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. Despite being different its equally wonderful. 800-626-0126. www.amawaterways.com. That said, no matter which cruise line you choose to travel with, its safe to say youll never be bored! Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. [7] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Mekong and Chobe rivers. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). 02 Mar 2023 01:57:04 The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. The only things that appear to be included in AMA's package is 1) $110 transfers boat to hotel; 2) 2 nights hotel; and 3) 1/2 day city tour. The What to Expect on a River Cruise series is a resource guide, written by Cruise Critic editors and contributors, where we answer the most common questions about river cruises, including dining, cabins and suites, service and onboard activities. Lisa Long, owner of Luxury Vacations LLC, an independent travel agency in the Avoya Network, Marietta, GA, sells many river cruises and from her perspective, I would classify AmaWaterways as a luxury river cruise experience with a warm and friendly staff and excellent food. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, A River Cruise with a Butler: We Try It on Uniworld and Scenic, Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour, sparkling wine at breakfast, along with tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water, At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port (all excursions included on voyages in Africa), Special events, such as dinner in a castle, Complimentary entertainment on-demand in staterooms and suites, Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary, One-night hotel stay before trip on select itineraries, Hop-on, hop-off bus service in every port, Two dinners at the specialty restaurant, per cruise, Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers, Butler service (for some suite categories), One bag of laundry per cabin on seven-night cruises; two bags per cabin for 14-night cruises (for guests in some suites on an APT Collection cruise on Aria or Concerto river ships), One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner). Color palates are subdued, relying on shades of gray, cream and steel blue along with neutral woods. Excursions are operated in small groups of just 10-15 guests. AmaWaterways excursions generally have three levels: a gentle-walking group, the general group and the active group. One of the best extras with AmaWaterways is that they have a choice of excursions in most ports at no extra charge, says travel advisor Candie Steinman, franchise owner, Dream Vacations, Fort Myers, FL. Much like Uniworld, AmaWaterways ships cruise a variety of riverways worldwide. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each of these cabins features a twin bed and space for one, perfect for solo cruisers. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. 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. And as with most European river cruises, the demographic skews towards older couples with a moderate activity level (many guests take advantage of the complimentary bicycles available at every port, for instance). Our Reception Desk staff and additional crew will be happy to offer their suggestions, though part of the fun of exploring ports is stumbling upon a unique find yourself! (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfastotherwise, alcohol is la carte. While jackets for men and cocktail dresses for ladies are recommended for a few special nights at dinner , you most likely wont be stopped at the door if youre not wearing those. Which meals and beverages are included in my river cruise fare? These include Tauck, Scenic, APT and Crystal, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways. There is, however, an exception when it comes to DIYing your own itinerary. Our Programme takes you straight from your ship to the course and back making your golfing experience seamless Golf and River Cruise truly is a marriage made in heaven. Speak to a Cruise Agent: J 1-888-766-6420 International Callers Click Here So how do you decide? Like Viking's Longships, most of AmaWaterways' European ships are 443 feet long, the maximum length to make it through the lock systems on Rhine and Danube cruises. AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. Also, both lines offer specific family cruises throughout the year that include additional activities for kids, so this may be something to check into. AmaWaterways Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna. When it comes to accommodations onboard, many believe that Uniworld has the upper hand. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. Most of the public areas are forward of or just behind the central atrium, which houses the elevators, though the Chefs Table, which is all the way aft. While some other major river cruise lines have eliminated their onboard bikes or charge a fee to rent them ashore, AmaWaterways for maintains a fleet of bikes on every European vessel. Carving out a niche in the upscale segment of the river cruise industry, AmaWaterways is luxurious in many ways, yet with a contemporary, comfortable vibe. River cruising is a relaxing, immersive and thoroughly enjoyable form of travel where you can enjoy ever-changing scenery along the banks of waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Volga and Yangtze. Are drinks included on Uniworld? But there arent many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. Learn how your comment data is processed. What are the Benefits of an AmaWaterways Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Package? Suite guests receive a complimentary stocked mini-bar . Most of our ships in Europe include a fleet of complimentary bikes for you to use on our guided bike tours or for your individual exploration ashore. You can also venture off without officially joining an excursionbicycles are available to borrow any time the ship is docked, and you can always use your own feet or a taxi to get around. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships currently not operating in Russia). Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. Yes! We look forward to working with you again! Soda, beer and regional wines are included at meal times, and menus source heavily from local markets and reflect the areas through which the ships sail. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. AmaWaterways' Seven River Journey Through Europe is scheduled to set sail on June 1, 2023, with prices starting at $25,999 per passenger. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. We have in place an exemption process that may result in a small number of guests onboard who are not fully . The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Uniworld is a worldwide company with ships departing from multiple locations and a wide variety of itineraries. For example, in 2021, wine enthusiasts might head into France to taste vintages on an Essence of Burgundy & Provence wine-themed sailing or into Austria and Germany for a Melodies of the Danube wine cruise. Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. 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. I am very picky about my coffee. 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. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while theres a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. She covers various destinations, hotels, and travel products for TripSavvy. The next deck is the Cello Deck, home to staterooms and the main restaurant, followed by the Violin deck, with more staterooms, reception, the lounge, a gift shop, and the Chefs Table restaurant. Both lines offer concierge services, books to borrow on topics like history or tourism, comfortable bars for drinks and dancing and top-deck walking tracks and giant chess boards. Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. I thought it may help to understand what's included on an Ama River Cruise. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. Bring comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions and one pair of dressier shoes. Personalized guest service that is beyond anything you could imagine. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Uniworld tends to put more focus on guided tours and daytime entertainment at various destinations. The bed and pillows were of nice quality and comfortable. When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. There was something for everyone this will be a vacation that we will talk about for the rest of our lives! AmaWaterways is now offering a comprehensive package with a 7-night river cruise in a French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a pre- or post-cruise land package, port charges and Travel Waiver Plus all included with a starting price of US$5,499 per person. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. On Uniworld ships, you will enjoy a 5-star all-inclusive experience, inclusive of fine wines, premium spirits, and every meal on board, as well as onshore excursions, access to the fitness center and wellness classes, all gratuities, and airport transfers. For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor , visit AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626 . It can accommodate 196 passengers, not that much more capacity-wise than some vessels half its width. The building design is classy and quality. Using the example of Rudesheim, Germany, Karst told Avid Cruiser that AmaWaterways typically would offer a choice of a gondola ride to the monument overlooking the Rhine followed by included wine tasting a hike through the areas vineyards a guided bike tour an evening visit to taste the famous Rudesheimer Kaffee, an alcoholic coffee drink or a tour of Siegfrieds Mechanical Music Cabinet, a museum with an amazing array of historical automated instruments musical. You'll enjoy the following: Dining Expert chefs craft menus in a range of restaurants onboard to ensure every meal is a culinary experience to remember. Complimentary coffee and teas served throughout the day, along with bottled water. Through financial support to the school, AmaWaterways sponsorship brings English-language skills to local children of grammar-school age to help improve their lives and assist with subsequent employment opportunities. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. AmaSiena has 78 staterooms across nine room types, each of which can have the bed configured as a queen or two twins. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? Several of AmaWaterways ships feature cabins for single travelers. You can also check the cruise lines website for special offers and discounts. The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Then, there are the ships in Egypt and China, Vietnam, which the line either owns or charters. 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. About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. And there are plenty of locks. Both offer exceptional dining, great entertainment and activities, and a luxurious experience.