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. On some days, guests have a choice of excursions to different towns in different countries, so its best to do a little research before making your selectionyou often will only have time for one, as theyre usually a bus ride away. Like Viking's Longships, most of AmaWaterways' European ships are 443 feet long, the maximum length to make it through the lock systems on Rhine and Danube cruises. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. Contact. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason. 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. 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. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. At intervals during the day one of the crew will appear with a nice cooling wine spritzer, cold beer or cocktail of the day. Breakfast is served with fresh juices and sparkling wines so that every day starts off with a touch of luxury. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. Incredible awards and ratings including having the highest rated river cruise ships in Europe. How is your coffee on board? Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. You are the best. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. There was no detail that she missed. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . We recommend AmaWaterways for families and young adults. Viking requires a $500 nonrefundable deposit, with final payment due 90 days before the cruise is scheduled to begin (a 20 percent deposit of the full fare is required for World and Grand Cruise itineraries with payment 180 days prior to departure). Unpack once and experience this extraordinary voyage on one award-winning ship, our beautiful AmaMora. That said, shorts and sandals arent permitted in the dining room on any night, but fine at lunchtime. Regular is simply a normal walking tour and pace. 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. 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. I will book all future trips with only her. Generally speaking the half board we experienced sailing with AmaWaterways felt very much like almost all inclusive. You can enjoy traditional dance performances, authentic musical performances, and even local storytelling. This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. When you consider that most Europeans ride bikes everywhere, its no surprise there are wide paved bike paths throughout every port of call. River cruises, unlike regular cruises, are not necessarily known for onboard activities. Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. Sandi Barrett 2. Of course there are obvious differences, however today I want to talk about whats included in your river cruise fare, because people of ask us if AmaWaterways is all inclusive. Still have questions? Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. The line has 55 Longships, nearly identical boats designed to sail Europe's rivers. Bring comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions and one pair of dressier shoes. And each day you will be treated to a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! Excursions are typically guided by local experts who know the port's culture and history well. There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. She sings and entertains to a variety of familiar songs from around the world. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. At night, the Aquavit Terrace serves a set menu that can be enjoyed as often as you'd like throughout your cruise. All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while theres a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? That leaves plenty of room for lounging, either in full sun or under shade. 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! Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Ama Magna D E Passau N B C I M G 7237 Edit 2000x800, Quilting (Photo: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock.com). .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. The building design is classy and quality. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. If you plan on participating in our complimentary wellness activities, be sure to bring comfortable workout clothing, such as yoga pants or bike shorts. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. For example, in 2021, wine enthusiasts might head into France to taste vintages on an Essence of Burgundy & Provence wine-themed sailing or into Austria and Germany for a Melodies of the Danube wine cruise. 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. One of the best ways of securing a better deal, however, is by booking via a cruise travel agent. [8], To attract families with younger children, AmaWaterways partnered with Adventures by Disney to create Disney-themed cruises that feature the Christmas markets in cities on the Danube and Rhine rivers, among others. The dining was outstanding on the AmaMagna, offering lots of diverse choice and quality, including child friendly meals for fussy eaters. On European itineraries Viking recommends 18 euros per person per day, which can be prepurchased or automatically added to the shipboard account. We hope to see you on board soon! During our river cruise on the Danube nearly all of the excursions were free, with the exception of 1 or 2 speciality trips. Sparkling wine with breakfast, local wine and beers at lunch and dinner, with the Sip and Sail Hour held before dinner every night. Both cruise lines are all-inclusive and provide excellent service, meaning that no matter which one you choose, it is guaranteed to be worth the money. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. 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. We really enjoyed Finest for our Destination Wedding and would highly recommend it as a wedding or vacation destination! the differences between ocean and river cruising. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. Christmas Markets Cruise with Samantha Brown. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. These are sometimes in mini trains to save tired legs and also add a little adventure. Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour). AmaWaterways is currently operating our river cruise ships with vaccination rates approaching 100%. Youll feel pampered, whether youre in a grand suite or classic cabin. Any additional drinks, such as premium alcoholic beverages, can be ordered at any time and added to your onboard account. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. As Uniworld places emphasis on its guided tours, this cruise line is the more popular choice for those who like to stay active and explore. All the restaurants were great. Learn how your comment data is processed. AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. Deck One, the Piano Deck, has a few staterooms, plus the massage room, salon, and a fitness center. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. At every stop, theres almost always a general walking tour (guests can choose their activity level: active, regular, or gentle), as well as specialty options like beer or wine tastings, hikes and bike tours, or unique visits to museums. AmaMagna's itineraries include Romantic Danube, . We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. Plan to pack attire that is casually elegant; and something a little dressier to wear to the Captains Dinner or an evening concert.