AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a river cruise line based in Calabasas, California, founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. It began as Amadeus Waterways, took its current name in 2008, and christened its first purpose-built ship, AmaDagio, in 2006. In 2019 it introduced AmaMagna, a ship twice the usual width, on the Danube. Catherine Powell, formerly of Disney and Airbnb, became chief executive in July 2025, with Schreiner moving to chairman.
Page updated
About AmaWaterways
The line said in April 2026 that it operates 31 ships. Most sail Europe's rivers: the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône and Saône, the Garonne and Dordogne around Bordeaux, and Portugal's Douro. Outside Europe it has AmaDara on the Mekong, two ships on the Nile, two on Colombia's Magdalena River since 2025, and the small Zambezi Queen on the Chobe in southern Africa. It plans more than 50 ships by 2032, with AmaNubia, AmaMaya, AmaRudi and AmaFiora among those due next.
Fares include meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, a daily cocktail hour, Wi-Fi and guided excursions in each port, usually offered at gentle, regular and active levels. Ships carry bicycles, and a Wellness Host runs daily classes. Most newer ships have the line's twin-balcony rooms, which combine a French balcony with a step-out one, and a tasting-menu restaurant called The Chef's Table.
What AmaWaterways is known for
Wikipedia notes AmaWaterways' reputation for spacious ships, wellness amenities and dining; Cruise Critic's 2024 Best in Cruise awards named it best river cruise line and best for active cruisers, and Global Traveler named it cruise line of the year in 2023. Reviewers tend to single out the twin-balcony staterooms, the included excursions with several activity levels, the bicycles and fitness program, and the food, with some ships members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. The line itself calls AmaMagna, with its four restaurants and large suites, one of the most talked-about ships in the industry.
The fleet is not uniform, though. The four ships from 2008 and 2009 are shorter, with French balconies rather than twin balconies, and fewer amenities than the 135-meter ships. Gratuities, premium drinks and some optional tours cost extra, so fares are not fully all-inclusive. Like any river line it is exposed to high or low water, which the line says can mean swapping ships, busing between towns or changing the schedule.
Who it's for
River · riverboats through towns and cities, a port most days
- Couples
- History and culture
- Food lovers
- Multigenerational groups
- Solo travelers
AmaWaterways suits couples and older travelers who want a comfortable, port-heavy river cruise with good food and wine and plenty of included sightseeing. Active travelers get guided bike and hiking options and onboard fitness classes, and food and wine lovers have The Chef's Table and themed wine cruises. Families and multigenerational groups can use connecting and triple rooms on several ships or book Adventures by Disney charters, and solo travelers can find single staterooms without a supplement on four older ships. Trips to Egypt, Vietnam and Cambodia, Colombia and southern Africa add range.
Travelers who want nightlife, casinos, big production shows or kids' clubs on every sailing should look at ocean lines. Those on a tight budget may find better prices on value-oriented river lines, and anyone who wants drinks and tips fully covered should compare all-inclusive luxury river brands.
Cruising solo on AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is one of the few river lines with cabins built for one, but only four older European ships, AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra, have them: a few 140-square-foot single staterooms with French balconies, sold without a supplement. On the rest of the fleet, solo travelers rely on promotions that waive the supplement or cut it to 10 or 25 percent on selected sailings. The line adds a welcome tour, invitations to social gatherings and shared tables for solo guests, and its included excursions and daily cocktail hour give plenty of chances to meet fellow passengers.
- Cabins for one
- Single occupancy staterooms, on AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra only
- Single supplement
- The single staterooms on AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra are sold at the standard cruise fare with no supplement. Elsewhere solo guests pay a single supplement that the line often reduces or waives: its solo offers have included a waived supplement on select Europe sailings and supplements of 10 to 25 percent in entry-level categories in Europe and on the Mekong, with suites excluded.
