AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
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. 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.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Douro with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights.
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 have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
- (Nov. 12, 2020) -
CALABASAS, CA – (November 12, 2020) –AmaWaterways today proudly announced it received the award for “Best River Cruise Line” in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. Recognized for unparalleled guest experiences, the award-winning company was distinguished by Porthole Cruise readers as the leader in the river cruise industry. Despite travel restrictions that resulted in the suspension of the regular 2020 season, AmaWaterways has been applauded for its proactive guest communication, flexibility in rescheduling disrupted trips, engagement with guests and travel advisors through interactive, virtual Cruise Nights and “Sip & Sail” events hosted by company executives as well as more than 50 inspirational YouTube videos designed for those planning or dreaming of their next river cruise vacation.
“We are incredibly honored to be named Best River Cruise Line by the passionate and knowledgeable readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “Our goal is always to curate personal experiences that create cherished memories for our guests that last a lifetime, and our friendly crew are devoted to ensuring that each person who sails with AmaWaterways receives outstanding service, delicious cuisine and expert knowledge of the fascinating countries we sail through. We are thrilled to see the love that we pour into each river cruise being recognized with this award and we can’t wait to welcome our guests back onboard in 2021 to create new memories with us!”
While the past year has delivered unexpected challenges for the travel industry, AmaWaterways’ position as a strong, family-owned and debt-free company has allowed it to continue looking ahead and creating innovative and in-demand river cruise experiences for its guests. As the only U.S.-based river cruise line to successfully complete a special series of European sailings with enhanced healthy and safety measures in place during 2020, AmaWaterways is uniquely prepared to deliver safe and enriching experiences once travel restrictions are lifted and the regular river cruise season resumes next year.
Elegantly appointed ships, unparalleled service and luxurious amenities will continue to distinguish AmaWaterways in 2021 as the leading river cruise line debuts three new ships. Sister ships AmaLucia and AmaSiena will join the Green Award-Certified European fleet sailing the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers and will feature connecting staterooms, generous personal space and onboard restaurants serving regionally sourced cuisine. The newly designed AmaDahlia will mark the award-winning line’s return to the Nile when she debuts in September 2021 sailing the 11-night The Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary. Designed to accommodate 68 guests, this intimate ship will boast a wealth of amenities including a heated sun deck swimming pool, outdoor dining venue (rendering picture right) and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant.
In its 22nd year, the annual Porthole Cruise Readers’ Choice Awards recognize top cruise lines, ships and destinations in numerous cruise-related categories. Each year, thousands of readers and online fans vote for their favorites in each category, and winners are announced in the November/December issue of the publication. Although this year has looked different for the travel industry, Porthole Cruise readers were able to stay informed on the latest happenings and regulations and made decisions based on a variety of factors, including how companies adapted and dealt with the pandemic and communication efforts throughout the suspended sailing season.
“Every year I get a renewed appreciation for the Readers’ Choice Awards as our readers continue to prove themselves discerning travelers with stunningly high standards,” says Bill Panoff, editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. "For AmaWaterways to be voted the Best River Cruise Line in the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards speaks volumes about the AmaWaterways onboard experience and the ability of the line to exceed our readers’ expectations."
MEDIA NOTE: High-res versions of the images in this release can be found HERE.
For full details, or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise for a client, visit the Travel Advisor Portal on AmaWaterways.com or call 1.800.626.0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook, Instagram @AmaWaterways, Twitter @AmaWaterways, and YouTube.
About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 18 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 25 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Saône (2021), Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe and Nile Rivers (2021). Led by experienced river cruise co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, the company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies;” its wellness activities including a wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation highlighted with the launch of AmaMagna, which at twice the width of traditional river ships, offers a new dimension in luxury river cruising. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families as well as group and charter options.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Cruise Critic’s 2019 Editor’s Pick Award for “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best for Active Cruisers,” 2018 AFAR Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line” and inclusion of AmaMagna in 2019 TIME “World’s Greatest Places.” In addition, 18 river cruise ships in its European fleet have earned the Green Award certification, recognized for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Samantha Jacobs or Carter Long, Hemsworth Communications (678) 631-9974 or AmaPR@HemsworthCommunications.com