AmaWaterways Tracy's review

River cruising is one of the most relaxing and immersive ways to travel. Instead of packing and unpacking between destinations, your boutique ship travels with you. Docking in the heart of cities and charming towns along the world’s most iconic waterways.

Recently, I had the chance to experience life on board an AmaWaterways river cruise. Although this was a short taster sailing for travel specialists, it gave me a fantastic insight into what you experience on a typical 7-night or longer river cruise. It’s safe to say I came away impressed.

Small Ships, Spacious Feel

AmaWaterways ships typically carry around 156 guests, which creates a relaxed atmosphere where you quickly feel at home. Despite their size, the ships feel spacious, bright and beautifully designed, with cabins that feel comfortable rather than compact. With fewer guests and an excellent crew-to-guest ratio, service feels personal and attentive, the team quickly get to know you and your preferences.

A Food Lover’s Dream

If food is important to you when travelling, river cruising delivers in a big way. AmaWaterways takes pride in showcasing local flavours and seasonal ingredients, often inspired by the destinations you visit. Many dishes incorporate ingredients sourced from nearby farms, wineries and markets. The dining options include the main restaurant and The Chef’s Table which was a real highlight for me. The multi-course tasting menu, complete with wine pairings, felt like a fine-dining restaurant experience, and every dish was outstanding.

River cruising offers much more than sightseeing

AmaWaterways includes a wide variety of daily shore experiences, from guided walking tours and historic site visits to bike rides, hikes and culinary tastings. Each destination typically offers three activity levels, meaning you can explore at a pace that suits you. Back on board, there’s plenty to enjoy, a heated pool on the sun deck, gym and fitness classes, yoga and wellness sessions with the onboard wellness host. Some of the newer ships even include pickleball courts!
Evenings are relaxed and sociable, with the popular Sip & Sail cocktail hour, followed by live entertainment and a chance to share stories from the day with fellow travellers.

River cruising offers a completely different pace of travel compared to ocean cruising

Docking in the heart of cities and towns
No days at sea – there’s always something new to see
Beautiful scenery passing by your cabin window
A sociable and intimate atmosphere
Visit multiple destinations in one trip

You’ll find sailings on iconic European rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhône and Douro, but also more exotic journeys including:

The Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia
The Nile in Egypt
The Chobe River in Africa, combined with a luxury safari experience

They also offer a range of speciality cruises including:

Golf cruises on the Danube and Seine
Culinary sailings
Cultural itineraries in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, focusing on art, history and culture along the world’s rivers.

My Verdict

What stood out most during my time on board was the balance. The ships feel luxurious but relaxed, the food is exceptional, the excursions are varied and well organised, and the atmosphere encourages you to connect with fellow travellers and the knowledgeable crew. It’s a style of travel that appeals not only to experienced cruisers but also to people who might never have considered cruising before.
If you would like to know more please get in touch and let us help you find the perfect river cruise for you.
Best wishes Tracy

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