Amadeus River Cruises vs Viking River Cruises

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 Viking?

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

A Viking river cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Egypt, Asia, Europe or the Mississippi, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.

Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include read more everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.

Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.

What rivers do Viking explore?

Our thoughts...

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

Cruising along the rivers of Europe, you’re almost certain to pass a Viking Longship along the way. Viking boasts the world’s largest fleet of river ships, 99 and counting, and while their core market has traditionally been the US and Canada, an increasing number of travellers from Australia and New Zealand are also choosing Viking to explore the waterways of Europe, Asia and even the Mississippi.

Viking has created a style of ship and river cruising that simply works, and has replicated it consistently across its fleet and destinations. That means you can expect a familiar level of service, ship design and cruise inclusions, no matter where you're exploring.

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

Curious, culturally focused adult travellers seeking destination-rich river cruising, with an emphasis on history, art, food and local culture. Viking cruises are exclusively for guests aged 18 and over.

Do Viking river cruises suit solo-travellers?

Yes. Solo travellers can book Viking river cruises, and reduced single supplements are regularly offered on selected voyages and stateroom categories.

How inclusive are Viking's river cruises?

Fares include accommodation, all onboard meals, one shore excursion in every port, WiFi, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, 24-hour specialty coffee, tea and bottled water, port charges and enrichment activities. Onboard gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand bookings, but not for North American bookings.

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

Additional costs can include optional shore excursions, alcoholic drinks outside meal times, premium beverages, laundry and gratuities for local guides and drivers.

Do Viking include shore excursions?

Yes. One complimentary shore excursion is included in every port of call.

What types of excusions are available?

Each port includes a complimentary guided excursion, with hundreds of optional excursions available across Viking's itineraries for travellers wanting additional cultural, culinary and active experiences.

Are there any onboard activities or entertainment?

Onboard activities can include destination lectures, port talks, cultural performances, live regional and classical music, craft and cooking demonstrations, films and a curated library. Many ships also have a walking track and other recreational spaces on the Sun Deck.

What are the cabins like on Viking's river ships?

All staterooms are outside-facing with river views. Accommodation includes Standard Staterooms, French Balcony Staterooms, Veranda Staterooms and spacious Veranda and Explorer Suites, with suites generally offering separate living areas and private verandas.