[1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. Are drinks included on Uniworld? We invite you to take one of our European river cruises, Asia river cruises, or Africa river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort. (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfastotherwise, alcohol is la carte. The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. We chose the Black Sea Voyage since their AmaPrima ship, which was built in 2013, has 82 cabins that can hold a total of 162 passengers. Once at your destination, you can speak with your guide about going off solojust make sure you dont miss the ride back to the ship. some of the leading championship courses on the continent. The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. More excursions offered than any other company. While they both cruise throughout Europe, each company has some different routes. This beach is gorgeous. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? In the case of AmaWaterways, and the AmaSiena in particular, bike tours are a highlight. One of the best extras with AmaWaterways is that they have a choice of excursions in most ports at no extra charge, says travel advisor Candie Steinman, franchise owner, Dream Vacations, Fort Myers, FL. One of the best ways of securing a better deal, however, is by booking via a cruise travel agent. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. These may seem like low amounts, but its important to remember that river cruise ships are far smaller than regular-sized cruise ships. However, the heated swimming pools and swim-up bars are quite popular on AmaWaterways. When comparing Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways, its hard to decide which is better. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive -- and pricy -- is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost (of course, if you don't drink, you might feel annoyed at having to pay for all your fellow passengers getting their glasses topped off). Part of what makes river cruising so attractive and pricy is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost . The suites are extremely spacious great for passengers who want larger accommodations, adds Steinman, noting that even lower deck cabins are 200 plus square feet. We are booked on AMA and are considering the Xmas Market 2-day post-cruise extension in Prague in December. We also offer immersive culinary-themed Special Interest Tours such as cooking demonstrations and tastings. Despite being different its equally wonderful. Soda, beer and regional wines are included at meal times, and menus source heavily from local markets and reflect the areas through which the ships sail. Just be sure to check your Daily Cruiser onboard newsletter to ensure you are back on board the ship before it departs for the next port. AmaWaterways doesn't have a beverage package. What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? There are a lot of river cruise lines to choose from, so do your research to find the ship and company that meets your needs. Began as a tour group operating in Europe. Im sure he will recommend the perfect resort and place for this trip as well. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. It serves an ever-changing menu inspired mainly by local cuisinethink semmelkndel, or bread dumplings, while sailing through Germany might be paired with a local beer or wine. Neither includes gratuities for crew or tour guides.. AmaWaterways suggests 100 euros per person per seven-night cruise (120 euros on AmaMagna), with an additional 25 euros per week-long sailing for the cruise manager. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Trips And Excursions On An AmaWaterways River Cruise, WIFI Throughout Your AmaWaterways River Cruise. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Fewer guests onboard means less packed amenities and tours. Of course, the cabins vary from ship to ship, but Uniworlds cabins are quite unique. There is an up-charge for this optional tour but its a MUST-SEE experience. AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of included shore excursions, from walking tours for gentle, regular and active guests to guided hikes and bike rides. Thanks so much Cheryl! These are sometimes in mini trains to save tired legs and also add a little adventure. Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. Booking your first river cruise? The average age for these boats is two years, and vessels can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Bring a raincoat and warm sweater for chilly evenings, especially in the spring and fall, and warmer clothing and a heavy coat for winter cruises. Both include toiletries: Ama supplies Hydro brand shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap and lotion, while Viking provides Freyja amenities. Using the example of Rudesheim, Germany, Karst told Avid Cruiser that AmaWaterways typically would offer a choice of a gondola ride to the monument overlooking the Rhine followed by included wine tasting a hike through the areas vineyards a guided bike tour an evening visit to taste the famous Rudesheimer Kaffee, an alcoholic coffee drink or a tour of Siegfrieds Mechanical Music Cabinet, a museum with an amazing array of historical automated instruments musical. The Shore Excursions. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. While most river companies offer just one basic excursion, AmaWaterways has choices for extras including culinary choices and more adventurous offerings such as escorted bike trips. They even have a specially selected handful of wine cruises, with various tours around Europe, France, and Portugal. It feels very close to all-inclusive. Known for their European heritage and pioneering spirit, AmaWaterways leads the industry in innovation, highlighted by the announcement of their history-making 45- and 46-night Seven River Journeys, their new Heritage on the River experiences in partnership with Ancestry, and launching a new river cruise destination and eco-friendly ship on The ships even have a "gluten-free corner," where passengers can find snacks at all hours of the day. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Norfolk Va. AmaWaterways opened the ODA Free Village English School in the province of Siem Reap, Cambodia in association with ODA the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. On AmaWaterways, a chef's table at the stern of the boat seats up to 32 people in an area with an open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows; guests experience a tasting menu (available to each . AmaWaterways has safari cruises in Africa, wine cruises in Europe, and cruises with focuses like golf, ancestry, classical music, and more. Theyve chosen some great wineries to visit that are only a short walking distance from the dock. Decor is punctuated by Scandinavian art (paintings of old Norwegian sailing vessels, for example). What if I want to explore a port on my own are we required to stay with the group on AmaWaterways excursions? [11], As of 2022, AmaWaterways had a fleet of 26 ships. On Uniworld ships, you will enjoy a 5-star all-inclusive experience, inclusive of fine wines, premium spirits, and every meal on board, as well as onshore excursions, access to the fitness center and wellness classes, all gratuities, and airport transfers. Viking, whose president and founder, Torstein Hagan, is Norwegian, features comfortable, modern and minimalist styling. AmaWaterways is a wonderful pick for passengers who want to be active or travel with children as well as those who want more amenities onboard. Breakfast lunch and dinner are usually at set times, although there is more flexibility around breakfast and lunch. