In the river cruise world, it's the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. 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. Also you leave the ship there is cold water available to take along with you. 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. When it comes to accommodations onboard, many believe that Uniworld has the upper hand. [1] History[ edit] Wine, champagne, beer, sparking and still water and soft drinks are served throughout meal times, your glass never goes empty. 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. During the day, passengers can skip the ship's dining room for buffet dining. Ships on both lines feature elevators, and some Viking ships have sun deck herb gardens, which chefs use daily. 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. Contact. When it comes to entertainment onboard, AmaWaterways seems to perform a little better. Ama's cabins in virtually every category are slightly bigger than Viking's. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. AmaWaterways excursions generally have three levels: a gentle-walking group, the general group and the active group. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[12] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[4]. The answer is that both cruise lines are great, but they do have differences. And each day you will be treated to a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. To truly make your vacation, Uniworld ships have a great selection of gourmet restaurants and elegant bars. It was set up by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. These tours involve little walking, and destinations are mostly seen by bus or other vehicles. That said, no matter which cruise line you choose to travel with, its safe to say youll never be bored! They're designed to provide more insight into the ports and destinations the ships visit. 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. Uniworld has a broad range of staterooms offering a luxurious, high-end designer feel and one-of-a-kind interiors. Let us help you learn more so you can choose between these two river cruise lines. What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. All the restaurants were great. 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. Sandals Cabana Rental: All You Need to Know 2023, Is Santorini Worth It? At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment on-demand system in staterooms and suites, Gratuities onboard and on shore excursions, Select complimentary shore excursions in every port, Interactive entertainment system with complimentary movies in cabins, Wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner, complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water throughout, At least one shore excursion in each port, Interactive television system with complimentary movies in cabins and suites, Two glasses of wine, beer or soda at dinner, In-room entertainment system with complimentary movies, Complimentary hotel stays or land extensions on select itineraries, All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, teas, and water, Complementary specialty dining venue on select ships, Gratuities ashore on shore excursions for guides and drivers, Special, private Tauck-exclusive events, such as dinner in a castle, In-room television system with complimentary movies, Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, Special events, such as dinner in a castle (mostly on theme cruises), Complimentary coffee, tea and water; juice at breakfast, At least one shore excursions in every port, Alternative restaurant with lighter meals, Beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; complimentary coffee, teas and water throughout, At least one shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment system in all cabins with complimentary movies. There's also space at the Aquavit Terrace. 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. 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. In that case, its best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. 3 Meals A Day On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. The AmaSienas home river is the Rhine in Europe. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. Transfers between your hotel and your ship Reserve your Complimentary Land Package now before March 31st to enjoy this limited-time offer! Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. More excursions offered than any other company. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. Uniworld offers unlimited premium spirits and wines, and AmaWaterways includes all drinks with meals plus a daily cocktail hour. 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. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Whether it is at a luxury resort or a cozy cabin, we are here to make planning your next trip easier. In addition, should it happen to rain during your river cruise, we have umbrellas available for you to use onshore. The venue that AmaWaterways uses isnt too far from the dock, has excellent acoustics and comfortable seating. We recommend AmaWaterways for families and young adults. These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconiesthat is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. Because the unique cities that you reach by river boat mean that you can walk into glorious locations such as Vienna and Budapest. On board AmaWaterways, however, you will find their in-house pianist and a variety of unique performances and shows throughout your trip. Also Check: Are Regent Cruises Worth The Money. Its very difficult to compare the two as they both shine for very different reason. 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. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. How Do AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Itineraries and Fleet? Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? Cabins also feature great lighting, which employs dimmer switches and bedside controls. She is very informative and full of knowledge of any location you are traveling to. Heres what you need to know. Gentle is designed for those guests needing a slower pace and, at times if possible , even a bit less walking. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail the Douro River in Portugal and the Elbe River in France, which runs through Germany and the Czech Republic. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. I was having second thoughts on staying there and I am so glad he talked me out of it. [1], AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. However, theres always plenty of flexibility while in port for adventures, from wine tastings to museum visits. We stayed in one of the suites and it was absolutely beautiful! Because of the nature of river cruising many of the tours are within walking distance. The word inclusive gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? AmaWaterways has 25 ships offering river cruises to Europe, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Africa. It was quite the experience as we visited five countries in eight days and three of them we had never been to before. About Us Contact Work With Us Contact An Agent. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. Steinman emphasizes that these wine cruises have all the tours that would be available on a regular cruise, yet guests also can enjoy special wine tastings, wine pairings and interaction with a special wine host. The closet and drawers were roomy. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Viking, whose president and founder, Torstein Hagan, is Norwegian, features comfortable, modern and minimalist styling. Both cruise lines welcome children onboard (with some limitations). The costs of both Uniworld and Ama river cruises are typically very similar, although Uniworld costs can be higher. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. They even have a specially selected handful of wine cruises, with various tours around Europe, France, and Portugal. Theres usually a musical performance after dinner in the lounge in the evenings. some of the leading championship courses on the continent. 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. 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). I just got off of an AmaWaterways European River Cruise with my wife after we were both invited to sail with them. AmaWaterways Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna. Passengers are treated to a multicourse meal with unlimited premium wine, paired to the courses. Complementary drinks My Final Thoughts On Our AmaWaterways River Cruise? The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. 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. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. We also offer immersive culinary-themed Special Interest Tours such as cooking demonstrations and tastings. This beach is gorgeous. Opened in 2002, with 18 amazing years in operation. [3] Schreiner was still the president and co-owner of the company as of 2018. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. One of the most memorable moments on a river cruise occurs in the evening. Theyve also expanded into ocean cruises as well. Up top is the open-air Sun Deck, where theres a running track, a small pool, loungers, and a smoking area. AmaWaterways Deck plans AmaDahlia Current cruise: 7 days, round-trip Secrets of Egypt the Nile APT River Cruises Itineraries Deck plans Travelmarvel Polaris Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Vega Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Capella An exception to this is Emerald Waterways (also known as Evergreen in Australia), which is owned by the same tour company as Scenic. [7] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Mekong and Chobe rivers. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. We look forward to working with you again! Viking offers a beverage package option, called the Silver Spirits package, which runs about $30 per person per day and allows passengers to drink unlimited premium wine, spirits and beer while onboard. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. The dining was outstanding on the AmaMagna, offering lots of diverse choice and quality, including child friendly meals for fussy eaters. Another perk is that the line offers multiple pace levels of walking tours gentle, regular and active. 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 bonus that Viking River Cruises has over AmaWaterways is the ability to combine both river and ocean itineraries since they operate both types of ships now. [2] It had a fleet of 26 ships as of 2022. [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. If you plan on participating in our complimentary wellness activities, be sure to bring comfortable workout clothing, such as yoga pants or bike shorts. Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. Of course there are obvious differences, however today I want to talk about whats included in your river cruise fare, because people of ask us if AmaWaterways is all inclusive. 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. From the beginning of our vacation to the end, everything was perfect. 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. 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. This includes dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Experience Christmas Markets, a holiday feast with all the trimmings and special events on board with your esteemed host. The ships even have a "gluten-free corner," where passengers can find snacks at all hours of the day. (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfastotherwise, alcohol is la carte. Born in Austria, Schreiner always dreamed about building a larger river cruise vessel to sail the Danube, and now thats become a reality. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. 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. 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. If youre looking to travel without children, Uniworld has a selection of adults-only cruises, so you can comfortably enjoy a romantic getaway or honeymoon. Shore excursions are a major component of the river cruise appeal. This allows for more choice, enabling you to find just the right cruise and ship for you. Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Hello! Viking is a good choice for passengers who desire adults-only vacations that include immersive port experiences. 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. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. 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 Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so theres usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. You might go truffle hunting in Bordeaux or cognac blending in Camus, for example. Uniworld also offers a range of onboard activities, including swimming pools, leisure centers and gyms, libraries, and beautiful sun decks to lounge on. We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. Onboard service is friendly, guest-centric and never stuffy. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. 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. AmaWaterways is currently operating our river cruise ships with vaccination rates approaching 100%. Please see ourTravel Entry Requirementspage for the most current details. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Thank you Eric for recommending this fantastic Resort, a fitting finish to our trip. Could Low Water Levels Ruin Your European River Cruise? Expanded to North America and now has itineraries for many ports around the globe. Despite being different its equally wonderful. In addition, AmaWaterways river cruises offer complimentary guided bicycle tours in at least two ports on every seven-night itinerary along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhne rivers. That said, neither cruise line is actually geared toward families, so if your children are always looking for something new to do, you may want to consider alternative options. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. 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. 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. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. Viking stands at the top of the river cruise industry when it comes to fleet size. Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! Since your ship will be making port at so many unique cities you'll have a chance to eat local cuisine. Both include toiletries: Ama supplies Hydro brand shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap and lotion, while Viking provides Freyja amenities. AmaSiena joins AmaWaterways legacy of upscale yet relaxed river cruises that cater to more active couples or mature multi-gen groups. There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. The bed and pillows were of nice quality and comfortable. Our exclusive Concierge Golf Programme includes 7 nights onboard one of the highest rated ships in Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, a choice of excursions in every port and our unique Twin Balconies, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey. This includes dinner at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. While we offer a wide variety of included excursions to suit your individual interests and encourage you to join us, you are of course welcome to explore on your own. At every stop, theres almost always a general walking tour (guests can choose their activity level: active, regular, or gentle), as well as specialty options like beer or wine tastings, hikes and bike tours, or unique visits to museums.