One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. [3] Schreiner was still the president and co-owner of the company as of 2018. Here's what I thought. Select itineraries, such as our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings, also include a select number of meals on shore. It can accommodate 196 passengers, not that much more capacity-wise than some vessels half its width. 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. The rivers we sail are calm bodies of water and our ships experience no waves or rocking motions the primary cause for seasickness. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. The line has 55 Longships, nearly identical boats designed to sail Europe's rivers. [7] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Mekong and Chobe rivers. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. AmaViola and AmaStella also feature a number of connecting cabins, designed with families in mind. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. Modern coaches provide the primary mode of transportation for each, though Viking's are branded with the cruise line's logo and photos of the ships or exotic locations (making them easily identifiable among the crowd), while only some of AmaWaterways' buses are branded. Viking's sun decks offer more space, in part because the area isn't used for pools or storing bicycles. Trips And Excursions On An AmaWaterways River Cruise, WIFI Throughout Your AmaWaterways River Cruise. Ama offer a full itinerary of classes throughout the day, a gym with spinning bikes and the addition of a relaxation area. Because of COVID-19, tables were assigned, though its open seating in standard times. Complimentary coffee and teas served throughout the day, along with bottled water. I thought it may help to understand whats included on an Ama River Cruise. First-time river cruisers may be under the assumption that river cruises arent as luxurious as other cruise types. Private tours are available to be booked if you are looking to do something away from the groups. How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? Light bites are served throughout the day in the lounge; there are pastries for early or late risers who miss breakfast, tapas for lunch, afternoon tea, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour (alcoholic beverages are complimentary), and a late-night snack served at 10:30 p.m. You can also access a complimentary coffee station here 24/7. These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconiesthat is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. Your email address will not be published. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. We strongly encourage getting a slice of Sacher Torte or strudel with your cup at one of Viennas coffeehouses on the Danube River, and tasting authentic Rdesheimer coffee made with Asbach brandy in Rdesheim, Germany along the Rhine. Theres usually a musical performance after dinner in the lounge in the evenings. 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Depending on the itinerary, they range from around $2000 per person to $5000 per person or more. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. Both cruise lines are all-inclusive and provide excellent service, meaning that no matter which one you choose, it is guaranteed to be worth the money. Outdoor space is more plentiful on Viking ships because they dont have pools or bicycle storage on board. How is your coffee on board? As a California-headquartered cruise line, AmaWaterways typically attracts a North American clientele, which holds for the AmaSienas passengers. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. Whats Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Both lines also offer specialized cruises. [4], AmaWaterways cruise ships ply a number of rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro,[2] Moselle, Main,[5] Garonne,[6] and Rhne. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. 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. Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. Both Uniworld and AmaWaterways offer a wide variety of amazing itineraries in fascinating places. Learn how your comment data is processed. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. In 2021, it will offer 60-plus of these vino-focused sailings. For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. These cabins are practically identical to the previous category, although they provide slightly more space at 235 square feet. Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. Closer attention to detail is guaranteed from all tour operators. This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. Thank you Eric for handling our destination Wedding at the Finest and also our Honeymoon at the Unico Resort. For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor , visit AmaWaterways.com or call (800) 626 . Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Norfolk Va. AmaWaterways opened the ODA Free Village English School in the province of Siem Reap, Cambodia in association with ODA the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association. 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. Budapest illuminated at night. There are fitness classes (during COVID times, these were provided outdoors, weather permitting, rather than in the fitness center), massages and beauty treatments in the one-room spa and salon, a small pool, and an outdoor giant chess set. The ships even have a "gluten-free corner," where passengers can find snacks at all hours of the day. Ships on both lines feature elevators, and some Viking ships have sun deck herb gardens, which chefs use daily. Europe can be quite warm in the summer, so short sleeve shirts, shorts, skirts, sundresses and a wide-brimmed hat are good items to pack. Complementary drinks In the main lounge, there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee making facilities including hot chocolate and herbal/fruit teas. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences Cabin categories for Viking and AmaWaterways are pretty similar and vary from a standard riverview cabin with small windows all the way to suites with French and walk-out balconies. Definitely coming back. But for me, I have well and truly caught the river cruise bug. The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. Both cruise lines offer a variety of dining options and menus that reflect the cuisine of the destination countries. Theres also the Chefs Table, a 32-seat specialty restaurant with a panoramic view from the ship's stern that serves a five-course tasting menu. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. Am I missing something? The majority measure 355 square feet, but six Grand Suites are 474 square feet and an Owners Suite is 710 square feet. 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. 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. 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. At a glance. Find out everything from whats included to how to dress on board our river cruises. Let us help you learn more so you can choose between these two river cruise lines. This includes dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. Known for their European heritage and pioneering spirit, AmaWaterways leads the industry in innovation, highlighted by the announcement of their history-making 45- and 46-night Seven River Journeys, their new Heritage on the River experiences in partnership with Ancestry, and launching a new river cruise destination and eco-friendly ship on It was quite the experience as we visited five countries in eight days and three of them we had never been to before. We will be happy to provide you with a map of each port at our reception desk, and you will find the citys highlights marked. Uniworld tends to put more focus on guided tours and daytime entertainment at various destinations. Gentle is designed for those guests needing a slower pace and, at times if possible , even a bit less walking. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. At breakfast, you can enjoy sparkling wine, juices, tea and coffee. the differences between ocean and river cruising. There's just one main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. No matter which company or type of cabin you choose, however, youre sure to enter a world of luxury as soon as you step on board. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. 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.