Redefining elegance on every river cruise with AmaWaterways

On board AmaWaterways’ intimate vessels, luxury isn’t loud – it’s found in the calm between cities, the freedom to explore and the rare pleasure of time well spent

There’s a magical kind of silence that only exists on a river in the early morning. A hush broken not by crowds or cars, but by the occasional flutter of a bird or the soft hum of a ship gliding gently beside through mist-shrouded water. You’re not jostling for space on a sun deck or queuing for breakfast with thousands of others. Instead, you’re sipping coffee in your balcony stateroom, watching the baroque towers of a riverside village slowly come into view.

This is the quiet, spacious luxury of river cruising – a world away from the crowds, galas and casinos of traditional ocean voyages. And at the forefront of this refined movement is AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways’ family legacy

Founded by families with a passion for travel and an eye for detail, AmaWaterways has been redefining luxury river cruising for more than two decades. Their secret? It’s not about more. It’s about less. Fewer guests. More space. More time. And experiences that feel personal, never packaged.

The essence of space

While some cruise ships resemble floating cities, AmaWaterways’ custom-designed vessels across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa are intentionally intimate. In fact, they accommodate just 28 to 156 guests, depending on the destination. That translates to more space per guest than most other river cruise lines.

It means wide walkways, expansive lounges and some of the largest staterooms on the world’s rivers. As an added bonus, many come with AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies, so you can choose between a French balcony breeze or a full outdoor seating area.

Life on board an AmaWaterways river ship

Regardless of your destination, the atmosphere on board an AmaWaterways ship is calm and curated, never crowded. You won’t find bulging buffets or waterslides here. Instead, you’ll enjoy thoughtful details. Think artfully plated regional cuisine, complimentary wellness classes, and a quiet corner of the Observation Lounge just for you and your book.

There’s also the luxury of human connection. With one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry, the service onboard an AmaWaterways vessel feels more like a private yacht than a passenger ship. Crew remember your name, and your favourite morning tea, within a day.

Enriched by choice on shore

AmaWaterways is also quietly revolutionary in another way: choice. Whether it’s selecting from up to six included shore excursions in each port, choosing between a brisk bike ride through Amsterdam or a slow food tour in Lyon, or simply staying on board to sip wine and watch the world drift by, you are always in control of your experience.

AmaWaterways’ excursions are small-group and always included. There’s no upselling, and no crowd-control logistics. One day you might be exploring a UNESCO-listed abbey with a local historian. The next, you could be savouring wines in the Wachau Valley with the vintner who made them. And for those who like to stay active, your ship’s Wellness Hosts lead guided hikes and yoga sessions as part of a broader wellness philosophy that runs throughout the fleet.

Regional cuisine at its finest

Dining, too, reflects this focus on authenticity and regionality. Expect menus that change with the landscape: riesling-poached fish in Germany, delicate Vietnamese banh xeo on the Mekong, or slow-cooked South African game meat paired with a bold pinotage on the Chobe. Many AmaWaterways ships are members of the prestigious La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs culinary society – a nod to their commitment to world-class cuisine.

The luxury of time while cruising

Perhaps the greatest indulgence AmaWaterways offers is time. River ships dock in the heart of historic cities and storybook towns, eliminating the need for lengthy transfers or rigid timetables. You simply step off and you’re there: sipping espresso in a sun-dappled plaza or wandering cobblestone lanes that haven’t changed in centuries.

And because you only unpack once, your time is spent experiencing rather than organising. Days unfold organically. Mornings begin with panoramic sunrises over medieval castles. Afternoons invite spontaneous exploration or restful retreats on board. Evenings bring gourmet dinners and wine as cathedrals or temples illuminate the riverbanks.

There’s no race to claim a deckchair. No bookings or set seating at dinner. No need to rush anywhere at all. It’s the rhythm of travel, but slowed down, softened and savoured.

AmaWaterways beyond Europe

While Europe’s Danube, Rhine and Seine remain ever-popular, AmaWaterways has extended its reach into some of the world’s most exotic and exclusive rivers.

On Asia’s legendary Mekong, guests sail through Cambodia and Vietnam, discovering floating markets, gilded pagodas and temples still reclaimed by jungle. The line’s luxurious AmaDara ship offers an East-meets-West aesthetic, with French colonial decor, local ingredients in every dish, and deep cultural excursions that connect guests with artisans, monks and village communities.

In Southern Africa, the boutique Zambezi Queen sails the Chobe River, a safari river cruise where elephants bathe metres from your balcony and each sunset feels like a private performance. Days are spent tracking big game, exploring the Okavango Delta or visiting local villages. Then you return to the comfort of your five-star floating lodge.

And in 2025, AmaWaterways expanded into Latin America with the debut of the AmaMagdalena on Colombia’s Magdalena River, bringing its signature style of culturally immersive, ultra-personalised river cruising to yet another continent.

Refined, personal, effortless

In an age where bigger is often mistaken for better, AmaWaterways is charting a different course – one that places elegance, authenticity and personal connection at the heart of the journey.

River cruising with AmaWaterways isn’t about ticking off sights. It’s about the spaces in between. The hush of a sleepy town before breakfast, the conversation sparked over a regional wine pairing, the moment you realise you feel completely at ease.

Savour the journey with AmaWaterways

Wherever AmaWaterways sails, the experience remains true to its philosophy: to turn every journey into a celebration of culture, cuisine and connection. Now is the perfect time to plan your next adventure – AmaWaterways’ Anniversary Sale offers savings of up to $3,750 per stateroom on select 2025 and 2026 cruises when booked before 31 December 2025.