amawaterways cruise basel to amsterdam

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8 day amawaterways river cruise from basel to amsterdam 2023.

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

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Day 1 Basel

Day 2 basel — lucerne, day 3 strasbourg, day 4 ludwigshafen — rüdesheim, day 5 rüdesheim — rhine gorge — lahnstein, day 6 cologne, day 7 amsterdam, day 8 amsterdam, helpful cruise line information.

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• Nov 17, 2023

AmaWaterways Review - Rhine River

Updated: 5 days ago

I recently returned from Europe after enjoying a 7-night cruise with AmaWaterways. My journey started in Basel, Switzerland and wound its way north on the Rhine River with our final stop in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Read on for my AmaWaterways review.

Pre-cruise & Day 1: Basel

I flew into Basel two nights early to explore the area pre-cruise. While it is Switzerland's third largest city, the old part of town was compact and easily walkable. I happened to be in town during their Autumn Fair, a 550-year-old event (the oldest in Switzerland) that brought carnival rides and booths full of yummy treats and drink across several market squares across the city. I also enjoyed a walking tour of the city and explored some of Basel's landmark sites - Market Square with the 500-year-old medieval Rathaus (town hall), the Basel Minster, and the Jean Tinguely fountain. Basel is known for their art museums of all types, but I simply didn't have enough time to explore them.

One of my favorite things, though, was the Rheinfähre - a traditional ferry that crosses the Rhine River using nothing but the current of the river. This environmentally conscious way to cross the river is used by both tourists and locals, with 4 different crossing locations. Each can be found halfway between the bridges that connect both sides of the town. A main cable goes across the river, and the wooden boat is then connected by a cable to the main line. The boatman (or boatwoman) has a rudder that they switch between two positions. The river current is then the propelling force that moves the boat. My one-way crossing took about 5 minutes and only cost 1.60 Francs.

Day 2: Lucerne

Today's adventure was a bus ride out to Lucerne, Switzerland. It began with a walking tour of the old town, and then we were given about an hour and a half to explore on our own. One of Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridges, the Old Chapel Bridge, serves as its centerpiece. We were in town during the Swiss Marathon, so there were people everywhere. We even got serenaded by alphorns! The long tubular instruments are famous for being used by shepherds to call the cows from the pastures and into the barn at milking time. I also used my free time to duck into a shop and buy some of that famous Swiss chocolate - yummy! At the end of the tour, we found ourselves at the iconic Lion Monument, which depicts the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside. It was designed in memorial of Swiss soldiers who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Writer Mark Twain described it as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world."

Day 3: Strasbourg

Today the cruise took us to France, and the famous town of Strasbourg. As it sits near the German border, it's culture and architecture are a blend of German and French influences. The old town is on an island, and is centered by its Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The day was overcast and threatening rain, so I chose not to climb the spire. On good days, though, the view from the top provides a stunning view of the surrounding area. Instead, I wandered the town ducking into shops and enjoying a local favorite, tarte flambée. It's sort of like a pizza, with a thin cracker-like crust topped with crème fraîche, thin-sliced onions, and bacon. The famous "Petite-France' is a small area of medieval half-timbered houses and Baroque sandstone buildings, and is located where the river splits into a number of cascading canals.

Day 4: Heidelberg

Our port today was Ludwigshafen, Germany, but our excursion was a short motorcoach ride away - Heidelberg. One of Germany's oldest university towns, Heidelberg's main tourist attraction sits 300 feet above it. Heidelberg Castle provides a great aerial view of the town below, and is home to the Great Vat - a wine cask from the 18th century that can hold 49,000 gallons of wine! Unfortunately, I forgot my raincoat on the ship so of course the sky opened up and poured while we were walking down from the castle to the center of town. I just used it as an excuse to pop into a bakery and enjoyed a sweet treat and drink while I waited for the rain to subside. Lesson learned, though, I took that raincoat with me on every excursion after!

Day 5: Rudesheim and the Rhine Gorge

The day started out at Rudesheim, with morning excursions to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and wine tasting at the local vineyard. We then boarded the ship and enjoyed the highlight of the entire cruise - scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge. We spent several hours cruising and admiring the many castles and fortress ruins along the river. By late afternoon we docked and took an early evening excursion to Lahneck Castle. This 13th-century medieval fortress is perched atop a steep rock hill above the Lahn and Rhine Rivers. I quite enjoyed the tour, as the castle was lit solely by candlelight - allowing us to get a true feel for what it would have been like living in the castle prior to electricity.

Day 6: Cologne

Ah, Cologne. One of my favorite stops on river cruises. With a 2,000-year history of continuous habitation, Cologne is known for its charming Old Town and its fabled 13th-century Gothic Cathedral. Since I had previously visited and participated in a guided walking tour, I chose to go it alone and wander through the town by myself. I strolled across the bridge for some great views of Cologne, and returned in the evening to take pictures when the sun went down and the lights came on. If you happen to enjoy beer, then Cologne is a great stop to pop into a bar and enjoy a pint - or two!

