Why choose to cruise with AmaWaterways

When it comes to cruising, you have so much choice in terms of lines and destinations that sometimes it can be difficult to choose.

In this blog series we’ll look at the top reasons why you should consider various cruise lines. In this blog we explore the five reasons why you should consider AmaWaterways for your next river cruise.

Ama means love

If you read these blogs, you will know that most river cruise lines provide an exceptional level of service and certainly a memorable experience – and I really am a river cruising convert. They all however bring something different in terms of the atmosphere and approach to river cruising.

AmaWaterways is a cruise line that has always been forward thinking, and in fact you’ll see many of the reasons focus on their approach to river cruising – choice, space and inclusivity. On top of this, there is a genuineness about the staff on board, they truly do want to go out of their way to make your holiday the best possible. One such example is how the ships cruise hosts stay on with you in hotels before and after the cruise to create continuity of experience with that of on board.

They have also redefined how to do river cruising through one of their newest ships, AmaMagna. When you see AmaMagna for the first time, your eyes are drawn to her size. She is a big river ship and almost twice the width of a normal European river cruise ship. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. AmaMagna is more than her size, she represents the embodiment of the passion and vision by the owners of AmaWaterways and gives guests an unparalleled amount of space on a river ship. You can read more here about my experience on board.

A wellness adventure

One of the more unique aspects of AmaWaterways is its increasing focus on health and wellbeing as part of your cruise experience.

So, expect more space and activities dedicated to wellbeing. On AmaMagna, for instance, there is a whole are dedicated the wellness. At the Aft of AmaMagna you will find the dedicated Zen Wellness Studio. This is a multi-functional health and wellness space complete with juice bar, retractable windows, and large studio area perfect for circuit training, HIIT, Yoga, cardio and other classes throughout the day, at no extra charge. There is also plenty of gym equipment available and a number of spinning bikes that overlook the wake of the ship. On the sundeck a number of activities also take place throughout the day including, for instance, line dancing and yoga. There are also two massage rooms on board, together with hairdressers that offers hair styling and other beauty treatments.

It doesn’t stop there, with many excursions on board offering a wellness or enrichment focus – so expecting more excursions focussed on guided cycling and hiking tours, or more intriguing experiences such as wine tasting and enriching cultural experiences. You can also opt to borrow a bike from the ship and do your own thing if you want to.

Variety is the spice of life

More than any other river cruise, I was impressed by the sheer variety found onboard, and no more-so than in terms of dining options.

There’s loads of ways of personalising your dining experience on board – on top of the main restaurant, which serves gorgeous cuisine every night paired with high-quality regional wine and beer, you can opt for a more casual experience in the main lounge (or in a dedicated venue called Al Fresco on board AmaMagna). You can also opt to enjoy any meals in your cabin or on your balcony as you enjoy the majestic rivers you sail along. AmaWaterways also includes a number of speciality restaurants on board. On the majority of the fleet, this includes The Chef’s table. Featuring upscale décor and a mouth-watering tasting menu, each of your seven courses are prepared right in front of you at a chef’s station and brought to your table.

Then also on AmaMagna, there is Jimmy’s. This new inclusive restaurant is a cool, casual and refreshing space which is used for a variety of activities on board. It is all about family and bringing together people through a joint experience of food. So, expect sharing platters or family-dining style, with a variety of different foods served in the middle of the table. It’s a great social experience and not at all stuffy.

As with other river lines, you will also enjoy complimentary, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, as well as sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed juices during breakfast. And something I always really enjoy about river cruising, is that the wines will be sourced from local wineries and vineyards from the destinations you are visiting. There is also a daily happy hour before dinner which is a great way to socialise and share you days adventures with one another.

Room for all

AmaWaterways have some of the largest and contemporary rooms on any river ship. Expect rich woods, vibrant colours and fabrics, a real focus on luxury – all of which are common themes that go from entry level rooms all the way up to the top-tier suites. Truly, they are lovely spaces to spend time in watching the world go by.

In fact, on AmaMagna, despite her being almost twice the width of other ships, she only has 40 more than a typical river ship, with the focus on providing larger and better accommodation. Retreat to elegantly appointed river-view staterooms and suites—most with not one, but two private balconies (a French and a full balcony)—providing unique views of the ever-changing scenery.

Destinations aplenty

AmaWaterways offer a wide variety of river cruises – including across Europe, such as the Rhine, Rhone, Danube and Douro, but also in Asia and even in Africa.

As with many river cruise lines, a variety of excursions are included within your cruise fare. In a number of destinations, you have the opportunity to choose from a number of included excursions, depending on what takes your fancy. From city tours, to historical encounters, or how about beer or wine tasting? I’ll take all three please. And as I mentioned above, there’s a clear focus on wellness as well.