An Introduction to AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a multi-award-winning river cruise line renowned for its innovative ship design, exceptional service, and immersive cultural experiences across the world's most iconic rivers. A family-owned and operated company, AmaWaterways prides itself on delivering a personalized and enriching journey that feels like traveling with friends.
A Brief History
AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by three visionary co-founders: Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy. Rudi Schreiner, originally from Vienna, Austria, is often referred to as the "Godfather of River Cruising" for his pioneering work in designing modern river ships and developing itineraries for many of today's major river cruise companies. After years of shaping the industry, he teamed up with Kristin Karst, an expert in river cruise sales and customer service, and the late Jimmy Murphy, a brilliant travel entrepreneur, to establish AmaWaterways with a commitment to a higher standard of luxury and guest experience.
Since its inception, AmaWaterways has consistently pushed the boundaries of river cruising. They introduced innovations like the "Twin Balcony" concept (combining a French balcony with an outside balcony), specialty dining at The Chef's Table, and a focus on active excursions including complimentary bicycles. The launch of AmaMagna in 2019, a ship twice the width of traditional river cruise vessels, further demonstrated their commitment to innovation and spacious luxury on the Danube. AmaWaterways has garnered numerous accolades for its ships, service, and itineraries, solidifying its position as a leader in the luxury river cruise market.
The Fleet: Innovative & Elegant River Ships
AmaWaterways operates a modern fleet of custom-designed river cruise ships, each meticulously crafted to provide comfort, elegance, and optimal viewing of the scenic riverbanks. Their ships typically accommodate an average of just 156 guests, ensuring an intimate atmosphere and personalized service.
Key Features across the Fleet often include:
Twin Balconies: Many staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony, maximizing views and fresh air.
The Chef's Table: A complimentary specialty restaurant offering a unique, multi-course tasting menu.
Heated Swimming Pool with Swim-Up Bar: A signature feature on most European ships, providing a refreshing amenity.
Complimentary Bicycles: Guests can explore destinations ashore with a fleet of onboard bicycles.
Wellness Host: On select European ships, a dedicated host leads fitness classes and wellness activities.
Extensive Included Excursions: A variety of daily excursions catering to different activity levels, often including gentle, regular, and active options.
Complimentary Wine & Beer: Served with lunch and dinner.
Complimentary Wi-Fi: Available throughout the ship.
Ships:
European Fleet (primarily Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Douro, Dutch & Belgian Waterways):
AmaBella | AmaCello | AmaCerto | AmaDante | AmaDolce | AmaDouro | AmaKristina | AmaLea | AmaLucia | AmaLyra | AmaMagna | AmaMora | AmaPrima | AmaReina | AmaSerena | AmaSiena | AmaSintra | AmaSonata | AmaStella | AmaVenita | AmaVerde | AmaVida | AmaViola | AmaSofia (New for 2026).
Asia Fleet:
AmaDara | AmaDahlia | AmaLilia | AmaMaya (New for 2026) | AmaMelodia.
Africa Fleet:
South America Fleet:
Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)
AmaWaterways offers a comprehensive collection of river cruise itineraries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Their voyages are known for being port-intensive, allowing guests to delve deeply into the culture and history of each region.
All port links are affilaited with Trip.com The Essential Cruise Shop will be paid a commission on any completed bookings at no additional cost to you.
Key Rivers and Example Starting Ports for 2025-2026 include:
Europe:
Danube River:
Budapest (Hungary) | Vilshofen (Germany) | Nuremberg (Germany) | Passau (Germany).
Popular itineraries include "Melodies of the Danube," "Romantic Danube," and Christmas Markets cruises.
Rhine River:
Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Basel (Switzerland) | Frankfurt (Germany).
Including itineraries like "Enchanting Rhine" and "Rhine & Moselle Delights."
Main River & Moselle River:
Often combined with Rhine and Danube itineraries, departing from cities like
Luxembourg City (Luxembourg) | Trier (Germany) | Nuremberg (Germany).
Seine River (France):
Roundtrip, exploring Normandy and its historical sites.
Rhône & Saône Rivers (France):
Lyon (France) | Port of Dijon (France)
Delving into the culinary and artistic heart of Provence and Burgundy.
Douro River (Portugal):
Roundtrip, known for its scenic vineyards and charming villages.
Dordogne & Garonne Rivers (France):
Focusing on wine regions and historical châteaux.
Dutch & Belgian Waterways:
Exploring charming canals and cities.
Asia:
Mekong River (Vietnam & Cambodia):
Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | Siem Reap (Cambodia).
With pre/post land packages, offering deep cultural immersion.
Africa:
Nile River (Egypt):
Roundtrip, exploring ancient wonders with an extensive land program in Cairo.
South America:
Magdalena River (Colombia):
Cartagena (Colombia) | Barranquilla (Colombia).
Exploring Colombia's vibrant culture and biodiversity.
AmaWaterways also offers a variety of themed cruises, including "Wine Cruises" led by experts, "Christmas Markets" cruises, and "Festive Departures" during the holidays.
Official Websites
AmaWaterways maintains a strong online presence for its global clientele.
USA Official Website: https://www.amawaterways.com/
UK Official Website: https://www.amawaterways.co.uk/
A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams
When planning your luxury river cruise with AmaWaterways, it is essential to remain highly vigilant against potential scam attempts that, unfortunately, target travelers. Be aware of these common red flags:
"Free Cruise" or "Exclusive Offer" Traps: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails, texts, or social media messages claiming you've won a "free AmaWaterways cruise" or are eligible for an impossibly low-priced "exclusive" deal. These invariably come with hidden fees, demands for immediate payment for "port taxes" or "service charges," or are simply phishing attempts to collect your personal data or pressure you into buying something else entirely. AmaWaterways, as a desirable luxury brand, is a target for such fraudulent schemes.
Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create highly convincing fake websites that mimic AmaWaterways' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails that appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive personal information. Always manually type the official website address (e.g., amawaterways.com or amawaterways.co.uk) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL very carefully before entering any data, looking for subtle misspellings or unusual domain extensions.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of any offer that demands an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used by fraudsters to prevent you from doing proper research or verifying the offer's legitimacy.
Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards).
To ensure your unforgettable AmaWaterways journey begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official AmaWaterways website for your region or through a well-established, reputable travel advisor who is familiar with AmaWaterways' offerings. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact AmaWaterways directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Embark on your award-winning river adventure with complete peace of mind.
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