Day 7: Amsterdam

Once again we had the pleasure of day cruising during the morning hours. As the sun rose, we found ourselves no longer on the Rhine and instead on a canal as we weaved our way into Amsterdam. After lunch we arrived and once docked, boarded a smaller canal boat for an hour and a half cruise through a few of the canals that snake through the city. It's a great way to view the architecture, and helps you understand why Amsterdam is referred to as the "Venice of the North." We had the rest of the day to explore on our own, so I took advantage and walked through the neighborhoods, the main shopping streets, and the Red-Light District. I even stopped by a street vendor and enjoyed some herring, Netherland-style, with a pint of beer.

Final Thoughts

This was my first time sailing with AmaWaterways - and I quite enjoyed the ship, food, and excursions. The onboard staff were friendly and attentive, the rooms comfortable, and the food was top-notch. I would definitely recommend AmaWaterways, and can't wait to find a time to sail with them again. For those who are light sleepers, though, I would caution you on choosing a cabin location away from the back of the ship. I was in the last cabin and heard the engines when we did night sailings (twice on my itinerary). Also, anyone who has issues with stairs should avoid the lower floor. The elevator does not go down to that level, and the spiral stairs going up were actually pretty steep. While the lowest priced cabins are on that level, it would be worth it to pay a little more for one of the other floors.

Want to learn more about river cruising? Visit us at rivercruisecomparison.com where you can review our comparisons of the best river cruise lines that sail throughout Europe, learn more about the European rivers you can sail on, and browse our special offers to save a little money on your next sailing. And don't forget to take our one-of-a-kind quiz that will match you to the cruise line best suited to you and your preferences!

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River Cruises from Basel to Amsterdam

Discover river cruises that depart from Basel and end in Amsterdam. Cruises from Basel to Amsterdam are most popular in October, with the most cruises doing this route then.

50 River cruises from Basel to Amsterdam with 114 reviews

• River Cruise

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

It was simply amazing!

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The management and staff went over and above to accommodate passengers. Accommodations, food, excursions above our expectations. Will cruise with them again.

Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Basel to Amsterdam, 2024)

Very nice trip. Your were OK with a few standouts like the vinegar tasting. Wish there had been more lectures and cultures talks. The one about modern German attitudes was particularly fascinating.

The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound) 2024

Treasures of the Rhine from Basel Crucevita Main Cabin

Treasures of the Rhine from Basel Crucevita Superior Deluxe Balcony

From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise) (18 destinations)

First class experience - no complaints

Romantic Rhine & Moselle - Rüdesheim > Rhine Gorge (Start Basel, End Amsterdam)

Jewels of the Rhine - Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg (Start Basel, End Amsterdam)

Classical Rhine Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam) (16 destinations)

Enchanting Rhine 2024

Rhine Highlights - Rhine Gorge > Koblenz (Start Basel, End Amsterdam)

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From Basel to Amsterdam: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River

What people love about river cruise tours from basel to amsterdam.

The Wi-Fi didn’t work as expected and it caused quite an inconvenience. The excursion plan is not as clear either. Overall it’s still a good tour but I think my last Danube river with Avalon is better than this rhino river cruise.

The cruise was beautiful and very scenic especially the loreley strip. The restaurant staff were extremely friendly and warm. Special mention of Ida, Kenan and Sugana . The rest of the crew were very accommodating too. The tour leader Jessica and Jordi was super and helpful although we were the only few English speakers she made us feel included. On the whole it was a very beautiful experience although the rooms are a bit old design and the boat is not a very new but the staff were phenomenal .

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Rhine Getaway

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Castles & cathedrals

Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.

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Visits to UNESCO Sites

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Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise with AmaWaterways and Photos

The idea of a Christmas Markets river cruise in Europe didn’t really interest me. In my mind, I visualized tacky trinket markets in every town and city, overrun with aggressive shoppers, cheapskate lookers, sloppy drunks and of course, tourists. 

I was curious but reluctant to go. To dispel any of my preconceived notions, I decided to experience this seasonal phenomenon. 

Hopefully, I’d prove myself wrong. And I did. Keep reading to follow my journey on a Christmas Markets river cruise.

Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise Review

My original Christmas Markets river cruise plan was a seven-night trip along the Rhine river from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland traveling with AmaWaterways .  

Scheduled for the end of November, I hoped that the cities we’d visit would have their decorations set up and their markets in full swing. 

Several months earlier, I booked my return from Europe on the westbound Queen Mary 2. The ship was scheduled to depart from Southampton on December 15th, so I had to adhere to the schedule, or be “stuck” in Europe til the spring.

