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
- NEW!! Complimentary Land Packages: When you make a new reservation on select 2025 and 2026 Europe river cruise, you can receive a complimentary 2-, 3- or 4-night land package either before or after your cruise. Take advantage of this popular offer that includes more than 18 incredible land packages, including Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne, Spain’s Basque Country and the Czech Republic’s Prague – all courtesy of AmaWaterways! Book by March 31, 2025.
- Triple Summer Savings: Save up to $2,000 per stateroom on select 7, 10, or 11-night 2025 European river cruises, a complimentary upgrade plus a $50 per stateroom onboard credit and complimentary upgrade.
- 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.
- 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 by March 31, 2025 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 the fascinating destinations along the rivers.
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!
AMA Black Heritage Sailings
AmaWaterways is expanding its Soulful Experience sailings this year and next with additional itineraries.
Soulful Experience cruises feature experiences and excursions that highlight and celebrate Black heritage and culture.
AmaWaterways added the Best of Holland & Belgium itinerary to its Soulful lineup this year. The cruise highlights Kwanzaa and New Year’s celebrations.
Two new itineraries in 2026 are Riches of the Mekong and Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas. Riches of the Mekong aboard the AmaDara will feature Vietnam and Cambodia’s connections to Black history.
The Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas cruise on the AmaVenita is Christmas market-focused and adds Kwanzaa celebrations.
Enticing Douro will debut in Portugal later this year on the AmaDouro, and AmaWaterways added a June 13, 2026 departure to its lineup. Passengers will spend time in Lisbon, home to Europe’s first African neighborhood.
Contact your travel advisor for to book a Black Heritage 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
Proudly celebrating 22 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. Co-Founder and President 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 7 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 Co-Owners and Co-Founders 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.
