In this guide
Viking and AmaWaterways are the two lines we recommend most often for Christmas-market cruises, and travelers ask us to compare them more than any other pair. They overlap on many rivers and routes, but they have genuinely different personalities and inclusions.
The short version
Viking is the easier default for travelers who value consistency, culture, and a quiet adults-only atmosphere. AmaWaterways is the food-and-wine lover's choice: a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and The Chef's Table included—more choice and a warmer social feel.
Inclusions
This is a meaningful difference. AmaWaterways includes wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus a pre-dinner Sip & Sail cocktail hour. Viking includes beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; drinks outside meal times cost extra. Both include Wi-Fi and guided shore touring, while optional premium excursions can cost extra.
- AmaWaterways: lunch-and-dinner drinks + Sip & Sail + The Chef's Table
- Viking: lunch-and-dinner drinks + destination-focused programming
- Both: Wi-Fi and included guided shore touring
Ships
Viking's Longships follow a highly consistent layout and Scandinavian design, so you generally know what to expect. AmaWaterways' ships vary more, and the standout is AmaMagna on the Danube: nearly double the width of a standard river ship, with four dining venues, a cinema, and a pool.
Food
AmaWaterways has the stronger dining proposition for many travelers. The included Chef's Table tasting menu is a genuine differentiator, and some ships offer multiple dining venues. Viking's approach is more consistent and destination focused.
Vibe
Viking is quieter, more culture-focused, and strictly adults-only (no one under 18). AmaWaterways feels warmer and more social and can suit multi-generational groups, though river ships do not operate like children's-club ocean cruises.
Price
There is no reliable fixed price gap between the two. Promotions, airfare offers, cabin category, ship, and departure date can reverse the apparent winner, so we prefer to price comparable dates before calling either one the better value.
Tip
Choose Viking if you want culture, consistency, and a quiet adult atmosphere. Choose AmaWaterways if food, activity choice, and a more social feel matter more. If your dates are flexible, price both on the same week before deciding.
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Turn this guide into your sailing
A VPC cruise advisor can apply what you've read to current ships, departures, cabins, and supplier offers without an added planning service fee.