1.3K views, 16 likes, 15 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Reels from AmaWaterways: Did you know that a select few of our amazing land packages are complimentary if you reserve before March 31st, 2023?. Another perk is that the line offers multiple pace levels of walking tours gentle, regular and active. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. There was no detail that she missed. This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. Our Reception Desk staff and additional crew will be happy to offer their suggestions, though part of the fun of exploring ports is stumbling upon a unique find yourself! They also have heated swimming pools with swimup bars that are surprisingly large for a river line. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, A River Cruise with a Butler: We Try It on Uniworld and Scenic, Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour, sparkling wine at breakfast, along with tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water, At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port (all excursions included on voyages in Africa), Special events, such as dinner in a castle, Complimentary entertainment on-demand in staterooms and suites, Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary, One-night hotel stay before trip on select itineraries, Hop-on, hop-off bus service in every port, Two dinners at the specialty restaurant, per cruise, Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers, Butler service (for some suite categories), One bag of laundry per cabin on seven-night cruises; two bags per cabin for 14-night cruises (for guests in some suites on an APT Collection cruise on Aria or Concerto river ships), One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner). In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. Viking's sun decks offer more space, in part because the area isn't used for pools or storing bicycles. AmaWaterways' AmaSiena: A Complete Ship Guide - TripSavvy Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. Regular is simply a normal walking tour and pace. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Bed configuration for both lines is flexible: Two twins can be combined into one king. One bonus that Viking River Cruises has over AmaWaterways is the ability to combine both river and ocean itineraries since they operate both types of ships now. Heres what you need to know. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. There's also space at the Aquavit Terrace. However, theres always plenty of flexibility while in port for adventures, from wine tastings to museum visits. Experience Christmas Markets, a holiday feast with all the trimmings and special events on board with your esteemed host. An exception to this is Emerald Waterways (also known as Evergreen in Australia), which is owned by the same tour company as Scenic. Fresh local dishes and favorite drinks are stocked on board at every location to make you feel like . Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. Absolutely not! What's Included - AmaWaterways - CruiseDirect.com River cruising is a relaxing, immersive and thoroughly enjoyable form of travel where you can enjoy ever-changing scenery along the banks of waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Volga and Yangtze. AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. At breakfast, you can enjoy sparkling wine, juices, tea and coffee. 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. Complimentary bottled water is replenished in your stateroom on a daily basis. These 210-square-foot cabins offer guests AmaSienas signature double balconies; one true balcony with two chairs and a small table and a French balcony right beside it. Unlike ocean cruises that may dock in industrial areas in Europe, a river ship docks right in the heart of the city, town or even village. Your email address will not be published. Included in the fares of our featured AmaWaterways river cruises are shore excursions in every port of call all dining on board fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner internet access and Wi-Fi and bicycles that you can use to explore on your own or join our guided bike tours. [1][2] Schreiner had been one of the pioneers of the river cruise industry after the RhineMainDanube Canal opened in 1992. 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. So, yes, you should bring a book. Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. AmaWaterways' New All-Inclusive Packages - River Cruise Advisor This beach is gorgeous. We stayed at the Dreams Resort & Spa in La Romana, Dominican Republic and it was perfect for our family reunion of our former foreign exchange students. Most of our ships in Europe include a fleet of complimentary bikes for you to use on our guided bike tours or for your individual exploration ashore. But for me, I have well and truly caught the river cruise bug. When you consider that most Europeans ride bikes everywhere, its no surprise there are wide paved bike paths throughout every port of call. 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). Our ships also move along at a gentle pace and you can always see land on both sides of the river, removing any additional anxiety for those who may feel stranded out on the open water. