AmaWaterways is a family-owned river cruise company that operates on virtually every navigable European river, as well as the Mekong in Asia with the AmaDara ship and the Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River in Botswana.
Article from CruisesNews magazine, issue 49 – June 2019
The AmaWaterways project is a personal and passionate endeavor by its owners, Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Gary Murphy, following in the footsteps of their father Jimmy. Having a deep understanding of the luxury travel sector, they decided to develop a vacation concept along the world's rivers with a personal and unique character.
As a company dedicated exclusively to river cruises, AmaWaterways exudes taste, experience, and exquisite attention to its guests. Traveling on ships with around 200 passengers, or even half that number like the recently launched AmaDouro, is in itself a pleasant experience. But since most riverboats are the same size and travel the same rivers, there are elements, carefully considered by Ama, that make all the difference to your vacation.
The cabins feature both a French balcony and an exterior balcony, both within the same suite. Connecting cabins are also available for families and groups traveling together, along with more than one restaurant, a heated swimming pool with a bar, a well-equipped gym, bicycles for use at destinations, and massage and hairdressing services. Furthermore, Ama prioritizes wellness, offering a daily program of yoga, Pilates, relaxation, and various other workouts first thing in the morning, along with sessions on healthy eating.
AmaWaterways
offers a wide range of included excursions at different times of day and even at night, as overnight stays in port are common. Enjoying the freedom and comfort of being in the city itself, you can choose to explore destinations at your own pace or be impressed by the professionalism of the local guides hired by the company to help you navigate the city without crowds or stress. Walking tours are limited to groups of no more than 10 people, and you're always free to leave the group if something particularly captivates you and return to the ship later. Of course, there are also food tours, fitness routes, bike tours, concerts, and visits to nearby towns.
Gastronomy.
Today, gastronomy is a fundamental part of any kind of travel. AmaWaterways pays special attention to this experience. Essentially, there are healthy, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options for everyone, but for those traveling without these dietary restrictions, the experience is very satisfying, varied, excellently presented, and caters to all tastes. On AmaWaterways ships, you sit at the table of your choice each day and can enjoy different wine selections recommended each evening, including champagne. The restaurant has two private rooms for groups or families, and reservations are required to dine at the Chef's Table restaurant.
Every day there are also tapas available in the main lounge, afternoon tea or tea time and of course the evening snacks.
Don't expect entertainment on river cruises in general, but on Ama there's some kind of performance every night to liven up your after-dinner drink, from opera singers and classical musicians to more pop or rock recitals, and if you wish you can dance until late or simply relax with a drink on one of the decks.
AmaWaterways is one of those boutique cruise lines, not for everyone or every budget, but where you won't feel excluded in any way. The crew is undoubtedly one of the defining factors of Ama's personality. They elevate the concept of "customer experience" to another level. Attentiveness, smiles, anticipation, elegance. The service is so meticulous that you feel special. The cruise directors deserve special mention. This essential figure on board takes on a special significance at AmaWaterways. You have the feeling that they are always there, that they know what you need to know, when you need to know it. AmaWaterways' cruise directors are your hosts while you travel with them. The company hires only the most qualified individuals with sufficient years of experience to ensure exceptional levels of professional and personalized service throughout the entire voyage, both on board and ashore. Customer service, attention to detail, and passenger satisfaction are the hallmarks of AmaWaterways.
And since these days you can't provide top-notch service without technology, Ama offers complimentary Wi-Fi and an in-cabin entertainment system consisting of a MAC computer with new release movies in all languages, internet and iTunes.
AmaWaterways strives to provide its customers with the best possible experience, something you can sense through its history and passion. They know what they know, but they're always willing to improve. We had the opportunity to interview Kristin Karst, and through her words and her eagerness to share her values, we gained a deeper understanding of the AmaWaterways concept, product, and personality.
