AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based luxury river cruise company founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy. AmaWaterways currently operates 29 ships that offer cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. AmaWaterways has a reputation for spacious vessels, wellness amenities, and fine dining. [1][2][3]
AmaWaterways (originally Amadeus Waterways) was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. [4] The company rebranded to AMA Waterways in 2008. [5] Its first fully owned ship, AmaDagio, debuted in 2006. [6]
Growth and fleet expansion (2011-2018)
From 2011 the line expanded its fleet and amenities. Amacerto (launched 2012) introduced 135-m vessels with "twin-balcony" staterooms and multiple dining venues. [7][8] In Asia, the all-suite AmaDara entered Mekong service in 2015. [9] The Rhine-sailing AmaKristina debuted in 2017 with connecting and triple-occupancy cabins aimed at multigenerational travel. [10][11] A pilot Wellness Program began in 2017 and was expanded across additional ships in 2018. [12][13]
Innovations and partnerships (2015-present)
In 2015 Adventures by Disney began chartering AmaWaterways ships for family-focused Danube and Rhine itineraries, including sailings on AmaViola. [14] The company has been a member of the gastronomic society La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs since 2011. [15] The double-width AmaMagna entered service on the Danube in 2019, offering larger suites, four restaurants and efficiency measures that were projected to reduce fuel consumption by 20-25%. [16] In 2024 the company reported record sales; by early 2025 bookings for 2025 were tracking 31% higher year-over-year. [17] Recent and announced fleet moves include AmaMagdalena (launched on Colombia's Magdalena River in April 2025) and sister ship AmaMelodia (scheduled 2025), AmaSintra on Portugal's Douro (2025), a 2027 sister to AmaMagna (marketed as AmaRudi) and a new Mekong ship, AmaMaya, slated for 2026. [18][19][20][21][22]
Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour.[27] AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.[1][3]
Unusual for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[3] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries.[27]
Activities and excursions
AmaWaterways offers multiple included shore excursions each day-typically city tours, guided hikes, exclusive guided bike tours and special-interest tastings-run in small groups and offered at three activity levels (gentle, regular, active). [28][29] Complimentary bicycles are carried aboard for guided rides or independent exploration, and the line also offers a Concierge Golf Program on select itineraries. [30][31]
On the 14-night Grand Danube Cruise, excursions include visits to multiple UNESCO sites and landmark venues: Austria's Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey; Salzburg's historic center; the medieval town of Český Krumlov; Bulgaria's Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo; plus scenic transits of the Iron Gates gorge and tours of Golubac and Belgrade (Kalemegdan) Fortresses.[32][33] These options expand the line's traditional guided walking program and cater to cyclists, golfers and other active travelers. [34]
Special interest cruises
To attract multi-generational families, AmaWaterways partnered with Adventures by Disney to create Disney-themed cruises that feature the Christmas markets in cities on the Danube and Rhine rivers, among others.[35][3][36]
The company has also offered promotions for solo travellers. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee.[37]
Fleet
As of 2025, AmaWaterways had a fleet of 29 ships.[2] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube.[3] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[38] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[3]
TravelAge West WAVE Awards (2019) - Best River Cruise Line, Best Onboard Dining, Best River Cruise Line for Families, Best New Ship AmaLea[39]
Cruise Critic's Best in Cruise Awards (2024) - Best River Cruise Line and Best for Active Cruisers[40]
Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards (2023) - Cruise Line of the Year and Best River Cruise Line[41]
Sustainability
AmaWaterways has introduced a range of measures to reduce fuel use, waste and emissions. Its double-width AmaMagna employs a diesel-electric setup with ten smaller engines that can be engaged as needed, a configuration reported to cut fuel consumption by ~20-25%. [42] In 2023 the ship added solar panels on select balcony awnings to assist with heating/cooling loads. [43][44] By 2024 the line said all ships could connect to shoreside electric power while in port. [45]
The company highlights single-use plastic reductions (paper straws, refillable glass water bottles, refillable bathroom dispensers), Tetra Pak water on excursions, recycled-material luggage tags and the MyAmaCruise app to cut paper. [46] Navigation and efficiency pilots have included a riverbed "Track Pilot" system on select ships. [47] In 2020, AmaKristina became the first river cruise ship to receive Green Award certification; additional European fleet vessels were recognized soon after. [48][49][50]
Leadership
AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. [51] In February 2025, former Disney and Airbnb executive Catherine Powell joined as president; on 1 July 2025 she became CEO as Schreiner moved to chairman of the board. [52][53][54] Co-founder Karst transitioned from executive vice president to chief brand ambassador in 2025. [55]
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