Culture Discovery Cruises
An AmaWaterways river ship rounding a bend on a European river at dusk
River Cruise Line

AmaWaterways

Inventive ships, exceptional food and wine, and active days ashore on the great rivers of three continents.

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The line

The river line built by river people

AmaWaterways is an owner-run river cruise line with a reputation for smart ship design and genuinely good food. It was founded in 2002 in Calabasas, California by three river cruise pioneers, Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and the late Jimmy Murphy, and it still carries their fingerprints on everything from cabin layouts to the wine list.

The fleet has grown to some thirty river ships, with an order book that will push it past fifty by the early 2030s. Alongside its European vessels, AmaWaterways sails the Mekong, the Nile in Egypt and the Chobe in southern Africa, so a first river cruise can easily lead to a very different second one.

The tone is warm and unstuffy, with a strong pull for travelers who like to stay active. Most sailings carry a fleet of bicycles and offer guided hikes, so you can choose a gentle amble or a proper morning of exercise before returning to the ship for dinner.

Style
Active, food-forward
Fleet
About 30 river ships
Guests
60 to 196
Fares
Highly inclusive
Sails to
Europe, Asia, Africa
Founded
2002, California
In a word

“AmaWaterways is the river line that treats the food, the wine and the walking as seriously as the scenery.”

A stateroom aboard an AmaWaterways ship with a twin-balcony river view

Ships with a few clever ideas of their own

Most AmaWaterways staterooms feature the line signature twin balcony, pairing a step-out French balcony with a full outside balcony so the whole room opens to the river. The ships carry roughly 156 to 196 guests in Europe, small enough to feel personal yet large enough for real choice at dinner.

The standout is AmaMagna, a ship built to twice the usual width of a European river vessel. The extra beam makes room for larger suites, several dining venues, a small ship spa and even a water sports platform, all while carrying fewer guests than many narrower ships.

A plated multi-course dinner service in an AmaWaterways dining room

A table worth planning a trip around

Dining is where AmaWaterways made its name. The line is a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, the international gastronomic society, and pairs regional dishes with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A separate Chef Table venue serves a multi-course tasting menu at no extra charge.

Fares are highly inclusive, covering meals, most drinks with those meals, guided excursions in most ports, wifi and the ship bicycles. Gratuities are the main thing not automatically built in, though they can often be prepaid, and we confirm the exact inclusions for any sailing you are considering.

Sunset over the water from the sun deck of an AmaWaterways ship

From the Danube to the Nile and the Chobe

In Europe the line sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, Douro and more, with wine themed sailings and festive Christmas market cruises among the most popular. Portugal Douro voyages pair the river with the terraced vineyards of the valley.

Beyond Europe, AmaWaterways runs the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia, the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, and a distinctive African itinerary that combines a Chobe River ship with land based safari. We help you match the river, the season and the ship to the trip you have in mind.

Because AmaWaterways sails the Douro, it is simple to extend the trip with a Portugal food and wine tour before or after you sail.

Booking AmaWaterways with CDV

Why book through us

Exclusive AmaWaterways value

Group amenities and onboard credit on AmaWaterways sailings that you will not find booking direct.

Combinable offers

Our exclusive value can usually be layered with AmaWaterways' current promotions, plus full loyalty credit.

River specialists

Advisors who know the fleet cabin by cabin and match the right river, ship and season to how you like to travel.

Seamless land and sea

Because we run our own tours ashore, we make it easy to add a CDV land tour where your river cruise begins or ends.

Pair your voyage with a land tour

Sail the Douro, then dig deeper into Portugal

AmaWaterways Douro sailings wind through the vineyards of northern Portugal from a base in Porto. Add a Culture Discovery land tour and you turn a week on the river into a fuller immersion in the food, wine and villages of the country.

Explore our Portugal tours
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Frequently asked questions

What is AmaWaterways known for?

AmaWaterways is known for inventive ship design, standout food and wine, and an active style of river cruising. Highlights include twin-balcony staterooms, complimentary bicycles and guided hikes, and membership in La Chaine des Rotisseurs, which shapes the culinary program.

Is AmaWaterways all-inclusive?

AmaWaterways fares are highly inclusive. They cover meals, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, guided excursions in most ports, wifi and the ship bicycles. Gratuities are the main cost not automatically included, though they can often be prepaid. We confirm the exact inclusions for any sailing.

How much are gratuities on AmaWaterways?

Gratuities are not built into the base fare. As a guide, the line suggests around 15 euros per person per day in Europe and roughly 10 to 12 US dollars per person per day in Asia, which you can settle in cash or on your onboard account. Some promotions include gratuities, and we will tell you what applies to your voyage.

How many ships does AmaWaterways have?

AmaWaterways operates around thirty river ships in 2026, and it has confirmed an order book that will grow the fleet past fifty ships by the early 2030s. The vessels sail Europe, the Mekong, the Nile and the Chobe River in Africa.

Where does AmaWaterways sail?

In Europe the line sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Seine and the Douro in Portugal, among others. Beyond Europe it operates the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Nile in Egypt, and an African itinerary combining a Chobe River ship with a land safari.

What is the AmaMagna?

AmaMagna is an AmaWaterways ship built to roughly twice the width of a standard European river vessel. The extra beam allows larger suites, several restaurants, a small spa and a water sports platform, while carrying fewer guests than many narrower ships.

What is the average age on AmaWaterways?

Guests span a wide range, but most fall between about 45 and 70. The mix shifts with the itinerary and season. Wine-themed and Christmas market sailings, and the more active biking and hiking options, tend to draw a slightly broader crowd.

What is the dress code on AmaWaterways?

Daytime is casual and built for activity, so comfortable clothes and good walking shoes are ideal. Evenings are resort casual, a step smarter but never formal. There are no black-tie nights to pack for.

How much does an AmaWaterways cruise cost?

Fares vary with the river, ship, cabin category, season and length of voyage, and because so much is included the headline number is not comparable to a bare cruise fare. Rather than quote a misleading range, we price your specific sailing and secure the best available CDV value. Request a complimentary quote and we will lay out the real numbers.

Ready to sail with AmaWaterways?

Complimentary quote, exclusive CDV value, and a specialist who plans it around you.

Request a Quote+1 (656) 333-6123 ext. 403