Sarah Bretz, ContributorAmaWaterways is one of the biggest river cruise lines in the world, with a fleet of over two dozen vessels spread across multiple continents. River cruises are different from ocean cruises in many ways, namely that they operate on rivers instead of oceans and seas. They also usually include more perks with the cruise fare, and such is the case with AmaWaterways. In this article, we’re going over what’s included on AmaWaterways river cruises — and what costs extra.
What’s Included on AmaWaterways River Cruises?
Accommodations
Your river cruise with AmaWaterways covers the cost of your stateroom for the duration of the sailing. Included with your accommodations, you will have a friendly cabin attendant who will make up your room twice each day.
AmaWaterways vessels do not have interior staterooms. Most cabins have either French balconies or full walk-out balconies — or both! River ships also have a small number of window-only staterooms, which they call “river view.” Large suites and connecting staterooms for families are also available. Choosing your stateroom type will be the main factor that determines your total cruise costs.
Food and Drinks
All dining on AmaWaterways is included in the cruise fare — even the intimate Chef’s Table experience. The main dining room is where guests eat most of their meals — it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Breakfast and lunch tend to have both buffet-style and set menu options. Dinner in the main dining room is a traditional sit-down experience.
In the ship’s lounge, passengers can expect light tapas and snacks outside of meal times. A buffet-style breakfast is also often available here (or in Al Fresco on AmaMagna).
The Chef’s Table experience is included in the cruise fare, and all guests have the opportunity to enjoy one night in the dedicated dining space. They just need to make a reservation. Guests are able to get a peek behind the proverbial curtain as the chef meticulously chops, sears, and plates a curated tasting menu right in front of them. The experience is complemented by a selection of fine wines that are served alongside the courses.
Most days, afternoon tea is served in the lounge on AmaWaterways’ ships too. In addition to tea, the experience includes light bites like tea sandwiches and pastries.
AmaWaterways’ flagship, AmaMagna, is double the width of traditional European river ships, and therefore has room for additional restaurants. It features the Al Fresco Restaurant, which has retractable windows and an outdoor space. AmaMagna also includes Jimmy’s Wine Bar and Restaurant, a family-style venue named after the co-founder of AmaWaterways, Jimmy Murphy.
Are drinks free on AmaWaterways river cruises?
Many beverages are included in the cruise fare on AmaWaterways. Standard things like gourmet coffees and teas, sparkling water, iced tea, and bottled water are always available. At breakfast, sparkling wine and fresh juice are included. At lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy soda and select wines and beers on the house.
Each evening, the ship hosts a Sip & Sail cocktail hour where passengers can take advantage of complimentary wines, beers, soda, spirits, and cocktails from a dedicated menu — plus a special drink of the day. This is a nice touch that helps to differeniate the brand from some other popular river cruise lines.
Onboard Activities and Amenities
While most of the action takes place off the ship and in port, there are still a variety of things to pass the time onboard an AmaWaterways river cruise. Each vessel is equipped with a heated swimming pool or hot tub (or both), a fitness room, a walking track, and a cozy library. Aboard AmaMagna, there’s even a pickleball court, outdoor spin bikes, and a small cinema for movies, sports games, and video games. Some AmaWaterways ships also include giant chess and an outdoor putting green. With an emphasis on wellness, there are even included instructor-led fitness classes.
In the evenings, AmaWaterways’ ships feature live music with dancing in the main lounge. You can often find local musicians and artists doing everything from playing European folk music to performing skits based on local legends. Special events include a disco night or soul night. Organized events such as quizzes and trivia are also offered, along with cooking demonstrations and other regional specific activities.
Guests also have access to bicycles that are free to use while exploring the destinations that the ship visits.
Does AmaWaterways have programs for kids and teens?
While kids and teens ages four and older are welcome to sail AmaWaterways, the line does not provide dedicated youth programming. Though, Adventures by Disney does partner with AmaWaterways to offer sailings that are a bit more family-focused on its river ships.
Excursions
The highlight of a river cruise is the destinations that passengers are able to visit along the way. And when considering what’s included on AmaWaterways, you’ll be happy to learn that excursions are included in the cruise fare. Unlike most ocean cruise lines, guests do not have to pay additional fees for organized tours when going ashore in ports of call.
