Viking is a good choice for passengers who desire adults-only vacations that include immersive port experiences. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. The ships spacious two-level lounge has plenty of comfortable seating areas, a bar, dance floor, space for entertainers, a lower level library with an electric fireplace and a door that opens to reveal a movie theater. Since your ship will be making port at so many unique cities you'll have a chance to eat local cuisine. AmaWaterways will offer pre-cruise packages in both Medellin (2 nights) and Cartagena (3 nights), which can be combined, and a 3-night Panama City package post-cruise that will include a visit to the Panama Canal. Exclusively available on board the AmaMagna, the Zen Wellness Studio also includes outdoor spin bikes, two massage rooms, a hair and nail salon, juice bar and a small selection of child-size bicycles to use on shore. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, A River Cruise with a Butler: We Try It on Uniworld and Scenic, Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour, sparkling wine at breakfast, along with tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water, At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port (all excursions included on voyages in Africa), Special events, such as dinner in a castle, Complimentary entertainment on-demand in staterooms and suites, Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary, One-night hotel stay before trip on select itineraries, Hop-on, hop-off bus service in every port, Two dinners at the specialty restaurant, per cruise, Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers, Butler service (for some suite categories), One bag of laundry per cabin on seven-night cruises; two bags per cabin for 14-night cruises (for guests in some suites on an APT Collection cruise on Aria or Concerto river ships), One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner). This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. [9][2][10], The company has also offered promotions for solo travellers. Viking Cruises started with a fleet of four ships from Russia and has expanded to operating a fleet of more than 60 vessels on three continents. You can enjoy traditional dance performances, authentic musical performances, and even local storytelling. Technically, AmaWaterways is not all-inclusive but it offers a wide selection of alcoholic drinks throughout the day on European cruises. How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? Ultimately though, it really comes down to what appeals to you and where you want to travel. Theyve also expanded into ocean cruises as well. An immense variety of ports means more unique travel destinations and options. Ukraine, Russia, and Egypt are also scheduled countries for Viking River Cruises. See what 1 line just announced for 2024, Why a Douro River cruise may be the perfect friends group getaway, Demand for cruises on small ships jumps in wake of COVID pandemic. In the river cruise world, it's the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. Also, both lines offer specific family cruises throughout the year that include additional activities for kids, so this may be something to check into. These include Tauck, Scenic, APT and Crystal, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways. When it comes to entertainment onboard, AmaWaterways seems to perform a little better. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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. Guests will enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this special itinerary, such as guided tours showcasing jazz, food and wine, all while shining a light on Black heritage. AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. 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 . So, yes, you should bring a book. We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. In 2021, it will offer 60-plus of these vino-focused sailings. You can also check the cruise lines website for special offers and discounts. No need to dress for dinner here, and passengers don't have to show up at a set time, either. The rooms are nicely decorated and everything worked perfectly with no problems. Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? Here's what I thought. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. I would highly recommend choosing the carefully selected wine pairings, handpicked by the onboard sommelier. Viking River Cruises invests in finding some unique shore excursions. The clientele of a cruise can vary widely depending on the cruise line, and even the itinerary, but both Uniworld and AmaWaterways tend to attract similar guests. How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship youre on. Learn how your comment data is processed. The cruise begins in Budapest, Hungary, where you board the ship in the afternoon and start sailing after dark, when all the buildings and bridges along the Danube are illuminated. Elbe River Cruise Ships Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, The 8 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers of 2023, Carnival Magic - Cruise Ship Photo Tour and Profile, This 49-Night European River Cruise Is Open to Book for 2024, The Worlds Longest River Cruise Itinerary Was Just Announced, A Three-Story Racetrack, Food Hall, and Infinity Pools: Inside the Norwegian Prima, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Breakfast is served with fresh juices and sparkling wines so that every day starts off with a touch of luxury. Recommended Reading: Italian River Cruise. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 5 Reasons Why Families Will Love the Refurbished Norwegian Jewel, 10 Cruise Alcohol Hacks for Better Drinking on the Cheap. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways: What You Should Know 2023, 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! Definitely coming back. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. 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. Also Check: Norwegian Cruise Lines Newest Ship. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Up top is the open-air Sun Deck, where theres a running track, a small pool, loungers, and a smoking area. Born in Austria, Schreiner always dreamed about building a larger river cruise vessel to sail the Danube, and now thats become a reality. What You Need to Know. This website uses cookies. Any additional drinks, such as premium alcoholic beverages, can be ordered at any time and added to your onboard account. AmaWaterways has 25 ships offering river cruises to Europe, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Africa. Founded in 2002, this European riverboat operator is California-based and won several awards for river cruise innovation . Which meals and beverages are included in my river cruise fare? Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. We stayed at the Dreams Resort & Spa in La Romana, Dominican Republic and it was perfect for our family reunion of our former foreign exchange students. Uniworld is a worldwide company with ships departing from multiple locations and a wide variety of itineraries. In the main lounge, there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee making facilities including hot chocolate and herbal/fruit teas. Visit our FAQs page, learn more about river cruising with AmaWaterways, contact your preferred travel advisor or call us at 1.800.626.0126. Hello! In 2023 it will launch a series of 46-night sailings through Europe on four ships and in 2024 will become the first line to offer sailings on Colombia's Magdalena River. Good to know: If the weather is nice, theyll have an ice cream party on the top deck once per cruise. 800-626-0126. www.amawaterways.com. $1-$3 is suggested for guides but I usually gave them 5 Euros. We hope to see you on board soon! Note that the Sun Deck is only accessible via stairs, not the elevators. (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfastotherwise, alcohol is la carte. Viking offers a beverage package option, called the Silver Spirits package, which runs about $30 per person per day and allows passengers to drink unlimited premium wine, spirits and beer while onboard. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. Bring comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions and one pair of dressier shoes. My wife and I celebrated our 20 Year Marriage Anniversary at Secrets Akumal. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. Despite being different its equally wonderful. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. She came to us with the best options and negotiated so many things to accommodate our large group. Both lines offer concierge services, books to borrow on topics like history or tourism, comfortable bars for drinks and dancing and top-deck walking tracks and giant chess boards. There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. Heres what else you can expect from each room, from least expensive to most. We use cookies to analyse our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance and provide a better experience for our users. The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. On very select rivers and itineraries, the Personal Audio Device we use for shore excursions can also be used for your individual exploration, as pre-recorded commentary may play, based on your current GPS location. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Many River Cruises Work On A Full Board Basis, but on an AmaWaterways River Cruise full board covers A LOT. On a moving ship? Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. Light bites are served throughout the day in the lounge; there are pastries for early or late risers who miss breakfast, tapas for lunch, afternoon tea, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour (alcoholic beverages are complimentary), and a late-night snack served at 10:30 p.m. You can also access a complimentary coffee station here 24/7. Most AmaWaterways ships average between 158 to 164 passengers. How Does AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Price, Inclusions and Booking Policies? Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. All Rights Reserved. You can expect a whole range of inclusions on your Nile or Mekong cruise with AmaWaterways. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. the differences between ocean and river cruising. Our exclusive Concierge Golf Programme includes 7 nights onboard one of the highest rated ships in Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, a choice of excursions in every port and our unique Twin Balconies, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent. .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}AmaWaterways and Viking are similarly priced across all cabin categories, from the lowest on up to the suites, and both offer comparable inclusions. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. 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. 14 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, 16 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, AmaWaterways Ltd | Abbots Place Suite B | Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4RW. [1] [2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! AmaSiena joins AmaWaterways legacy of upscale yet relaxed river cruises that cater to more active couples or mature multi-gen groups. My Final Thoughts On Our AmaWaterways River Cruise? 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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! Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. Outdoor space is more plentiful on Viking ships because they dont have pools or bicycle storage on board. On European itineraries Viking recommends 18 euros per person per day, which can be prepurchased or automatically added to the shipboard account. The ships that sail in Europe are similarly designed and can accommodate about 164 passengers. Carving out a niche in the upscale segment of the river cruise industry, AmaWaterways is luxurious in many ways, yet with a contemporary, comfortable vibe. These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. Theyve chosen some great wineries to visit that are only a short walking distance from the dock. Number of Ships: 24. Expanded to North America and now has itineraries for many ports around the globe. 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. that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Included in the fares of our featured AmaWaterways river cruises are shore excursions in every port of call all dining on board fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner internet access and Wi-Fi and bicycles that you can use to explore on your own or join our guided bike tours. The building design is classy and quality. How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? The Bottom Line: Which River Cruise Line is Right for You. Your Cruise Manager will explain more when applicable. You will find a selection of tea and coffee available throughout the day, the main lounge has a coffee machine, fresh iced water and biscuits. In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. Thanks so much Cheryl! The only slight difference is that with AmaWaterways placing emphasis on their excellent onboard evening entertainment and unlimited premium spirits, it makes a better choice for those who like to enjoy the nightlife onboard the ships. Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know. AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. Also included is their onboard wellness program, shore excursions, and WiFi. Trying to decide whether you want to sail AmaWaterways vs. Viking River Cruises is tricky. Steinman emphasizes that these wine cruises have all the tours that would be available on a regular cruise, yet guests also can enjoy special wine tastings, wine pairings and interaction with a special wine host. With the exception of a few, most of the trips are half a day and start and finish back at the ship.