Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. Seating on both lines is open, meaning passengers can sit wherever they'd like. How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. Thank you Eric for handling our destination Wedding at the Finest and also our Honeymoon at the Unico Resort. Courtesy of AmaWaterways. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Cancellation Policies: A Closer Look, Mega-Chart: Compare Hurricane Sandy Cruise Line Compensation, Booking a Cruise Onboard: How to Score Extras and Discounts, Can I Cruise While Pregnant? Uniworld also does river cruises in Asia, Egypt, India, and Peru. Because of COVID-19, tables were assigned, though its open seating in standard times. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. AmaWaterways Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. The ships that sail in Europe are similarly designed and can accommodate about 164 passengers. In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. How to Cheat Royal Caribbean Drink Package. 2015-2023 AmaWaterways. Theyve also expanded into ocean cruises as well. 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. First-time river cruisers may be under the assumption that river cruises arent as luxurious as other cruise types. Both suggest gratuities of around 2 euros for tour guides and one euro for bus drivers. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. Wed already sailed on the Upper Danube with other companies and we wanted to visit new countries. Your Cruise Manager will explain more when applicable. 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. All meals are included on AmaSiena. As most of your daylight hoursand sometimes evening hourswill be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. All Rights Reserved. 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 Theres usually a musical performance after dinner in the lounge in the evenings. 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. Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. Several of AmaWaterways ships feature cabins for single travelers. As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship youre on. 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. 800-626-0126. www.amawaterways.com. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. Uniworld also offers a range of onboard activities, including swimming pools, leisure centers and gyms, libraries, and beautiful sun decks to lounge on. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. 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?. 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. 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). AmaWaterways is now offering a comprehensive package with a 7-night river cruise in a French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a pre- or post-cruise land package, port charges and Travel Waiver Plus all included with a starting price of US$5,499 per person. They have a larger variety of ship sizes than Uniworld, with the AmaDahlia holding 72 passengers and the AmaMagna holding 196. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. Absolutely not! The Bottom Line: Which River Cruise Line is Right for You. AmaWaterways is very much a luxury river cruise line operating in the more premium area, and their ships, service and the quality of what they offer is very highly rated. But during meals, the waitstaff is quick to refill your glass!) Sandi Barrett 2. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. 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. Definitely coming back. Do I need formal attire? Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so theres usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. Bikers are required to wear helmets. AmaWaterways excursions generally have three levels: a gentle-walking group, the general group and the active group. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. While locks on most European rivers limit the size of river vessels plying those waterways, the Danube can accommodate some larger ships. Please see ourTravel Entry Requirementspage for the most current details. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways: What You Should Know 2023, 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. In 2021, it will offer 60-plus of these vino-focused sailings. Additionally it does help when considering booking a river cruise for the first time to know exactly what is included. 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. 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. Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour). 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. Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Award-winning dining experiences are offered in four different restaurant options aboard the ship. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. 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. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. River cruise lines with European owners, such as CroisiEurope and A-Rosa, tend to be the most a la carte. Uniworld tends to put more focus on guided tours and daytime entertainment at various destinations. Where to Eat and Drink . These are sometimes in mini trains to save tired legs and also add a little adventure. An exception to this is Emerald Waterways (also known as Evergreen in Australia), which is owned by the same tour company as Scenic. On board AmaWaterways, you will find cabins with a classy, sleek look and contemporary design. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. How is your coffee on board? If you dont plan on spending much time in your room, these categories will do just fine, but be forewarnedpart of the fun of the Rhine itineraries is sitting outside watching the castles and locks go by. Also, both lines offer specific family cruises throughout the year that include additional activities for kids, so this may be something to check into. Entertainers will board the ship at various locks along the route, with their driver dropping them off at one lock and picking up the performers further down the river at another lock. Cabin categories for Viking and AmaWaterways are pretty similar and vary from a standard riverview cabin with small windows all the way to suites with French and walk-out balconies. 