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Norfolk Va. AmaWaterways opened the ODA Free Village English School in the province of Siem Reap, Cambodia in association with ODA the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association. To align with the current international travel environment and country entry requirements, we have recently updated our guidelines. Select itineraries, such as our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings, also include a select number of meals on shore. Both cruise lines are all-inclusive and provide excellent service, meaning that no matter which one you choose, it is guaranteed to be worth the money. Active is for very fit travelers wishing more intensity and a faster pace. How Do the Two Lines Compare for Shore Excursions? We invite you to take one of our European river cruises, Asia river cruises, or Africa river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort. The majority measure 355 square feet, but six Grand Suites are 474 square feet and an Owners Suite is 710 square feet. These ships dont spend days at sea; rather, they are utilized as a luxurious experience between destinations. [2], At each port of call, there are guided excursions that are graded according to the difficulty level of the walking. I thought it may help to understand whats included on an Ama River Cruise. Here are few examples of AmaWaterwayss drinks prices: Recommended Reading: Which Cruise Lines Depart From New York. 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. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. She is awesome!!! some of the leading championship courses on the continent. Talks, too, focus on history of the region, and might include scenic cruising lectures, where the speaker points out highlights as the boat sails. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. I already referred a couple of my friends to book a vacation with Ultimate Travel and planning on contacting Eric soon to book our next trip, this time with our kids just trying to decide were to go next. For more helpful information by destination, click here. The venue that AmaWaterways uses isnt too far from the dock, has excellent acoustics and comfortable seating. For example, in 2021, wine enthusiasts might head into France to taste vintages on an Essence of Burgundy & Provence wine-themed sailing or into Austria and Germany for a Melodies of the Danube wine cruise. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. You will find a selection of tea and coffee available throughout the day, the main lounge has a coffee machine, fresh iced water and biscuits. All meals are included in your fare. What's Included in Your AMAWaterways River Cruise. Born in Austria, Schreiner always dreamed about building a larger river cruise vessel to sail the Danube, and now thats become a reality. Fewer guests onboard means less packed amenities and tours. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. AmaWaterways - The Points Guy At a glance. The Shore Excursions. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. We offer coffee and tea 24/7 to our guests and are happy to prepare it any way you like. There is an up-charge for this optional tour but its a MUST-SEE experience. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. Thank you Dani for knowing how to make things happen and always willing to go the extra mile to make our vacation special! In fact, you might be wondering, which is better, AmaWaterways or Uniworld? She covers various destinations, hotels, and travel products for TripSavvy. Cabins for both feature similar amenities, with things like mini-fridges stocked with water (replenished daily) umbrellas, robes and veranda blankets for use during your cruise, in-room Wi-Fi and interactive TVs with free on-demand programming. One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. The cruise begins in Budapest, Hungary, where you board the ship in the afternoon and start sailing after dark, when all the buildings and bridges along the Danube are illuminated. Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. Bring a raincoat and warm sweater for chilly evenings, especially in the spring and fall, and warmer clothing and a heavy coat for winter cruises. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. Everything is taken care of with no worries. Both lunch and dinner are multi-course affairsthere are multiple options per coursethough portions are reasonably small to account for all the dishes. If youre looking for honeymoon cruise options, you may want to check out our article 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Debuting in 2023 for the first time ever, our unforgettable Seven River Journeys will forever mark their place in history as the longest and most epic river cruises. The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. While our fitness rooms vary from ship to ship, they will typically include a treadmill, elliptical machine or spin bike, as well as an assortment of free weights. Bikers are required to wear helmets. Gentle tours are designed for those who need a slower pace or have mobility issues. AmaWaterways Drinks Guide - Cruise Lifestyle How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? Contact. Both itineraries are open for sale now, with Karst encouraging the audience of the 'Sip & Sail' event to "contact your travel . Ocean cruisers whove wanted to try a river cruise but have been afraid of feeling too confined will likely find AmaMagna more to their taste. FYI: My wife and now have been to 55 countries together as a couple! A not-to-be-missed performer. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. Are drinks included on Uniworld? It was quite the experience as we visited five countries in eight days and three of them we had never been to before. Explore the heart of 15 fascinating European countries on an enthralling 49-night journey. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels.