AmaWaterways is the largest cruise line solely dedicated to rivers. With an average of 156 customers on board, its 30 ships sail not only Europe’s major waterways but also the Mekong in South-East Asia, the Chobe in southern Africa, the Nile in Egypt and the Magdalena in Colombia. It plans to add 11 new vessels in Europe by 2030, more than doubling the number of ships it had in 2020.
The fleet includes the double-width AmaMagna, which will be joined on the Danube in 2027 by a sister ship, AmaRudi, named after one of the three founders. Rudi Schreiner was born in Vienna and designed his first ship aged 23 – a home-made raft that he sailed along the Amazon.
He helped set up several river cruise companies, including Viking. However, it wasn’t until 2002 that he and his wife, Kristin Karst, an executive with American Express, along with travel entrepreneur Jimmy Murphy, established AmaWaterways, naming the line after the Latin word for love. Ms Karst also has a ship named after her – AmaKristina.
Following Mr Murphy’s death in 2014, his son, Gary, took over as co-owner and board member. Known for its wellness facilities, AmaWaterways also attracts active travellers and families, particularly on cruises it runs in partnership with Disney.
1. Where does AmaWaterways cruise?
In Europe, AmaWaterways sails the Dutch and Belgian waterways around the Rhine Delta and North Sea, starting in Amsterdam and including the annual tulip display of the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands and the Floralia flower exhibition in Brussels.
Further south, the Rhine passes through the scenic castle country, with fortresses perched on every bend, via Rüdesheim with its vineyards and brandy-infused coffees to France’s Alsace region, including Strasbourg, then on to the Black Forest and into Switzerland. Tributaries such as the Moselle and the Main allow routes such as Nuremberg to Luxembourg.
A canal connects the Main to the Danube, the river that passes through 10 countries and four capital cities – Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia). Budapest has one of the world’s most striking riverside buildings – the parliament – which, alongside the bridges, is lit up at night and best seen from the river. The eastern Danube travels on to Bulgaria and Romania.
In France, AmaWaterways sails the Rhône, Saône, Gardonne, Dordogne and Gironde Estuary, offering a taste of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Provence, as well as the Seine from Paris to Normandy and the sites of the D-Day landings.
The Douro in Portugal runs from the city of Porto into Spain, with an excursion to Salamanca, while in Asia, the Mekong connects Vietnam and Cambodia, with visits to Angkor Wat and other temples. Colombia in South America has the Magdalena River, and Egypt features the Nile and its pyramids.
Passengers also get the chance to discover more of Africa on safari and wildlife cruises based around the Chobe on AmaWaterways’ smallest ship, the Zambezi Queen, which can include a trip to Victoria Falls. Many of the line’s cruises can be combined into much longer voyages, with city stays and land packages also available.
2. Who does AmaWaterways appeal to?
The core audience is affluent over-50 couples. There’s a mixture of keen river cruisers (including many repeat bookers) and those who have never sailed before. Around 15 per cent of travellers are solos, but some sailings also attract multi-generational families.
Most customers are North American, with the rest coming mainly from the UK, Europe, Australia, South America and increasingly Asia. Except for a few Spanish-speaking departures, all cruises are English-speaking.
Each day, up to seven included excursions are tailored to a range of interests and activity levels – from walking tours and bike rides to tastings in vineyards and experiences such as truffle hunting in the south of France.
Special cruises are laid on for wine lovers, golfers and Christmas market visitors. Wellness hosts lead daily exercise and relaxation classes, but passengers can also use the sun deck pool, walking track, fitness rooms and spa. For a touch of luxury, top suites include butler service.
On the food front, meals and snacks are available from early morning pastries to breakfast buffet, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late-night treats, while the Chef’s Table restaurant offers a tasting menu. Off the ship, customers can enjoy cultural performances every evening, arranged by the cruise manager.
3. AmaWaterways’ fleet
Flagship
AmaMagna (196 passengers)
Christened in 2019, AmaWaterways’ biggest vessel is twice the width of other riverboats but carries only 20 per cent more passengers, meaning it has room for four restaurants, a wellness centre, a full-sized pickleball court and a cinema. Other features include a juice bar, heated pool, whirlpool and sky bar.
More than half of the 98 staterooms are suites with outside balconies, six grand suites, and an owner’s suite, which even has spa-like baths. Itineraries include the Romantic Danube and Christmas markets.
