What are the current requirements for embarking on AmaWaterways' river cruises? The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. Travel agents specializing in river cruises are usually able to offer great discounts and deals that are unavailable to the general public. Similarly to Uniworld, AmaWaterways has an all-inclusive dining experience, with tapas and snacks served between meals, multi-course dinners prepared right in front of you, and hand-selected red and white wines paired with each meal. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The average age for these boats is two years, and vessels can accommodate up to 190 passengers. I sailed on AmaMagna in July and found it exceptionally spacious, both in public spaces and within the accommodations. Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so theres usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. Viking River Cruises invests in finding some unique shore excursions. We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. For honeymoons or romantic getaways, Uniworld has some adult-only cruises, making it a great choice for a relaxing and romantic trip. Also, both lines offer specific family cruises throughout the year that include additional activities for kids, so this may be something to check into. .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}AmaWaterways and Viking are similarly priced across all cabin categories, from the lowest on up to the suites, and both offer comparable inclusions. Unlike ocean cruises that may dock in industrial areas in Europe, a river ship docks right in the heart of the city, town or even village. AmaWaterways has 25 ships offering river cruises to Europe, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Africa. Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel has been assisting us for our vacation guidance, advice, and the best bang for our buck. On European itineraries Viking recommends 18 euros per person per day, which can be prepurchased or automatically added to the shipboard account. [1] History[ edit] In fact, you might be wondering, which is better, AmaWaterways or Uniworld? CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) dont. Decor is punctuated by Scandinavian art (paintings of old Norwegian sailing vessels, for example). At a glance. Budapest illuminated at night. Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know. Unpack once and experience this extraordinary voyage on one award-winning ship, our beautiful AmaMora. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. How Do the Enrichment Programs Compare on These Two Popular River Cruise Lines? that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Sparkling wine with breakfast, local wine and beers at lunch and dinner, with the Sip and Sail Hour held before dinner every night. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Experience Christmas Markets, a holiday feast with all the trimmings and special events on board with your esteemed host. 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. FYI: My wife and now have been to 55 countries together as a couple! Every day there was a huge choice of excursions. Theres usually a musical performance after dinner in the lounge in the evenings. However, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises more than delivers on this! At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment on-demand system in staterooms and suites, Gratuities onboard and on shore excursions, Select complimentary shore excursions in every port, Interactive entertainment system with complimentary movies in cabins, Wine, beer and soda at lunch and dinner, complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water throughout, At least one shore excursion in each port, Interactive television system with complimentary movies in cabins and suites, Two glasses of wine, beer or soda at dinner, In-room entertainment system with complimentary movies, Complimentary hotel stays or land extensions on select itineraries, All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, teas, and water, Complementary specialty dining venue on select ships, Gratuities ashore on shore excursions for guides and drivers, Special, private Tauck-exclusive events, such as dinner in a castle, In-room television system with complimentary movies, Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, Special events, such as dinner in a castle (mostly on theme cruises), Complimentary coffee, tea and water; juice at breakfast, At least one shore excursions in every port, Alternative restaurant with lighter meals, Beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; complimentary coffee, teas and water throughout, At least one shore excursion in every port, Interactive entertainment system in all cabins with complimentary movies. Thank you Eric for handling our destination Wedding at the Finest and also our Honeymoon at the Unico Resort. Although dining is more intimate with less venues on a river cruise ship. While jackets for men and cocktail dresses for ladies are recommended for a few special nights at dinner , you most likely wont be stopped at the door if youre not wearing those. Thank you Dani for knowing how to make things happen and always willing to go the extra mile to make our vacation special! The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. On board AmaWaterways, however, you will find their in-house pianist and a variety of unique performances and shows throughout your trip. Sandals vs. Iberostar Resorts: Which Is Best for You? 3 Meals A Day Uniworld has 17 ships in its fleet. All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while theres a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. These may seem like low amounts, but its important to remember that river cruise ships are far smaller than regular-sized cruise ships. Excursions are typically guided by local experts who know the port's culture and history well and speak English almost perfectly. AmaWaterways is very much a luxury river cruise line operating in the more premium area, and their ships, service and the quality of what they offer is very highly rated. Carving out a niche in the upscale segment of the river cruise industry, AmaWaterways is luxurious in many ways, yet with a contemporary, comfortable vibe. