For more than two decades, AmaWaterways has been family-owned and operated, founded in 2002 by three families with a shared passion for river cruising. Co-Founder and Chairman Rudi Schreiner grew up in Vienna along the Danube, where his love of design and travel first took root. After building his first raft on the Amazon during a seven-month journey, Rudi returned to Europe to curate unique travel experiences. In time, he joined Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy to launch the company that would become AmaWaterways—a company they envisioned for themselves, with locally inspired cuisine, elegantly appointed ships and a crew who treats every guest like family.

Today, AmaWaterways continues to innovate under CEO Catherine Powell, with Rudi and Kristin guiding the brand as Chairman and Chief Brand Ambassador, respectively. Together, they remain committed to creating transformative journeys along the world’s most iconic rivers, blending cultural discovery with sustainable practices and heartfelt service.

AmaWaterways- Points of Distinction

Spacious Ships, Thoughtfully Designed
Their ships host an average of just 156 guests, creating a more comfortable experience both on board and on shore. With a range of accommodations, including suites, solo staterooms, and connecting staterooms for families, our fleet welcomes many different travel styles.

Onboard and Onshore Experiences—All Included
Life on board is enriched with thoughtful amenities, from specialty dining venues to host‑led wellness activities. On shore, guests choose from up to six daily onshore experiences, including guided walks, bike rides, and culinary tastings, all offered in small groups and led by local guides.

Local Culinary Immersion
By working with local producers whose families have farmed along Europe’s rivers for generations, our culinary team brings regional flavors to the table at every meal. Local traditions are further highlighted through a specialty dining experience on every itinerary.

Sip & Savor with Our Compliments
A rotating selection of more than 30 wines is thoughtfully curated to enhance dining. A daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour offers complimentary cocktails, wine, beer, spirits and mocktails.

Innovation and Sustainability
As pioneers in river cruising, we continue to innovate while operating responsibly, prioritizing environmental stewardship and meaningful engagement with the communities along the routes.

Leading the Way in Inclusivity and Diversity
They welcome travelers of every generation and proudly host a wide range of group experiences each season. Their commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment has been recognized through awards that reflect ongoing efforts toward equity and representation.

Immersive Experiences on Shore

Tour Attractions Alongside Expert Guides - Wander through charming towns and historic landmarks alongside expert guides who will share the history, traditions, and stories about each place.

Wine Tastings and Culinary Discoveries- Step ashore to taste wine in local vineyards, visit breweries, try local delicacies in markets, and discover the flavors and cuisine of the places you pass through.

Active Adventures by Bike or Hike- Take a more energetic route with guided cycling and hiking tours that blend scenic beauty, cultural insight, and a touch of adventure.

Intimate Small-Group Experiences- Connect more deeply with each destination and enjoy personal attention in small groups designed for genuine discovery and conversation.

Exclusive Encounters with Local Culture- Enjoy rare access to experiences not easily found on your own, like private tours and local performances made possible through AmaWaterways’ trusted connections.

Choice of Excursions Every Day- Follow your own interests with multiple options to choose from each day, from relaxed exploration to active adventure, always included.

The Art of River Travel

One can imagine a river cruise ship as a luxury hotel that moves with you during your travels through Europe, Asia, Africa or South America. While you unpack just once, you wake up in the heart of a different city or breathtaking landscape every day. Compared to ocean cruises, the river's water is calmer and more peaceful, while always being close to the riverbanks, offering ever-changing views of charming towns and historic landmarks. Being on a cruise with AmaWaterways is one of the most effortless and enriching ways of exploring the world.

Choosing the Right Cruise

With many beautiful rivers and diverse itineraries to choose from, selecting the right AmaWaterways cruise depends on your travel style and interest.

• For first timers, the Danube and Rhine rivers are popular starting points. They offer a mix of vineyards, old towns, castles and vivid cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam and Basel.
• For wine and food lovers, we recommend trying a Bordeaux or Douro
  River cruise for vineyard visits, tasting and regional cuisine.
• For history and culture, the Seine River in France or the Main and Moselle in Germany offer deep dives into medieval towns, history and art.
• For adventurous cruisers, you can consider exploring the Mekong
  River in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Chobe River in Africa or the Magdalena
  River in Colombia. Each destination offers a unique and unforgettable experience, blending local culture, history and stunning landscapes.

Value of an AmaWaterways River Cruise

Each day brings new opportunities to explore. During your stay with us you can choose from a wide range of included daily excursions, with your choice from up to eight guided tours each day! Whether you prefer excursions such as walking tours, biking through the countryside or wine tasting, these are all included and tailored to your activity level and interests.

On board you may enjoy hosted wellness activities throughout the day, all meals including a special multi-course dinner at The Chef’s Table and relaxing moments during the daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and unlimited high-quality Wi-Fi is also included on board.

Taste of Local Culture

River cruising with AmaWaterways is all about local immersion. Guests enjoy cultural experiences from folk performances on board to artisan and market visits to exclusive experiences such as our year-round Oktoberfest celebration on the Danube River and Carnaval experience on the Magdalena River. Our farm-to-table approach to dining brings the highest quality seasonal ingredients from local farms and orchards directly to our onboard kitchens, where chefs prepare both Western and local specialties paired with locally sourced wines. Continuing the destination immersion on board allows guests to truly experience the local culture, helping them build deeper connections to the destination and create lasting memories.

What are you waiting for? Contact your Vacation Consultant today to start planning your next getaway onboard AmaWaterways and take advantage of these spectacular offers!

Terms and Conditions: Upgrade Rewards Program is valid on select 2027 Europe, Mekong, Egypt, and Colombia River cruises (excluding Africa) featuring a qualified retail offer (Save, Free Land, Free Air, Triple Savings, City Escapes, Solo10). Applicable to new FIT and Group reservations made April 1 - December 31, 2026, and must be booked through a qualifying travel agency. Combinable with current retail promotions, Loyalty Benefits, Future Cruise Benefits, Referral Savings, and Combination Cruise Savings; not combinable with private sales or industry rates. Offer is not combinable with Group Discount unless sailing is eligible for Enhanced Group Offer or Limited-Time Group offer. Guests in balcony staterooms (Cat. CB–AA; AmaMagna Cat. AB, AA) receive a complimentary one-category upgrade (excluding suites; subject to availability) and prepaid cruise gratuities. Guests in suites (Cat. A+, AA+, S, SS, SB, SA, GS, OS, LS) receive prepaid cruise gratuities, $100 onboard credit per stateroom ($50 per person), and one complimentary bag of laundry per week. Travel advisors receive a $100 gift card per eligible reservation after deposit (not combinable with enhanced commission offers). Select offers may be combined to give guests the best overall value; however, overlapping benefits (e.g., stateroom upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or onboard credit) cannot be applied more than once. Must mention promo code UR2027 at time of booking. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability, and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct errors or omissions. For full terms and conditions, please visit AmaWaterways.com/terms-conditions.