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!"
Fintan K. is a wine expert and writer based in Barcelona, Spain, where he specializes in the wines of Spain, France, Italy and Germany. He holds the WSET Diploma and when he’s not exploring the wine regions of Europe with AmaWaterways, you’ll find him writing for international wine publications and judging at wine competitions. He believes that everything in life is better with a glass of wine, and he can’t wait to share the amazing wines of Europe with you.
Whether you’re preparing to host a special holiday meal or simply indulging in the season’s abundant chocolates, our beloved Cruise Manager and wine expert Fintan shares his picks for the bottles you may want to have on hand and two Wine Cruises to look forward to this year.
Dark Chocolate
A full-bodied wine with some sweetness will be ideal here.
Pair With: A powerful Zinfandel from Paso Robles or Lodi
White Chocolate
The creaminess of the chocolate will help bring out some of the fresher flavors in sweet, white wines.
Pair With: Kabinett-style Riesling from the Moselle in Germany or Moscato d´Asti from northern Italy
Milk Chocolate
The sweetness of milk chocolate calls for a wine that has enough fruit to stand up to the sugar.
Pair With: A Vintage Port from the Douro Valley in Portugal
Featured Celebration of Wine Cruises
Wine Cruises are a wonderful way to celebrate love with the person you love. With their enhanced epicurean delights and knowledgeable Wine Hosts leading in-depth tastings on board, and diverse array of excursions to wine cellars and tastings throughout your river journey, you will enjoy the romantic atmosphere that these special river cruises provide. Here are two Celebration of Wine sailings to look forward to.
Enchanting Rhine
November 1-8, 2025
Wine Host: Rich Olsen-Harbich, Winemaker, Bedell Cellars, Cutchogue, NY
Winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich is a veritable pioneer of winemaking on Long Island, crafting award-winning and highly regarded wines. He is excited to pour from some of his bottles while comparing them with Riesling wines as you journey along the Rhine River.
Melodies of the Danube
November 12-19, 2025
Wine Hosts: Les and Sharon Heinsen, Owners, Element 79 Vineyards, El Dorado County, CA
Together, Les and Sharon create exclusive wines with extraordinary winemaking practices seldom employed by wineries in the Sierra Foothills, and even in California. Sample some of their finest while cruising through Austria’s UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, renowned for its Grüner Veltliner.
Contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve your stateroom on one of these incredible Wine Cruises today!