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!"
Resting deep within the Alsace region in what is now known as France resides a charming village known as Riquewihr. Many of our Rhine River itineraries include an excursion to this beautiful medieval destination, from our Rhine & Moselle Splendors river journey to our Rhine & Moselle Fairytales sailing. Through the centuries, this village has become a fairytale all its own. Sit back, relax, and allow us to tell you this story of once upon a time...
In the 17th century, a young woman lived in the small village of Riquewihr with her fiancé, whom she loved deeply. Her name was Marie Wolf, and her happiness did not last long. A war broke out in the region, and during the ongoing struggle, her fiancé was killed. Distraught, Marie locked herself away from the rest of the townspeople, keeping only a black cat for companionship in her grief. The few occasions she did leave her home were spent loudly wailing as she wandered the streets, lamenting the death of the one she loved.
The other villagers in Riquewihr gossiped about her strange behavior, her reclusive nature, her feline friend. In time, they took to calling her “The Witch.” With this new title, “The Witch” became a pariah of Riquewihr.
One day, Riquewihr was invaded by bandits. To protect themselves from the attackers, the villagers hid in their homes, shuttering the windows and barring the doors. The streets were empty. As the intruders rested, Riquewihr was quiet. However, that did not last long.
Due to her social isolation, Marie did not know of the bandits that had taken over the village, and she set out to walk the streets. Her agonized sobs carried through the stillness that had fallen over Riquewihr, reaching the ears of the invading force. As her howls grew louder, so too did the fears of the outsiders, who did not know her identity. “A spirit is haunting this village,” they believed, “and we have made it angry!” With that thought in their minds, they fled Riquewihr.
From then on, the villagers proclaimed her the guardian and protector of Riquewihr. This story spread throughout Alsace, and to this day, you can see witch figurines in the windows around the village and surrounding towns, warding away evil.
See these witches with your own eyes and even bring them home as souvenirs when you join us on our included excursion here on select Rhine River journeys. Follow in Marie’s footsteps as you walk the cobblestone streets on a guided tour. Sweep your gaze across the brightly painted buildings, each of which carries colors not shared by its direct neighbors – a special rule of Riquewihr. Inhale the aromas of freshly baked bread and coconut macaroons still hot from the oven wafting from both sides of the village’s main street. Savor a refreshing glass of the region’s famous Grand Cru Schoenenbourg wine and sample its delightful baked treats.
In the spring, enjoy the soft mountain breezes through the hills as the village warms from the cold of winter. If you choose to cruise the Rhine River and visit Riquewihr with us in summer, the surrounding vineyards shine a vibrant green, and the long daylight hours illuminate the streets in a beautiful glow. Fall brings with it the season’s harvest, welcoming new wine and delicious fresh produce. No matter the season, Riquewihr offers a beautiful backdrop to create lasting memories under the benevolent spirit of the witch of legend.
Talk to your preferred travel advisor and plan to visit the charming village of Riquewihr on many of our Rhine River cruises.