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!"
While traditions like a countdown and fireworks are popular across the globe, many countries have their own unique spin on how to ring in the new year. Below are just a handful of the customs – and superstitions – of some of the European countries you can visit on an AmaWaterways river cruise.
Spain
In Spain it is customary to eat 12 grapes, one at each stroke of the clock at midnight on New Year’s Eve. That’s a serious mouthful! Each grape is meant to represent good luck for one month of the coming year. Pro tip: those who are successful with this custom often choose smaller grapes!
Explore Spain with AmaWaterways as a part of our Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal and Spain cruises as well as Taste of Bordeaux’s and Colors of Provence’s land packages.
Germany
Many Germans celebrate the idea of sending their loved ones good luck in the new year. Glücksbringer, or good luck charms, are therefore given as gifts. Some of the most popular forms are objects containing four-leaf clovers, pennies or horseshoes; ladybugs, said to protect children and those who are ill; and little chimney sweeper figurines associated with good fortune.
See Germany along the Rhine River or sail through it on the Danube River aboard itineraries that include Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube, Legendary Danube, Grand Danube and Blue Danube Discovery
France
Did you forget to send your Christmas cards out this year? This wouldn’t be a problem if you lived in France, because the French prefer to send greeting cards out in January wishing friends and family a Happy New Year. On New Year’s Eve, many also gather to watch the president’s address on TV.
Visit France on our Taste of Bordeaux, Paris & Normandy, Impressions of the Seine & Paris, Essence of Burgundy & Provence and Colors of Provence itineraries.
Hungary
There are many unusual superstitions that some Hungarians adhere to. In addition to scaring off evil spirits with a loud racket on New Year’s Eve, those who avoid doing laundry or sewing on New Year’s Day are believed to have good luck throughout the year. Fish and chicken are also avoided during meals on New Year’s Day because they might swim away with – or scratch away – one’s luck.
Experience Hungary on board our Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube, Legendary Danube, Grand Danube, Blue Danube Discovery, Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Majestic Capitals of the Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe, Iconic Christmas Markets, and Christmas Markets on the Danube itineraries.
Austria
In Austria (and Germany and Switzerland, for that matter), the tradition of molybdomancy, or predicting the future, is common at the new year. To do so, lead-pouring kits with small tin figures are sold. The figures are then melted into a bowl of water. The resulting shapes of the cooled metal become the predictors of what will happen in the new year. For instance, a basket shape means you’ll be lucky in love, but an apple shape means a trust will be broken.
Venture through Austria on our Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube, Legendary Danube, Grand Danube, Blue Danube Discovery, Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Majestic Capitals of the Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe, Iconic Christmas Markets, and Christmas Markets on the Danube itineraries.