As part of a history-making partnership, Ancestry and AmaWaterways are combining our shared passions for family, heritage and travel to offer guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to uncover their family history while cruising along Europes legendary rivers. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship you're on. Many River Cruises Work On A Full Board Basis, but on an AmaWaterways River Cruise full board covers A LOT. Guests will enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this special itinerary, such as guided tours showcasing jazz, food and wine, all while shining a light on Black heritage. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. Trying to decide whether you want to sail AmaWaterways vs. Viking River Cruises is tricky. (Probably Overrated). We offer coffee and tea 24/7 to our guests and are happy to prepare it any way you like. Starting in 2016, it offered "cruise and bike trips on the Rhine, Seine and Douro". AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . I am very picky about my coffee. The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? If cancellation is made 121 days or more from the sailing 50 percent of the deposit is returned and is then on a sliding scale up until the time of departure. 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?. Europe can be quite warm in the summer, so short sleeve shirts, shorts, skirts, sundresses and a wide-brimmed hat are good items to pack. [2], Unusually for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries. Carving out a niche in the upscale segment of the river cruise industry, AmaWaterways is luxurious in many ways, yet with a contemporary, comfortable vibe. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. Throw pillows are elaborate, and wood and marble touches are dark. On board AmaWaterways, you will find cabins with a classy, sleek look and contemporary design. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Bathrooms have heated floors, a surprising and wonderful detail, especially in the middle of the night. Plan to pack attire that is casually elegant; and something a little dressier to wear to the Captains Dinner or an evening concert. Fresh local dishes and favorite drinks are stocked on board at every location to make you feel like . Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. While jackets for men and cocktail dresses for ladies are recommended for a few special nights at dinner , you most likely wont be stopped at the door if youre not wearing those. In fact, you might be wondering, which is better, AmaWaterways or Uniworld? Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways There are fitness classes (during COVID times, these were provided outdoors, weather permitting, rather than in the fitness center), massages and beauty treatments in the one-room spa and salon, a small pool, and an outdoor giant chess set. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. Active is for very fit travelers wishing more intensity and a faster pace. Much like Uniworld, AmaWaterways ships cruise a variety of riverways worldwide. Backroads even provides the high-end bikes for these sailings, set up for each person ahead of time based on factors like height, weight and cycling style. Heres what you need to know. Although most river cruise lines promote themselves as all-inclusive the meaning of all-inclusive tends to vary by operator by that, I mean some river cruise lines are in fact more inclusive than others! Viking, whose president and founder, Torstein Hagan, is Norwegian, features comfortable, modern and minimalist styling. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. AmaSiena has 78 staterooms across nine room types, each of which can have the bed configured as a queen or two twins. AmaWaterways has a larger fleet than Uniworld, with a larger variety of sizes as well. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Resort was stunning , food and entertainment was great, and the staff were incredible. She sings and entertains to a variety of familiar songs from around the world. This is my second time booking a trip with Cheryl Wilson. AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. You might go truffle hunting in Bordeaux or cognac blending in Camus, for example. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that! Speak to a Cruise Agent: J 1-888-766-6420 International Callers Click Here [2] The company also caters to bicyclists, golfers,[4] and other active passengers. Excursions are operated in small groups of just 10-15 guests. Uniworld tends to put more focus on guided tours and daytime entertainment at various destinations. Both lunch and dinner are multi-course affairsthere are multiple options per coursethough portions are reasonably small to account for all the dishes. Both cruise lines take the same approach to dining, with a combination of buffet and off-the-menu ordering at breakfast and lunch, then a sit-down dinner at a set time each night. Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. Note that the Sun Deck is only accessible via stairs, not the elevators. Both cruise lines welcome children onboard (with some limitations). Both suggest gratuities of around 2 euros for tour guides and one euro for bus drivers. Opened in 2002, with 18 amazing years in operation. Technically, AmaWaterways is not all-inclusive but it offers a wide selection of alcoholic drinks throughout the day on European cruises. Learn how your comment data is processed. Everything is taken care of with no worries. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. There is more than enough to keep you entertained while onboard, especially since on river cruises you typically spend much of your time at various destinations. Steinman emphasizes that these wine cruises have all the tours that would be available on a regular cruise, yet guests also can enjoy special wine tastings, wine pairings and interaction with a special wine host. Sandals Cabana Rental: All You Need to Know 2023, Is Santorini Worth It? Here are a few complimentary amenities that are added along with your land package. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. While we offer a wide variety of included excursions to suit your individual interests and encourage you to join us, you are of course welcome to explore on your own. 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. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. The greeters was great! Each of these cabins features a twin bed and space for one, perfect for solo cruisers. $1-$3 is suggested for guides but I usually gave them 5 Euros. What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? Your email address will not be published. Known for their European heritage and pioneering spirit, AmaWaterways leads the industry in innovation, highlighted by the announcement of their history-making 45- and 46-night Seven River Journeys, their new Heritage on the River experiences in partnership with Ancestry, and launching a new river cruise destination and eco-friendly ship on Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. As for accommodations, ultra-spacious suites account for more than 50 percent of AmaMagnas accommodations. Thats not to say that friend groups or multi-gen families wouldnt enjoy sailingseveral cabins do have connecting doors. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Budapest illuminated at night. Cruisers on AmaWaterways get one dinner per cruise at The Chef's Table, an included alternative restaurant that has a set menu. Because the unique cities that you reach by river boat mean that you can walk into glorious locations such as Vienna and Budapest. How to Get to Rome from the Port of Civitavecchia. Pools feature underwater stools so passengers can sit at the bar and watch the scenery go by. All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while theres a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. The building design is classy and quality. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. During the day, passengers can skip the ship's dining room for buffet dining. With river cruise ships being so small, there isnt much space for onboard activities, but they certainly offer enough to keep you entertained while youre on the water. We have in place an exemption process that may result in a small number of guests onboard who are not fully . We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhne with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. Ama's cabins in virtually every category are slightly bigger than Viking's. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 5 Reasons Why Families Will Love the Refurbished Norwegian Jewel, 10 Cruise Alcohol Hacks for Better Drinking on the Cheap. One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. 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. .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}AmaWaterways and Viking are similarly priced across all cabin categories, from the lowest on up to the suites, and both offer comparable inclusions. The Bottom Line: Which River Cruise Line is Right for You. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. The line has 55 Longships, nearly identical boats designed to sail Europe's rivers. Included tours and excursions led by knowledgeable local guides 5. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. Theres also the Chefs Table, a 32-seat specialty restaurant with a panoramic view from the ship's stern that serves a five-course tasting menu. These may seem like low amounts, but its important to remember that river cruise ships are far smaller than regular-sized cruise ships. I was having second thoughts on staying there and I am so glad he talked me out of it. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. [4], AmaWaterways cruise ships ply a number of rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro,[2] Moselle, Main,[5] Garonne,[6] and Rhne. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. Modern coaches provide the primary mode of transportation for each, though Viking's are branded with the cruise line's logo and photos of the ships or exotic locations (making them easily identifiable among the crowd), while only some of AmaWaterways' buses are branded. Thank you Eric for handling our destination Wedding at the Finest and also our Honeymoon at the Unico Resort. If youre looking for honeymoon cruise options, you may want to check out our article 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. Sparkling wine with breakfast, local wine and beers at lunch and dinner, with the Sip and Sail Hour held before dinner every night. Decor is punctuated by Scandinavian art (paintings of old Norwegian sailing vessels, for example).