In many destinations, guests can choose from up to eight guided small-group tours each day, with sightseeing tours divided into three activity levels: gentle walkers, regular walkers, and active walkers. These can take place on foot, via motor coach, or a combination of both. Guided bicycle and hiking tours are also available in select cities for more active guests. And of course, as mentioned above, guests can also take bikes out on their own for a day of exploring.
Special interest tours are also available, allowing travelers to indulge in wine or beer tastings, learn how to make new foods through culinary demonstrations, visit museums, and more.
WiFi Internet Access
Wireless internet access is part of what’s included on an AmaWaterways river cruise as well. In Europe and Egypt, high-speed wifi is available throughout the ship and in staterooms. In Africa, wifi is available but may be limited and sporadic during certain times of the day because of the ship’s isolated location. On Vietnam and Cambodia river cruises, free internet access and wifi is available in the lounge through computer stations.
What’s Not Included on AmaWaterways
While most things are part of the cruise fare, some things are not included on AmaWaterways river cruises:
- Standard wines, beers, and soda not at mealtimes
- Premium wines and beers
- Spirits and cocktails (except during the Sip & Sail cocktail hour)
- Gratuities
- Spa and salon treatments and services
- Laundry services
- Shopping
Select Drinks at Select Times
While there are more complimentary beverage options during meals, you have to pay for all alcoholic beverages and soda during other times of the day and evening on AmaWaterways. Except during cocktail hour, spirits and cocktails are always an upcharge, as are premium wines and beers. Wines, beers, and sodas also incur a fee if they’re not consumed at lunch or dinner.
Gratuities
Gratuities are not part of the cruise fare, but they’re not automatically charged to your onboard account, either. AmaWaterways leaves tipping up to guests’ discretion. For tipping guidelines, head to the “Life On Board” section of AmaWaterways’ website and go to the “My Cruise/Prepare for Your Cruise” section.
If you plan to tip crew members and want to get gratuities out of the way pre-cruise, you can pre-pay them. To do this (and get prices), contact your travel agent or call the AmaWaterways reservations team.
Spa and Salon Services
While spa and salon services are limited on small river ships like those in AmaWaterways’ fleet, there are some services that guests can indulge in. A number of massages are available, including a gentle oil massage, a neck and shoulder massage, a hot stone massage, a foot massage, and an Indian head massage. Passengers can also enjoy a facial at the spa, or get a hair cut or style in the salon. Select ships also offer manicures and pedicures. Of course, these wellness services do incur an extra fee.
Other Add-Ons
Other things that cost extra on an AmaWaterways river cruise include laundry services. Clothing items can be sent away for crew members to wash, press, and fold. Note that dry cleaning is not available on board. Any shopping done in the onboard shop or ashore also comes at an extra cost.
Additional AmaWaterways River Cruise FAQs
Is airport transfer service included?
AmaWaterways does offer airport transfer service, but it’s not automatically included in all cruise fares. Airport transfers are complimentary if you book your airfare through AmaWaterways’ cruise air program and you arrive and depart on the actual start and end dates of your cruise.
What amenities are included in the staterooms?
AmaWaterways staterooms come with a generous selection of amenities. You can typically expect luxury bedding, flatscreen TV with an entertainment-on-demand system, mini-fridge, bottled water replenished daily, individually controlled air conditioning, in-room safe, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers, premium bath products, and spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads.
Is travel insurance included in the cruise fare?
Travel insurance is not included in the AmaWaterways cruise fare. AmaWaterways does offer travel protection plans that you can add to your booking for an additional fee. You can also purchase travel insurance from any third-party provider of your choice.
Does AmaWaterways include pre or post-cruise hotel stays?
Some special promotions, particularly for certain destinations or during specific booking periods, might include complimentary pre or post-cruise hotel stays, but they are not typically included in standard AmaWaterways cruise fares. AmaWaterways does offer optional pre and post-cruise land packages that can be added to your river cruise for an additional cost.
Comments
Are you surprised to learn what’s included on AmaWaterways? Do you like that river cruises offer a more all-inclusive experience? Drop us an anchor below to share your river cruise reviews.
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