If I get seasick on boats or on ocean cruise ships, will I get seasick on the rivers? Absolutely not! The rivers we sail are calm bodies of water and our ships experience no waves or rocking motions – the primary cause for seasickness. Our ships also move along at a gentle pace and you can always see land on both sides of the river, removing any additional anxiety for those who may feel stranded out on the open water.
Which meals and beverages are included in my river cruise fare? Every breakfast, lunch and dinner during your river cruise will be included on board. This includes dinner at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, all-day tapas, afternoon tea delights and more. Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer and soft drinks. And each day you will be treated to a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. Select itineraries, such as our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings, also include a select number of meals on shore. Guests reserving our optional land packages will also find daily breakfast at their hotel included in the price of their package.
What should I bring to wear for my river cruise? Do I need formal attire? Plan to pack attire that is casually elegant; and something a little dressier to wear to the Captain’s Dinner or an evening concert. Bring comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions and one pair of dressier shoes. You may be traveling through different climates and altitudes, so layering is advisable. Europe can be quite warm in the summer, so short sleeve shirts, shorts, skirts, sundresses and a wide-brimmed hat are good items to pack. 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. If you plan on participating in our complimentary wellness activities, be sure to bring comfortable workout clothing, such as yoga pants or bike shorts. In addition, should it happen to rain during your river cruise, we have umbrellas available for you to use onshore. For more helpful information by destination, click here.
What if I want to explore a port on my own – are we required to stay with the group on AmaWaterways’ excursions? While we offer a wide variety of included excursions to suit your individual interests and encourage you to join us, you are of course welcome to explore on your own. We will be happy to provide you with a map of each port at our reception desk, and you will find the city’s highlights marked. Your Cruise Manager can also help recommend restaurants, shops, museums, bars and more. In addition, you may choose to reserve a complimentary bicycle to pedal further along the river or into any port city. 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. On very select rivers and itineraries, the Personal Audio Device we use for shore excursions can also be used for your individual exploration, as pre-recorded commentary may play, based on your current GPS location. Your Cruise Manager will explain more when applicable.
What kind of equipment is available inside your fitness rooms? While our fitness rooms vary from ship to ship, they will typically include a treadmill, elliptical machine or spin bike, as well as an assortment of free weights. During our complimentary onboard wellness activities, yoga mats and other equipment such as resistance bands will be available and will be thoroughly cleaned after each use. 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. Exclusively available on board the AmaMagna, the Zen Wellness Studio also includes outdoor spin bikes, two massage rooms, a hair and nail salon, juice bar and a small selection of child-size bicycles to use on shore.
What are the current requirements for embarking on AmaWaterways' river cruises? For river cruises in 2023 and 2024, AmaWaterways is not requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board our ships. All guests traveling with AmaWaterways remain responsible for ensuring they meet the travel entry requirements for each country they plan to visit before, during or after their river cruise. 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.