AmaWaterways Cruises

AmaWaterways is a river line, and river cruising works differently from the ocean lines elsewhere on this site. The ships are small, you dock in the middle of town most days, and the itinerary is the main event - a guided excursion is included in every port, offered at different activity levels from gentle walking tours to hikes and bike rides, with the ship's own bicycles free to borrow. AmaMagna is the outlier: twice the width of a standard European river ship, with extra restaurants, a pickleball court and a cinema.

Meals are included, including the Chef's Table tasting dinner, along with select wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, a complimentary evening cocktail hour, sparkling water and coffee all day, and Wi-Fi. Premium drinks outside meals, spa treatments and laundry are extra. Gratuities are not built in or auto-charged - tipping is left to guests - though AmaWaterways has run promotions including free gratuities on new 2026 bookings for French-balcony cabins and above on Europe, Colombia, Mekong and Egypt sailings, so check whether yours qualifies.

Children aged 4 and up can sail, but there is no youth program outside the family departures run with Adventures by Disney. Compared with Viking River, Ama is more active - the bikes and multiple tour levels matter to travelers who want to move - and its drink inclusions at meals and cocktail hour are broader.

Sources: eatsleepcruise.com, affordabletours.com, cruiseweb.com