Uniworlds fleet consists of 17 ships, most of which are quite similar in size. You'll enjoy the following: Dining Expert chefs craft menus in a range of restaurants onboard to ensure every meal is a culinary experience to remember. After our Destination wedding at The Finest, We traveled to Unico for our Honeymoon in May 2018 and were very impressed with the resort. We offer coffee and tea 24/7 to our guests and are happy to prepare it any way you like. The service is exceptional you will never have to ask for a drink at mealtime. In addition, AmaWaterways river cruises offer complimentary guided bicycle tours in at least two ports on every seven-night itinerary along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhne rivers. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. 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. All Rights Reserved. Some river cruise operators include wine, beer and soft drinks only with lunch and dinner while others include unlimited drinks, served at your discretion throughout the cruise! Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. There was plenty of space in the bathroom area. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Ama Magna D E Passau N B C I M G 7237 Edit 2000x800, Quilting (Photo: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock.com). Most passengers go with the general offering, which usually combines tour buses, some walking and guided exploration of the top sites. As with any cruise type, the cost can vary depending on the itinerary, dates, and ship youre on. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways: What You Should Know 2023, 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises and Cruise Lines. With either line, passengers will find plenty of room for lounging, whether outdoors on the top deck or inside in the ships' lounges. [2], At each port of call, there are guided excursions that are graded according to the difficulty level of the walking. The itineraries are what truly make the experience of a river cruise. Youll feel pampered, whether youre in a grand suite or classic cabin. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thank you Eric for handling our destination Wedding at the Finest and also our Honeymoon at the Unico Resort. Debuting in summer 2019, the creatively designed AmaMagna is twice the width of a normal Danube river vessel and offers some of the largest staterooms on European rivers. 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. Sandi Barrett 2. 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. Uniworld vs. AmaWaterways Cost. Theyre all exterior cabins decorated in the ships signature red-and-gray color palette, equipped with hairdryers, safes, telephones, TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, a desk and chair, and a (somewhat cramped) en-suite bathroom with a shower. We strongly encourage getting a slice of Sacher Torte or strudel with your cup at one of Viennas coffeehouses on the Danube River, and tasting authentic Rdesheimer coffee made with Asbach brandy in Rdesheim, Germany along the Rhine. As most of your daylight hoursand sometimes evening hourswill be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. Viking and Ama both include enrichment programs during their sailings, and the offerings are comparable. There was something for everyone this will be a vacation that we will talk about for the rest of our lives! You are the best. that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. We also encourage you to visit some of the local coffee shops ashore. Weve curated a list of questions submitted by first-time river cruisers to give you a better picture of the unparalleled experiences youll have while sailing with us. Up top is the open-air Sun Deck, where theres a running track, a small pool, loungers, and a smoking area. Whether it is at a luxury resort or a cozy cabin, we are here to make planning your next trip easier. Entertainers will board the ship at various locks along the route, with their driver dropping them off at one lock and picking up the performers further down the river at another lock. Other destinations include countries in Asia like China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. [4], AmaWaterways cruise ships ply a number of rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro,[2] Moselle, Main,[5] Garonne,[6] and Rhne. How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? The Shore Excursions. Another perk is that the line offers multiple pace levels of walking tours gentle, regular and active. First-time river cruisers may be under the assumption that river cruises arent as luxurious as other cruise types. [2] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[12] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[4]. AmaWaterways is known as an upscale river cruise line with 21 custom-designed ships. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Learn how your comment data is processed. Guests reserving our optional land packages will also find daily breakfast at their hotel included in the price of their package. There are fitness classes (during COVID times, these were provided outdoors, weather permitting, rather than in the fitness center), massages and beauty treatments in the one-room spa and salon, a small pool, and an outdoor giant chess set. Theyve chosen some great wineries to visit that are only a short walking distance from the dock. Natalie and I went on their Black Sea Voyage and here are my 10 reasons to go on a lower Danube cruise, specifically. There were plenty of grass thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. After pandemic-induced delays, family-owned river cruise line AmaWaterways had a big year in 2021, debuting three new ships to its international fleet, including the AmaSiena, sister to the AmaLea and AmaKristina, which was christened on Europes Rhine River in August 2021. For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. The local host was a very nice touch, who made you feel welcomed from the very start. Both lines also offer specialized cruises. [9][2][10], The company has also offered promotions for solo travellers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. So, yes, you should bring a book. Complementary drinks I think we have it all covered there, River Cruising is a totally different experience to Ocean Cruising, yet is equally spectacular. What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? 