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.
Christmas onboard experience and Christmas Markets on shore
Christmas onboard experience and local seasonal splendors
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.
Blend your passion for travel with your affinity for enjoying a “cold one” as you learn more about Europe’s rich brewing traditions and cultural connections on an immersive beer-themed river cruise. Support local brewing communities with a lively beer culture such as Düsseldorf and Cologne along the Rhine River, and Bruges and Utrecht along the Dutch and Belgian Waterways. Meet fellow beer enthusiasts from around the world and raise your glass to regional flavors.
Recently awarded Cruise Critic’s “Best for Active Cruisers” award and the first river cruise line to offer a fleet of bicycles, AmaWaterways has long offered opportunities for guests to enhance their best selves on board and on shore, with Wellness Hosts offering a complimentary Wellness Program on select ships beginning in 2017. Now, we are taking our holistic approach to wellness even further with two special dedicated Celebration of Wellness River Cruises.
Debuting in 2025, our Best of the Danube (Celebration of Music) sailings have been enhanced with specially curated excursions highlighting the rich musical histories of Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg and Vienna. Deepen your passion for music as you are treated to a variety of included live performances and unique tours along the Danube River.
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.
AmaWaterways is thrilled to announce a new alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and a leader in authentic and enriching small-group travel. Our new shared collection of European sailings provides opportunities to engage with a variety of Smithsonian Journeys Experts. Chosen for their charisma and expertise, these extremely knowledgeable individuals have dedicated entire careers to pursuing their passions and will offer incredible insights to ensure your journey is as captivating as it is meaningful.
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!"
Ocean cruiser Denisse M., along with her parents, husband and two teenaged daughters, continued her family’s annual tradition of travel by trying out a Danube River cruise aboard AmaMagna and was delighted to find a myriad of experiences that catered to everyone in her family.
Denisse’s Most Unforgettable Highlights
Budapest, Hungary: I was overjoyed that my parents could experience lovely cities, such as Budapest, with the entire family on the walking tour of the city. We captured such incredible photos that we will cherish forever. The city sights were even more captivating at night when the city was illuminated, giving us a whole new view. Right after dinner, we grabbed a glass of wine and went up to the Sun Deck to see the Chain Bridge lit up. The views while sailing from port to port were truly inspiring.
Vienna, Austria: The whole city was so romantic, but we especially enjoyed the optional excursion to the opera house in the evening. Even though my daughters aren’t fans of classical music, they felt so lucky to be there, and my parents appreciated having this experience with their grandchildren the most. Sharing their love for classical music in the city that has been on their bucket list for years made it well worth adding this excursion to our itinerary.
Danube Locks: One day, we stayed in and enjoyed lunch on the Sun Deck so we could experience going through the locks, which had always been a dream of mine. It was a fascinating experience for me, my mom and my daughters to witness this unique process of the ship rising with the water.
Best Experiences for the Entire Family
Excursion Activity Levels: I was really impressed with the range of excursions available on the Danube. It was so nice that my parents could enjoy gentle walking tours while we did a hike or bike ride. We enjoyed reconnecting later in the day at dinner to share the stories of our experiences.
Variety of Onboard Dining: We experienced all four restaurants on board, and the food was like nothing we’d had on any other cruise before. One of my daughters can be somewhat picky but the crew were so accommodating that she felt like a queen whether we dined in the Main Restaurant, at the Al Fresco Restaurant, The Chef’s Table or my family’s favorite, Jimmy’s. There was so much variety on the menu that she could always find something – and she enjoyed sampling the locally sourced cuisine and new menu items. But one night, they made a special pizza just for her and we really appreciated that.
Zen Wellness Studio: My husband and I, along with my brother and his wife, woke up every morning and worked out in the studio while my parents ate breakfast with their grandchildren. We loved the views from the spin bikes while we cruised through Austria’s Wachau Valley. I can’t believe we were able to experience something so unique.
Ice Cream Social: The ice cream party was our favorite. My parents really enjoyed this special time with the girls.
Onboard Cinema: We watched one of my favorite movies from childhood, The Sound of Music, together in the onboard cinema. My teenaged girls loved the plush seating and how extravagant this room was. They enjoyed visiting the cinema often during the cruise. It was an endearing touch for AmaWaterways to play the movie before we got to see Mirabell Gardens, the Old Market and even the wedding church from the movie!
Crew Recognition: The crew truly made all the difference for us. The level of service we received was like nothing I’ve seen on another cruise. By day two, they greeted me in the hallway by name. They were so attentive, and it felt like they were able to anticipate our needs before we even realized we had them. It was really something special. The river cruise ultimately felt custom-made for us!
Denisse’s Wrap-Up
Would you recommend this cruise to other families?
A thousand percent. In fact, I’ve already done it! I wouldn’t change a single thing about this vacation, as it was perfect from beginning to end. There was something every member of my family, including my daughters and my parents, could enjoy. We cannot wait to do it again.
Discover your perfect family vacation on our Melodies of the Danube, Magna on the Danube, Best of the Danube, Magna on the Danube and Romantic Danube river cruises this summer or fall or spend the holidays with your loved ones on our Christmas Markets on the Danube and Iconic Christmas Markets river cruises.