A sister ship, AmaRudi, will join in 2027.
Sails: The Danube
European fleet
AmaLea, AmaLucia, AmaKristina, AmaMora, AmaSiena, AmaSofia, AmaStella and AmaViola (156 passengers)
These sister ships have 78 cabins, most with twin balconies – one French-style with sliding doors and the other an outside veranda. Passengers can eat at the main and the Chef’s Table restaurant, as well as an al fresco area in the main lounge that offers casual dining from a bistro-style menu. Fitness enthusiasts can join the wellness host for classes and tours before relaxing in the heated pool with a swim-up bar.
Sails: Dutch and Belgian waterways, Rhine, Danube and south of France
AmaCerto, AmaPrima, AmaReina, AmaSerena, AmaSonata and AmaVenita (162 passengers)
With 81 staterooms and 49 crew, this class of ship has a Main Lounge with a baby grand piano, a main and Chef’s Table restaurant. As well as an on-board salon, passengers have use of a walking track and swim-up bar.
Sails: Dutch and Belgian waterways, Rhine, Main and Danube
AmaVerde and AmaBella (160 passengers)
The twin ships sail the Danube, offering a Café Bistro light lunch as well as the main and Chef’s Table restaurant. Guests can try their skill on the putting green, take a ride on the fleet of bikes or curl up with a book in the fireside library.
Sails: The Danube
AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra (140 passengers)
Play with the giant chess set, take a dip in the whirlpool or simply relax on the loungers on these four ships that sail the French rivers. A fitness room, sauna and massage room are also available.
Sails: French rivers
AmaSintra, AmaDouro and AmaVida (102 passengers)
The Douro fleet consists of these three ships that have 51 staterooms, most with an outside balcony and large floor-to-ceiling windows. They operate seven-night journeys that include vineyard visits and regional wine tastings alongside calls to the cities of Porto, Régua and Salamanca, with an optional pre-cruise stay in Lisbon.
Sails: The Douro, Portugal
South-East Asia
AmaDara (124 passengers)
AmaDara – to be joined by sister ship AmaMaya in 2026 – is decked out in French-colonial décor and carved wood furniture. After dining at the Mekong Restaurant or Chef’s Table, passengers can enjoy evening cocktails in the Saigon Lounge as they discuss the sights, history and cultures of Cambodia and Vietnam. Land packages can include Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap. Excursions involve being blessed by monks, exploring Phnom Penh or riding in a tuk-tuk or trishaw.
Sails: The Mekong, Vietnam and Cambodia
South America
AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia (60/64 passengers)
In March 2025, AmaWaterways became the first line to launch a luxury cruise ship on the Magdalena River in Colombia. The 60-passenger AmaMagdalena was followed three months later by the slightly larger AmaMelodia, with both offering Latin American cuisine alongside Western favourites. Two seven-night itineraries sail between Cartagena and Barranquilla.
Sails: Magdalena, Colombia
Africa fleet
AmaDahlia and AmaLilia (72/82 passengers)
The Nile ships are designed to reflect the region’s culture with vibrant colours and patterns. Locally sourced cuisine is served at the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s al fresco restaurant on an open deck. Eleven-night itineraries from September to June each year include tours guided by Egyptologists as the ships sail round trip from Luxor to Aswan with stays in Cairo before and after the cruise.
Sails: The Nile, Egypt
Zambezi Queen (28 passengers)
The line’s smallest ship sails through Chobe National Park, combining a four-night safari river cruise with a choice of land excursions. The 28-passenger Zambezi Queen is an all-suite accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.
Sails: Chobe, Botswana
4. Access for guests with disabilities
Although many ships have lifts between some of the decks, docking next to other vessels can mean navigating stairs, lobbies or narrow gangways to reach shore, so passengers needing assistance must be accompanied by a physically able companion who can help them.
Wheelchairs, electric scooters and walking frames can be brought on the line’s European ships but must be stored in the stateroom and cannot be used in the dining room or lounge. Excursions include activities with moderate to challenging walking requirements.
5. Loyalty scheme
AmaWaterways has a loyalty programme offering discounts, upgrades and welcome-back celebrations.
About our expert
Dave Monk
A journalist for all of his career, Dave has sailed more than 100 voyages on 43 cruise lines – ranging from four-person boats to the biggest passenger ships in the world.