How much can I save booking AmaWaterways through Pavlus Travel?

More than anywhere else — guaranteed. Pavlus Travel takes 10% off every AmaWaterways sailing: every river, every ship, every departure date. On European sailings, an additional 5% comes off on top of that. Both discounts are Pavlus exclusives, and both apply after whatever AmaWaterways is already offering — so your Pavlus quote is the guaranteed lowest AmaWaterways price, lower than any price you can find on the internet, including AmaWaterways’ own website. Do the math on a real sailing: on a $12,000 booking for two, 10% is $1,200 back in your pocket — before the extra 5% on European sailings or AmaWaterways’ own offers are even counted. Request a free quote on any sailing, or call 800-528-9300 — it takes about five minutes.

What AmaWaterways offers are running right now?

As of July 13, 2026, AmaWaterways is running six offers — and every one of them can be booked through Pavlus with our 10% off every sailing and extra 5% off European sailings stacked on top: Anniversary Sale — up to $2,500 off per stateroom plus a $250 onboard credit on select 2026–2027 sailings, with a reduced $250-per-person deposit. Booking window ends July 14, 2026. 2028 Early Booking Rewards — up to $2,500 off per stateroom on every 2028 sailing; book by September 30, 2026, with final payment not due until 90 days before you sail. $599 AirPlus — roundtrip transatlantic flights and transfers from $599 per person on 2026–2027 Europe sailings featuring a current promotion. Solo Traveler Specials — the single supplement waived on select 2027 Europe sailings, with 10% and 25% supplement options across Europe, Colombia, and the Mekong; book by July 31, 2026. Free Air to Colombia — complimentary roundtrip economy flights from major U.S. and Canada gateways on select 2026 Magdalena River departures. Military Savings — exclusive savings for active and retired members of the U.S. military. AmaWaterways offers apply to select saili…

Does the Pavlus discount stack with AmaWaterways’ own promotions?

Yes — you get both. Pavlus savings apply on top of whatever AmaWaterways is offering when you book: early-booking fares, onboard credit events, air offers, solo specials. Whatever the cruise line’s current promotion is, our 10% off every sailing and extra 5% off European sailings come off after it. There is no scenario where booking direct with AmaWaterways costs less than booking through Pavlus — and our Lowest Price Guarantee backs that up in writing.

What is AmaWaterways?

AmaWaterways is a luxury river cruise line founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst — names synonymous with European river cruising for over two decades, with Schreiner now chairing the company’s board, Karst serving as chief brand ambassador, and day-to-day leadership under CEO Catherine Powell. Today AmaWaterways is consistently ranked among the world’s top river cruise lines by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and Cruise Critic. They sail Europe (Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhône, Douro, Seine), Southeast Asia (Mekong), and Africa (Chobe). Known for twin-balcony staterooms, exceptional culinary programming, and an outstanding active excursion program, AmaWaterways has grown from a niche line to one of the most respected names in river cruising without sacrificing the personal touch of its founders’ original vision.

How does AmaWaterways compare to Viking River and Avalon?

AmaWaterways leads on culinary programming — a Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, farm-to-table sourcing, and wine pairing events are brand pillars. The twin-balcony design (French balcony plus outside full balcony) is a physical differentiator no competitor has matched. Viking is the largest river cruise line, known for consistency, strong included excursions, and the widest choice of departures. Avalon offers Open-Air Balcony Suites and panoramic staterooms at a slightly lower price tier. The choice comes down to whether you prioritize dining and active excursions (AmaWaterways), sheer choice and reliability (Viking), or stateroom innovation at value (Avalon).

AmaWaterways Cruise Line Guide: Ships, Inclusions & FAQs

About AmaWaterways

“An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination – it’s the journey. AmaWaterways invites you to take one of their European river cruises, Asia river cruises, or Africa river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort. River cruising Europe with AmaWaterways is an excellent way to explore a destination. Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. In Europe, you can take one of the Danube river cruises, or one of the Rhine river cruises. AmaWaterways also offers river cruises in France and Portugal. Enjoy exploring their many itineraries in Europe, Asia and Africa.” — AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways began with a raft on the Amazon. Vienna-born Rudi Schreiner built it himself as a young journalism student and spent seven months exploring the river—a passion that, decades later, led him to co-found AmaWaterways in 2002 with Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy. The company calls itself Pioneers of the River, and it has stayed true to those roots: still family-run, still focused exclusively on river cruising, now sailing legendary waterways across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

The fleet is custom-designed from the keel up. The first purpose-built ship, AmaDagio, was christened in 2006; in 2019 came AmaMagna, a Danube flagship twice the width of a traditional river ship with four distinct dining venues. In 2025 the line pioneered the first luxury cruises on Colombia's magnificent Magdalena River, adding an entirely new chapter to the river-cruise map alongside the Nile, the Mekong, and Africa's Chobe.