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey. Debuting in 2023 for the first time ever, our unforgettable Seven River Journeys will forever mark their place in history as the longest and most epic river cruises. That leaves plenty of room for lounging, either in full sun or under shade. Breakfast is served with fresh juices and sparkling wines so that every day starts off with a touch of luxury. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. These excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and tradition on a deeper, often hands-on, level. AmaWaterways is another well-known and luxurious river cruise line, with a fleet of 26 ships. In the river cruise world, its the term for amenities that are already part of your fare. The voyage includes meals, beverages, shore excursions, Wi . Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. Guests will enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this special itinerary, such as guided tours showcasing jazz, food and wine, all while shining a light on Black heritage. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconiesthat is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. [8] AmaWaterways is reportedly the only river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chane des Rtisseurs. For other couples, either cruise line would be great depending on what you are looking for. AmaWaterways' river cruise offerings include the Main River, Moselle River, Rhne River, Douro River, Dutch and Belgium Waterways, Saone River, Seine River, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers, Mekong River, Nile River, and Magdalena River. Uniworld has 17 ships in its fleet. Fully-inclusive river cruises Fully inclusive means that selected drinks such as beer and wine are included at meal times only. One bonus that Viking River Cruises has over AmaWaterways is the ability to combine both river and ocean itineraries since they operate both types of ships now. We recommend AmaWaterways for families and young adults. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). For trips that require transport, that was also provided. Take a tour of a AmaWaterwayss suite. Its likely youve heard of Uniworld River Cruises and AmaWaterways. Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. Complimentary bottled water is replenished in your stateroom on a daily basis. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Like Viking's Longships, most of AmaWaterways' European ships are 443 feet long, the maximum length to make it through the lock systems on Rhine and Danube cruises. Theres just one main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of our ships in Europe include a fleet of complimentary bikes for you to use on our guided bike tours or for your individual exploration ashore. We hope to see you on board soon! Cruisers on AmaWaterways get one dinner per cruise at The Chef's Table, an included alternative restaurant that has a set menu. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. The four 350-square-foot suites have separate living and sleeping spaces, the former of which has a pull-out sofa that can accommodate two extra guests. Home Cruise Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways: What You Should Know 2023. They also have heated swimming pools with swimup bars that are surprisingly large for a river line. While most river cruise lines, including Viking, can accommodate dietary restrictions, AmaWaterways stands out because of its clear labeling of all foods, identifying those that are gluten-free, sugar-free, low-calorie or include common allergens, such as nuts or soy. On some days, guests have a choice of excursions to different towns in different countries, so its best to do a little research before making your selectionyou often will only have time for one, as theyre usually a bus ride away. Both itineraries are open for sale now, with Karst encouraging the audience of the 'Sip & Sail' event to "contact your travel . River cruise lines with European owners, such as CroisiEurope and A-Rosa, tend to be the most a la carte. Included tours and excursions led by knowledgeable local guides 5. Here are a few complimentary amenities that are added along with your land package. The great news is that you can do as many or little excursions are you want, dipping in and out of trips is a huge benefit. We had a great time and will be returning with friends!!! During lunch and dinner, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks are available with new selections offered daily. These requirements,as mandated by airlines and individual countries or regions, may change without notice and cancellation fees will apply should guests no longer meet the country entry requirements for their cruise or land program. With a variety of itineraries across the globe, they have a selection of amazing river cruises to choose from. Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour). Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. Sparkling wine with breakfast, local wine and beers at lunch and dinner, with the Sip and Sail Hour held before dinner every night. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. Definitely coming back. No matter the time of day there are always cookies and snacks available at the Al Fresco Restaurant. You may be traveling through different climates and altitudes, so layering is advisable. Complementary drinks There was no detail that she missed. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. These cabins are practically identical to the previous category, although they provide slightly more space at 235 square feet. If youre not sure about a river cruise and want to investigate ocean cruise lines, you might be interested in these articles: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian, Carnival Cruise vs Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity, Are Viking Cruises Adults Only, and Royal Caribbean vs. Princess. Color palates are subdued, relying on shades of gray, cream and steel blue along with neutral woods. Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel has been assisting us for our vacation guidance, advice, and the best bang for our buck. Typically, theres just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum. Dress-code wise, guests can leave their ball gowns and tuxedos at home.