Unpack once and journey through multiple countries
AmaWaterways is a family-owned and operated company that has remained focused on what they do best: providing their guests with innovative and unforgettable travel experiences. Their visionary leaders were the pioneers of modern luxury river cruising. Step aboard and unpack once, traveling between grand capitals and charming villages alike. AmaWaterways sails through the heart of each destination where castles were built and kings and queens were crowned. Discover Europe, Asia or Africa with AmaWaterways – one river at a time.
AMAWATERWAYS OFFERS
Proudly cruising the world’s storied rivers
for 23 wonderful years!
Celebrate this milestone with AmaWaterways and save up to $2,500 per stateroom on select 2025 and 2026 sailings in Europe, Asia, Egypt and Colombia. Book this offer before December 31, 2025! Ask your Dimensions in Travel advisor about this offer
More Offers
- 2025 Festive Season Availability: Toast the upcoming holiday season amid stunning European landscapes on select 2025 Christmas Markets and Festive Delights cruises. Save $2,500 per stateroom when you book before December 31, 2025.
- Egypt Complimentary Roundtrip Airfare: When you reserve select 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile departures in 2025, 2026, or 2027, you’ll receive complimentary roundtrip economy airfare from most US gateways. Book this offer by December 31, 2025.
- Solo Supplement Offers: Solo travelers are warmly welcomed and encourage to take advantage of Ama’s solo traveler offers (10%-25% supplements or even waived supplements) on select 2025 Europe river cruises. Book this offer by December 31, 2025.|
- 2027 Early Booking Rewards: Reservations for the 2027 sailing season are now available. Save up to $4,000 per stateroom when you reserve your 2027 river cruise, applicable on all stateroom categories, including suites. Secure your Early Booking Rewards before December 31, 2025.
- 2-For-1 Land Packages on select Mekong River Cruises: Add 8-night pre- and post-cruise land packages in Vietnam and Cambodia to your 7-night Charms of the Mekong or Riches of the Mekong river cruise. Enjoy Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City for an unforgettable experience at an amazing value. Offer only valid with the purchase of 7-night cruise at full fare. Book this offer by December 31, 2025.
- Active or Retired Military Member Savings: Save $250 per active or retired military member on any of Ama’s river cruises, excluding Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises.
Contact your travel advisor to learn more about any of these AmaWaterways offers.
AMAWATERWAYS NEWS
AmaWaterways’ New Alliance with Smithsonian Journeys
AmaWaterways is thrilled to announce a new alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, offering enhanced river cruise itineraries throughout Europe. Debuting in 2026, this collection of more than 30 departures offers you the opportunity to gain greater insight into fascinating destinations.
Each departure features two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, ranging from art historians to archaeologists, scientists and more, who will offer enriching lectures on board.
Smithsonian Journeys/ AmaWaterways departures will also be enhanced with exclusive excursions not offered on any other AmaWaterways river cruise itinerary—all of which are included alongside their collection of daily excursion choices at no additional cost.
Contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve your AmaWaterways Smithsonian Journey cruise today!
Kristin’s Top 3 Travel Tips
From AmaWaterway’s Co-Founder and Co-Owner Kristin Karst…
Tip #1: Check the Expiry Date on Your Passport: Most countries require that your passport is valid for at least six months after your return flight home.
Tip #2: Pack Light and Use Our Affordable Laundry Services
A simple wardrobe in neutral colors with lots of layering options will see you through a couple of weeks of river cruising if you use Ama’s very affordable onboard laundry service.
Tip #3: Stay Zen and Reserve a Pre-Cruise Land Package
The extra time will let you get over jetlag and remain completely Zen if any slight trip delays or weather issues arise during your arrival flight. And you’ll have extra time to get to know your cruise manager, discuss excursion choices and make friends with other guests.
Contact your travel advisor for to book an AmaWaterways river cruise.
Pickleball On the Danube
River cruise lines are now capitalizing on the popular pickleball craze. AmaWaterways has installed a full-size pickleball court on the sun deck of the AmaMagna, its largest ship, which exclusively sails the Danube River. The extra-wide vessel allows for a regulation-size court, along with a perimeter net to keep the ball from going out of the play area. An onboard wellness host is also available to coach guests on game rules and techniques.
Contact your preferred travel advisor today to play pickleball on the AmaMagna!
More AMA Cruise Videos to Check Out
Origins of AmaWaterways
Celebrating 23 years on the river, family-owned and operated AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by three families; however, their river cruise story began well before that. Rudi Schreiner was born in Vienna, at the heart of the Danube. His love of design drew him to architecture, but his love of travel was greater. In 1975, he traveled to South America for a journalism assignment on the Amazon where he designed his first ship, using what he could find to build a raft that would take him up and down the river during the next seven months.
Soon thereafter, he started working in travel, creating unique tour experiences in Europe. Rudi started the North American operations for many of today’s major river cruise companies, developing itineraries and ships that would become the templates for what we know river cruising to be today. After years of success as a driving force in the industry, Rudi decided to start his own venture — one that would provide guests with a higher standard of luxury travel by river. That’s when he teamed up with Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy to start AmaWaterways.
Kristin was born in Germany and brings extensive experience in travel, river cruising and customer service to the company in her role as Executive Vice President. Jimmy Murphy was a brilliant travel entrepreneur, having built Brendan Vacations, one of the most successful tour operators in the U.S. Jimmy’s son, Gary Murphy, who also played a major part at Brendan, took on an executive sales role at AmaWaterways. Together with Rudi, a true team of pioneers emerged. From the beginning, their goal was to create a river cruise company that they would enjoy. To them, that meant the highest-quality, locally sourced food and wine; elegantly appointed ships with staterooms offering maximum views to enjoy the ever-changing countryside; and a crew who goes above and beyond, treating every guest like they are part of the AmaWaterways family.
AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell took over from founder Rudi Schreiner on July 1, 2025