Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. Select sailings on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Garonne include longer bike rides to -- and even between -- ports. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. Visit our FAQs page, learn more about river cruising with AmaWaterways, contact your preferred travel advisor or call us at 1.800.626.0126. You will find free high speed WiFi in your cabin and throughout the ship. I already referred a couple of my friends to book a vacation with Ultimate Travel and planning on contacting Eric soon to book our next trip, this time with our kids just trying to decide were to go next. This includes dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! Similarly to Uniworld, AmaWaterways has an all-inclusive dining experience, with tapas and snacks served between meals, multi-course dinners prepared right in front of you, and hand-selected red and white wines paired with each meal. Take a tour of a AmaWaterwayss suite. Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. The majority measure 355 square feet, but six Grand Suites are 474 square feet and an Owners Suite is 710 square feet. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. 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. The rooms are nicely decorated and everything worked perfectly with no problems. Every day there was a huge choice of excursions. All guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. The AmaSienas home river is the Rhine in Europe. Both lines offer a variety of amenities that are standard between ships. Color palates are subdued, relying on shades of gray, cream and steel blue along with neutral woods. What's Included In Your Fare On An AmaWaterways River Cruise? Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. Your cruise fare on both will include at least one shore excursion in each port; wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner; all onboard meals; Wi-Fi; and cultural enrichment. When it comes to accommodations onboard, many believe that Uniworld has the upper hand. AmaViola and AmaStella also feature a number of connecting cabins, designed with families in mind. Active is for very fit travelers wishing more intensity and a faster pace. Read on for a comparison of AmaWaterways vs. Uniworld, including their ships, itineraries, activities and entertainment, price range, and more, so that you can decide which river cruise line is best for you. We hope to see you on board soon! Your Cruise Manager will explain more when applicable. This website uses cookies. Then, there are the ships in Egypt and China, Vietnam, which the line either owns or charters. About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. Much like Uniworld, AmaWaterways ships cruise a variety of riverways worldwide. At intervals during the day one of the crew will appear with a nice cooling wine spritzer, cold beer or cocktail of the day. Unlike Viking's Longships, in which decor is almost identical from ship to ship, AmaWaterways' cabins feature different decorations, depending on the vessel. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. How Does AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Price, Inclusions and Booking Policies? Because of the nature of river cruising many of the tours are within walking distance. I was having second thoughts on staying there and I am so glad he talked me out of it. Ama offer a full itinerary of classes throughout the day, a gym with spinning bikes and the addition of a relaxation area. Shows include acts from various destinations on the itinerary and help bring the cultural experience enjoyed through the day on board for the evening. How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? She is very informative and full of knowledge of any location you are traveling to. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Viking requires a $500 nonrefundable deposit, with final payment due 90 days before the cruise is scheduled to begin (a 20 percent deposit of the full fare is required for World and Grand Cruise itineraries with payment 180 days prior to departure). One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. Recommended Reading: Italian River Cruise. Combination river and ocean cruises are available that take you to other European countries like Spain, Denmark, and Norway. So, yes, you should bring a book. Resort was stunning , food and entertainment was great, and the staff were incredible. Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour). Note that the Sun Deck is only accessible via stairs, not the elevators. All the restaurants were great. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Uniworld also offers a range of onboard activities, including swimming pools, leisure centers and gyms, libraries, and beautiful sun decks to lounge on. Guests reserving our optional land packages will also find daily breakfast at their hotel included in the price of their package. Viking River Cruises typically host 190 passengers. The word "inclusive" gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 5 Reasons Why Families Will Love the Refurbished Norwegian Jewel, 10 Cruise Alcohol Hacks for Better Drinking on the Cheap. The itineraries are what truly make the experience of a river cruise. Known as an internationally recognized luxury travel company. I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. The closet and drawers were roomy. Throw pillows are elaborate, and wood and marble touches are dark. 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. Here's what I thought. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. Closer attention to detail is guaranteed from all tour operators. I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. Ocean cruisers whove wanted to try a river cruise but have been afraid of feeling too confined will likely find AmaMagna more to their taste. First-time river cruisers may be under the assumption that river cruises arent as luxurious as other cruise types. For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. Entertainers will board the ship at various locks along the route, with their driver dropping them off at one lock and picking up the performers further down the river at another lock. Its likely youve heard of Uniworld River Cruises and AmaWaterways. the differences between ocean and river cruising. Let us help you learn more so you can choose between these two river cruise lines. 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). Final payment is due 90 days before the cruise. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. That said, no matter which cruise line you choose to travel with, its safe to say youll never be bored! Learn how your comment data is processed. Also you leave the ship there is cold water available to take along with you. The voyage includes meals, beverages, shore excursions, Wi . AmaWaterways offers itineraries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Africa, and Colombia. All meals are included on AmaSiena. Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways Began as a tour group operating in Europe. Having cruised on an AmaWaterways River Cruise along the Danube River the differences between ocean and river cruising were surprising. On very select rivers and itineraries, the Personal Audio Device we use for shore excursions can also be used for your individual exploration, as pre-recorded commentary may play, based on your current GPS location. All meals are included in your fare. Included tours and excursions led by knowledgeable local guides 5. AmaWaterways operates 17 vessels in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Africa. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. Both lines sail on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Elbe, Dordogne and Douro in Europe, and both offer Christmas markets cruises. Viking Cruises started with a fleet of four ships from Russia and has expanded to operating a fleet of more than 60 vessels on three continents. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that! Opened in 2002, with 18 amazing years in operation. ", "Vacationing With Kids? Here are a few complimentary amenities that are added along with your land package. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. These excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and tradition on a deeper, often hands-on, level. So how do you decide? There was something for everyone this will be a vacation that we will talk about for the rest of our lives! She loves her job and you can tell when talking to her. Yes! some of the leading championship courses on the continent. The great news is that you can do as many or little excursions are you want, dipping in and out of trips is a huge benefit. There is a cancellation fee of $100 payable on sailings cancelled 121 days or more before the sailing date, which increases on a sliding scale closer to the departure. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just [7] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Mekong and Chobe rivers. Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. Our 2023 sailing is at capacity. 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. Both sail the Nile and Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. While locks on most European rivers limit the size of river vessels plying those waterways, the Danube can accommodate some larger ships. AmaWaterways' Seven River Journey Through Europe is scheduled to set sail on June 1, 2023, with prices starting at $25,999 per passenger. Although dining is more intimate with less venues on a river cruise ship. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. The pool areas were so pretty and the landscaping lovely. 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! 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The only slight difference is that with AmaWaterways placing emphasis on their excellent onboard evening entertainment and unlimited premium spirits, it makes a better choice for those who like to enjoy the nightlife onboard the ships. But for me, I have well and truly caught the river cruise bug. Breakfast lunch and dinner are usually at set times, although there is more flexibility around breakfast and lunch. (Probably Overrated). These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconiesthat is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason.