Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. Both cruise lines take the same approach to dining, with a combination of buffet and off-the-menu ordering at breakfast and lunch, then a sit-down dinner at a set time each night. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. Have you cruised with Uniworld or AmaWaterways? Each of these cabins features a twin bed and space for one, perfect for solo cruisers. The ships spacious two-level lounge has plenty of comfortable seating areas, a bar, dance floor, space for entertainers, a lower level library with an electric fireplace and a door that opens to reveal a movie theater. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Guests will enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this special itinerary, such as guided tours showcasing jazz, food and wine, all while shining a light on Black heritage. Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. Fresh local dishes and favorite drinks are stocked on board at every location to make you feel like . Viking Cruises started with a fleet of four ships from Russia and has expanded to operating a fleet of more than 60 vessels on three continents. Viking's Longships feature square bows, which creates space for the line's Aquavit Terrace, an alfresco spot for drinking and dining on the third deck. AmaWaterways' Seven River Journey Through Europe is scheduled to set sail on June 1, 2023, with prices starting at $25,999 per passenger. Select itineraries, such as our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings, also include a select number of meals on shore. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . These Piano Deck cabins with fixed windows are the smallest onboard at just 160 square feet. Because of COVID-19, tables were assigned, though its open seating in standard times. If I get seasick on boats or on ocean cruise ships, will I get seasick on the rivers? There are a lot of river cruise lines to choose from, so do your research to find the ship and company that meets your needs. How? Courtesy of AmaWaterways. AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of included shore excursions, from walking tours for gentle, regular and active guests to guided hikes and bike rides. The line offers luxurious touches at mid-level prices, featuring fantastic service and modern amenities that keep passengers comfortable as they sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. Known for their European heritage and pioneering spirit, AmaWaterways leads the industry in innovation, highlighted by the announcement of their history-making 45- and 46-night Seven River Journeys, their new Heritage on the River experiences in partnership with Ancestry, and launching a new river cruise destination and eco-friendly ship on Thats typically a U.S. vintner who sails and lectures onboard as well as brings hand-selected vintages for guests to taste. 1.3K views, 16 likes, 15 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Reels from AmaWaterways: Did you know that a select few of our amazing land packages are complimentary if you reserve before March 31st, 2023?. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. That said, both Uniworld and AmaWaterways have wellness centers, swimming pools, sun decks, and lounges in which you can sit comfortably with a good book or enjoy a drink and a chat with fellow guests. Guests reserving our optional land packages will also find daily breakfast at their hotel included in the price of their package. The word inclusive gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. Within Europe, Viking offers cruises to a number of different countries, including France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and Portugal. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. Light bites are served throughout the day in the lounge; there are pastries for early or late risers who miss breakfast, tapas for lunch, afternoon tea, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour (alcoholic beverages are complimentary), and a late-night snack served at 10:30 p.m. You can also access a complimentary coffee station here 24/7. How Do the Enrichment Programs Compare on These Two Popular River Cruise Lines? AmaWaterways is a family-owned company that was established in 2002 and is still run by the families. All Rights Reserved. Viking River Cruises typically host 190 passengers. As Uniworld places emphasis on its guided tours, this cruise line is the more popular choice for those who like to stay active and explore. Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. Explore the heart of 15 fascinating European countries on an enthralling 49-night journey. It feels very close to all-inclusive. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to explore, touch and change as part of their journey into Floriade which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls. What if I want to explore a port on my own are we required to stay with the group on AmaWaterways excursions? [8], To attract families with younger children, AmaWaterways partnered with Adventures by Disney to create Disney-themed cruises that feature the Christmas markets in cities on the Danube and Rhine rivers, among others. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!". How to Get to Rome from the Port of Civitavecchia. What are the Benefits of an AmaWaterways Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Package? [1][2] Schreiner had been one of the pioneers of the river cruise industry after the RhineMainDanube Canal opened in 1992. It serves an ever-changing menu inspired mainly by local cuisinethink semmelkndel, or bread dumplings, while sailing through Germany might be paired with a local beer or wine. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just
AmaViola and AmaStella also feature a number of connecting cabins, designed with families in mind. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. If youre looking to travel without children, Uniworld has a selection of adults-only cruises, so you can comfortably enjoy a romantic getaway or honeymoon. I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. Smaller ships, such as the Queen Isabel, hold 116 guests, while larger ships, such as the SS Catherine, hold 162 passengers. Definitely coming back. These 210-square-foot cabins offer guests AmaSienas signature double balconies; one true balcony with two chairs and a small table and a French balcony right beside it. First-time river cruisers may be under the assumption that river cruises arent as luxurious as other cruise types. Seating on both lines is open, meaning passengers can sit wherever they'd like. While many river lines showcase local wines from the region of sailing, AmaWaterways does that but it also has offers dedicated Wine Cruises 67 such themed cruises in 2020. About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. Uniworld has 17 ships in its fleet. There were plenty of grass thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. No matter the time of day there are always cookies and snacks available at the Al Fresco Restaurant. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. Both lines also offer premium excursions, which come at an additional cost. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. River cruises, unlike regular cruises, are not necessarily known for onboard activities. In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. The great news is that you can do as many or little excursions are you want, dipping in and out of trips is a huge benefit. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. Opened in 2002, with 18 amazing years in operation. With river cruise ships being so small, there isnt much space for onboard activities, but they certainly offer enough to keep you entertained while youre on the water. There was no detail that she missed. 2015-2023 AmaWaterways. Complimentary coffee and teas served throughout the day, along with bottled water. AmaWaterways requires a $400 deposit for Europe and Asia itineraries ($1,200 for Egypt sailings, $2,400 on Africa cruises and $2,400 for the extended Seven River Journey Through Europe itineraries). Find out everything from whats included to how to dress on board our river cruises. The building design is classy and quality. "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. We chose the Black Sea Voyage since their AmaPrima ship, which was built in 2013, has 82 cabins that can hold a total of 162 passengers. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more.