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!"
The castles and provincial hamlets along the Rhine River have been the inspiration for countless well-known fairytales and bedtime stories - many of which have been co-opted into blockbuster films and pop-cultural icons. A few have managed to stay out of the glare, remaining beloved but local legends. Discover the tales and myths of the rivers as you sail on our Rhine River itineraries.
The Siren of the River
One such story is that of Lorelei – a lovely young maiden whose beauty was so bewitching that she caused sailors to wreck their ships. There are several different versions of the myth but all are centered around the so-called Lorelei Rock. Located at a part of the river with particularly strong and treacherous currents, its eerie-sounding echo was amplified with raging waters that crashed against the jagged rock. While this ‘murmur’ is harder to hear nowadays thanks to all the urbanization in the surrounding areas, you can imagine the terrified fears of sailors as they attempted to navigate these waters. Many ships met an untimely fate here.
Lorelei in Literature
An early version of the tale, penned by German poet and novelist Clemens Brentano, tells of a heroine betrayed by her sweetheart who imagines she sees her love in the Rhine and falls off the cliff to her death. She remains at the cliff forever after, haunting sailors with her enchanting song.
A Beautiful Muse
Heinrich Heine’s well-known 1824 poem about the legend further cemented the fairytale in the hearts and minds of the German people, describing a woman with golden jewels and hair and a golden comb who fell – or flung herself -- into the river because of an unfaithful lover. Her spirit sings an enthralling, haunting melody – like a spell – that is powerful enough to send sailors to their deaths. The murmur from the waters was thought to be the sound of Lorelei’s voice.
While no blockbuster cinematic version has yet to hit the big screen, the legend has inspired countless musicians, artists and storytellers. Johann Strauss composed a waltz for Lorelei, Sylvia Plath wrote a poem, Felix Mendelssohn composed an opera, Styx performed a song, Marvel Comics created a character and Star Trek even centered an episode around a planet of beautiful women who lure ships to their world.
Visiting Lorelei Before Your Journey
For travelers from the United States -- the Lorelei Fountain, originally planned to be erected in Heinrich Heine’s hometown of Düsseldorf, can be enjoyed in the Bronx before or after your journey.
Uncover even more charming local legends with our Rhine River itineraries.