amawaterways what is included

With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. With the exception of a few, most of the trips are half a day and start and finish back at the ship. Our ships also move along at a gentle pace and you can always see land on both sides of the river, removing any additional anxiety for those who may feel stranded out on the open water. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. AmaWaterways is a wonderful pick for passengers who want to be active or travel with children as well as those who want more amenities onboard. The lines might bring onboard local singers, dancers and musicians during visits to Vienna, for example, or teach passengers how to make local dishes. Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Then, there are the ships in Egypt and China, Vietnam, which the line either owns or charters. So how do you decide? Theres just one main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. She is very informative and full of knowledge of any location you are traveling to. Unlike Viking's Longships, in which decor is almost identical from ship to ship, AmaWaterways' cabins feature different decorations, depending on the vessel. Also you leave the ship there is cold water available to take along with you. In the main lounge, there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee making facilities including hot chocolate and herbal/fruit teas. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[12] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[4]. For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. Viking is a good choice for passengers who desire adults-only vacations that include immersive port experiences. Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. For example, in 2021, wine enthusiasts might head into France to taste vintages on an Essence of Burgundy & Provence wine-themed sailing or into Austria and Germany for a Melodies of the Danube wine cruise. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Go Out Of Mobile Al. After pandemic-induced delays, family-owned river cruise line AmaWaterways had a big year in 2021, debuting three new ships to its international fleet, including the AmaSiena, sister to the AmaLea and AmaKristina, which was christened on Europes Rhine River in August 2021. They have a larger variety of ship sizes than Uniworld, with the AmaDahlia holding 72 passengers and the AmaMagna holding 196. AmaWaterways is another well-known and luxurious river cruise line, with a fleet of 26 ships. Viking stands at the top of the river cruise industry when it comes to fleet size. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. We hope to see you on board soon! Wine, champagne, beer, sparking and still water and soft drinks are served throughout meal times, your glass never goes empty. On a moving ship? Of course there are obvious differences, however today I want to talk about whats included in your river cruise fare, because people of ask us if AmaWaterways is all inclusive. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. And there are plenty of locks. How to Cheat Royal Caribbean Drink Package. Expanded to North America and now has itineraries for many ports around the globe. [1] [2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. They're designed to provide more insight into the ports and destinations the ships visit. Thanks so much Cheryl! You May Like: Carnival Cruise Line Mobile Al. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. That said, shorts and sandals arent permitted in the dining room on any night, but fine at lunchtime. Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. Viking's Longships feature square bows, which creates space for the line's Aquavit Terrace, an alfresco spot for drinking and dining on the third deck. Additionally it does help when considering booking a river cruise for the first time to know exactly what is included. Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. The itineraries are what truly make the experience of a river cruise. Many River Cruises Work On A Full Board Basis, but on an AmaWaterways River Cruise full board covers A LOT. Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel has been assisting us for our vacation guidance, advice, and the best bang for our buck. Theyve chosen some great wineries to visit that are only a short walking distance from the dock. Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. I will book all future trips with only her. some of the leading championship courses on the continent. Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. How Do the Two Lines Compare for Shore Excursions? Through financial support to the school, AmaWaterways sponsorship brings English-language skills to local children of grammar-school age to help improve their lives and assist with subsequent employment opportunities. Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know. Seating on both lines is open, meaning passengers can sit wherever they'd like. We had a great time and will be returning with friends!!! While our fitness rooms vary from ship to ship, they will typically include a treadmill, elliptical machine or spin bike, as well as an assortment of free weights. At night, the Aquavit Terrace serves a set menu that can be enjoyed as often as you'd like throughout your cruise. All guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. Because of the nature of river cruising many of the tours are within walking distance. Outdoor space is more plentiful on Viking ships because they dont have pools or bicycle storage on board. There were plenty of grass thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways On AmaWaterways, a chef's table at the stern of the boat seats up to 32 people in an area with an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows; guests experience a tasting menu (available to each . Both lunch and dinner are multi-course affairsthere are multiple options per coursethough portions are reasonably small to account for all the dishes. