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.
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.
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 2025
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 you to join our incredible cruise on the Douro with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
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!"
For an impressive 35 years, visionary travel agency owners Alonzo and Sheila C. have owned Our Gang Travel, one of the oldest minority wholly-owned travel agencies in the Northeast United States. From the very start, Alonzo stated, “We wanted to do something educational, experiential and totally different.”
Perhaps it was fate then that the travel agency owners were introduced early on to Columba Calicchio, whom they describe as their “inspiring” AmaWaterways Business Development Manager in charge of New Jersey and New York – although their relationship began when Columba worked in ocean cruising. “She was our match to the fire,” said Alonzo, crediting her for helping Our Gang Travel create successful groups with loyal clientele.
Following their Heart to AmaWaterways
Alonzo admitted that he was somewhat skeptical about river cruising at first when Columba began her position at AmaWaterways seven years ago. However, because of their longstanding relationship, he trusted her judgment and sought out to learn more. “I am the kind of person for whom you can’t tell me how good the food is, I have to taste it,” he said. After being offered the opportunity to spend an incredible evening getting to know Co-Founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst on a personal level, however, Alonzo and Sheila decided it was time to experience their first AmaWaterways sailing on the Danube River.
As top sellers with an ocean cruise line, the couple had earned, and was accustomed to receiving, special “elite status” while sailing certain ocean liners. This was not something they were expecting as first-timers with AmaWaterways. “With Ama, every single guest receives special attention – personalized service is not just offered to the people staying in suites,” said Sheila. They were also surprised and delighted that every AmaWaterways crew member remembered their names almost immediately, from the front desk to the dining room staff. “It was like we were on our own personal yacht,” Alonzo shared.
Overall, Sheila recalled, “The included tours were out of this world and the food and wine were indescribable.” There was no doubt after their first river cruise that Alonzo and Sheila would return.
Experiencing River Cruising’s Evolution On Board AmaMagna
Columba had encouraged Alonzo, Sheila and their clients to enjoy one of AmaWaterways’ complimentary guided bike tours during their Danube River cruise. However, knowing their guests’ interests reasonably well, the advisors really didn’t think this would be their group’s cup of tea. “To my surprise,” Alonzo laughed, “the biking experience has turned into a major draw for our guests and they always ask us if there will be bike tours on their next river cruise.”
Now several sailings later and proud members of the AmaWaterways family, the power couple had the opportunity to sail aboard our most innovative ship to date, AmaMagna, during her inaugural year on the Danube River in 2019. Twice as wide as traditional river cruise ships and designed by Co-Founder and President Rudi Schreiner, AmaMagna offers the luxury of space with more than 50% ultra-spacious suite accommodations, an expansive Zen Wellness Studio and four unique dining experiences that make her the perfect ship for introducing ocean clients to the river.
“The ship is unbelievable,” raved Alonzo. “A lot of cruise lines say they’ll listen to your suggestions, but you might not see them come to fruition. With AmaMagna, it was important for my clients to have more suites available and Rudi listened to us all. The spacious suites, the layout of the onboard boutique, the dining areas – they were all incredible. It was the epitome of what I would want on my own yacht.”
Sheila’s favorite enhancements were AmaMagna’s chic onboard cinema and the ability to choose from four dining venues, including two new restaurants: Al Fresco, which offers light, vegetable-forward menu with panoramic views, and Jimmy’s, with its warm, family-style dining atmosphere. “I also loved the Zen Wellness Studio,” she recalled fondly of the expansive space that encompasses a well-equipped fitness room with outdoor spin bikes, a relaxing juice bar, two massage rooms and hair and nail salon. “I don’t ever take a cruise without a spa treatment – and it was fabulous!”
A Family Affair
Our Gang Travel has found enormous success throughout the years, including selling AmaWaterways river cruises, which they attribute to the way they personally connect with their clients. “Everyone has to be Sheila’s friend – that’s number one,” Alonzo joked. “In all seriousness, many of our clients will be here at our office for two or three hours because we serve them wine or Champagne, we’ve even shared dinners with them. We make them feel like they’re part of our family, ‘our gang.’”
Though some business owners focus on the bottom line, Our Gang Travel focuses on the passion of introducing their clients to truly unforgettable experiences. “For us,” professed Alonzo, “It’s not about the dollar bill. We just want our clients, ‘our gang,’ coming back and spending time on another cruise with us.”
Sheila agreed. “We do it for the memories.”
Sentiments shared, of course, by AmaWaterways.
Learn more about groups within your Travel Advisor Portal or call us at 800.626.0126 today to set up your own group during our 2022 or 2023 sailing seasons, aboard AmaMagna or any of our other award-winning ships!