Cruise Frog guide
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.
Style
River
riverboats through towns and cities, a port most days
Best for
- Couples
- History and culture
- Food lovers
- Multigenerational groups
- Solo travelers
Fleet rating
No ships rated yet.
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
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.
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- History and culture
- port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
- Food lovers
- dining is a reason to sail
- Multigenerational groups
- something for grandparents and grandchildren alike
- Solo travelers
- studio cabins, low or no single supplement, easy to meet people
How it rates
None of AmaWaterways's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.
Where AmaWaterways sails
Ships
AmaBella2010 · 160 guests · Danube · RhineAmaBella is a 135-meter AmaWaterways river ship for 160 guests in 80 staterooms, many of which pair a French balcony with a step-out balcony. She entered service in 2010 and was…
AmaCello2008 · 140 guests · RhôneAmaCello is one of AmaWaterways' four 110-meter ships from 2008-2009, carrying 140 guests in 71 staterooms. Many of her rooms have French balconies rather than the twin balconies…
AmaCerto2012 · 162 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaCerto, which entered service in 2012, was the ship that introduced AmaWaterways' 135-meter design with twin-balcony staterooms and more than one restaurant. She carries 162…
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…
AmaDante2008 · 140 guests · SeineAmaDante is a 110-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2008 that now sails only on the Seine. She carries 140 guests in 71 staterooms with French balconies, including single staterooms…AmaDara2015 · 120 guests · MekongAmaDara is AmaWaterways' all-suite Mekong ship, in service since 2015, carrying 120 guests in 60 staterooms and suites. Her decor mixes French colonial touches with Southeast…
AmaDolce2009 · 140 guestsAmaDolce is a 110-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2009 that now cruises the Bordeaux wine region on the Garonne, the Dordogne and the Gironde estuary. She carries 140 guests in 71…
AmaDouro2019 · 102 guests · DouroAmaDouro is a 79-meter river ship built for Portugal's Douro, where she has sailed since 2019. She takes 102 guests in 51 staterooms and suites, the suites with outside…
AmaKristina2017 · 152 guests · RhôneAmaKristina entered service in 2017 with connecting and triple-occupancy rooms meant for families and other multigenerational groups, and in 2020 she became the first river…
AmaLea2018 · 156 guests · Danube · RhineAmaLea is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2018 whose design took cues from luxury yachts, with interiors in soft pink and blue. She carries 156 guests in 78 staterooms, most…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…
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…
AmaLyra2009 · 140 guests · SeineAmaLyra is one of AmaWaterways' 110-meter ships from 2008-2009 and today sails the Seine. She carries 140 guests in 71 staterooms with French balconies, among them single rooms…AmaMagdalena2025 · 60 guests · South AmericaAmaMagdalena opened AmaWaterways' Colombia program in 2025 as the first luxury river ship on the Magdalena River. The 68-meter vessel carries 60 guests in 30 staterooms, all with…
AmaMagna2019 · 196 guests · DanubeAmaMagna, in service on the Danube since 2019, is about 22 meters wide, twice the width of a standard European river ship, and the largest cruise ship on that river. The extra…AmaMelodia2025 · 64 guests · South AmericaAmaMelodia is AmaWaterways' second ship on Colombia's Magdalena River, joining AmaMagdalena when she entered service in October 2025. She carries 64 guests in 32 twin-balcony…AmaMora2019 · 156 guests · DanubeAmaMora is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2019 and a sister of AmaLea and AmaKristina. She carries 156 guests in 78 staterooms; all suites and many standard rooms have the…
AmaPrima2013 · 162 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaPrima is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2013 carrying 162 guests in 81 staterooms. All suites and many staterooms have twin balconies and marble bathrooms, and the ship…
AmaReina2014 · 162 guests · DanubeAmaReina is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2014 with room for 162 guests in 81 staterooms, most with twin balconies and marble bathrooms. She has two restaurants, a Main…
AmaSerena2015 · 162 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaSerena is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2015 for 162 guests in 81 twin-balcony staterooms. Her public rooms include a library with a fireplace and a Main Lounge with a…AmaSiena2021 · 156 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaSiena is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship christened in 2021, carrying 156 guests in 78 staterooms with twin balconies. Her lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and bold design…AmaSintra2025 · 102 guests · DouroAmaSintra is AmaWaterways' third Douro ship, christened in Porto on April 17, 2025, with travel advisor Jenn Lee as godmother, before starting her first season. Built for the…AmaSofia2026 · 152 guests · Danube · RhineAmaSofia is AmaWaterways' newest European ship, christened on the Rhine on March 14, 2026, during the ASTA River Cruise Expo, with ASTA executive Sarah Little as godmother. She…
AmaSonata2014 · 162 guests · DanubeAmaSonata is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2014 carrying 162 guests in 81 staterooms, most with twin balconies. Besides the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table she has an…
AmaStella2016 · 156 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaStella is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2016 for 156 guests, with twin balconies on all suites and many staterooms. She has three places to eat, the Main Restaurant, The…
AmaVenita2014 · 162 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaVenita is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship that the line describes as Concerto-class, carrying 162 guests with twin balconies in most staterooms. She has a Main Lounge with…
AmaVerde2011 · 160 guests · DanubeAmaVerde entered service in 2011 and was redesigned in 2021 with bold artwork and refreshed staterooms. The 135-meter ship carries 160 guests in 80 rooms, many with twin…
AmaVida2013 · 102 guests · DouroAmaVida, in service since 2013, was AmaWaterways' first ship purpose-built for the Douro in Portugal and Spain. The 79-meter ship carries 102 guests in 51 staterooms and suites…
AmaViola2016 · 156 guests · Rhine · DanubeAmaViola is a 135-meter AmaWaterways ship from 2016 carrying 156 guests in 78 staterooms, most with twin balconies. She has several indoor and outdoor dining spots, a heated Sun…Zambezi Queen2009 · 28 guestsZambezi Queen is the smallest ship AmaWaterways sells, a 46-meter riverboat for 28 guests in 14 staterooms that cruises the Chobe River on the border of Botswana and Namibia…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.
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).
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.
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 →