Low Prices On All AmaWaterways River Cruises

AmaWaterways is renowned for its culinary focus, being the only river cruise line inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a prestigious international gastronomic society.

Dining Venues

Most ships in the fleet feature multiple dining options, all of which are included in your cruise fare:

• The Main Restaurant: Offers multi-course, regionally inspired gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• The Chef’s Table: An intimate specialty restaurant (seating ~28–36 guests) featuring a glass-enclosed kitchen where you can watch the chef prepare a multi-course tasting menu.

Note: While included in the fare, you must make a reservation once onboard.

• The Lark (formerly Main Lounge): For the 2026 season, lounges have been rebranded as The Lark, featuring an all-day Savor at The Lark menu for casual light meals and snacks.
• Al Fresco Terrace (select ships): Open-air dining for lighter meals with a scenic view.
• The AmaMagna Difference: As a double-width ship, the AmaMagna offers additional venues, including Jimmy’s (family-style dining) and Al Fresco Restaurant (with retractable windows).

Beverage Policy

AmaWaterways has a generous free-flowing beverage policy:

• With Meals: Unlimited fine wines, beer, and soft drinks are included with every lunch and dinner. Sparkling wine and fresh juices are included at breakfast.
• Sip & Sail Hour: A daily cocktail hour where spirits, wine, beer, and soft drinks are complimentary.
• All Day: A 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station is available, along with bottled water in your stateroom.

2026 New Culinary Enhancements

Starting in 2026, the line is rolling out several new food programs:

• Italian Chef’s Table Lunches: Adding an Italian-themed lunch service to the Chef’s Table venue on most ships.
• Signature Dinners: Recurring featured menus created by Culinary Director Chef Robert Kellerhals.
• The Bread Program: Multiple varieties of freshly baked breads served daily.
• Wellness Snacks: Snack jars stocked with house-made protein balls, muesli bars, and dried fruits are available throughout the ship.

Dietary Restrictions & Preferences

AmaWaterways is highly accommodating to dietary needs.

• Notification: You should notify your travel advisor or the cruise line 45–90 days before departure.
• Available Options: Every menu includes vegetarian and Hydration Station healthy choices. They easily accommodate gluten-free, low-sodium, and vegan diets.
• Kosher: While they do not have a separate kosher kitchen, they can provide kosher-friendly meals if requested in advance.

Dress Code

The dining atmosphere is Country Club Casual. Daytime: Casual attire (shorts/jeans are fine).

• Dinner: Most guests change into smart-casual (slacks/collared shirts for men; dresses or blouses for women). There are no formal nights, though the Captain’s Farewell Dinner is usually slightly dressier.

AmaWaterways typically includes fuel costs in their base cruise fare; however, like most cruise lines, they maintain a specific policy that allows them to implement a surcharge if fuel prices spike significantly.

Current Surcharge Status

• Active Surcharge: There is currently no active fuel surcharge for standard river cruise bookings.
• The Right to Reinstatement: Per their Passenger Ticket Contract, AmaWaterways reserves the right to reinstate a fuel surcharge for all guests (even those paid in full) if the price of fuel exceeds certain market thresholds.

Standard Industry Terms

While AmaWaterways does not list a specific daily dollar amount in their public marketing, the industry standard for river and ocean cruises (which AmaWaterways generally follows) is:

• Amount: Approximately $9.00 – $12.00 USD per person, per day.
• Trigger: Typically occurs when the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil exceeds $65.00 – $70.00 per barrel, though lines often wait for higher sustained peaks before actually charging guests.

Important Notes for 2026

• AirPlus Program: If you book your airfare through AmaWaterways’ AirPlus program, the fixed rate you are quoted includes current airline fuel surcharges and taxes. This protects you from the recent 2026 volatility in jet fuel prices seen by major carriers.
• Transparency: If a surcharge were to be implemented, it would be added to your booking invoice. If you have already paid in full, the cruise line may require the additional payment before boarding or charge it to your onboard account.

Pro Tip: Because fuel surcharges are rare in the river cruise industry compared to airlines, AmaWaterways usually absorbs minor fluctuations. It typically takes a major, sustained global energy crisis for this fee to be triggered.

Deposits & Payments

• Standard deposits are $400 per person for Europe, Colombia, and Asia; $1,200 per person for Egypt; and $2,400 per person for Africa itineraries.
• Separate non-refundable deposits apply for contract airfare ($350 Economy/Premium Economy; $600 Business/First) and specialized land permits (e.g., $1,500 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla permits).
• Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Reservations booked within 90 days require full payment at confirmation.

