The ships even have a "gluten-free corner," where passengers can find snacks at all hours of the day. See what 1 line just announced for 2024, Why a Douro River cruise may be the perfect friends group getaway, Demand for cruises on small ships jumps in wake of COVID pandemic. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. 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. Wine, champagne, beer, sparking and still water and soft drinks are served throughout meal times, your glass never goes empty. Ama's cabins in virtually every category are slightly bigger than Viking's. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? She is awesome!!! 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. The majority measure 355 square feet, but six Grand Suites are 474 square feet and an Owners Suite is 710 square feet. How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? The decor was very impressive but also authentic Mayan feel. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Many AmaWaterways river cruises offer evening walking tours in Europe. It was set up by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. The dining was outstanding on the AmaMagna, offering lots of diverse choice and quality, including child friendly meals for fussy eaters. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. Your email address will not be published. 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). These Piano Deck cabins with fixed windows are the smallest onboard at just 160 square feet. Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that includes seven rivers, fourteen countries and the exclusive experiences only AmaWaterways provides. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. [1] History[ edit] When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. Seating on both lines is open, meaning passengers can sit wherever they'd like. Founded in 2002, this European riverboat operator is California-based and won several awards for river cruise innovation . 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. You might go truffle hunting in Bordeaux or cognac blending in Camus, for example. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. AmaWaterways is a wonderful pick for passengers who want to be active or travel with children as well as those who want more amenities onboard. 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. Uniworld has a broad range of staterooms offering a luxurious, high-end designer feel and one-of-a-kind interiors. Could Low Water Levels Ruin Your European River Cruise? Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? There are a lot of river cruise lines to choose from, so do your research to find the ship and company that meets your needs. Contact. Its difficult to feel hungry on The AmaMagna there are always snack available somewhere on the ship. During the day, passengers can skip the ship's dining room for buffet dining. But during meals, the waitstaff is quick to refill your glass!) 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. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. Elbe River Cruise Ships Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, The 8 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers of 2023, Carnival Magic - Cruise Ship Photo Tour and Profile, This 49-Night European River Cruise Is Open to Book for 2024, The Worlds Longest River Cruise Itinerary Was Just Announced, A Three-Story Racetrack, Food Hall, and Infinity Pools: Inside the Norwegian Prima, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. And as with most European river cruises, the demographic skews towards older couples with a moderate activity level (many guests take advantage of the complimentary bicycles available at every port, for instance). Cabin categories for Viking and AmaWaterways are pretty similar and vary from a standard riverview cabin with small windows all the way to suites with French and walk-out balconies. AmaWaterways has safari cruises in Africa, wine cruises in Europe, and cruises with focuses like golf, ancestry, classical music, and more. AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. 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. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. 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. 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. The word "inclusive" gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. 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. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. The only slight difference is that with AmaWaterways placing emphasis on their excellent onboard evening entertainment and unlimited premium spirits, it makes a better choice for those who like to enjoy the nightlife onboard the ships. Uniworld is a worldwide company with ships departing from multiple locations and a wide variety of itineraries. Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. Recommended Reading: Italian River Cruise. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. These cabins are practically identical to the previous category, although they provide slightly more space at 235 square feet. 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. And each day you will be treated to a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. Please see ourTravel Entry Requirementspage for the most current details. 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. Both lines offer concierge services, books to borrow on topics like history or tourism, comfortable bars for drinks and dancing and top-deck walking tracks and giant chess boards. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. After pandemic-induced delays, family-owned river cruise line AmaWaterways had a big year in 2021, debuting three new ships to its international fleet, including the AmaSiena, sister to the AmaLea and AmaKristina, which was christened on Europes Rhine River in August 2021. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. Despite being different its equally wonderful. I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more. Booking your first river cruise? We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that! Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. Fresh local dishes and favorite drinks are stocked on board at every location to make you feel like . Combination river and ocean cruises are available that take you to other European countries like Spain, Denmark, and Norway. Viking's sun decks offer more space, in part because the area isn't used for pools or storing bicycles. 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. Viking River Cruises invests in finding some unique shore excursions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The average age for these boats is two years, and vessels can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . 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. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. 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. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. It feels very close to all-inclusive. Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. 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. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. 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. Ultimately though, it really comes down to what appeals to you and where you want to travel. When it comes to accommodations onboard, many believe that Uniworld has the upper hand. During our river cruise on the Danube nearly all of the excursions were free, with the exception of 1 or 2 speciality trips. 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. In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. 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. Both lines offer a variety of amenities that are standard between ships. On AmaWaterways, a chef's table at the stern of the boat seats up to 32 people in an area with an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows; guests experience a tasting menu (available to each . 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. What's Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. [1][2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. Viking stands at the top of the river cruise industry when it comes to fleet size. You can also venture off without officially joining an excursionbicycles are available to borrow any time the ship is docked, and you can always use your own feet or a taxi to get around. Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. While Ama and Viking's European ships look similar on the outside, their cabin design and decor are quite different. Unpack once and experience this extraordinary voyage on one award-winning ship, our beautiful AmaMora. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? The clientele of a cruise can vary widely depending on the cruise line, and even the itinerary, but both Uniworld and AmaWaterways tend to attract similar guests. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Viking, whose president and founder, Torstein Hagan, is Norwegian, features comfortable, modern and minimalist styling. More of what makes AmaWaterways different: Spacious river view staterooms and suites range from 160 square feet to 710 square feet and most include the revolutionary signature twin balconiesa French balcony and a full outside balcony. 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. Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? 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. 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. 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. [8] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chane des Rtisseurs. [1] [2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. An immense variety of ports means more unique travel destinations and options. You May Like: Carnival Cruise Line Mobile Al. AmaWaterways excursions generally have three levels: a gentle-walking group, the general group and the active group. Youll feel pampered, whether youre in a grand suite or classic cabin. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. With the exception of a few, most of the trips are half a day and start and finish back at the ship. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. If youre not sure about a river cruise and want to investigate ocean cruise lines, you might be interested in these articles: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian, Carnival Cruise vs Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity, Are Viking Cruises Adults Only, and Royal Caribbean vs. Princess. [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . 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. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. This allows you to continue to enjoy local experiences even when youre not on land. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of included shore excursions, from walking tours for gentle, regular and active guests to guided hikes and bike rides. At night, the Aquavit Terrace serves a set menu that can be enjoyed as often as you'd like throughout your cruise. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. To align with the current international travel environment and country entry requirements, we have recently updated our guidelines. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. Why? AmaWaterways' Seven River Journey Through Europe is scheduled to set sail on June 1, 2023, with prices starting at $25,999 per passenger. Select sailings on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Garonne include longer bike rides to -- and even between -- ports. [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. For other couples, either cruise line would be great depending on what you are looking for. AmaWaterways Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna. We use cookies to analyse our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance and provide a better experience for our users. Bathrooms have heated floors, a surprising and wonderful detail, especially in the middle of the night. that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program.