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
Complimentary Land Package
Receive a Complimentary Land Package when you reserve select 2026 and 2027 departures through Europe and Colombia. Enjoy up to 4 extra nights pre- or post-cruise in iconic cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Prague or Medellín, complete with guided tours, transfers and 4- to 5-star accommodations. Offer expires June 30, 2026. Ask your Dimensions in Travel advisor about this offer
More Offers – Book by June 30!
- Triple Savings Program: Save up to $2,000 per stateroom on select 2026 departures, plus be treated to an enhanced onboard experience with a complimentary stateroom upgrade and $100 in Onboard Credit per stateroom.
- Limited Time $599 AirPlus Program: Combinable with select offers, including eligible Complimentary Land Package departures, add roundtrip economy airfare to your reservation for just $599 per person.
- 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. Also, ask about Premium Class Airfare for only $1,999 per person and Business Class Airfare for only $2,999 per person.
- 2-For-1 Mekong Voyages: 8-night pre- and post-cruise land packages are now available at a special 2-for-1 price when combined with a full-fare, 7-night Charms of the Mekong or Riches of the Mekong cruise. Explore Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City. Offer valid on select 2026 – 2027 sailings.
- 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 2026 Europe & Mekong river cruises.
- Active or Retired Military Member Savings: Save $250 per active or retired military member on AmaWaterways river cruise, excluding Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises.
Contact your travel advisor to learn more about any of these AmaWaterways offers.
AMAWATERWAYS NEWS
From Barrels to Breweries Along Europe’s Rivers
Raise a glass to Europe’s brewing heritage on a themed sailing like AmaWaterways’ Celebration of Beer River Cruise. Or, taste regional ales and learn about the craft on itineraries featuring excursions to breweries.
Join a classic Danube journey with a beer-themed twist and excursions that highlight Bavarian beer culture. End select Danube cruises with a festive Oktoberfest celebration on shore
Sail the UNESCO-designated Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, where castle-studded banks and storybook towns set the stage for a flavorful journey through Europe’s rich brewing heritage with tastings, hikes, and bike adventures
Contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve your beer-themed cruise today!
AmaWaterways + Smithsonian Journeys Partnership
AmaWaterways and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and a leader in authentic, enriching small-group travel, have allied to bring you a collection of curated river cruises through Europe and Asia.
Each departure features two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, chosen for their charisma and expertise. These departures also include exclusive excursions and activities specially designed for Smithsonian Journeys guests.
Contact your travel advisor for to book your AmaWaterways Smithsonian Journeys river cruise.
Gingerbread Souffle Recipe
Commonly associated with the winter holiday season, gingerbread has been a popular delight in Europe for centuries. At medieval festivals, one could find this tasty treat. When the recipe was brought to America, molasses was substituted for sugar, which created a softer, fluffier cake – perfect for soufflés.
Enjoy festive desserts such as this one on board AmaWaterways holiday cruises through Europe, gliding along aboard the most well-decorated ships on the rivers, savoring the seasonal spirit in style.
Contact your preferred travel advisor to book your holiday cruise!
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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