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive -- and pricy -- is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost (of course, if you don't drink, you might feel annoyed at having to pay for all your fellow passengers getting their glasses topped off). If I get seasick on boats or on ocean cruise ships, will I get seasick on the rivers? It was set up by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. Viking's sun decks offer more space, in part because the area isn't used for pools or storing bicycles. The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. 02 Mar 2023 01:57:04 Most if not all of the river cruises along the Danube include an optional Mozart concert in Vienna. Find out everything from whats included to how to dress on board our river cruises. Visit our FAQs page, learn more about river cruising with AmaWaterways, contact your preferred travel advisor or call us at 1.800.626.0126. As most of your daylight hoursand sometimes evening hourswill be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. We look forward to working with you again! At every stop, theres almost always a general walking tour (guests can choose their activity level: active, regular, or gentle), as well as specialty options like beer or wine tastings, hikes and bike tours, or unique visits to museums. Of course, the cabins vary from ship to ship, but Uniworlds cabins are quite unique. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail the Douro River in Portugal and the Elbe River in France, which runs through Germany and the Czech Republic. Although it is considered a more moderately priced line, Emerald offers a fair number of inclusions (see below), primarily because many of its travelers are Australian (and prefer fares to be more bundled than a la carte). Get expert advice, insider tips and more. I thought it may help to understand what's included on an Ama River Cruise. According to Wendy Perrin, one of the most noted travel experts in the industry, some of these similarities include: Viking ships all feature elevators whereas AmaWaterways only has elevators on the Europe ships. You can expect a whole range of inclusions on your Nile or Mekong cruise with AmaWaterways. Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. 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!". Many AmaWaterways river cruises offer evening walking tours in Europe. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. Ships on both lines feature elevators, and some Viking ships have sun deck herb gardens, which chefs use daily. But for me, I have well and truly caught the river cruise bug. Smaller ships, such as the Queen Isabel, hold 116 guests, while larger ships, such as the SS Catherine, hold 162 passengers. Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. All meals are included on AmaSiena. Ukraine, Russia, and Egypt are also scheduled countries for Viking River Cruises. Both lines offer a variety of amenities that are standard between ships. Excursions are typically guided by local experts who know the port's culture and history well. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. Both lines also offer specialized cruises. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. Much like Uniworld, AmaWaterways ships cruise a variety of riverways worldwide. The greeters was great! Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. AmaWaterways is currently operating our river cruise ships with vaccination rates approaching 100%. Like Viking's Longships, most of AmaWaterways' European ships are 443 feet long, the maximum length to make it through the lock systems on Rhine and Danube cruises. Take a tour of a AmaWaterwayss suite. Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. What You Need to Know. Where to Eat and Drink . While Ama and Viking's European ships look similar on the outside, their cabin design and decor are quite different. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. First Vacation out of the country for my boyfriend and I and it was absolutely amazing. Here are few examples of AmaWaterwayss drinks prices: Recommended Reading: Which Cruise Lines Depart From New York. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. Furthermore should you have work to keep up with or just want to keep tabs with everyone at home. Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour). Personalized guest service that is beyond anything you could imagine. Starting in 2016, it offered "cruise and bike trips on the Rhine, Seine and Douro". Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. If cancellation is made 121 days or more from the sailing 50 percent of the deposit is returned and is then on a sliding scale up until the time of departure. If youre looking to travel without children, Uniworld has a selection of adults-only cruises, so you can comfortably enjoy a romantic getaway or honeymoon. All of the tours are very interactive and high-end, offering you more than a regular tour ever could. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. Also for those with mobility issues, or indeed families with young children AmaWaterways offer gentle trips. Every day there was a huge choice of excursions. Included in the fares of our featured AmaWaterways river cruises are shore excursions in every port of call all dining on board fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner internet access and Wi-Fi and bicycles that you can use to explore on your own or join our guided bike tours. [2], Unusually for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries. Whether it is at a luxury resort or a cozy cabin, we are here to make planning your next trip easier. Recommended Reading: Italian River Cruise. Debuting in 2023 for the first time ever, our unforgettable Seven River Journeys will forever mark their place in history as the longest and most epic river cruises. I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more. Learn how your comment data is processed. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so theres usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. The voyage includes meals, beverages, shore excursions, Wi . How Do the Enrichment Programs Compare on These Two Popular River Cruise Lines? I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. AmaWaterways will offer pre-cruise packages in both Medellin (2 nights) and Cartagena (3 nights), which can be combined, and a 3-night Panama City package post-cruise that will include a visit to the Panama Canal. All Rights Reserved. In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. These excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and tradition on a deeper, often hands-on, level. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. AmaWaterways has 25 ships offering river cruises to Europe, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Africa. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. Uniworld also does river cruises in Asia, Egypt, India, and Peru. AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. To align with the current international travel environment and country entry requirements, we have recently updated our guidelines. Soda, beer and regional wines are included at meal times, and menus source heavily from local markets and reflect the areas through which the ships sail. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, Part of what makes river cruising so attractive and pricy is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost . My Final Thoughts On Our AmaWaterways River Cruise? However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! Viking River Cruises typically host 190 passengers. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? Good to know: If the weather is nice, theyll have an ice cream party on the top deck once per cruise. $1-$3 is suggested for guides but I usually gave them 5 Euros. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience on the Rhne River in 2023, we are delighted to announce two new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024. Budapest illuminated at night. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. All the restaurants were great. So, yes, you should bring a book. In 2021, it will offer 60-plus of these vino-focused sailings. Theyre all exterior cabins decorated in the ships signature red-and-gray color palette, equipped with hairdryers, safes, telephones, TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, a desk and chair, and a (somewhat cramped) en-suite bathroom with a shower. No matter the time of day there are always cookies and snacks available at the Al Fresco Restaurant. It serves an ever-changing menu inspired mainly by local cuisinethink semmelkndel, or bread dumplings, while sailing through Germany might be paired with a local beer or wine . Bring a raincoat and warm sweater for chilly evenings, especially in the spring and fall, and warmer clothing and a heavy coat for winter cruises. Theres always the lounge or the Sun Deck, though. Breakfast lunch and dinner are usually at set times, although there is more flexibility around breakfast and lunch. Have you cruised with Uniworld or AmaWaterways? Sandi Barrett 2. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. The decor was very impressive but also authentic Mayan feel. Also Check: Are Regent Cruises Worth The Money. the differences between ocean and river cruising. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor , visit AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626 . 800-626-0126. www.amawaterways.com. 3 Meals A Day Viking, whose president and founder, Torstein Hagan, is Norwegian, features comfortable, modern and minimalist styling. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, A River Cruise with a Butler: We Try It on Uniworld and Scenic, Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour, sparkling wine at breakfast, along with tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water, At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port (all excursions included on voyages in Africa), Special events, such as dinner in a castle, Complimentary entertainment on-demand in staterooms and suites, Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary, One-night hotel stay before trip on select itineraries, Hop-on, hop-off bus service in every port, Two dinners at the specialty restaurant, per cruise, Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers, Butler service (for some suite categories), One bag of laundry per cabin on seven-night cruises; two bags per cabin for 14-night cruises (for guests in some suites on an APT Collection cruise on Aria or Concerto river ships), One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner). Most of our ships in Europe include a fleet of complimentary bikes for you to use on our guided bike tours or for your individual exploration ashore. Uniworld offers unlimited premium spirits and wines, and AmaWaterways includes all drinks with meals plus a daily cocktail hour. All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while theres a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. Thank you Dani for knowing how to make things happen and always willing to go the extra mile to make our vacation special! There was no detail that she missed. There was something for everyone this will be a vacation that we will talk about for the rest of our lives! An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination its the journey. The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. Am I missing something? The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? How Do AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Itineraries and Fleet? Do I need formal attire? Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Both lines sail on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Elbe, Dordogne and Douro in Europe, and both offer Christmas markets cruises. "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising.