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 . While most river cruise lines, including Viking, can accommodate dietary restrictions, AmaWaterways stands out because of its clear labeling of all foods, identifying those that are gluten-free, sugar-free, low-calorie or include common allergens, such as nuts or soy. I sailed on AmaMagna in July and found it exceptionally spacious, both in public spaces and within the accommodations. There was no detail that she missed. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. Both lines also offer specialized cruises. They offer cruises ranging from 7 to 27 days. Speak to a Cruise Agent: J 1-888-766-6420 International Callers Click Here The What to Expect on a River Cruise series is a resource guide, written by Cruise Critic editors and contributors, where we answer the most common questions about river cruises, including dining, cabins and suites, service and onboard activities. On European itineraries Viking recommends 18 euros per person per day, which can be prepurchased or automatically added to the shipboard account. River cruises, unlike regular cruises, are not necessarily known for onboard activities. Most AmaWaterways ships average between 158 to 164 passengers. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. Excursions are operated in small groups of just 10-15 guests. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. Theres also the Chefs Table, a 32-seat specialty restaurant with a panoramic view from the ship's stern that serves a five-course tasting menu. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. The onboard entertainment strives to immerse you in local culture during your trip, with live music, storytellers, and dancers who live and work in the destinations the ships travel to. the differences between ocean and river cruising. Viking also has an impressive lineup of partners, including Masterpiece Theatre, so passengers could elect to visit Highclere Castle, where "Downton Abbey" was shot, and get behind-the-scenes exclusive access as part of a cruise land extension for Paris and Normandy cruises. She loves her job and you can tell when talking to her. Experience Christmas Markets, a holiday feast with all the trimmings and special events on board with your esteemed host. Now that you have an idea of what Uniworld and AmaWaterways offer, lets take a look at the similarities and differences of Uniworld vs. Ama river cruises. Absolutely not! Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. 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. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. More excursions offered than any other company. Cabins for both feature similar amenities, with things like mini-fridges stocked with water (replenished daily) umbrellas, robes and veranda blankets for use during your cruise, in-room Wi-Fi and interactive TVs with free on-demand programming. Also, both lines offer specific family cruises throughout the year that include additional activities for kids, so this may be something to check into. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. They're designed to provide more insight into the ports and destinations the ships visit. Also Check: Norwegian Cruise Lines Newest Ship. The line offers luxurious touches at mid-level prices, featuring fantastic service and modern amenities that keep passengers comfortable as they sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. During the day, passengers can skip the ship's dining room for buffet dining. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. You can also check the cruise lines website for special offers and discounts. Known for their European heritage and pioneering spirit, AmaWaterways leads the industry in innovation, highlighted by the announcement of their history-making 45- and 46-night Seven River Journeys, their new Heritage on the River experiences in partnership with Ancestry, and launching a new river cruise destination and eco-friendly ship on The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. With either line, passengers will find plenty of room for lounging, whether outdoors on the top deck or inside in the ships' lounges. Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? AmaWaterways requires a $400 deposit for Europe and Asia itineraries ($1,200 for Egypt sailings, $2,400 on Africa cruises and $2,400 for the extended Seven River Journey Through Europe itineraries). [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. Those looking to get their hearts pumping might choose an active tour, which could include a little more mileage or climbs up stairs or other steep inclines, or the pace might simply be slightly faster. Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. As part of a history-making partnership, Ancestry and AmaWaterways are combining our shared passions for family, heritage and travel to offer guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to uncover their family history while cruising along Europes legendary rivers. Uniworld is a worldwide company with ships departing from multiple locations and a wide variety of itineraries. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. The Shore Excursions. Uniworld also offers a range of onboard activities, including swimming pools, leisure centers and gyms, libraries, and beautiful sun decks to lounge on. Gentle is designed for those guests needing a slower pace and, at times if possible , even a bit less walking. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that includes seven rivers, fourteen countries and the exclusive experiences only AmaWaterways provides. Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. Take a tour of a AmaWaterwayss suite. Began as a tour group operating in Europe. 3 Meals A Day Cruisers on AmaWaterways get one dinner per cruise at The Chef's Table, an included alternative restaurant that has a set menu. Unpack once and experience this extraordinary voyage on one award-winning ship, our beautiful AmaMora. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. Sail through Europe on our Treasures of the Main & Rhine itinerary from Nuremberg to Amsterdam with Emmy award-winning television host, travel expert and AmaWaterways Godmother Samantha Brown as the festive holiday season begins to transform bustling German cities, medieval villages and Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North." Have you cruised with Uniworld or AmaWaterways? Both cruise lines take the same approach to dining, with a combination of buffet and off-the-menu ordering at breakfast and lunch, then a sit-down dinner at a set time each night. What You Need to Know. But there arent many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. AmaViola and AmaStella also feature a number of connecting cabins, designed with families in mind. She is very informative and full of knowledge of any location you are traveling to. All of the tours are very interactive and high-end, offering you more than a regular tour ever could. [1][2] Schreiner had been one of the pioneers of the river cruise industry after the RhineMainDanube Canal opened in 1992. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. Budapest illuminated at night. You may be traveling through different climates and altitudes, so layering is advisable. If theyre able to keep themselves entertained, enjoy traveling and seeing the sights, and are happy with a good dip in the onboard pool, then both AmaWaterways and Uniworld are excellent choices. What's Included in Your AMAWaterways River Cruise. As most of your daylight hoursand sometimes evening hourswill be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Norfolk Va. AmaWaterways opened the ODA Free Village English School in the province of Siem Reap, Cambodia in association with ODA the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association. Similarly to Uniworld, AmaWaterways has an all-inclusive dining experience, with tapas and snacks served between meals, multi-course dinners prepared right in front of you, and hand-selected red and white wines paired with each meal. Typically, theres just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum. Definitely coming back. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! If I get seasick on boats or on ocean cruise ships, will I get seasick on the rivers? These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconiesthat is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. These include Tauck, Scenic, APT and Crystal, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships currently not operating in Russia). 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. The average age for these boats is two years, and vessels can accommodate up to 190 passengers. You May Like: Carnival Cruise Line Mobile Al. However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! How is your coffee on board? 1.3K views, 16 likes, 15 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Reels from AmaWaterways: Did you know that a select few of our amazing land packages are complimentary if you reserve before March 31st, 2023?. At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment on-demand system in staterooms and suites, Gratuities onboard and on shore excursions, Select complimentary shore excursions in every port, Interactive entertainment system with complimentary movies in cabins, Wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner, complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water throughout, At least one shore excursion in each port, Interactive television system with complimentary movies in cabins and suites, Two glasses of wine, beer or soda at dinner, In-room entertainment system with complimentary movies, Complimentary hotel stays or land extensions on select itineraries, All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, teas, and water, Complementary specialty dining venue on select ships, Gratuities ashore on shore excursions for guides and drivers, Special, private Tauck-exclusive events, such as dinner in a castle, In-room television system with complimentary movies, Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, Special events, such as dinner in a castle (mostly on theme cruises), Complimentary coffee, tea and water; juice at breakfast, At least one shore excursions in every port, Alternative restaurant with lighter meals, Beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; complimentary coffee, teas and water throughout, At least one shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment system in all cabins with complimentary movies. Our Reception Desk staff and additional crew will be happy to offer their suggestions, though part of the fun of exploring ports is stumbling upon a unique find yourself! When it comes to accommodations onboard, many believe that Uniworld has the upper hand. Personalized guest service that is beyond anything you could imagine. The Bottom Line: Which River Cruise Line is Right for You. The same applies to Australia's Travelmarvel, which is owned by APT (see below). How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? Here's what I thought. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. I already referred a couple of my friends to book a vacation with Ultimate Travel and planning on contacting Eric soon to book our next trip, this time with our kids just trying to decide were to go next. Backroads even provides the high-end bikes for these sailings, set up for each person ahead of time based on factors like height, weight and cycling style. Furthermore should you have work to keep up with or just want to keep tabs with everyone at home. 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. The great news is that you can do as many or little excursions are you want, dipping in and out of trips is a huge benefit. So, yes, you should bring a book. Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. In the main lounge, there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee making facilities including hot chocolate and herbal/fruit teas. incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at The line offers luxurious touches at mid-level prices, featuring fantastic service and modern amenities that keep passengers comfortable as they sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. In 2021, it will offer 60-plus of these vino-focused sailings. Because the unique cities that you reach by river boat mean that you can walk into glorious locations such as Vienna and Budapest. They even have a specially selected handful of wine cruises, with various tours around Europe, France, and Portugal. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Throw pillows are elaborate, and wood and marble touches are dark. For more helpful information by destination, click here. One bonus that Viking River Cruises has over AmaWaterways is the ability to combine both river and ocean itineraries since they operate both types of ships now. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. Complementary drinks Thats typically a U.S. vintner who sails and lectures onboard as well as brings hand-selected vintages for guests to taste. River cruising is a relaxing, immersive and thoroughly enjoyable form of travel where you can enjoy ever-changing scenery along the banks of waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Volga and Yangtze. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The answer is that both cruise lines are great, but they do have differences. That leaves plenty of room for lounging, either in full sun or under shade. The building design is classy and quality. We offer coffee and tea 24/7 to our guests and are happy to prepare it any way you like. While we offer a wide variety of included excursions to suit your individual interests and encourage you to join us, you are of course welcome to explore on your own. AmaSiena has 78 staterooms across nine room types, each of which can have the bed configured as a queen or two twins. I am very picky about my coffee. We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhne with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements. Booking your first river cruise? The lines might bring onboard local singers, dancers and musicians during visits to Vienna, for example, or teach passengers how to make local dishes. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. We hope to see you on board soon! Up top is the open-air Sun Deck, where theres a running track, a small pool, loungers, and a smoking area. Where to Eat and Drink . Bed configuration for both lines is flexible: Two twins can be combined into one king. Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. Trying to decide whether you want to sail AmaWaterways vs. Viking River Cruises is tricky. On board AmaWaterways, you will find cabins with a classy, sleek look and contemporary design. The tours are amazing, but the excursions are even more so, giving you many fun, interesting, and adrenaline rushing activities to participate in. The greeters was great! This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Good to know: If the weather is nice, theyll have an ice cream party on the top deck once per cruise. While jackets for men and cocktail dresses for ladies are recommended for a few special nights at dinner , you most likely wont be stopped at the door if youre not wearing those. [7] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Mekong and Chobe rivers. You might go truffle hunting in Bordeaux or cognac blending in Camus, for example. Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. There is more than enough to keep you entertained while onboard, especially since on river cruises you typically spend much of your time at various destinations. ", "Vacationing With Kids? Also free use of bikes to take on shore. When it comes to entertainment onboard, AmaWaterways seems to perform a little better. Because of the nature of river cruising many of the tours are within walking distance. Then, there are the ships in Egypt and China, Vietnam, which the line either owns or charters. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. After all, both look pretty similar from the outside, both cater (and market) to North American passengers and both sail on virtually all of the world's major rivers -- they even include many of the same ports. Although dining is more intimate with less venues on a river cruise ship. You can expect a whole range of inclusions on your Nile or Mekong cruise with AmaWaterways. The only things that appear to be included in AMA's package is 1) $110 transfers boat to hotel; 2) 2 nights hotel; and 3) 1/2 day city tour. Read on for a comparison of AmaWaterways vs. Uniworld, including their ships, itineraries, activities and entertainment, price range, and more, so that you can decide which river cruise line is best for you. Ukraine, Russia, and Egypt are also scheduled countries for Viking River Cruises. Why? While some other major river cruise lines have eliminated their onboard bikes or charge a fee to rent them ashore, AmaWaterways for maintains a fleet of bikes on every European vessel. As for accommodations, ultra-spacious suites account for more than 50 percent of AmaMagnas accommodations. The next deck is the Cello Deck, home to staterooms and the main restaurant, followed by the Violin deck, with more staterooms, reception, the lounge, a gift shop, and the Chefs Table restaurant.