AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. 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.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Explore the rich history of classical and folkloric music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Countries Visited: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
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.
Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
What made you decide to take a Christmas Markets river cruise with your family?
Carl: I’m of German descent and wanted to visit my ancestral homeland. My wife Mary and I met a couple in water aerobics class where I mentioned this desire and they provided information for AmaWaterways. We picked a Christmas cruise because my daughter Anne really wanted to visit the Christmas Markets. And as soon as we mentioned it to our son Michael, he was excited to go with us and see the old castles and historical sites. This was the first week-long vacation we were going to take together in a very long time.
Anne: I love hanging out with them, I love travel, and I love shopping, so it was a no-brainer.
Did you all arrive on the same flight or meet up at the ship?
Carl: Our son lives here in Huntsville, Alabama, with us, but our daughter was in Alexandria, Virginia. Our travel advisors did a good job of setting it up so that we all flew to Europe out of Washington, DC together. And there was someone waiting for us when we got off the plane to take us directly to the ship. We had an exceptional welcome from the crew on board.
What was your favorite space on board?
Carl: In the Main Lounge there were seats that faced out through the glass windows and that was where we all spent our down time. It was very comfortable and never all that crowded.
Anne: Definitely the Main Lounge or the Sun Deck – although it was often too cold to be out there for long!
Did you take all of your excursions together or split up?
Carl: In most cases we stayed together. However, we split up in some of the Christmas Markets. Also, in Vienna we went our separate ways. My wife Mary and our son were interested in going to the concert and Anne and I were more interested in roaming around town and seeing the markets. One day Michael and I felt tired, so we decided to sleep in and the girls went their own way and I liked that option!
Did your children feel like they fit in well with the general population on board?
Carl: They weren’t uncomfortable at all. Occasionally we would have other guests at our dinner table or close by and everyone was friendly. They enjoyed the cultural music performance the evening we were in Budapest and decorating the Christmas tree on board one night.
Did your AmaWaterways river cruise bring your family closer together?
Carl: We have always been a close family. However, I would say that the cruise has certainly given us more to talk and reminisce about.
Anne: Yes, it was a great adventure to have shared, and we still enjoy talking about it and looking at Dad’s photographs.
What are some of your favorite memories from the cruise?
Carl: At the Nuremberg Christmas Market, Mary and Anne split off at one point and used that opportunity to purchase a pewter Christmas wall decoration for me. It was a great surprise when I unwrapped it a couple of weeks later and used it in our Christmas cards the following year. And at the Regensburg market, we had a special moment as an organ grinder was playing music. We noticed a child watch and listen from some distance, seemingly mesmerized by the scene.
Anne: The whole thing was just amazing – one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, really.
Did you find a balance on board of time spent together vs. apart?
Carl: Other than meals, we had a lot of options to do things together or separate based on our interests.
Would you take another AmaWaterways river cruise with your family?
Carl: I would absolutely cruise again with my family.
Anne: It would definitely be a cool thing to do.
Reserve your own Iconic Christmas Markets river cruise and learn more about our Holiday River Cruise experience!