800-626-0126. www.amawaterways.com. Hello! 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. But there arent many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. Otherwise, youll have plenty of time for peaceful contemplation in the lounge. You can also check the cruise lines website for special offers and discounts. Absolutely not! Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience on the Rhne River in 2023, we are delighted to announce two new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024. All guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. No matter the time of day there are always cookies and snacks available at the Al Fresco Restaurant. Please see ourTravel Entry Requirementspage for the most current details. 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. Furthermore should you have work to keep up with or just want to keep tabs with everyone at home. [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. Both Uniworld and AmaWaterways offer a wide variety of amazing itineraries in fascinating places. Theres always the lounge or the Sun Deck, though. Sail through Europe on our Treasures of the Main & Rhine itinerary from Nuremberg to Amsterdam with Emmy award-winning television host, travel expert and AmaWaterways Godmother Samantha Brown as the festive holiday season begins to transform bustling German cities, medieval villages and Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North." 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Cancellation Policies: A Closer Look, Mega-Chart: Compare Hurricane Sandy Cruise Line Compensation, Booking a Cruise Onboard: How to Score Extras and Discounts, Can I Cruise While Pregnant? We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that! In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. 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. Gentle is designed for those guests needing a slower pace and, at times if possible , even a bit less walking. I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. As Uniworld places emphasis on its guided tours, this cruise line is the more popular choice for those who like to stay active and explore. Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: Which Cruise Line Is Best for You. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Final payment is due 90 days before the cruise. When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. 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! If I get seasick on boats or on ocean cruise ships, will I get seasick on the rivers? Closer attention to detail is guaranteed from all tour operators. One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. Both offer exceptional dining, great entertainment and activities, and a luxurious experience. Is this the most epic river cruise ever? You can expect a whole range of inclusions on your Nile or Mekong cruise with AmaWaterways. General What's Included What's Included - AmaWaterways Your AmaWaterways Package Includes: All meals on board Comfortable accommodations Ocean transportation Entertainment and daily activities Port charges Europe Cruises Coffee, tea & complimentary bottled water Local wines, soft drinks and beer during lunch and dinner Complimentary Wi-Fi The lines might bring onboard local singers, dancers and musicians during visits to Vienna, for example, or teach passengers how to make local dishes. We had a great time and will be returning with friends!!! 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. 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. If youre looking for honeymoon cruise options, you may want to check out our article 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. 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). Beer and wine with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast on all European river cruises. The bathroom is far more spacious than in other cabins with a double vanity and a tub. 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. 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. For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. Home Cruise Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways: What You Should Know 2023. For trips that require transport, that was also provided. But during meals, the waitstaff is quick to refill your glass!) This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Pools feature underwater stools so passengers can sit at the bar and watch the scenery go by. $1-$3 is suggested for guides but I usually gave them 5 Euros. Founded in 2002, this European riverboat operator is California-based and won several awards for river cruise innovation . 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. 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. Viking is a good choice for passengers who desire adults-only vacations that include immersive port experiences. The word inclusive gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? The closet and drawers were roomy. 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. Sandi Barrett 2. No need to dress for dinner here, and passengers don't have to show up at a set time, either. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. 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. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences
3 Meals A Day AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason. Weve curated a list of questions submitted by first-time river cruisers to give you a better picture of the unparalleled experiences youll have while sailing with us. Smaller ships, such as the Queen Isabel, hold 116 guests, while larger ships, such as the SS Catherine, hold 162 passengers. When you consider that most Europeans ride bikes everywhere, its no surprise there are wide paved bike paths throughout every port of call. It was set up by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. Viking stands at the top of the river cruise industry when it comes to fleet size. 2015-2023 AmaWaterways. Thank you! So, yes, you should bring a book. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. This beach is gorgeous. That said, no matter which cruise line you choose to travel with, its safe to say youll never be bored! You may be traveling through different climates and altitudes, so layering is advisable. That leaves plenty of room for lounging, either in full sun or under shade. Your email address will not be published. Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. As most of your daylight hoursand sometimes evening hourswill be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. I sailed on AmaMagna in July and found it exceptionally spacious, both in public spaces and within the accommodations. Also included is their onboard wellness program, shore excursions, and WiFi. Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? 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. I just got off of an AmaWaterways European River Cruise with my wife after we were both invited to sail with them. On board AmaWaterways, you will find cabins with a classy, sleek look and contemporary design. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. Active is for very fit travelers wishing more intensity and a faster pace. 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. 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. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. 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. Uniworld has 17 ships in its fleet. That said, shorts and sandals arent permitted in the dining room on any night, but fine at lunchtime. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. One of the best ways of securing a better deal, however, is by booking via a cruise travel agent. The ships that sail in Europe are similarly designed and can accommodate about 164 passengers. They run around lunch and breakfast schedules, thus allowing you to pop on board for a sport of lunch or indeed head in to town for lunch and some time exploring. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. We look forward to working with you again! They're designed to provide more insight into the ports and destinations the ships visit. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. Complimentary bottled water is replenished in your stateroom on a daily basis. Why? You will find a selection of tea and coffee available throughout the day, the main lounge has a coffee machine, fresh iced water and biscuits. The line has 55 Longships, nearly identical boats designed to sail Europe's rivers. In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. The ships even have a "gluten-free corner," where passengers can find snacks at all hours of the day. At breakfast, you can enjoy sparkling wine, juices, tea and coffee. 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. The rivers we sail are calm bodies of water and our ships experience no waves or rocking motions the primary cause for seasickness. I already referred a couple of my friends to book a vacation with Ultimate Travel and planning on contacting Eric soon to book our next trip, this time with our kids just trying to decide were to go next. In the river cruise world, it's the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. Entertainers will board the ship at various locks along the route, with their driver dropping them off at one lock and picking up the performers further down the river at another lock. [2], Unusually for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries.