Cruise line profile · ★ Top Pick
AmaWaterways
The heart of the river.
About the line
About AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a family-owned line known for food-forward dining, several excursion styles, and active choices such as hiking and biking. On European sailings, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; The Chef's Table is included at no extra charge. Its Christmas-market itineraries combine guided touring with time to explore independently. AmaMagna offers an especially spacious Danube experience, while the wider fleet gives travelers a useful range of ship and cabin styles.
On board & on route
AmaWaterways in pictures
Photos: AmaWaterways
Best for
Food and wine lovers, active travelers, and multi-generation groups who want more choice each day.
Pros
- Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Sip & Sail pre-dinner cocktail hour daily
- Chef's Table specialty restaurant included
- Multiple included excursion styles on many stops
- Bikes carried on board, free to use
Cons
- Gratuities and flights not included
- Some premium excursions cost extra
- Premium drinks outside the included periods cost extra
Inclusions
What’s included
A quick read on the standard Christmas-sailing package. Partial inclusions are marked with a half-circle.
Drinks
PartialLunch/dinner + Sip & Sail
Excursions
PartialIncluded touring; optional extras may apply
Flights
Flights extra
Gratuities
Extra
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Bikes
Bikes carried, free to use
The fleet
Ships
AmaSerena
AmaLea
AmaStella
AmaMagna
AmaKristina
AmaSiena
Christmas itineraries
Example Christmas sailings
Published itinerary examples, not live cabin availability. Check the departure for current ships and inclusions.
- 7 nights
Magical Christmas Markets of Germany
Main River
- 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Danube River
- 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Rhine River
- 7 nights
Magna on the Danube — Christmas Markets
Danube River
Itineraries we feature
Example cruises on this line
Real, published itineraries — shown as examples. Live availability via a planning expert.
Magical Christmas Markets of Germany
A seven-night Germany itinerary along the Main and Rhine, with published departures from 2027. It connects Nuremberg and Frankfurt via Franconian towns, Rüdesheim, and Mainz. Choose an Advent departure for market visits; Christmas and New Year departures are separate seasonal experiences.
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Christmas Markets on the Danube
Ama's seven-night Christmas Markets on the Danube runs between Budapest and Vilshofen. The route includes Bratislava, Vienna, the Wachau Valley, Linz, and Passau. For Nuremberg, compare Ama's separate Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary instead. Ship assignments and excursion choices vary by date.
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Christmas Markets on the Rhine
A seven-night Amsterdam–Basel route with stops in Cologne, Rüdesheim, the Ludwigshafen area, Strasbourg, and Breisach. Dining includes The Chef's Table and a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour. Ask which ship, cabin type, and excursions operate on your departure.
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Magna on the Danube — Christmas Markets
A seven-night Budapest–Vilshofen cruise on a wider river ship. The extra width gives it a different onboard feel from Ama's standard vessels. Confirm the ship and cabin for your date: the published schedule includes both AmaMagna and AmaRudi departures.
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Keep exploring
Other cruise lines
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The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking's European river cruises combine Scandinavian-style interiors with destination-focused touring. Fares include one shore excursion per port, onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and port taxes. Enrichment lectures and destination performances add context to the journey. Ships and layouts vary by river; compare the actual vessel and cabin rather than assuming every Longship is identical.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Luxury, redefined on the river.
Riverside offers several fare packages rather than one universal all-inclusive fare. On Riverside Mozart, full-board options and premium beverage packages can be booked with or without selected excursions. Compare the package and ship alongside the cabin price; some specialty dining and experiences can cost extra.
Our score
4.5Request pricing
per person · example
Tauck River Cruising
All-inclusive, done right.
Tauck's Christmas itineraries combine river cruising with its escorted-tour approach. Scheduled sightseeing, special events, selected onboard drinks, and specified gratuities are included. Its Danube route connects Nuremberg and Vienna; the Rhine trip connects Basel and Düsseldorf. Confirm the exact events, vessel, and departure direction before choosing.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
Avalon Waterways
See the world differently.
Avalon's signature Panorama Suites have wall-to-wall windows that open into the room, with the bed positioned toward the passing view. Avalon Choice offers Classic, Active, and Discovery sightseeing on selected days, while FlexDining removes fixed seating and fixed dinner times. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner, soft drinks are available throughout the day, and European Suite Ships include Wi-Fi.
Our score
4.3from $2,947
per person · example