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, active and genuinely enjoyable, AmaWaterways delivers an experience that stays with them long after they return home.
AmaWaterways snapshot
Total No. River Cruises
172
Departures
1,833
Avg. cruise length
10 days
Avg. price per day (by cabin type)
River View
$817
Balcony
$1,179
Suite
$1,475
No. of Ships
All-Inclusive Level
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 read more ship 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, unlimited 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 experiences 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 available are a little 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.
Recent AmaWaterways reviews
Melodies of the Danube 3
Kylie, QLD, Australia, Aug 2026
The AmaSofia and the Melody of the Danube itinerary along the upper Danube is something special, and I especially appreciate how AmaWaterways offer a very inclusive product with their excursions and gratuities and also have a real focus on local food, wine and culture (including the freshly baked bread and desserts on board). It’s these kinds of details read more that stick with you. In addition to the incredible food and service and the warm and friendly crew, highlights for me off the ship were Melk Abbey, Durnstein, Wachau Valley and Cesky Krumlov. It was great how well AmaWaterways handled the low water levels, (Aug 2026) and I certainly came to realise how hard the operations team and the onboard crew work to offer a seamless amended itinerary at sometimes very short notice. I must also give high praise to our incredible cruise manager Tamas who went above and beyond!
Sensational Melodies of the Danube 3
Bronwyn, WA, Australia, Aug 2026
AmaWaterways was truly a sensational experience, and despite the river being at an all-time low, it was incredible to see first-hand how seamlessly AmaWaterways adapted to the situation. I was impressed from the moment we arrived. As we couldn’t get on the ship in Budapest, we were instead put up in a hotel for the first night. When our Uber pulled read more up outside the Dorothea that morning, we were barely out of the car before a concierge approached, asked if we were part of the AMA group, and immediately offered to take care of our luggage. They were expecting us, the communication at every level was excellent.It really demonstrates the level of care and service that AMA delivers, even when circumstances are not quite as expected. The crew, the AmaSofia, and the dining were all exceptional. The Chef’s Table in particular was an outstanding experience - such a generous and salubrious inclusion, and that tomato amuse bouche! We didn’t know much about Ama before this trip, but we will be telling everyone about how good the trip was and how well you are treated when things don’t go according to plan.
Superior in all aspects to any other river cruise... 4
David, QLD, Australia, Aug 2026
Prior to leaving Australia, AmaWaterways contacted us to let us know due to low water levels on the Danube there would be schedule changes. They did a very professional job. Due to the low water levels, we spent our first cruise night in Budapest at the Dorothea Hotel with dinner, loads of drinks ad breakfast provided by AmaWaterways. The Dorothea hotel read more is a 2 minute walk to some of the main sites along the riverbank. The next day we drove to Bratislava for a walking tour with guides, along with free time. (They put E25 per person onto our ship account to make up for lunch not being included in Bratislava.) In the afternoon we took another coach to Melk where we joined AmaSophia. It’s a brand new ship with 156 passengers. We had one of the suites, which was large at 33 sq mtr with a bedroom, separate lounge, 2 TV’s, full marble bathroom with twin basins, separate bath tub and shower and separate toilet and 2 balconies. Beautiful room and fantastic room service. As we were in the suite, all laundry was also included! A bonus for us to leave the ship with a clean suitcase! his is one of the few ships on the rivers with a decent swimming pool and swim again swim jets!
Every night the App was updated with the next days program, so you had it well in advance. Champagne was available at breakfast and the wines were readily available with lunch and dinner with a great selection from the local areas. A daily Sip & Sail 1 hr cocktail party is provided every night with music and from what we experienced, there were no limitations at all!
The Daily Cruiser provided by the very professional Cruise Manager, Tamas, not only contains the daily program but also weather forecasts, ship phone numbers and cruise managers email & phone number so one was never not able to contact the ship and personnel if they were ever needed.
All meals were provided with incredible choices – buffet breakfast and lunches and A La Carte dinners. Service was always fast, polite and fun. The included Chefs Table (no surcharge) is a 8 course dinner with fine premium wines and excellent service bookable in advance whilst on board. There is also a gym on board, massage room and a wellness host offering a numerous array of activities on ship and land using the provided bicycles and walking sticks.
Complimentary recyclable water containers and water is provided as well as high quality WIFI. Gratuities are all included as well.