Cancellation & Refunds

• 121+ Days Prior: $200 penalty (Europe/Colombia/Asia), $600 penalty (Egypt), $1,200 penalty (Africa).
• 120 to 90 Days Prior: $400 penalty (Europe/Colombia/Asia), $1,200 penalty (Egypt), $2,400 penalty (Africa).
• 89 to 60 Days Prior: 35% of total cruise and land price.
• 59 to 31 Days Prior: 50% of total cruise and land price.
• 30 Days to 25 Hours Prior: 100% of total cruise and land price.
• 24 Hours or Less / No-Show: 100% non-refundable (considered trip interruption).

AmaWaterways maintains a strict smoking policy to ensure the comfort of all guests. Because river cruise ships are smaller and more intimate than ocean liners, the restrictions are quite firm.

Here is the breakdown of the AmaWaterways Smoking Policy:

Designated Smoking Areas

Smoking is strictly prohibited in all indoor areas and most outdoor areas. There is only one designated smoking area on the ship:

• The Sun Deck: Smoking is permitted only in a specific, marked section at the aft (rear) of the Sun Deck.
• Signage: This area is clearly identified with signs and provided with wind-proof ashtrays.

Prohibited Areas

You are not allowed to smoke in any of the following locations:

• Staterooms: Smoking is strictly forbidden inside your room.
• Balconies: This is a common point of confusion. Even if you have a private walk-out balcony or a French balcony, smoking is prohibited.
• Lounges & Dining Rooms: All interior public spaces are 100% smoke-free.
• Motorcoaches: Smoking is not permitted on the buses used for shore excursions.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping

The same rules apply to electronic cigarettes, vapes, and heat-not-burn devices.

• These may only be used in the designated smoking area on the Sun Deck.
• They are not permitted in staterooms, on balconies, or in any interior lounge or dining area.

Penalties

Violating the smoking policy typically results in a cleaning fee (often starting around $250 USD / €250) charged to your onboard account to cover the cost of deep-cleaning the upholstery and air filtration in the stateroom. Repeated violations can lead to disembarkation from the ship without a refund.

Optional protection plans are offered through Allianz Travel Insurance, covering trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, baggage loss, and emergency medical evacuation.

Shipboard gratuities are discretionary and are not included in the standard base cruise fare. Guests may prepay daily gratuity guidelines prior to departure or settle them onboard at the conclusion of the cruise.

Daytime wear is casual and comfortable both onboard and during shore excursions, with sturdy walking shoes strongly recommended. For dinners in the main dining room, the standard dress code is “casually elegant”—men typically wear slacks and a collared shirt, while women wear dresses, skirts, or slacks with elegant top. Shorts, t-shirts, and athletic wear are not permitted in the main dining room for dinner.

Formal Nights

• AmaWaterways features no traditional formal nights. However, there is typically one semi-formal evening per sailing (often coinciding with the Captain’s Farewell Dinner) where guests are invited to dress up a bit more, similar to dining at a five-star restaurant.

• Daily shore excursions are fully included in your cruise fare, such as hosted city walking tours with a certified local guide and narrated city orientation drives.
• Optional specialty excursions are available to book in advance (recommended) or while on your cruise

Immersive River Itineraries
AmaWaterways focuses on culturally rich destinations with longer port stays and guided excursions designed to connect guests deeply with each region.

Award-Winning Ships and Service
The fleet is purpose-built for comfort, featuring spacious public areas, fewer guests, and a high crew-to-guest ratio for personalized service.

Twin Balcony Staterooms
Many ships feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies, offering both indoor and outdoor views without sacrificing space.

Culinary Excellence
Menus are inspired by local cuisine and paired with regional wines, delivering an authentic taste of each destination.

Active and Wellness-Focused Experiences
Guests can choose from gentle walking tours to guided bike rides and wellness classes, with options suitable for different activity levels.

All-Inclusive Value
Shore excursions, fine dining, wine and beer with meals, and onboard enrichment are included, offering strong value for luxury river cruising.

What is included in an AmaWaterways cruise fare?
Cruise fares typically include accommodations, all meals onboard, select beverages with meals, daily shore excursions, onboard entertainment, and enrichment programs.

Are shore excursions included?
Yes, AmaWaterways includes a variety of guided excursions at each port, often with multiple activity-level options.

Does AmaWaterways offer Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available onboard, though connectivity may vary depending on river location.

Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare and are left to the guest’s discretion.

What is the dress code onboard?
The dress code is casual and comfortable, with smart-casual attire recommended for evenings.

Are drinks included?
Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. Additional beverages may be purchased onboard.

Is AmaWaterways suitable for first-time river cruisers?
Yes, AmaWaterways is highly regarded for its welcoming atmosphere, intuitive itineraries, and well-organized excursions, making it ideal for first-time river cruisers.

Do the ships have elevators?
Most AmaWaterways ships feature elevators, though some areas may still require use of stairs.

Can special diets be accommodated?
Yes, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice

How large are AmaWaterways ships?
AmaWaterways river ships typically host fewer than 200 guests, creating an intimate and relaxed onboard experience.