Those looking to get their hearts pumping might choose an active tour, which could include a little more mileage or climbs up stairs or other steep inclines, or the pace might simply be slightly faster. Explore Danube River on two wheels with AmaWaterways included onboard bicycles, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Where Do River Cruise Ships Dock In Basel Switzerland, Cruises From Los Angeles To Hawaii Round Trip, 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, Which Is The Best River Cruise Company In Europe, Who Has The Best Alaska Land And Sea Cruises, Indoor glass-walled observation lounge at the front of the ship, Three meals a day and group shore tours included. River cruise lines employ local entertainment to come onboard for the evenings show either while still docked or even while underway. In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? 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. In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to -- not coincidentally -- be more luxurious and expensive. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. Both Uniworld and AmaWaterways offer a wide variety of amazing itineraries in fascinating places. While our fitness rooms vary from ship to ship, they will typically include a treadmill, elliptical machine or spin bike, as well as an assortment of free weights. Please see ourTravel Entry Requirementspage for the most current details. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. Both lines also offer specialized cruises. AmaWaterways has a larger fleet than Uniworld, with a larger variety of sizes as well. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. She loves her job and you can tell when talking to her. I thought it may help to understand whats included on an Ama River Cruise. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. Within Europe, Viking offers cruises to a number of different countries, including France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and Portugal. Planning to sail with AmaWaterways for the first time but not sure what to expect? Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. 14 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, 16 Days - Travel to Medellin and return from Panama City, AmaWaterways Ltd | Abbots Place Suite B | Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4RW. Final payment is due 90 days before the cruise. Definitely coming back. AmaWaterways: A Guide to European River Cruises - Every Avenue Travel AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. [9][2][10], The company has also offered promotions for solo travellers. If youre not sure about a river cruise and want to investigate ocean cruise lines, you might be interested in these articles: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian, Carnival Cruise vs Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity, Are Viking Cruises Adults Only, and Royal Caribbean vs. Princess. The lines might bring onboard local singers, dancers and musicians during visits to Vienna, for example, or teach passengers how to make local dishes. Suite guests receive a complimentary stocked mini-bar . You can enjoy traditional dance performances, authentic musical performances, and even local storytelling. Typically, theres just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. Complimentary bottled water is replenished in your stateroom on a daily basis. The rivers we sail are calm bodies of water and our ships experience no waves or rocking motions the primary cause for seasickness. Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Cancellation Policies: A Closer Look, Mega-Chart: Compare Hurricane Sandy Cruise Line Compensation, Booking a Cruise Onboard: How to Score Extras and Discounts, Can I Cruise While Pregnant? 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. Whether it is at a luxury resort or a cozy cabin, we are here to make planning your next trip easier. Neither includes gratuities for crew or tour guides.. AmaWaterways suggests 100 euros per person per seven-night cruise (120 euros on AmaMagna), with an additional 25 euros per week-long sailing for the cruise manager. However, these lines have tailored their offerings, making them more inclusive for North Americans while keeping pricing a la carte for Europeans. The Shore Excursions. 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. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. Viking's sun decks offer more space, in part because the area isn't used for pools or storing bicycles. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. Shows include acts from various destinations on the itinerary and help bring the cultural experience enjoyed through the day on board for the evening. 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. 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. Debuting in summer 2019, the creatively designed AmaMagna is twice the width of a normal Danube river vessel and offers some of the largest staterooms on European rivers. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. In fact, you might be wondering, which is better, AmaWaterways or Uniworld? Wine, champagne, beer, sparking and still water and soft drinks are served throughout meal times, your glass never goes empty. Generally speaking the half board we experienced sailing with AmaWaterways felt very much like almost all inclusive. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? 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. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive and pricy is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost . I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. And there are plenty of locks. Elbe River Cruise Ships Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, The 8 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers of 2023, Carnival Magic - Cruise Ship Photo Tour and Profile, This 49-Night European River Cruise Is Open to Book for 2024, The Worlds Longest River Cruise Itinerary Was Just Announced, A Three-Story Racetrack, Food Hall, and Infinity Pools: Inside the Norwegian Prima, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that! How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? We stayed at the Dreams Resort & Spa in La Romana, Dominican Republic and it was perfect for our family reunion of our former foreign exchange students. I was having second thoughts on staying there and I am so glad he talked me out of it. This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. Sandals Cabana Rental: All You Need to Know 2023, Is Santorini Worth It? What Makes AmaWaterways Different? - River Cruise Advisor 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. We really enjoyed Finest for our Destination Wedding and would highly recommend it as a wedding or vacation destination! Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. What You Need to Know. For other couples, either cruise line would be great depending on what you are looking for. On board AmaWaterways, however, you will find their in-house pianist and a variety of unique performances and shows throughout your trip. AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. River cruise dining shows what the little guys can do We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. 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?. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. Uniworld also does river cruises in Asia, Egypt, India, and Peru. The word "inclusive" gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? These cabins are practically identical to the previous category, although they provide slightly more space at 235 square feet. Our 2023 sailing is at capacity. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Our ships also move along at a gentle pace and you can always see land on both sides of the river, removing any additional anxiety for those who may feel stranded out on the open water. Everything is taken care of with no worries. The AmaSienas home river is the Rhine in Europe. 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. Ships on both lines feature elevators, and some Viking ships have sun deck herb gardens, which chefs use daily. Are drinks included on Uniworld? At breakfast, you can enjoy sparkling wine, juices, tea and coffee. Unpack once and experience this extraordinary voyage on one award-winning ship, our beautiful AmaMora. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. What are the current requirements for embarking on AmaWaterways' river cruises? AmaViola and AmaStella also feature a number of connecting cabins, designed with families in mind. Most if not all of the river cruises along the Danube include an optional Mozart concert in Vienna. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. They also have heated swimming pools with swimup bars that are surprisingly large for a river line. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? To truly make your vacation, Uniworld ships have a great selection of gourmet restaurants and elegant bars. It can accommodate 196 passengers, not that much more capacity-wise than some vessels half its width. We recommend AmaWaterways for families and young adults. Theres always the lounge or the Sun Deck, though. Thank you Eric for recommending this fantastic Resort, a fitting finish to our trip. Some river cruise operators include wine, beer and soft drinks only with lunch and dinner while others include unlimited drinks, served at your discretion throughout the cruise! Founded in 2002, this European riverboat operator is California-based and won several awards for river cruise innovation . If youre looking for honeymoon cruise options, you may want to check out our article 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. Viking River Cruises typically host 190 passengers. 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. Now that you have an idea of what Uniworld and AmaWaterways offer, lets take a look at the similarities and differences of Uniworld vs. Ama river cruises. If you dont plan on spending much time in your room, these categories will do just fine, but be forewarnedpart of the fun of the Rhine itineraries is sitting outside watching the castles and locks go by. AmaWaterways is a family-owned company that was established in 2002 and is still run by the families. Included in the fares of our featured AmaWaterways river cruises are shore excursions in every port of call all dining on board fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner internet access and Wi-Fi and bicycles that you can use to explore on your own or join our guided bike tours.