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. How Do the Enrichment Programs Compare on These Two Popular River Cruise Lines? Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. Dani Rae Doro was the best travel agent I have ever worked with. This is a great time to head to the lounge bar and meet fellow cruisers. According to Wendy Perrin, one of the most noted travel experts in the industry, some of these similarities include: Viking ships all feature elevators whereas AmaWaterways only has elevators on the Europe ships. Budapest illuminated at night. [2], Unusually for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[2] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries. You May Like: Cruises From Los Angeles To Hawaii Round Trip. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just As a high-end river cruise line, you'll find an awful lot included in your cruise, including: Unlimited fine wines, sparkling wines, premium spirits and beers on-board; Welcome bottle of sparkling wine and two bottles of wine in-suite; 24-hour self service venue offering tea, coffee, wines and non-alcoholic beverages; AmaWaterways also has a partnership with Backroads, an active touring company. Ukraine, Russia, and Egypt are also scheduled countries for Viking River Cruises. Viking River Cruises invests in finding some unique shore excursions. Its likely youve heard of Uniworld River Cruises and AmaWaterways. 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? The line has also recently launched its first Mississippi. The bed and pillows were of nice quality and comfortable. AmaWaterways offers a huge selection of complimentary drinks onboard its European cruises. We had a total of 27 people from all over the world that attended. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Heres what else you can expect from each room, from least expensive to most. With both lines, exotic itineraries in Asia Africa often combine longer land tours with time on the rivers. Although most river cruise lines promote themselves as all-inclusive the meaning of all-inclusive tends to vary by operator by that, I mean some river cruise lines are in fact more inclusive than others! The bathroom is far more spacious than in other cabins with a double vanity and a tub. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. The ships spacious two-level lounge has plenty of comfortable seating areas, a bar, dance floor, space for entertainers, a lower level library with an electric fireplace and a door that opens to reveal a movie theater. The voyage includes meals, beverages, shore excursions, Wi . Our 2023 sailing is at capacity. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. All meals are included on AmaSiena. These ships dont spend days at sea; rather, they are utilized as a luxurious experience between destinations. I would like to Thank Eric for helping book this vacation to Punta Cana in DR and recommending the Secrets Cap Cana resort. .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. AmaWaterways boats feature small (one-room) spas, where moderately priced massages are offered, and salons along with fitness centers, which are moderately used. To truly make your vacation, Uniworld ships have a great selection of gourmet restaurants and elegant bars. The answer is that both cruise lines are great, but they do have differences. Ever-expanding family-owned river cruise brand AmaWaterways prides itself on its fleet of more than two dozen exquisite vessels. It has the greatest selection of drinks to passengers on its 14 ships based in Europe. Color palates are subdued, relying on shades of gray, cream and steel blue along with neutral woods. One of the best seats in the house onboard Viking's Longships, the Aquavit Terrace beautifully combines indoor/outdoor dining with a casual feel. Credit card showdown: Alaska Airlines Visa vs. Alaska Airlines Business Visa, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know. Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets, Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas), Majestic Capitals of the Danube (Christmas), Colors of Provence Soulful Epicurean Experience, A Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Epicurean Experience. From the beginning of our vacation to the end, everything was perfect. You will find free high speed WiFi in your cabin and throughout the ship. Tea and coffee are generally included throughout the day and many ships also provide bottled water free of charge. The same applies to Australia's Travelmarvel, which is owned by APT (see below). Thank you! Read on for a look at what major river cruise lines include in their fares. 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 . Selected drinks are included at meal times on the following cruise lines: AmaWaterways The wine host also accompanies guests during vineyard tours and tastings ashore. AmaSiena joins AmaWaterways legacy of upscale yet relaxed river cruises that cater to more active couples or mature multi-gen groups. The difference is in the auditorium or theatre that is used. Boats in the AmaWaterways fleet also offer bikes, which can be used in port as part of an excursion or for solo exploration. What if I want to explore a port on my own are we required to stay with the group on AmaWaterways excursions? So how do you decide? AmaWaterways also sails the Chobe River in Africa. While they both cruise throughout Europe, each company has some different routes. Ama feels very much a premium product, however is well worth the price. I thought it may help to understand whats included on an Ama River Cruise. AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based river cruise company that offers cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. One particularly excellent singer/performer is Valerie May. Both cruise lines are all-inclusive and provide excellent service, meaning that no matter which one you choose, it is guaranteed to be worth the money. Thats typically a U.S. vintner who sails and lectures onboard as well as brings hand-selected vintages for guests to taste. Viking's Longships feature square bows, which creates space for the line's Aquavit Terrace, an alfresco spot for drinking and dining on the third deck. How Does AmaWaterways & Viking River Cruises Compare on Price, Inclusions and Booking Policies?