- Meeting other solo guests
- Solo guests are offered a guided ship tour at the start of the cruise, select invitations to cocktail gatherings or the Captain's Table, and dining tables set for five to make conversation easier. The Cruise Manager and crew look after solo travelers, and small excursion groups help them meet other guests.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 4.3/5
- Dining
- 5/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 5/5
- Pools & decks
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 30 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where AmaWaterways sails
Ships
Best rated
#14.2 ★AmaDahlia2021 · 72 guests · NileAmaDahlia was AmaWaterways' first ship in Egypt, joining the Nile in September 2021. The 72-meter ship carries 72 guests in 36 staterooms, 16 of them suites with step-out…#24.2 ★AmaLilia2024 · 82 guests · NileAmaLilia is AmaWaterways' second Nile ship, announced in 2022 as a sister of AmaDahlia and sailing since April 2024. The 72-meter ship carries 82 guests in 41 staterooms, 13 of…
#34.2 ★AmaLucia2021 · 156 guests · RhineAmaLucia is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship that entered service in 2021, carrying 156 guests in 78 staterooms, many with twin balconies. Her Sun Deck has a pool with a swim-up…Every ship, by class
Concerto class
1 ship · 2014 · avg 4.0 ★
Other ships
29 ships · 2008–2026 · avg 4.1 ★
- AmaSofia2026 · 152 guests4.2/5
- AmaMagdalena2025 · 60 guests4.2/5
- AmaMelodia2025 · 64 guests4.2/5
- AmaSintra2025 · 102 guests4.2/5
- AmaLilia2024 · 82 guests4.2/5
- AmaDahlia2021 · 72 guests4.2/5
- AmaLucia2021 · 156 guests4.2/5
- AmaSiena2021 · 156 guests4.2/5
- AmaDouro2019 · 102 guests4.0/5
- AmaMagna2019 · 196 guests4.0/5
- AmaMora2019 · 156 guests4.0/5
- AmaLea2018 · 156 guests4.0/5
- AmaKristina2017 · 152 guests4.0/5
- AmaStella2016 · 156 guests4.0/5
- AmaViola2016 · 156 guests4.0/5
- AmaDara2015 · 120 guests4.0/5
- AmaSerena2015 · 162 guests4.0/5
- AmaReina2014 · 162 guests4.0/5
- AmaSonata2014 · 162 guests4.0/5
- AmaPrima2013 · 162 guests4.0/5
- AmaVida2013 · 102 guests4.0/5
- AmaCerto2012 · 162 guests4.0/5
- AmaVerde2011 · 160 guests4.0/5
- AmaBella2010 · 160 guests4.0/5
- AmaDolce2009 · 140 guests4.0/5
- AmaLyra2009 · 140 guests4.0/5
- Zambezi Queen2009 · 28 guests4.0/5
- AmaCello2008 · 140 guests4.0/5
- AmaDante2008 · 140 guests4.0/5
Coming soon
Where to fly in
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)8 AmaWaterways ships sail from Budapest, Hungary5 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)7 AmaWaterways ships sail from Amsterdam, Netherlands10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)3 AmaWaterways ships sail from Porto, Portugal1 lounge on Lounge Frog
- Cartagena Rafael Núñez International (CTG)2 AmaWaterways ships sail from Cartagena, Colombia3 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Luxor International Airport (LXR)2 AmaWaterways ships sail from Luxor, Egypt
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)2 AmaWaterways ships sail from Paris, France21 lounges on Lounge Frog
- EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL)1 AmaWaterways ship sails from Basel, Switzerland1 lounge on Lounge Frog
- Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD)1 AmaWaterways ship sails from Bordeaux, France2 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)1 AmaWaterways ship sails from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam3 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS)1 AmaWaterways ship sails from Lyon, France2 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is AmaWaterways known for?
Wikipedia notes AmaWaterways' reputation for spacious ships, wellness amenities and dining; Cruise Critic's 2024 Best in Cruise awards named it best river cruise line and best for active cruisers, and Global Traveler named it cruise line of the year in 2023. Reviewers tend to single out the twin-balcony staterooms, the included excursions with several activity levels, the bicycles and fitness program, and the food, with some ships members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. The line itself calls AmaMagna, with its four restaurants and large suites, one of the most talked-about ships in the industry.