All tours are included and offered and run professionally with knowledgeable local guides. I did the Cesky Krumlov tour from Linz, which was certainly a highlight. As was the new tour of the Mauthausen nazi concentration camp. In conclusion, I can say without a doubt this AmaWaterways trip which was run so professionally was superior in all aspects to any other river cruise I have taken – we were kept fully informed of daily activities etc well in advance, provided with beautiful accommodations, great food and wines and service throughout.
Captivating Rhine 2
Cheree, New Zealand, Aug 2026
We had an absolutely wonderful time on AmaWaterways, even with the unfortunate itinerary changes. The way in which this was handled was very professional and extremely well organised. We were never left wondering what was happening or what the plans would be for the next part of our journey. These things happen and I am a firm believer in the most important read more thing being how you handle it and AmaWaterways handled it very very well. Once on board, it didn’t matter that things had changed, as we were kept busy with walking tours, great guides around some beautiful towns and seeing first hand how low the water levels were in places, made us realise the company has done a great job to make sure we still had a great holiday. We look forward to starting to plan our next journey!
Enchanting Rhine 2
Kate, QLD, Australia, Jul 2026
We had a great time and were very impressed with AmaWaterways. They were a wonderful company to travel with, but also to deal with in general. We had an itinerary change which was a little disappointing (missing the castles on the Rhine), however we were particularly impressed with how AmaWaterways handled the itinerary change and the problem with the read more low water levels. Especially with their communication and getting a future cruise credit on top of our trip. We were originally booked with another company, but as they cancelled completely due to the water levels, we had to find an alternative at the last minute. We’d never heard of AmaWaterways before this. The comparison between how the changes were handled is extraordinary. AmaWaterways handled it with professionalism, concern, even an apology on top of the future cruse credit. We will be using our Future cruise credit for another AmaWaterways trip for sure.
AmaWaterways' most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with APT?
We asked APT why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel companies.
From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both read more land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.
Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
APT snapshot
Total No. River Cruises
64
Departures
707
Avg. cruise length
17 days
Avg. price per day (by cabin type)
River View
$849
Balcony
$968
Suite
$1,127
No. of Ships
All-Inclusive Level
Our thoughts...
The low down on APT from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Initially focused on coach touring around Australia and New Zealand, APT have grown significantly over the past 15 years and now offer trips around the world. They’re particularly well known and highly regarded for their all-inclusive luxury European river cruises. In more recent years, APT have also expanded into small ship expedition cruising, partnering with some of the world’s leading expedition cruise lines to offer voyages through Asia, Europe, Canada and along Australia’s Kimberley coast.
More recently, APT launched their river cruises into the North American market, so it will be interesting to see whether Canadians and Americans embrace read more them as strongly as we have Downunder. Catering primarily to the mature and retired market, their trips aren’t cheap, but in APT’s case, you get what you pay for. Keep an eye out for their Fly Free offers and Earlybird Savings.
The team here at Global Journeys have travelled with APT multiple times by coach, river and small ship cruise, and we confidently recommend them as a quality, consistent and reliable operator - over 450 past APT client's reviews back that up too.
Who are we likely to meet on a APT river cruise?
Mostly Australians and New Zealanders, and from 2028 international guests, seeking a highly inclusive luxury river cruise.
Do APT river cruises suit solo-travellers?
Yes. Solo travellers can book APT river cruises in their own cabin, subject to an applicable single supplement.
How inclusive are APT's river cruises?
APT's all-inclusive river cruises include accommodation, all onboard dining, a wide range of beverages, sightseeing and excursions, Signature Experiences, Freedom of Choice activities, WiFi, airport transfers, port charges and gratuities.
Are there any extras to pay on top of the price shown?
Extra costs include premium or rare wines and spirits outside the included selection, spa and salon treatments and laundry.
Do APT include shore excursions?
Yes. Included sightseeing features APT Signature Experiences and Freedom of Choice Sightseeing .
What types of excusions are available?
Freedom of Choice excursions allow you to select from cultural, culinary, historical and active experiences in many destinations, alongside APT's exclusive Signature Experiences.
Are there any onboard activities or entertainment?
Depending on the ship, guests can enjoy lounges and bars, live entertainment, enrichment, fitness facilities, pools or wellness areas and social activities between excursions.
What are the cabins like on APT's river ships?
Accommodation varies across APT's river fleet. European ships such as APT Solara, Ostara and Alara offer a range of staterooms and suites, many with panoramic or french balconies, while ships in Asia, India, Portugal and Australia have their own cabin styles and configurations.
Recent APT reviews
Fantastic Trip 0
Karen and Bradley , NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
Global Journeys were great to deal with and I saved money booking my trip through them. The APT tour of South America and Amazon cruise was fantastic. We saw some amazing sights like Machu Picchu, a pod of pink dolphins chasing fish in the Amazon river and the jaw dropping Iguazu Falls. The hotels we stayed at were 5 stars and were located in terrific read more areas. The restaurant meals included were magnificent. It truly was a trip of a lifetime.
The River Cruise we looked forward to with much anticipation but did not deliver. 1
Joanne and Mark, VIC, Australia, Jul 2026
We were so excited about this cruise through beautiful scenery and we were looking forward to slowing down and relaxing on deck with a cocktail or two but this was not the case. We were notified the night before boarding that we would not be boarding the ship we had paid for, but instead another ship for the next two days. This happened four times due read more to low river levels and each time we had to be up early and cases packed ready to move on again. It was tiring and we never really got time to enjoy services on ship. We could not have washing done because we were on the move which was a problem for us because we were away for almost five weeks.
The four days we got to experience the Solara were enjoyable. The staff and cuisine on ship amazing and it would have been delightful to be able to sit up on deck and enjoy the scenery but this only happened twice because they closed off the top deck! Our cruise director Evelin did everything she could to make the cruise enjoyable under the circumstances we were experiencing. I personally would not advise cruising the Danube during the summer season , its not worth the money invested.
Eastern Block and River cruise 1
Judith and Geoffrey, QLD, Australia, Jun 2026
APT is definitely a luxury company - accommodation, meals, staff were all exceptional. Mostly Australians and New Zealanders on our 2 tours which made it easy for us to assimilate and find discussion topics with like-minded people. Our tour guides were also exceptional - very helpful, tolerant and accommodating. This was our first journey with APT and read more we would go with this travel company again.
Global Journeys provided timely updates and information and Mandy was also quick with responses to questions and provided the tactful “prod” we needed to get organized for our trip. It’s too easy to let things slide when you are flat strap with daily business but Mandy was diligent in reminding us of things that needed to be done. Loved the “check list” provided.
Name badges: I could have sworn I packed them but they weren’t in the bag when we opened them in Prague. Some travellers didn’t receive them before they left Australia. I would have preferred that APT gave us the name badges at the welcoming event in Prague. The staff on the cruise ship did prove us with one when we asked.
Amazing Travel Experience 0
Ian and Sandra, Australia, Jun 2026
We chose APT for premium, quality experiences. Our tour comprised the Eastern Block and Budapest to Amsterdam River Cruise. It was outstanding in so many ways. We had a modern coach for the Eastern Block land journey with a very professional driver and a Tour Director who ensured our experiences each day ran smoothly. The hotels in all places were read more excellent. They were mostly five stars, and all located in central positions for easy access to local restaurants, and places of interest. The Bristol Hotel in Warsaw was a standout. The included dining experiences were exceptional; each one focussing on both regional and traditional foods. Our guided tours throughout our journey were conducted by engaging and knowledgeable local guides.
The Budapest to Amsterdam River Cruise was exceptional. The best holiday we have had. Our tour director was helpful, organised, available and entertained us with her knowledge and humour. The Freedom of Choice and Signature experiences gave opportunities to enjoy unique aspects. Our Global Journeys consultants Hannah and Mandy were always professional and timely in their communications with us, providing an excellent and personal service. We highly recommend both APT and Global Journeys.
Vietnam and Cambodia by land, air and river cruise 0
Robyn and Michael, VIC, Australia, Apr 2026
Our tour with APT was very well organised and run, with an excellent local Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides. Hotel accommodation, included meals and the one week Mekong River Cruise were generally excellent. While it was not a cheap way to travel, we appreciated the all-inclusive nature of the tour (including not having to search for local read more restaurants most of the time, or worry about tipping). The itinerary nevertheless provided enough choices to limit group sizes for activities and cater to different tastes and abilities. The tour attracted a cohort who were mainly retired and well-travelled Australians and New Zealanders, generally active and curious. There were plenty of opportunities to get up close to local life, and to hear from knowledgeable local guides, while retreating to the bubble of a luxury hotel or cruise boat at night.
APT's most popular trips this month...
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