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!"
Cologne, Germany – known for its magnificent cathedral, Kölsch beer and legendary Christmas Markets – is an ideal port for those who are interested in delving into history, arts and culture. With AmaWaterways’ variety of excursions to enhance your experience, this dynamic city is sure to steal a piece of your heart.
Cologne: A Brief History
The city of Cologne was founded in the 1st century and quickly became one of the most important trade and production centers in the Roman Empire north of the Alps. About 90% of the city was destroyed during World War II, but a rebuild of the Old Town started in 1947. Today, Cologne is one of the largest German cities and one of the most highly-favored travel destinations in Europe, which is why it is included in most of our Rhine River and Rhine & Moselle itineraries, and Christmas Markets on the Rhine.
“Holy City” Walking Tour
Join our guided “Holy City” Walking Tour for a look at Cologne’s charming Old Town, including the Overstolzenhaus – home of the Academy of Media Arts – and Cologne Rathaus, the historic town hall. You’ll conclude your visit outside the stunning 13th-century Cologne Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second tallest structure in the city. Its impressive Gothic architecture and golden shrine of the Three Wise Men, along with its colorful kaleidoscope of stained-glass windows and artwork, make the cathedral an important centerpiece of the city. Your knowledgeable guide will provide further insight on the history of the structure, which you can explore at your own leisure.
See Cologne by Bike
Those looking to see Cologne from a different vantage point will enjoy pedaling through the city on an invigorating biking excursion. The Cologne Bike Tour is a guided look at the historic Old Town on two wheels, with a scenic ride along the river banks of the Old Town Park. This is an ideal choice for active adventurists, and bikes and helmets are provided for everyone who wishes to participate.
Kölsch Beer Tasting
Food and wine enthusiasts, or those who have visited the city before, may prefer the Kölsch Beer Tasting, where guests are treated to a glass of Kölsch beer at a historic brewhouse-pub located near Cologne Cathedral. The name Kölsch is exclusive to the city of Cologne, and the beer was the result of a meeting between 24 breweries in the city who congregated to discuss the standards for what a Kölsch beer should be – filtered, pale in color, top fermented, hop accentuated and served in a tall and narrow stange glass so it can be consumed before it gets warm. The standards created – which were aptly named the Kölsch Konvention – also determined that it should be brewed between 11-14 degrees Plato (determines the density of beer wort). This beer tasting is an incredible opportunity to experience culture like a local and clink glasses with fellow beer enthusiasts.
Magical Christmas Markets
Those who decide to visit Cologne during the holiday season will have the opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant and varied Christmas Markets, which are always a favorite during Christmas Market cruises along the Rhine. Cologne has an impressive seven markets, with the four largest markets attracting almost two million visitors per year. Shoppers love watching artisans at work as they sample traditional German Glühwein (hot mulled wine) out of festively decorated Christmas mugs and browse the stalls for keepsakes and local delicacies like reibekuchen (potato pancakes).
Places to Visit During Your Free Time
One of the advantages of our guided excursions through Cologne is that there is ample free time to explore the city before returning to the ship. Art enthusiasts have a variety of museums to choose from, ranging from traditional visual art exhibits at the highly-regarded Wallraf-Richartz and Ludwig museums to museums that are more outside the box, like the Fragrance Museum, Chocolate Museum and Cologne Carnival Museum.
To experience all that Cologne has to offer, join us on one of our upcoming Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles, Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, Enchanting Rhine, Captivating Rhine, Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, Rhine & Moselle Delights, Rhine & Moselle Fairytales, Grand Rhine & Canals or Christmas Markets on the Rhine river cruises.