nile APT River Cruises Itineraries Deck plans Travelmarvel Polaris Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Vega Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Capella AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? Award-winning dining experiences are offered in four different restaurant options aboard the ship. These ships dont spend days at sea; rather, they are utilized as a luxurious experience between destinations. Both cruise lines welcome children onboard (with some limitations). Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. Passengers are treated to a multicourse meal with unlimited premium wine, paired to the courses. Resort was stunning , food and entertainment was great, and the staff were incredible. Five Ama ships -- AmaViola, AmaStella, AmaLea, AmaKristina and AmaMora -- also include several cabins that can accommodate three or four people (with a king-size bed along with a chair that converts into a twin bed). Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel has been assisting us for our vacation guidance, advice, and the best bang for our buck. In addition, AmaWaterways river cruises offer complimentary guided bicycle tours in at least two ports on every seven-night itinerary along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhne rivers. 02 Mar 2023 01:57:04 In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. [2], Unusually for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries. Transfers between your hotel and your ship Reserve your Complimentary Land Package now before March 31st to enjoy this limited-time offer! My wife and I celebrated our 20 Year Marriage Anniversary at Secrets Akumal. In some destinations, guests can choose between different towns that are usually a 30- to 45-minute bus ride away from the dock. The suites are extremely spacious great for passengers who want larger accommodations, adds Steinman, noting that even lower deck cabins are 200 plus square feet. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. Every day there was a huge choice of excursions. If you are unsure as to what you would like to do, the company is also available to fully plan your trip, leaving you with a relaxing experience packed with potential. We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhne with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements. incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at An exception to this is Emerald Waterways (also known as Evergreen in Australia), which is owned by the same tour company as Scenic. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? How? There is an up-charge for this optional tour but its a MUST-SEE experience. Have you cruised with Uniworld or AmaWaterways? This includes dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. As part of a history-making partnership, Ancestry and AmaWaterways are combining our shared passions for family, heritage and travel to offer guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to uncover their family history while cruising along Europes legendary rivers. Uniworld tends to put more focus on guided tours and daytime entertainment at various destinations. But there arent many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. Wine, champagne, beer, sparking and still water and soft drinks are served throughout meal times, your glass never goes empty. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising.