AmaWaterways is now offering a comprehensive package with a 7-night river cruise in a French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a pre- or post-cruise land package, port charges and Travel Waiver Plus all included with a starting price of US$5,499 per person. For trips that require transport, that was also provided. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive -- and pricy -- is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost (of course, if you don't drink, you might feel annoyed at having to pay for all your fellow passengers getting their glasses topped off). We strongly encourage getting a slice of Sacher Torte or strudel with your cup at one of Viennas coffeehouses on the Danube River, and tasting authentic Rdesheimer coffee made with Asbach brandy in Rdesheim, Germany along the Rhine. These ships dont spend days at sea; rather, they are utilized as a luxurious experience between destinations. While many river lines showcase local wines from the region of sailing, AmaWaterways does that but it also has offers dedicated Wine Cruises 67 such themed cruises in 2020. We are booked on AMA and are considering the Xmas Market 2-day post-cruise extension in Prague in December. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. AmaWaterways vs. Viking River Cruises | Cruise Critic In the main lounge, there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee making facilities including hot chocolate and herbal/fruit teas. [2], At each port of call, there are guided excursions that are graded according to the difficulty level of the walking. Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: Which Cruise Line Is Best for You. That said, both Uniworld and AmaWaterways have wellness centers, swimming pools, sun decks, and lounges in which you can sit comfortably with a good book or enjoy a drink and a chat with fellow guests. FYI: My wife and now have been to 55 countries together as a couple! In addition, AmaWaterways river cruises offer complimentary guided bicycle tours in at least two ports on every seven-night itinerary along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhne rivers. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. AmaWaterways excursions generally have three levels: a gentle-walking group, the general group and the active group. Typically, theres just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum. River cruise lines with European owners, such as CroisiEurope and A-Rosa, tend to be the most a la carte. How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just
Your email address will not be published. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship you're on. We use cookies to analyse our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance and provide a better experience for our users. So, yes, you should bring a book. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. Although it is considered a more moderately priced line, Emerald offers a fair number of inclusions (see below), primarily because many of its travelers are Australian (and prefer fares to be more bundled than a la carte). The voyage includes meals, beverages, shore excursions, Wi . What's Included in My River Cruise Fare? - Cruise Critic Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. They have a larger variety of ship sizes than Uniworld, with the AmaDahlia holding 72 passengers and the AmaMagna holding 196. Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. They also have heated swimming pools with swimup bars that are surprisingly large for a river line. Award-winning dining experiences are offered in four different restaurant options aboard the ship. Do I need formal attire? In 2023 it will launch a series of 46-night sailings through Europe on four ships and in 2024 will become the first line to offer sailings on Colombia's Magdalena River. Breakfast lunch and dinner are usually at set times, although there is more flexibility around breakfast and lunch. Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Theres always the lounge or the Sun Deck, though. It feels very close to all-inclusive. Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know. 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. Light bites are served throughout the day in the lounge; there are pastries for early or late risers who miss breakfast, tapas for lunch, afternoon tea, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour (alcoholic beverages are complimentary), and a late-night snack served at 10:30 p.m. You can also access a complimentary coffee station here 24/7. Talks, too, focus on history of the region, and might include scenic cruising lectures, where the speaker points out highlights as the boat sails. AmaWaterways 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. Closer attention to detail is guaranteed from all tour operators. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. These include Tauck, Scenic, APT and Crystal, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways. Each of these cabins features a twin bed and space for one, perfect for solo cruisers. This Epic New European River Cruise Visits 14 Countries and 7 - Travel There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. All meals are included in your fare. Theyve chosen some great wineries to visit that are only a short walking distance from the dock. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. Here are a few complimentary amenities that are added along with your land package. You May Like: Carnival Cruise Line Mobile Al. 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. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Ama Magna D E Passau N B C I M G 7237 Edit 2000x800, Quilting (Photo: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock.com). An immense variety of ports means more unique travel destinations and options. Through financial support to the school, AmaWaterways sponsorship brings English-language skills to local children of grammar-school age to help improve their lives and assist with subsequent employment opportunities. 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. Your cruise fare on both will include at least one shore excursion in each port; wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner; all onboard meals; Wi-Fi; and cultural enrichment. Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Thank you! According to Wendy Perrin, one of the most noted travel experts in the industry, some of these similarities include: Viking ships all feature elevators whereas AmaWaterways only has elevators on the Europe ships. Breakfast is served with fresh juices and sparkling wines so that every day starts off with a touch of luxury. Excursions are typically guided by local experts who know the port's culture and history well. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. The four 350-square-foot suites have separate living and sleeping spaces, the former of which has a pull-out sofa that can accommodate two extra guests. Then, there are the ships in Egypt and China, Vietnam, which the line either owns or charters. AmaWaterways Cruises - Travel Weekly AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. I sailed on AmaMagna in July and found it exceptionally spacious, both in public spaces and within the accommodations. With the exception of a few, most of the trips are half a day and start and finish back at the ship. This beach is gorgeous. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. If youre looking for honeymoon cruise options, you may want to check out our article 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. Recommended Reading: Italian River Cruise. The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). [11], As of 2022, AmaWaterways had a fleet of 26 ships. When it comes to entertainment onboard, AmaWaterways seems to perform a little better. The next deck is the Cello Deck, home to staterooms and the main restaurant, followed by the Violin deck, with more staterooms, reception, the lounge, a gift shop, and the Chefs Table restaurant. [2] The company also caters to bicyclists, golfers,[4] and other active passengers. You'll enjoy the following: Dining Expert chefs craft menus in a range of restaurants onboard to ensure every meal is a culinary experience to remember. AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. AmaWaterways - The Points Guy One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Youll feel pampered, whether youre in a grand suite or classic cabin. Read on for a comparison of AmaWaterways vs. Uniworld, including their ships, itineraries, activities and entertainment, price range, and more, so that you can decide which river cruise line is best for you. The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. There was no detail that she missed. All Rights Reserved. These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. Furthermore should you have work to keep up with or just want to keep tabs with everyone at home. AmaWaterways is a family-owned company that was established in 2002 and is still run by the families. Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. Both lines offer a variety of amenities that are standard between ships. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. Ama offer a full itinerary of classes throughout the day, a gym with spinning bikes and the addition of a relaxation area. If you plan on participating in our complimentary wellness activities, be sure to bring comfortable workout clothing, such as yoga pants or bike shorts. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! Debuting in summer 2019, the creatively designed AmaMagna is twice the width of a normal Danube river vessel and offers some of the largest staterooms on European rivers. "AmaWaterways Announces Retirement of Gary Murphy, Senior Vice President of Sales, Promotes Alex Pinelo", "AmaWaterways Unveils Details of Newest Ship, AmaMagna", "AmaWaterways to debut new ship, new itineraries in 2021", "Down the Danube: What would a 20-something make of a river cruise? Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail the Douro River in Portugal and the Elbe River in France, which runs through Germany and the Czech Republic. [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. She covers various destinations, hotels, and travel products for TripSavvy. Excursions are typically guided by local experts who know the port's culture and history well and speak English almost perfectly. These included spacious staterooms with French balconies (sliding doors with railings) or Twin balconies, glass elevators, plush robes and luxury bedding, marble bathrooms, complimentary Internet, Wi-Fi access and Infotainment Systems; the newer vessels have heated swimming pools with swim-up bars. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. The line has 55 Longships, nearly identical boats designed to sail Europe's rivers. 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. Is this the most epic river cruise ever? 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. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships currently not operating in Russia). The building design is classy and quality. The only things that appear to be included in AMA's package is 1) $110 transfers boat to hotel; 2) 2 nights hotel; and 3) 1/2 day city tour. This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. I am very picky about my coffee. AmaWaterways | Cruise Deals, Itineraries & Packages | Avoya Travel 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. There is an up-charge for this optional tour but its a MUST-SEE experience. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. I would highly recommend choosing the carefully selected wine pairings, handpicked by the onboard sommelier. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Also free use of bikes to take on shore. 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. Most of the public areas are forward of or just behind the central atrium, which houses the elevators, though the Chefs Table, which is all the way aft. About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? AmaWaterways: A Guide to European River Cruises - Every Avenue Travel These Piano Deck cabins with fixed windows are the smallest onboard at just 160 square feet. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 14 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, 16 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, AmaWaterways Ltd | Abbots Place Suite B | Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4RW. All of the tours are very interactive and high-end, offering you more than a regular tour ever could. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. One of the best ways of securing a better deal, however, is by booking via a cruise travel agent. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey. How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. There is, however, an exception when it comes to DIYing your own itinerary. some of the leading championship courses on the continent. Bring comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions and one pair of dressier shoes. River cruise dining shows what the little guys can do Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[12] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[4]. Ukraine, Russia, and Egypt are also scheduled countries for Viking River Cruises. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. All the restaurants were great. AmaWaterways' AmaSiena: A Complete Ship Guide - TripSavvy The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. Combination river and ocean cruises are available that take you to other European countries like Spain, Denmark, and Norway. Sandals Cabana Rental: All You Need to Know 2023, Is Santorini Worth It? Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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. As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship youre on. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. This includes dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Theres just one main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because the unique cities that you reach by river boat mean that you can walk into glorious locations such as Vienna and Budapest. The onboard entertainment strives to immerse you in local culture during your trip, with live music, storytellers, and dancers who live and work in the destinations the ships travel to. You may be traveling through different climates and altitudes, so layering is advisable. Contact. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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! Everything is taken care of with no worries. I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. Bed configuration for both lines is flexible: Two twins can be combined into one king. There is a cancellation fee of $100 payable on sailings cancelled 121 days or more before the sailing date, which increases on a sliding scale closer to the departure. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. She frequently sails seven-night itineraries between Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland, sailing through Germanys scenic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with castles. Once at your destination, you can speak with your guide about going off solojust make sure you dont miss the ride back to the ship. One of the best extras with AmaWaterways is that they have a choice of excursions in most ports at no extra charge, says travel advisor Candie Steinman, franchise owner, Dream Vacations, Fort Myers, FL. Absolutely not! So how do you decide? After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. Viking River Cruises typically host 190 passengers. 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. Am I missing something? Both lines also offer specialized cruises. Despite being different its equally wonderful. 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. You can expect a whole range of inclusions on your Nile or Mekong cruise with AmaWaterways. She sings and entertains to a variety of familiar songs from around the world. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. 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. As for accommodations, ultra-spacious suites account for more than 50 percent of AmaMagnas accommodations. The Black Sea Voyage shows you a different side of Europe Eastern Europe, with its recent scars and growing pains. Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. When you consider that most Europeans ride bikes everywhere, its no surprise there are wide paved bike paths throughout every port of call. Most AmaWaterways ships average between 158 to 164 passengers. 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. While locks on most European rivers limit the size of river vessels plying those waterways, the Danube can accommodate some larger ships.