AmaWaterways River Cruises — Luxury Voyages in Europe, Asia & Africa
Sail the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Moselle and Douro through Europe, the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Nile in Egypt, the Chobe in Africa and the Magdalena in Colombia aboard AmaWaterways’ award-winning fleet. Founded by river-cruise pioneers Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways carries an average of just 156 guests per ship, with twin-balcony staterooms, farm-to-table cuisine, fine wines and active excursions all included. Book through StarsDesk for exclusive Virtuoso amenities and personalized advisor support.
Why Sail with AmaWaterways
Intimate River Ships
With an average of 156 guests per ship (and as few as 60 on the Mekong, Nile and Magdalena), every AmaWaterways river cruise feels personal and uncrowded. The 196-guest AmaMagna is the line’s largest custom-designed vessel on the Danube.
Twin-Balcony Staterooms
Most staterooms feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin balcony — a French balcony plus a full outside balcony — alongside premium bedding and marble bathrooms for river views from your cabin.
Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Regionally inspired, farm-to-ship dining, complimentary fine wines, craft beers and soft drinks, plus a multi-course tasting at The Chef’s Table, are all included in your fare.
Immersive Shore Excursions
Explore Vienna, Budapest, Strasbourg, Cologne, Paris, Bordeaux and Porto with expert local guides. Excursions come in active, regular and gentle paces — with bike rides and hikes available in most ports.
Award-Winning Wellness
Onboard wellness includes a fitness center, spa treatments, a sundeck walking/jogging track, heated pool and complimentary bicycles for guided or independent rides along scenic rivers and vineyards.
New Ships for 2026
AmaWaterways now operates more than 30 ships across 49 destinations. New for 2026: AmaSofia on the Rhine and Danube and AmaKaia on the Mekong, joining favorites like AmaSiena, AmaStella, AmaKristina and AmaDolce.
Where AmaWaterways Sails
With over 100 itineraries across 32 countries, AmaWaterways reaches Europe’s most storied rivers and far-flung waterways across three continents.
Europe
Danube (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia), Rhine, Main & Moselle (Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands), Seine (Paris to Normandy), Rhône & Saône (Provence and Burgundy), Garonne & Dordogne (Bordeaux) and the Douro (Portugal and Spain).
Asia — Mekong
Journey through Vietnam and Cambodia along the Mekong River, pairing river cruising with the temples of Angkor and the markets of the delta.
Africa & Egypt
Cruise the Chobe River on safari through Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, or sail the Nile in Egypt past ancient temples and tombs.
Colombia — Magdalena
AmaWaterways’ newest frontier: the Magdalena River in Colombia, between Cartagena and Barranquilla aboard the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia.
Exclusive StarsDesk & Virtuoso Benefits
Book AmaWaterways through StarsDesk, a Virtuoso member agency, and receive onboard credit plus personalized travel support — combinable with select AmaWaterways promotions.
| Voyage Length | Virtuoso Onboard Credit (per stateroom) |
|---|---|
| 7 Nights | Up to $300 onboard credit ($150 per person) |
| 14 Nights | Up to $600 onboard credit ($300 per person) |
*Virtuoso onboard credit amounts are based on double occupancy on select departures (solo travelers receive half) and are subject to current Virtuoso and AmaWaterways promotions. Contact your StarsDesk advisor to confirm the amenity on your chosen sailing.
Featured River Cruises
Danube River Highlights
- Vienna, Austria: classical music and historic coffee houses
- Budapest, Hungary: thermal baths and a panoramic city tour
- Passau and Linz: medieval towns and scenic Bavarian vistas
- Melk & Dürnstein: UNESCO World Heritage abbeys and Wachau Valley wine tasting
Enchanting Rhine, Main & Moselle
- Cologne & Koblenz, Germany: Gothic cathedral and cobblestone old towns
- Rüdesheim am Rhein & Mainz: vineyards and the castle-lined Rhine Gorge
- Strasbourg, France: half-timbered architecture and canals of Alsace
Seine & Normandy Explorer
- Paris, France: iconic landmarks and cuisine
- Normandy: D-Day beaches and historic harbors
- Rouen & Giverny: Gothic cathedrals and Claude Monet’s gardens
Douro, Bordeaux & Provence
- Douro Valley (Portugal): terraced vineyards and port wine, sailing from Porto
- Bordeaux (France): Garonne and Dordogne wine country
- Provence & Burgundy: the Rhône and Saône from Lyon to Arles and Avignon
Mekong, Nile, Chobe & Magdalena
- Mekong: Vietnam and Cambodia, including Angkor
- Nile: ancient Egypt aboard intimate riverboats
- Chobe: African safari cruising across Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Magdalena: Colombia between Cartagena and Barranquilla
How AmaWaterways Compares
| Feature | AmaWaterways | Viking River | Uniworld | Scenic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Guest Capacity | ~156 (up to 196 on AmaMagna) | ~190 | ~130–150 | ~150–160 |
| Atmosphere | Intimate & active | Elegant & modern | Luxury boutique | All-inclusive luxury |
| Included | Meals, wine & beer, excursions, bikes | Meals, wine/beer with meals, one tour/port | Meals, drinks, excursions, gratuities | Meals, drinks, excursions, butler service |
| Signature Strength | Cuisine, twin balconies, active excursions | Itinerary range & consistency | Design-forward interiors | Fully inclusive fares |
Sample Pricing & Stateroom Guide
AmaWaterways pricing varies by ship, river, season and stateroom category. The indicative ranges below reflect 2026 market rates for a 7-night European itinerary, cruise-only, per person, based on double occupancy:
| Stateroom Type | Indicative From (per person, 7 nights) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Outside / River-View Stateroom | from ~$3,500 | River view, premium bedding, marble bath |
| Twin-Balcony Stateroom | from ~$4,500 | French + full balcony, spacious layout |
| Suite | from ~$6,500 | Larger living space, enhanced amenities |
| Owner’s / Royal Suite | from ~$9,000+ | Top-tier suites, priority service |
Figures are indicative and exclude airfare, gratuities, and pre/post land programs. Mekong, Nile, Chobe and Magdalena voyages are priced separately. Contact our AmaWaterways advisors for a personalized quote with current rates and Virtuoso benefits.
Related Luxury Voyages
Prefer ocean or yacht cruising? Explore the Four Seasons Yachts, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Crystal Cruises, Viking Cruises and Explora Journeys. See our full luxury cruises collection, learn about Virtuoso benefits, or read our guide to the top AmaWaterways travel advisors.
AmaWaterways FAQ
What is AmaWaterways known for?
AmaWaterways is an award-winning luxury river cruise line founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. It is known for intimate ships averaging 156 guests, signature twin-balcony staterooms, farm-to-table cuisine with included fine wines, active biking and hiking excursions, and award-winning wellness amenities.
Where does AmaWaterways sail?
Primarily Europe’s rivers — the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Garonne, Dordogne and Douro. Beyond Europe, AmaWaterways sails the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Nile in Egypt, the Chobe in Africa and the Magdalena in Colombia.
How much does an AmaWaterways river cruise cost?
Indicative 2026 cruise-only fares for a 7-night European itinerary start from roughly $3,500 per person for an outside stateroom, $4,500 for a twin-balcony stateroom and $6,500 and up for suites, based on double occupancy. Pricing varies by ship, river, season and availability; airfare and land programs are additional.
What is included in the fare?
All onboard meals, complimentary fine wines, craft beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, at least one guided shore excursion per port, use of bicycles, wellness activities and onboard entertainment are included.
What StarsDesk and Virtuoso benefits do I receive?
As a Virtuoso member agency, StarsDesk can offer onboard credit per stateroom (typically up to $300 on 7-night and $600 on 14-night sailings, subject to current promotions), combinable with select AmaWaterways offers, plus personalized advisor support for flights, transfers and pre- and post-cruise stays.
Which AmaWaterways ship should I choose?
AmaMagna offers the most space on the Danube; AmaSiena and AmaStella sail the Rhine and Danube; AmaKristina cruises the Rhône; AmaDolce sails Bordeaux. New for 2026, AmaSofia joins the Rhine and Danube and AmaKaia debuts on the Mekong.
Are shore excursions included?
Yes. Expert-guided excursions are included in every port and offered in three paces — active, regular and gentle — with optional bike rides and hikes available in most destinations.
Why book AmaWaterways through StarsDesk?
StarsDesk combines exclusive Virtuoso amenities and onboard credit with personalized, full-service planning — coordinating flights, transfers, and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays so every detail of your river cruise is handled.
Share your travel preferences below. Our StarsDesk team will provide personalized voyage options aboard AmaWaterways and contact you with availability, pricing, and Virtuoso amenities.
A dedicated AmaWaterways advisor will contact you within 24 hours to assist with your voyage and Virtuoso benefits.