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. We are booked on AMA and are considering the Xmas Market 2-day post-cruise extension in Prague in December. Both lines offer a variety of amenities that are standard between ships. Regular is simply a normal walking tour and pace. First Vacation out of the country for my boyfriend and I and it was absolutely amazing. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason. This beach is gorgeous. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. More of what makes AmaWaterways different: Spacious river view staterooms and suites range from 160 square feet to 710 square feet and most include the revolutionary signature twin balconiesa French balcony and a full outside balcony. These Piano Deck cabins with fixed windows are the smallest onboard at just 160 square feet. Once at your destination, you can speak with your guide about going off solojust make sure you dont miss the ride back to the ship. The four 350-square-foot suites have separate living and sleeping spaces, the former of which has a pull-out sofa that can accommodate two extra guests. We offer coffee and tea 24/7 to our guests and are happy to prepare it any way you like. AmaWaterways 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. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[12] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[4]. the differences between ocean and river cruising. Both itineraries are open for sale now, with Karst encouraging the audience of the 'Sip & Sail' event to "contact your travel . 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. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. My Final Thoughts On Our AmaWaterways River Cruise? There is, however, an exception when it comes to DIYing your own itinerary. 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 . For honeymoons or romantic getaways, Uniworld has some adult-only cruises, making it a great choice for a relaxing and romantic trip. What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. On AmaWaterways, a chef's table at the stern of the boat seats up to 32 people in an area with an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows; guests experience a tasting menu (available to each . It was set up by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. 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. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. To align with the current international travel environment and country entry requirements, we have recently updated our guidelines. Combination river and ocean cruises are available that take you to other European countries like Spain, Denmark, and Norway. All the restaurants were great. Your email address will not be published. During our river cruise on the Danube nearly all of the excursions were free, with the exception of 1 or 2 speciality trips. During lunch and dinner, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks are available with new selections offered daily. Your cruise fare on both will include at least one shore excursion in each port; wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner; all onboard meals; Wi-Fi; and cultural enrichment. AmaWaterways has a larger fleet than Uniworld, with a larger variety of sizes as well. From the beginning of our vacation to the end, everything was perfect. Plus, venture with us for the first time ever into the Danube Delta with incredible new ports including Giurgiulesti, Moldova. On European itineraries Viking recommends 18 euros per person per day, which can be prepurchased or automatically added to the shipboard account. An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination its the journey. But there arent many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. 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. 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. 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. Most if not all of the river cruises along the Danube include an optional Mozart concert in Vienna. [1] History[ edit] Soda, beer and regional wines are included at meal times, and menus source heavily from local markets and reflect the areas through which the ships sail. No matter the time of day there are always cookies and snacks available at the Al Fresco Restaurant. One of the best extras with AmaWaterways is that they have a choice of excursions in most ports at no extra charge, says travel advisor Candie Steinman, franchise owner, Dream Vacations, Fort Myers, FL. Talks, too, focus on history of the region, and might include scenic cruising lectures, where the speaker points out highlights as the boat sails. 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 (of course, if you don't drink, you might feel annoyed at having to pay for all your fellow passengers getting their glasses topped off). On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Also Check: Norwegian Cruise Lines Newest Ship. Passengers can bring onboard their own drinks from port as well. [8] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chane des Rtisseurs. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. Otherwise, youll have plenty of time for peaceful contemplation in the lounge. Here are my 17 reasons to go on a Lower Danube river cruise with AmaWaterways: Note: Tips are not included for the guides and bus drivers so do remember to bring some small bills. Bed configuration for both lines is flexible: Two twins can be combined into one king. That said, shorts and sandals arent permitted in the dining room on any night, but fine at lunchtime. 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. Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways Gentle is designed for those guests needing a slower pace and, at times if possible , even a bit less walking. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships currently not operating in Russia). As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. FYI: My wife and now have been to 55 countries together as a couple! Both cruise lines welcome children onboard (with some limitations). I sailed on AmaMagna in July and found it exceptionally spacious, both in public spaces and within the accommodations. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. 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.
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