AmaWaterways aims for 50-plus ships by 2032, and the double-width AmaRudi leads the way

A bigger fleet, river by river

AmaWaterways plans to sail more than 50 river ships by 2032. CEO Catherine Powell repeated that target in an interview with Cruise Industry News, published October 13. She said the line wants to grow carefully into new markets outside Europe, while Europe stays at the core of the business.

The public order book runs through 2028:

• AmaNubia, a 38-stateroom ship for the Nile
• AmaCleo, more capacity in Egypt
• AmaMaya, 60 staterooms on the Mekong in 2027
• AmaFiora, 76 staterooms on the Rhine in 2027
• AmaRudi, the new double-width ship on the Danube in 2027
• AmaMaria on the Danube and AmaGaia on the Douro in 2028

Powell said trips to the Nile, the Mekong, the Chobe and the Magdalena are selling especially well. The new hardware tracks that demand.

AmaRudi: the extra width goes to public space

AmaRudi is the headline. It is the line's second double-width ship, after AmaMagna in 2019, and the two will share the title of Europe's largest river cruise ship. It will carry 196 guests in 98 staterooms and suites. It is also the first ship in the fleet named after a man, co-founder and chairman Rudi Schreiner, who grew up near the Danube in Austria.

Powell told Cruise Industry News that the extra beam is going into public rooms, not more cabins. That matters on a river ship, where lounges and dining rooms can feel crowded at peak times. According to AmaWaterways' announcement, the ship will have:

• Journey's Restaurant, The Chef's Table and outdoor dining
• Rudi's Wine Bar and a barbecue on the Sun Deck
• A wellness area with massage rooms, a gym and hair and nail services
• A full-sized pickleball court on the Sun Deck
• A new venue with a cinema, karaoke, billiards and a jukebox

Beer, soft drinks and more than 30 wines come with lunch and dinner. On the technical side, the line lists Stage V engines, solar panels and shore power.

The ship's width limits where it can go, so it will stay on the Danube. Powell does not see that as a problem. AmaRudi's first sailing leaves Vilshofen, Germany, on April 11, 2027. It will run some of the line's best-known Danube trips, including Magna on the Danube and Gems of Southeast Europe. AmaWaterways says cabin details and booking information will come later.

Longer seasons and a different dock in Amsterdam

AmaWaterways is also stretching the calendar. Some Rhine and Danube itineraries now include February departures. Sailings in Portugal run into December, with holiday and New Year's trips. If you prefer quiet towns and lower crowds, those shoulder dates are worth a look, though the weather will be colder and some sights may keep shorter hours.

One change may surprise repeat guests. To ease congestion, some ships dock at Zaandam instead of central Amsterdam. Powell called it a short transfer for guests. Check your itinerary for the exact berth, and plan any pre-cruise hotel with that in mind.

Who is booking

North America is still the line's largest market. Powell said growth is also coming from the UK and Australia. She added that more first-time, younger, multigenerational and solo travelers are booking. Solo guests should note that the line's single staterooms are only on four older ships. AmaWaterways has not said whether AmaRudi will have any.

See the full fleet and its ratings on our AmaWaterways page.