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . "AmaWaterways Announces Retirement of Gary Murphy, Senior Vice President of Sales, Promotes Alex Pinelo", "AmaWaterways Unveils Details of Newest Ship, AmaMagna", "AmaWaterways to debut new ship, new itineraries in 2021", "Down the Danube: What would a 20-something make of a river cruise? Good to know: If the weather is nice, theyll have an ice cream party on the top deck once per cruise. Uniworld has family cruises, floating art workshops, heritage cruises, mystery cruises, among others. Uniworld is a worldwide company with ships departing from multiple locations and a wide variety of itineraries. She is awesome!!! With the exception of a few, most of the trips are half a day and start and finish back at the ship. Beer and wine with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast on all European river cruises. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. For example, in 2021, wine enthusiasts might head into France to taste vintages on an Essence of Burgundy & Provence wine-themed sailing or into Austria and Germany for a Melodies of the Danube wine cruise. Excursions are operated in small groups of just 10-15 guests. The cruise begins in Budapest, Hungary, where you board the ship in the afternoon and start sailing after dark, when all the buildings and bridges along the Danube are illuminated. Sip and Sail Cocktail Hours takes place for an hour before dinner every evening. We never once had a WiFi issue, the service was so quick. They even have a specially selected handful of wine cruises, with various tours around Europe, France, and Portugal. Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. You can enjoy traditional dance performances, authentic musical performances, and even local storytelling. 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. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers. Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. Definitely coming back. These include Tauck, Scenic, APT and Crystal, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways. But also a great time to take advantage of complimentary pre dinner drinks which consist of champagne, wine, beer and specially selected cocktails. in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights. Valerie even gets the audience to sing along to the Sound of Musics Do-Re-Mi. Ama's cabins in virtually every category are slightly bigger than Viking's. [1] [2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. However, these lines have tailored their offerings, making them more inclusive for North Americans while keeping pricing a la carte for Europeans. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Another perk is that the line offers multiple pace levels of walking tours gentle, regular and active. I was invited as a guest on the AmaMagna, however all opinions and thoughts are my own. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. It was quite the experience as we visited five countries in eight days and three of them we had never been to before. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships currently not operating in Russia). Bathrooms have heated floors, a surprising and wonderful detail, especially in the middle of the night. How is your coffee on board? With either line, passengers will find plenty of room for lounging, whether outdoors on the top deck or inside in the ships' lounges. 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. It feels very close to all-inclusive. Even at the lowest level, Viking's cabins include exceptional storage space, with lots of drawers and underbed space for storing suitcases. The line sails to more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Resort was stunning , food and entertainment was great, and the staff were incredible. Ultimately though, it really comes down to what appeals to you and where you want to travel. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf? She loves her job and you can tell when talking to her. Please check our 2024 dates for another chance to embark on this incredible journey. At intervals during the day one of the crew will appear with a nice cooling wine spritzer, cold beer or cocktail of the day. Let us help you learn more so you can choose between these two river cruise lines. Whether it is at a luxury resort or a cozy cabin, we are here to make planning your next trip easier. Dinner tends to start at a set time every day, this is dependent on port excursions. AmaWaterways is now offering a comprehensive package with a 7-night river cruise in a French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a pre- or post-cruise land package, port charges and Travel Waiver Plus all included with a starting price of US$5,499 per person. Hello! The answer is that both cruise lines are great, but they do have differences. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just We have in place an exemption process that may result in a small number of guests onboard who are not fully . In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. Deck One, the Piano Deck, has a few staterooms, plus the massage room, salon, and a fitness center. Secrets Akumal was the perfect combination of everything we love. Generally speaking the half board we experienced sailing with AmaWaterways felt very much like almost all inclusive. AmaWaterways cabins are quite colorful, with stark whites contrasting bright pops of pink or red patterns. You May Like: What Cruise Lines Go Out Of Mobile Al. No matter which company or type of cabin you choose, however, youre sure to enter a world of luxury as soon as you step on board. [2], Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. Viking Cruises started with a fleet of four ships from Russia and has expanded to operating a fleet of more than 60 vessels on three continents. 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. [1] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube. Do I need formal attire? What's included with your AMAWaterways Cruise? Number of Ships: 24. River cruising is a relaxing, immersive and thoroughly enjoyable form of travel where you can enjoy ever-changing scenery along the banks of waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Volga and Yangtze. These 210-square-foot cabins offer guests AmaSienas signature double balconies; one true balcony with two chairs and a small table and a French balcony right beside it. Youll feel pampered, whether youre in a grand suite or classic cabin. The same applies to Australia's Travelmarvel, which is owned by APT (see below). Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways include at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation. If theyre able to keep themselves entertained, enjoy traveling and seeing the sights, and are happy with a good dip in the onboard pool, then both AmaWaterways and Uniworld are excellent choices. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Both itineraries are open for sale now, with Karst encouraging the audience of the 'Sip & Sail' event to "contact your travel . For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination its the journey. Uniworld also offers a range of onboard activities, including swimming pools, leisure centers and gyms, libraries, and beautiful sun decks to lounge on. We will be happy to provide you with a map of each port at our reception desk, and you will find the citys highlights marked. Because of COVID-19, tables were assigned, though its open seating in standard times. [1][2] Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. If youre looking to travel without children, Uniworld has a selection of adults-only cruises, so you can comfortably enjoy a romantic getaway or honeymoon. Transfers between your hotel and your ship Reserve your Complimentary Land Package now before March 31st to enjoy this limited-time offer! Our land packages include some of the most amazing destinations pre- and/or post-cruise but, what's included? Read on for a comparison of AmaWaterways vs. Uniworld, including their ships, itineraries, activities and entertainment, price range, and more, so that you can decide which river cruise line is best for you. I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sail through Europe on our Treasures of the Main & Rhine itinerary from Nuremberg to Amsterdam with Emmy award-winning television host, travel expert and AmaWaterways Godmother Samantha Brown as the festive holiday season begins to transform bustling German cities, medieval villages and Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North." The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. In celebration of our diverse global AmaWaterways family, we are delighted to announce A Soulful Epicurean Experience, our first-ever Colors of Provence river cruise and 3-night Paris land package highlighting Black history and culture. How do Onboard Amenities Compare on AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises? AmaWaterways has safari cruises in Africa, wine cruises in Europe, and cruises with focuses like golf, ancestry, classical music, and more. Final payment is due 90 days before the cruise. There were plenty of grass thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. The Black Sea Voyage shows you a different side of Europe Eastern Europe, with its recent scars and growing pains. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Ama offer a full itinerary of classes throughout the day, a gym with spinning bikes and the addition of a relaxation area. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, A River Cruise with a Butler: We Try It on Uniworld and Scenic, Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour, sparkling wine at breakfast, along with tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water, At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port (all excursions included on voyages in Africa), Special events, such as dinner in a castle, Complimentary entertainment on-demand in staterooms and suites, Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary, One-night hotel stay before trip on select itineraries, Hop-on, hop-off bus service in every port, Two dinners at the specialty restaurant, per cruise, Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers, Butler service (for some suite categories), One bag of laundry per cabin on seven-night cruises; two bags per cabin for 14-night cruises (for guests in some suites on an APT Collection cruise on Aria or Concerto river ships), One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner). This was our first adult All-Inclusive resort and it was the best ever. The tours are amazing, but the excursions are even more so, giving you many fun, interesting, and adrenaline rushing activities to participate in. AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. Both AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer Christmas cruises of the markets in Europe. In the case of AmaWaterways, and the AmaSiena in particular, bike tours are a highlight. So how do you decide? Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. Passengers are treated to a multicourse meal with unlimited premium wine, paired to the courses. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Cancellation Policies: A Closer Look, Mega-Chart: Compare Hurricane Sandy Cruise Line Compensation, Booking a Cruise Onboard: How to Score Extras and Discounts, Can I Cruise While Pregnant? Also for those with mobility issues, or indeed families with young children AmaWaterways offer gentle trips. Thanks so much Cheryl! Explore Danube River on two wheels with AmaWaterways included onboard bicycles, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, How To Get Off Viking Cruises Mailing List, Where Do River Cruise Ships Dock In Basel Switzerland, Cruises From Los Angeles To Hawaii Round Trip, 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, Which Is The Best River Cruise Company In Europe, Who Has The Best Alaska Land And Sea Cruises, Indoor glass-walled observation lounge at the front of the ship, Three meals a day and group shore tours included. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. AmaWaterways Deck plans AmaDahlia Current cruise: 7 days, round-trip Secrets of Egypt the Nile APT River Cruises Itineraries Deck plans Travelmarvel Polaris Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Vega Current cruise: N/A Travelmarvel-APT River Cruises Tracker Deck plans Travelmarvel Capella Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that includes seven rivers, fourteen countries and the exclusive experiences only AmaWaterways provides. I just got off of an AmaWaterways European River Cruise with my wife after we were both invited to sail with them.