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!"
Falling in Love with Wine
Jeff and Kristen Patten met in 2010 while throwing strikes on the same bowling league. Kristen was well-traveled: China, England, ocean cruises. Jeff had never been out of the country. Regardless, a spark ignited and, after several months of dating, the couple headed out to California’s Temecula Valley for their first-ever wine tasting excursion at Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards.
“I wasn’t too thrilled about going. I was more of a beer guy,” admitted Jeff. “I am so glad that Kristen got me to go!”
Amazed at how much they enjoyed the wines and how welcoming the Wilson family and staff were, Jeff and Kristen immediately signed up to become members of the wine club. Little did the head-over-heels couple know they were about to fall in love with something even more spectacular: AmaWaterways’ wine-themed river cruises.
First AmaWaterways Experience
A long-time partner of AmaWaterways, Wilson Creek Winery just happened to be promoting an upcoming Romantic Danube Wine River Cruise. Jeff and Kristen were immediately intrigued with the prospect of a romantic getaway and booked the November 2014 cruise hosted by Mick Wilson, whose parents founded the winery.
“We both fell in love with AmaWaterways as soon as we got to the ship,” said Jeff, recalling the first moment they met the attentive crew. Kristen agreed. “It was as if we were being welcomed home.”
In addition to warm, inviting atmosphere on board, Jeff was enamored with the cuisine. “The way the chefs worked to pair the food with the areas in which we were sailing was awesome. I started turning away the menu because I knew whatever the chef recommended would be incredible.”
The One with the Proposal
Not long after they returned home, Jeff and Kristen booked another AmaWaterways Wine Cruise with Wilson Creek on the Enchanting Rhine, but it wasn’t until they scheduled their third cruise, Taste of Bordeaux, that Jeff cooked up a life-altering plot: proposing to Kristen on the river. “With the adventures AmaWaterways has allowed for us to have, I couldn’t think of a better way to continue on our next adventure in life than on an AmaWaterways river cruise.”
Unbeknownst to Kristen and the friend Jeff had invited to join them on board, an engagement ring was hidden in Jeff’s luggage as they boarded the AmaDante in Bordeaux. The nervous fiancé-to-be had no plan; he was simply searching for the perfect spot to ask for Kristen’s hand.
And suddenly, there it was. “On one of our excursions, there was a secluded patio overlooking the vineyards of the Château de Pressac. I asked our friend if she could take our picture, and that’s when I pulled out the ring.”
Kristen was completely taken by surprise. “My heart was racing so fast. When he got down on one knee, I completely lost it. It was truly magical and being surrounded by the beautiful vineyards made the moment even more memorable.”
News traveled quickly to their excursion group, who greeted the newly engaged couple with a resounding cheer as they boarded the bus back to the ship. As if that weren’t enough, following dinner that evening, the couple was serenaded by accordion, presented with a special dessert and congratulated personally by two crew members they had met on previous cruises. “The crew really helped to make that day extra special,” reminisced Jeff.
Cheers to the Happy Couple
“A Wine Cruise in Bordeaux might just be one of the most romantic places to get engaged – and to toast your life together with Bordeaux wines,” said Liz Barrett, AmaWaterways’ Manager of Sales & Business Development, Wine Cruises. “I’m thrilled that Jeff and Kristen have become a part of our AmaWaterways family through our wonderful partnership with Wilson Creek Winery.”
Wedding bells rang on September 29, 2018, at Wilson Creek Winery, where the couple was first introduced to river cruising. “We are both so glad that we found Wilson Creek and that they helped us find AmaWaterways,” concluded Jeff, who is looking forward to the couple’s next sailing. “AmaWaterways has added so much adventure into our lives and we look forward to celebrating our anniversary on board for years to come!”
Toast to new adventures in the French wine capital as you enjoy our Taste of Bordeaux Wine River Cruise.
Hero Image Photo Credit: Chrysti Erman