Get personal insight into all things river cruising from our Co-owner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst
An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than just the destination – it’s the journey. Our ships are inspired by luxury yachts so that you can enjoy an array of great features as you cruise along from one stunning place to the next. Because it’s not just about where you go. It’s how you get there that matters.
Executive Vice President and Co-owner Kristin Karst talks about what makes AmaWaterways river cruises so special.
Every year, eager travelers journey to Europe to experience the yuletide season at its very best. With the backdrop of winter white hilltops, twinkling lights and extravagantly decorated cities, you'll undoubtedly get swept up in the enchantment and wonder that's in the air.
Our Wine Cruises are a unique and immersive way to combine all the wonder of Europe's famed regions with the rich history of winemaking and epicurean treasures found along its wondrous rivers.
AmaWaterways, we love what we do — providing our guests with the best travel experiences possible. In fact, “Ama” is derived from the Latin word for “love.” It is a concept that permeates every aspect of our river cruises, from the design of our ships to the development of our itineraries to the high levels of service we deliver to our guests. It is a philosophy that drives our attention to detail, constant innovation and culture of always making our guests our top priority. It is the reason our guests all have a story about why it was the best cruise they’ve ever taken. When you sail with AmaWaterways, you will experience the luxury of more – more ways to discover, more ways to indulge and more onboard amenities. With an award-winning fleet, critically acclaimed dining and unique tour options, you will have the trip of a lifetime on our cruises.
Most of the staterooms on our fleet feature not just one, but two private balconies — a French balcony and a full outside balcony. Together, they provide a unique panoramic view of the beautiful sights along the river and maximize the natural light coming in. With twin balconies, you can enjoy the river however you like.
Our ships are your floating sanctuary. That’s why we chose to carry fewer guests (at most 164), so that we could make your staterooms larger and provide more amenities. With fewer people on board, public spaces like restaurants and lounges are never crowded, and accommodations range from 155 square feet all the way up to 350 square feet.
We realize that our guests have different tastes, so we’ve developed a menu of shore excursions in every port of call. In many destinations, you’ll be free to choose from one of several options — all of which are included in your cruise fare. There’s always a city tour designed to show you all the renowned highlights and landmarks in grand capitals and charming villages alike. Is it your first time in Vienna? Opt for an unforgettable exploration of the major sights led by a local, English-speaking guide that is well-versed in history and culture. Have you already been to Nuremberg? Instead of taking the city tour, indulge in a bratwurst and beer tasting on one of our Special Interest Tours, which are specially designed to place you in the midst of local life. We also offer different tour paces: Gentle, regular and active. The choice is yours.
With AmaWaterways, you have the option of exploring Europe’s amazing sights like the locals do. We were the first river cruise line to carry an entire fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, so you can experience biking alongside enchanting riverside pathways and in city centers. Whether you feel like joining one of our exclusive guided bike tours, or want to go discover on your own, there are many ways for you to explore on two wheels during your cruise. The beauty of Europe doesn’t just lie in its architecture and landmarks – there are also breathtaking things to be seen when you venture out into nature. That’s why we’ve designed special guided hikes that will take you a bit off the beaten path in some very beautiful destinations like the Wachau Valley. These unique, active tour options are included in the cruise fare so that you have more choices when it comes to how you prefer to explore.
AmaWaterways was invited to be a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – a prestigious international culinary society – and with good reason. Our expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional Western offerings. We are the only river cruise line that has The Chef’s Table, an intimate specialty restaurant where you can watch the chef prepare a lavish dinner right in front of you. Each meal is specially paired with premium local reds and whites from Europe’s renowned wine regions, with new selections each night. There’s also sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, menu service during lunch, as well as delicious tapas and snacks in the Main Lounge between meals. All onboard dining, as well as unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner, is included so you can indulge whenever and however you’d like.
A proactive, personalized approach to exceeding expectations is a hallmark of the AmaWaterways experience. Since we have a higher staff-to-guest ratio (1 staff member for every 3 guests) on our ships, our team can fully dedicate themselves to providing each of our guests with the highest level of service. From the time you book your cruise to the time you board your flight home, you will be treated to an exceptional hospitality experience. At AmaWaterways, we only hire the best of the best. Each member of our crew — whether it’s a stateroom steward or a Cruise Manager — is an expertly-trained professional with a passion for what they do and a commitment to excellence. We consider our guests part of the AmaWaterways family, and we work hard to make sure you feel that way the entire time you’re with us. What’s more, you’ll have the same highly-trained Cruise Manager during both your cruise and land program.
With fewer guests on board, we have space for luxurious amenities. Relax with a massage after a day of exploring, stay in shape with our fitness room and watch castles go by while enjoying a cocktail and taking a dip in our sun deck pool with a swim-up bar.
Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or contemporary piano favorites, you will enjoy an eclectic schedule of onboard entertainment every night.
While on your cruise, you’ll want to share all the pictures you take of everything you see and do. And, you also want to stay in touch with your friends and family back home. That’s why we provide free internet access and Wi-Fi when you’re aboard. Your stateroom also has a computer that you can use in case you didn’t bring your mobile device, or just want to sit down at a desk to surf the web.
Our river cruise line has always been inspired by a vision of innovation. Among other things, AmaWaterways was the first to offer twin-balcony (a French balcony and outside balcony) staterooms, include a specialty restaurant, carry a fleet of bicycles on board and offer a broad selection of tours. Our ships are uniquely designed to minimize the impact of water levels on the river, featuring low drafts for when there isn’t enough water, and specially engineered wheelhouses for when there is too much water.
We offer unique itineraries that let travelers delve even deeper in to the rich history and culture of Europe. Our Wine Cruises are the perfect way to add an epicurean dimension to your journey, with bonus wine-related excursions and even a wine expert on board. Or, you can get into the holiday spirit like never before on one of our Christmas Markets cruises.