Amadeus River Cruises vs AmaWaterways

Why should we cruise with Amadeus?

We asked Amadeus why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...

Why pay for other people’s drinks? Why pay for shore excursions that don’t interest you? Family-owned Amadeus has spent 40-years' perfecting the balance without compromising quality. Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, but not during the day. Only pay for the shore excursions you want. Book an excursion package in advance for a discount or book individual excursions as you go. Gourmet dining, WiFi, bottled water in cabins and of course one of the most luxurious five-star fleets on the European waterways. To quote a regular repeat guest read more “Amadeus are fantastic. A really great product and the crew are all so beautiful”. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

What rivers do Amadeus explore?

Our thoughts...

The low down on Amadeus from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

While you may not have heard of AMADEUS in Australia, New Zealand or North America, they’re actually an Austrian, family-owned river cruise line, known as Lüftner Cruises in Europe. Expect understated European luxury, hotel-style ships, spacious cabins and a calm onboard atmosphere. AMADEUS appeals to travellers who value comfort, service and a traditional river cruise experience – with great value in the premium category – rather than an ultra all-inclusive style of cruising.

We've had great feedback from our past-clients, so confidently recommend them, and they are particularly well suited to those who like the freedom to explore independently read more and don’t want to pay for inclusions they may not use. AMADEUS offers plenty of thoughtfully curated shore excursions, along with wellness activities and more active options such as cycling, but these aren’t included in your fare. You can choose to add them when booking, organise them onboard, or skip them altogether and explore each city, town or port on your own.

Who are we likely to meet on a Amadeus river cruise?

Travellers seeking a comfortable, culturally immersive European river cruise with a strong focus on regional experiences and relaxed luxury. Solo travellers are also actively catered for.

Do Amadeus river cruises suit solo-travellers?

Yes. AMADEUS specifically caters for solo travellers, with reduced single supplements on selected cabin categories and dedicated single cabins on some ships.

How inclusive are Amadeus' river cruises?

Semi-inclusive. Fares include accommodation, all onboard meals, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with lunch and dinner, WiFi, onboard gratuities, port charges and onboard enrichment. Shore excursions are optional and cost extra.

Are there any extras to pay on top of the price shown?

Optional shore excursions and excursion packages are additional.

Do Amadeus include shore excursions?

Shore excursions are optional and can be purchased individually or as discounted packages, although selected cruises may include specific excursions.

What types of excusions are available?

Extensive. Guests can book individual excursions or choose from several packages, ranging from essential sightseeing to more comprehensive programs. Active excursions including hiking and cycling are also offered on selected cruises.

Are there any onboard activities or entertainment?

Onboard enrichment includes lectures, cooking demonstrations, cultural and musical performances, live music and a 24-hour fitness centre. Complimentary bicycles are also available for independent exploration ashore.

What are the cabins like on Amadeus' river ships?

All accommodation is in outside river-view cabins or suites. Upper-deck staterooms generally feature drop-down panoramic windows or French balconies, while suites offer more space and, on most ships, walk-out balconies. Lower-deck cabins have smaller panoramic windows.

Why should we cruise with AmaWaterways?

We asked AmaWaterways why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...

Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways is a global river cruise brand with a wonderfully personal feel. Guests from around the world share the experience, while English is the language used for onboard announcements and activities, making it easy to feel at home and connect with fellow travellers.

That sense of welcome begins with the crew. Their attentive service and the warm, relaxed atmosphere make the ship a pleasure to return to after each day ashore.

The destinations are a huge part of the appeal. AmaWaterways offers river journeys through Europe, read more Asia, Colombia and Egypt, as well as journeys in Southern Africa. The choice of included shore experiences is a real strength. You can explore local history and culture, discover regional food and wine, or choose a more active outing such as a guided walk or bike ride. With multiple, included shore experiences, from cultural, culinary or active, it’s easy for everyone to experience a destination in their own way.

Back on board, locally inspired dining and welcoming spaces give everyone time to unwind and share stories from the day. The details are thoughtfully taken care of, while guests have the freedom to make the journey their own.

For travellers looking for a river cruise that feels personal, enriching and genuinely enjoyable, AmaWaterways delivers an experience that stays with them long after they return home.

What rivers do AmaWaterways explore?

Our thoughts...

The low down on AmaWaterways from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

AmaWaterways is a renowned luxury river cruise line offering premium cruises across Europe’s great rivers as well as in Asia, Africa and more recently in South America! Until only recently, APT and Travelmarvel chartered AmaWaterways' ships for their river cruises, but that changed in 2025 when AmaWaterways setup operations in Australia. So many Aussies and Kiwis have already experienced being on board an Ama ship, but just under a different name!

Known for their spacious staterooms - many with signature twin balconies - and a strong focus on wellness, active excursions and personal service. With a wide variety of itineraries, innovative ship read more design and attention to detail from embarkation to disembarkation, AmaWaterways premium inclusive cruises stand out for thier blend of comfort, service and destination-rich cruise experiences.

Who are we likely to meet on a AmaWaterways river cruise?

A wide variety of travellers from around the world, generally aged 50+, including couples, solo travellers, active travellers and multi-generational groups. They have solo, twin, triple, quad and interconnecting rooms on many of their ships. People of all ages enjoy travelling with AmaWaterways.

Do AmaWaterways river cruises suit solo-travellers?

Yes. AmaWaterways welcomes solo travellers and offers reduced or waived single supplements on selected sailings and cabin categories. Four ships in France offer dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement. The first day of each cruise, AmaWaterways ask for the solo travellers to meet at reception for a ship tour by the Captain, or First Officer to meet each other in a relaxed setting.

How inclusive are AmaWaterways' river cruises?

Fares include accommodation, all onboard meals, WiFi, shore excursions in every port, free wellness classes daily, premium regional wines, beers and soft drinks with meals and during Cocktail Hour, you have access to unlimited cocktails or mocktails, to give you time to catch up with fellow guests. Australasian cruise fares also include gratuities for both ship crew and local guides.

Are there any extras to pay on top of the price shown?

Additional costs include top self beverages, plus drinks outside of meals & Cocktail Hour and spa and salon treatments. In Europe, there is only one optional tour - the Classical Music experience in Vienna - which costs extra. In all other regions, shore excursions are included. AmaWaterways offers a variety of pre & post cruise packages, where there are optional excursions if you wish to purchase them.

Do AmaWaterways include shore excursions?

Yes. Shore excursions are included in every port, with guided sightseeing, walking tours, hiking and cycling experiences depending on the destination. You're provided with a choice of up to 6 shore excursions per day, giving you the widest variety of shore experiences of any river cruise line.

What types of excusions are available?

AmaWaterways offers more choice of included shore excursions in Europe than any other river cruise line, with multiple options available on many days. Choose from city tours, cultural experiences, wine tastings, guided hikes and bike rides, often with different activity levels. In destinations such as the Mekong, Colombia and Africa, shore excursions are also included, although the choices avaialabe are be more limited.

Are there any onboard activities or entertainment?

Activities include daily fitness and wellness classes on many ships, swimming pools or whirlpools, walking tracks, fitness rooms, live entertainment and lounges. European ships also carry complimentary bicycles for guided or independent exploration ashore.

What are the cabins like on AmaWaterways' river ships?

All staterooms and suites offer river views, with accommodation ranging from picture-window cabins to French-balcony and balcony staterooms. Many of their European ships feature AmaWaterways' signature twin balconies combining a French balcony with an outside balcony.
The suites, besides being bigger, offer additional amenities including laundry, mini bar and personalised stewards. Every room on board AmaWaterways also has a Nespresso machine. And plentiful storage space.