AmaWaterways

Last updated

AmaWaterways, LLC
Company type Private
Industry River cruise company, cruise line
Founded2002;23 years ago (2002)
Headquarters,
United States
Services River cruises
Website www.amawaterways.com

AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. [1] [2] Its price range is considered "luxury" among river cruises. [2] It had a fleet of 29 ships as of 2025. [3]

Contents

History

AmaWaterways was co-founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy, and Kristin Karst. [1] [2] Schreiner had been one of the pioneers of the river cruise industry after the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal opened in 1992. [4] Schreiner was still the president and co-owner of the company as of 2018. [5]

Present day

The AmaPrima on the Danube AmaWaterways cruise ship AmaPrima -04.JPG
The AmaPrima on the Danube

AmaWaterways cruise ships ply a number of rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, [2] Moselle, Main, [6] Garonne, [7] and Rhône. [8] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Magdalena [9] , Mekong, and Chobe rivers. [2]

At each port of call, there are guided excursions that are graded according to the difficulty level of the walking. [2] The company also caters to bicyclists, golfers, [5] and other active passengers. Starting in 2016, it offered "cruise and bike trips on the Rhine, Seine and Douro". [2]

Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. [10] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. [2]

Unusual for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships, [2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries. [10]

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. [11] [2] [12]

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. [13]

Fleet

As of 2025, AmaWaterways had a fleet of 29 ships. [3] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube, [14] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship. [5]

ShipEntered serviceLengthWidthStateroomsPassengersFlagRegister No.Photo
AmaBella 2010443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)80160 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 02332082
AmaBella River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaBella River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaBella River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaCello 2008360 ft (110 m)38 ft (12 m)71140 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 02329809
AmaCello River Cruise Ship AmaCello River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaCello River Cruise Ship
AmaCerto 2012443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)81162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07001949
AmaCerto River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaCerto River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaCerto River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaDahlia 2021236 ft (72 m)42.6 ft (13 m)3672 Flag of Egypt.svg
AmaDahlia River Cruise Ship on the Nile AmaDahlia River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaDahlia River Cruise Ship on the Nile
AmaDante 2008360 ft (110 m)38 ft (12 m)71140 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 02329183
AmaDante River Cruise Ship on the Seine AmaDante River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaDante River Cruise Ship on the Seine
AmaDara 2015302 ft (92 m)46 ft (14 m)62124 Flag of Vietnam.svg
AmaDara River Cruise Ship on the Mekong AmaDara River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaDara River Cruise Ship on the Mekong
AmaDolce 2009360 ft (110 m)38 ft (12 m)71140 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 02331267
AmaDolce River Cruise Ship AmaDolce River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaDolce River Cruise Ship
AmaDouro 2019260 ft (79 m)37 ft (11 m)51102 Flag of Portugal (official).svg
AmaDouro River Cruise Ship on the Duoro AmaDouro River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaDouro River Cruise Ship on the Duoro
AmaKristina [13] 2017443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)76152 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaKristina River Cruise Ship on the Rhone AmaKristina River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaKristina River Cruise Ship on the Rhone
AmaLea [13] 2018443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaLea River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaLea River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaLea River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaLilia 236 ft (72 m)47.6 ft (15 m)4182 Flag of Egypt.svg
AmaLilia River Cruise Ship on the Nile AmaLilia River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaLilia River Cruise Ship on the Nile
AmaLucia [6] 2021 [6] 443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07002142
AmaLucia River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaLucia River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaLucia River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaLyra [13] 2009360 ft (110 m)38 ft (12 m)71140 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaLyra River Cruise Ship on the Seine AmaLyra River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaLyra River Cruise Ship on the Seine
AmaMagdalena 223 ft (68 m)43 ft (13 m)3060 Flag of Colombia.svg
AmaMagdalena River Cruise Ship on the Magdalena AmaMagdalena River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaMagdalena River Cruise Ship on the Magdalena
AmaMagna [5] 2019 [5] 443 ft (135 m)72 ft (22 m)98196 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaMagna River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaMagna River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaMagna River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaMelodia 223 ft (68 m)43 ft (13 m)3264 Flag of Colombia.svg
AmaMelodia River Cruise Ship on the Magdalena AmaMelodia River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaMelodia River Cruise Ship on the Magdalena
AmaMora [6] 2019443 ft (135 m)m38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaMora River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaMora River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaMora River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaPrima 2013443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)81162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07001958
AmaPrima River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaPrima River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaPrima River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaReina 2014443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 02335818
AmaReina River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaReina River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaReina River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaSerena [6] 2015443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)81162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07002014
AmaSerena River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaSerena River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaSerena River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaSiena 2021443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaSiena River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaSiena River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaSiena River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaSintra 260 ft (79 m)37 ft (11 m)51102 Flag of Portugal (official).svg
AmaSintra River Cruise Ship on the Douro AmaSintra River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaSintra River Cruise Ship on the Douro
AmaSonata 2014443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)81162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07001981
AmaSonata River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaSonata River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaSonata River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaStella 2016443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaStella River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaStella River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaStella River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaVenita 2014443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)81162 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg ENI 07002005
AmaVenita River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaVenita River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaVenita River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
AmaVerde 2011443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)80160 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaVerde River Cruise Ship on the Danube AmaVerde River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaVerde River Cruise Ship on the Danube
AmaVida 2013260 ft (79 m)37 ft (11 m)51102 Flag of Portugal (official).svg
AmaVida River Cruise Ship on the Douro AmaVida River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaVida River Cruise Ship on the Douro
AmaViola 2016443 ft (135 m)38 ft (12 m)78156 Civil Ensign of Switzerland.svg
AmaViola River Cruise Ship on the Rhine AmaViola River Cruise Ship.webp
AmaViola River Cruise Ship on the Rhine
Zambezi Queen 2009150 ft (46 m)25.6 ft (8 m)1428 Flag of Namibia.svg
Zambezi Queen River Cruise Ship on the Chobe Zambezi Queen River Cruise Ship.webp
Zambezi Queen River Cruise Ship on the Chobe

References

  1. 1 2 "AmaWaterways Announces Retirement of Gary Murphy, Senior Vice President of Sales, Promotes Alex Pinelo" (Press release). Calabasas, CA: AmaWaterways. Hemsworth Communications. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Jeannine Williamson. "AmaWaterways vs. Emerald Waterways". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  3. 1 2 "AmaWaterways Ships and Fleet". Calabasas, CA: AmaWaterways. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  4. "Our Story". AmaWaterways. 2015–2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Daniel McCarthy. "AmaWaterways Unveils Details of Newest Ship, AmaMagna". travelmarket report. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Jeri Clausing (15 January 2020). "AmaWaterways to debut new ship, new itineraries in 2021". Travel Weekly.
  7. "Taste of Bordeaux". AmaWaterways. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  8. "Colors of Provence". AmaWaterways. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  9. "AmaWaterways Launches First River Cruise Ship on Colombia's Magdalena River". Cruise Industry News. 18 April 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  10. 1 2 Kathy Armstrong (25 January 2020). "Down the Danube: What would a 20-something make of a river cruise?". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  11. Maryn Liles (7 February 2020). "Vacationing With Kids? Here Are 15 of the Best New Family-Friendly Cruises to Take in 2020". Parade.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  12. Orlando Sentinel (5 February 2020). "Disney amps up European river cruise options". Texarkana Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "AmaWaterways to Offer Solo Traveler Promotion". Luxury Travel Advisor. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  14. "Cruise New February: AmaMagna". The Business Travel News. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.