Life on board balances indulgence with movement. Lunch and dinner pour unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks, the daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour is on the house, and dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant is included. A fleet of complimentary bicycles waits on deck, wellness hosts lead daily classes, and each port brings a choice of up to eight included excursions paced to your energy. It suits travelers who want luxury with a pulse.

New & notable: In 2025 AmaWaterways pioneered the first luxury river cruises on Colombia's Magdalena River with new ships AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, and named Catherine Powell as its new CEO.

Save on AmaWaterways with Pavlus Travel

Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book AmaWaterways through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows AmaWaterways inside and out, from first quote to final port.

Exclusive Pavlus savings on every AmaWaterways sailing
Lowest Price Guarantee — matched or beaten
Never any service or planning fees
A dedicated personal travel advisor, not a call center
30+ years of negotiated cruise-line relationships

Exclusive Savings

Get Your AmaWaterways Quote

Our advisors quote the real bottom-line price — exclusive savings included — in minutes, with zero obligation.

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The AmaWaterways Experience

Family-Run Pioneers

Founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways remains family-run and devoted exclusively to river cruising.

Up to Eight Daily Excursion Choices

Every port offers included guided options—walking tours, countryside bike rides, wine tastings—tailored to different activity levels and interests.

Custom-Designed Ships

Spacious vessels built for the rivers they sail, crowned by AmaMagna, twice the width of a traditional river ship with four dining venues.

Complimentary Bicycles

A fleet of bikes on board select ships invites you to pedal along riverside paths or deeper into port towns at your own pace.

Wellness on the Water

A dedicated wellness program, debuted in 2017, brings wellness hosts aboard to lead daily fitness classes and keep travelers moving.

New Rivers First

From Europe's classics to the Nile, Mekong, Chobe, and Colombia's Magdalena, AmaWaterways keeps opening waterways others have yet to sail.

What's Included with AmaWaterways

Choice of up to eight included guided excursions each day, tailored to activity level
Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and spirits
Dinner at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant
All-day tapas and afternoon tea
Complimentary bicycles on board select ships
Complimentary high-speed internet on European vessels
Daily wellness classes led by onboard wellness hosts

The AmaWaterways Fleet (33 ships sailing bookable itineraries)

AmaBella

AmaCello

AmaCerto

AmaDahlia

AmaDante

AmaDara

AmaDolce

AmaDouro

AmaFiora

AmaKristina

AmaLea

AmaLilia

AmaLucia

AmaLyra

AmaMagdalena

AmaMagna AmaMaya

AmaMelodia

AmaMora

AmaNubia

AmaPrima

AmaReina

AmaRudi

AmaSerena

AmaSiena

AmaSintra

AmaSofia

AmaSonata

AmaStella

AmaVenita

AmaVerde

AmaVida

AmaViola

Where AmaWaterways Sails

Danube 1,526 Rhine 1,379 Douro 409 Magdalena 400 Rhone 361 Garonne 199 Seine 197 Mekong 166 Nile 148

Good to Know Before You Book

Gratuities & tipping

Gratuities are not included in your cruise fare. For good service, 3 Euros per guest/per day for the Cruise Manager and 12 Euros per guest/per day for the crew (to be divided among ship personnel) is recommended. It is also customary to tip your guide 2 Euros per guest/per day.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation By Guest

In the unfortunate event a participant must cancel travel, notice must be given via email, which must include a return receipt and read notation, or other writing stating clearly and correctly each passenger name, ship name, start and end date of cruise and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. If already issued, unused air tickets must be physically returned before they can be cancelled. Cancellation date is the date that receive the written cancellation notice and unused tickets. A name change or substitution of participant is also treated as a cancellation in that all cancellation charges apply.

Charges in the event of a cancellation:
Days Before Departure	Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge	Airfare Cancellation Charge (economy Contract Fares)	Airfare Cancellation Charge (business/first Class Contract Fares)	Other Charges (except Insurance)
121 Days Or More Prior To Departure	$200 (Europe, Colombia & Asia)	$350 Penalty*	$600 Penalty*	-
	$600 (Egypt)
	$1,200 (Africa)
120 - 90 Days Prior To Departure	$400 (Europe, Colombia & Asia)	$350 Penalty*	$600 Penalty*	-
	$1,200 (Egypt)
	$2,400 (Africa)
89 - 60 Days Prior To Departure	35% Of Cruise and Land Price	$350 Penalty*	$600 Penalty*	35% Of All Charges
59 - 31 Days Prior To Departure	50% Of Cruise and Land Price	$350 Penalty*	$600 Penalty*	50% Of All Charges
30 Days To 25 Hours Prior To Departure	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	$350 Penalty*	$600 Penalty*	100% Of All Charges
24 Hours Or Less	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	100% Penalty	100% Penalty	100% Of All Charges

Last updated: March 10, 2026. Click this link to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.

Days Before Departure	Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge	Airfare Cancellation Charge (economy Contract Fares)	Airfare Cancellation Charge (business/first Class Contract Fares)	Other Charges (except Insurance)
121 Days Or More Prior To Departure	C$250 (Europe, Colombia & Asia)	C$450 Penalty*	C$750 Penalty*	-
	C$3,000 (Seven River Journey Through Europe)
	C$750 (Egypt)
	C$1,500 (Africa)
120 - 90 Days Prior To Departure	C$500 (Europe, Colombia & Asia)	C$450 Penalty*	C$750 Penalty*	-
	C$6,000 (Seven River Journey Through Europe)
	C$1,500 (Egypt)
	C$3,000 (Africa)
89 - 60 Days Prior To Departure	35% Of Cruise and Land Price	C$450 Penalty*	C$750 Penalty*	35% Of All Charges
59 - 31 Days Prior To Departure	50% Of Cruise and Land Price	C$450 Penalty*	C$750 Penalty*	50% Of All Charges
30 Days To 25 Hours Prior To Departure	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	C$450 Penalty*	C$750 Penalty*	100% Of All Charges
24 Hours Or Less	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	100% Penalty	100% Penalty	100% Of All Charges

(Last updated: July 27, 2023 Click here to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line)

All other cancellation charges are per person, based on the cancellation date, as seen in the chart below.

Days Before Departure	Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge	Airfare Cancellation Charge (Economy Contract Fares)	Airfare Cancellation Charge (Business/First Class Contract Fares)	Other Charges (Except Insurance)
121 Days Or More Prior To Departure	$350 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) $750 (Egypt) $1,350 (Africa) or 15% of the cruise and Land price, whichever is greater	$500 Penalty*	$750 Penalty*	-
120 - 90 Days Prior To Departure	$550 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) $1,350 (Egypt) $2,550 (Africa) or 25% of the cruise and Land price, whichever is greater	$500 Penalty*	$750 Penalty*	-
89 - 60 Days Prior To Departure	45% Of Cruise and Land Price	$500 Penalty*	$750 Penalty*	45% Of All Charges
59 - 31 Days Prior To Departure	60% Of Cruise and Land Price	$500 Penalty*	$750 Penalty*	60% Of All Charges
30 Days To 25 Hours Prior To Departure	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	$500 Penalty*	$750 Penalty*	100% Of All Charges
24 Hours Or Less	100% Of Cruise and Land Price	100% Penalty	100% Penalty	100% Of All Charges

Additional Penalties and Airline Charges

Please note that the above penalties are provided on a per person basis. Additional cancellation penalties for special programs may be assessed in addition to the above.

Airline cancellation charges are imposed upon receipt of full payment of airfare and/or river cruise relating to AmaWaterways air promotions, if airline tickets have been issued.
Certain international airline tickets, including published air tickets, may be 100% non-refundable — details will be advised at the time of booking.
All intra-Europe, intra-Colombia, intra-Asia, intra-Africa, and intra-Egypt flights, as well as Amman-Cairo and Cairo-Tel Aviv flights, are non-refundable at the time of purchase.

(Last updated: April 14, 2025. For other policies, please click here.)

Days Before Departure	Cruise & Land Cancellation Charge	Airfare Cancellation Charge (Economy Contract Fares)	Airfare Cancellation Charge (Business/First Class Contract Fares)	Other Charges (Except Insurance)
121 days or more prior to departure	$200 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) $600 (Egypt) $1,200 (Africa)	$350 penalty*	$600 penalty*	–
120–90 days prior to departure	$400 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) $1,200 (Egypt) $2,400 (Africa)	$350 penalty*	$600 penalty*	–
89–60 days prior to departure	35% of cruise and land price	$350 penalty*	$600 penalty*	35% of all charges
59–31 days prior to departure	50% of cruise and land price	$350 penalty*	$600 penalty*	50% of all charges
30 days to 25 hours prior to departure	100% of cruise and land price	$350 penalty*	$600 penalty*	100% of all charges
24 hours or less	100% of cruise and land price	100% penalty	100% penalty	100% of all charges

Above fee is assessed on a per person basis, double occupancy per suite/guest room. For solo traveler, cancellation fee will be 200%.

(Last updated: April 13, 2025. Click here to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.)

Smoking on board

Smoking is only permitted on the ship’s Sun Deck in the designated smoking area.

Traveling with minors

All guests under the age of 18 are to be in a stateroom with an adult and must remain supervised at all times; their safety is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s). Children between the ages of 4-10 at the time of embarkation may share a stateroom with two adults only in circumstances where the child is able to share the bed with the adults – no additional bed will be provided. Please be aware that balcony staterooms of any kind may be unsafe for small children if left unsupervised. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted on board; children 4-5 years old are not recommended on any program. On the Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruise program, due to safety precautions, there is a minimum age limit of 12 years old, unless otherwise agreed upon by AmaWaterways. AmaWaterways does not provide child-specific programs or child-minding facilities.

Pregnancy policy

Due to medical safety guidelines, we are unable to accommodate passengers who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the time of the cruise.

Policies are provided by AmaWaterways and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.

About AmaWaterways: Luxury river