Who is AmaWaterways best for?
AmaWaterways suits couples and older travelers who want a comfortable, port-heavy river cruise with good food and wine and plenty of included sightseeing. Active travelers get guided bike and hiking options and onboard fitness classes, and food and wine lovers have The Chef's Table and themed wine cruises. Families and multigenerational groups can use connecting and triple rooms on several ships or book Adventures by Disney charters, and solo travelers can find single staterooms without a supplement on four older ships. Trips to Egypt, Vietnam and Cambodia, Colombia and southern Africa add range.
Is AmaWaterways good for solo travellers?
AmaWaterways is one of the few river lines with cabins built for one, but only four older European ships, AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra, have them: a few 140-square-foot single staterooms with French balconies, sold without a supplement. On the rest of the fleet, solo travelers rely on promotions that waive the supplement or cut it to 10 or 25 percent on selected sailings. The line adds a welcome tour, invitations to social gatherings and shared tables for solo guests, and its included excursions and daily cocktail hour give plenty of chances to meet fellow passengers.
Where does AmaWaterways sail?
AmaWaterways's ships in service sail Danube (15 ships), Rhine (11 ships), Douro (3 ships), South America (2 ships), Seine (2 ships), Rhône (2 ships), Nile (2 ships) and Mekong (1 ship).
How is AmaWaterways rated?
AmaWaterways's fleet averages 4.1 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 30 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is AmaDahlia at 4.2.
Does AmaWaterways have new ships coming?
Yes: AmaWaterways has 8 new ships on the way: AmaNubia (debuts November 2026), AmaMaya (debuts January 2027), AmaRudi (debuts April 11, 2027), AmaCleo (due 2027), AmaFiora (due 2027) and AmaClara (due 2028), and 2 more.
How many ships does AmaWaterways have?
AmaWaterways has 30 ships in service on Cruise Frog: AmaBella, AmaCello, AmaCerto, AmaDahlia, AmaDante, AmaDara, AmaDolce and AmaDouro, and 22 more.
What ship classes does AmaWaterways sail?
AmaWaterways sails 1 class of ship in service: Concerto class (1 ship), plus 29 ships not in a named class.
Where is AmaWaterways based?
AmaWaterways is headquartered in Calabasas, California, United States. It has operated since 2002.
What is AmaWaterways's loyalty program called?
AmaWaterways's past-guest loyalty program is AmaWaterways Loyalty Program.
Cruising with children
AmaWaterways can make a rewarding shared sightseeing holiday for a child who enjoys towns, food and exploring with adults. Cabin layout and the pace of excursions deserve close attention.
Read the AmaWaterways family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on AmaWaterways? Enter the price the line quotes and what you'd pay for a drink on board. If your fare already includes drinks, you can skip this one.
AmaWaterways includes house wine with lunch and dinner. AmaWaterways FAQ ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about AmaWaterways and its ships
- AmaWaterways adds a five-night Peru extension to Colombia cruises from April 2027
The post-cruise journey links Cartagena with Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, with two hotel options.
Itineraries
- What a glass of house wine costs on cruise lines, and which ones pour it free
From $9 on Royal Caribbean to $14 on MSC, and free on 25 lines. The prices behind Cruise Frog's drinks package calculator.
Cruise lines
- Solo on the river with AmaWaterways: single staterooms, waived supplements and tables for five
A river ship with 150 guests is a gentle place to travel alone. AmaWaterways adds single cabins on four ships and a steady stream of solo deals.
Cruise lines
- 5 things AmaWaterways does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of AmaWaterways, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
Cruise lines
- AmaWaterways aims for 50-plus ships by 2032, and the double-width AmaRudi leads the way
AmaRudi, a 196-guest double-width ship, debuts on the Danube in April 2027. New ships follow on the Nile, Mekong, Rhine and Douro, and some seasons now run into February and December.
Cruise lines