RELATED POST :  What to Expect on a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing  

On the day I boarded AmaCerto , an unexpected change of plans happened. Without warning, I would be on back-to-back Christmas Markets river cruises through December 10th. Not a bad way to spend an extra week in Europe. 

All that was needed to remain aboard AmaCerto for two weeks was an easy stateroom change between cruises at the turnaround point in Basel. And an unexpected day at a new Christmas Market city.

Five days to be in transit was plenty of time to get from Amsterdam to Southampton.

This was probably my 10th trip up and down the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam. The more I traverse this historic stretch of river, the more I learn about each ancient and medieval city, town, castle, cathedral and ruins.

I’m never bored and it gives me oodles of not-to-be-missed things to see and do to share with others.

When are Christmas Markets River Cruises?

Sounds like a simple question, right? But to be on the rivers in Europe at the right time for the optimal Christmas Markets experience takes a little knowledge and planning.

Christmas Markets in Europe, especially Germany, generally open the third weekend of November and run through mid-December. But not right up until Christmas. Almost every city closes its Christmas Markets a full week before Christmas. No last minute rush to buy gifts.

This distinctly European extravaganza reaches its seasonal crescendo by the second weekend of December. That’s prime time for Europe Christmas Markets.

Vendors from all around the continent flock to these extravagant events, whether in Germany, France or even England. Sellers haul their wares and set up elaborate little huts, many of which look like gingerbread cottages and mini log cabins.

You can find almost anything at the Christmas Markets. From hand-tooled leather wallets and fluffy alpaca socks to steaming mugs of gluhwein (hot mulled wine), crispy potato pancakes and plates swamped with gooey melted cheese and dill pickles. It’s sensory overload in every direction. What you won’t find are cheesy, plastic ornaments.

Day One:  Embarkation Day in Amsterdam

Our itinerary, the “Enchanting Rhine”, began in Amsterdam and ended 764-miles upriver in Basel, Switzerland. The headwaters of the Rhine is not far from Basel, in Lake Constance, sourced from the Alps.

Here’s our “Enchanting Rhine” cruise itinerary:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight onboard) • Cologne, Germany • Rüdesheim / Rhine Gorge Cruising • Speyer / Heidelburg • Kehl / Strasbourg, France • Breisach, Germany • Basel, Switzerland

It wasn’t exactly a day for hoofing it around Amsterdam. Late November and inclement weather is the norm. Sunny days are a welcome surprise. We would have both over the next two weeks.

Day 1 in Amsterdam was a complimentary tour day for AmaCerto guests. I chose to simply walk around, and I needed to buy a winter coat!

Everyone was back onboard by 5:00pm to get ready for the customary pre-dinner meeting in the lounge. These meetings occur every night, and follow the same lounge-to-dining-room procession throughout the cruise. 

This evening ritual the same no matter which river cruise line you choose. 

Sometime during the chilly night, AmaCerto was quietly untied and began the slow cruise upstream. Yes, upstream. The Rhine river flows “downhill” in the north from the Alps into the North Sea.

After a morning of sailing past farmland and industrial swatches in the Netherlands and northern Germany, we neared Cologne. 

AmaCerto reached its first stop in Cologne by late afternoon. Christmas markets here really kick into high gear after 5pm and last all day and night on weekends. Since this was the last week in November, even though just about every stall and food stand was set up, there weren’t wall-to-wall crowds as I expected. Not yet.

Day Two:  First Christmas Market – Cologne, Germany

Cologne has six Christmas Markets and the largest four are located near the Cologne Cathedral. I managed to find all four major Christmas Markets with no more than 15 minutes walk between each one.

Day Three:  En route to Rüdesheim, Germany

Our morning was spent cruising the most famous and photo-taking portion of the Rhine River, the Rhine River Gorge. In a span of less than three hours, the AmaCerto slowly cruised past no less than 30 castles and castle ruins. 

And the sun was shining! This stretch of the Rhine can get very windy, so the warmth of the sun was appreciated by all. 

Second Christmas Markets: A Day in Rüdesheim

AmaWaterways had a planned evening event in Rüdesheim. After dinner, everyone walked the short distance to Rüdesheimer Schloss for a private pouring of flaming Rüdesheimer coffee (coffee with liquor, set ablaze and then topped with whipped cream). 

A local oompah band, sans tuba, was the entertainment. Take a listen (above).

Day Four:  Third Christmas Markets in Speyer, Germany

Speyer is one of my favorite medium-size port towns. Depending upon where your river ships docks, you might be just a short 15 minute walk into town. There’s a huge pedestrian shopping zone and at Christmas Markets time, it’s bustling with store shoppers plus those who come for the markets.

Day Five:  Strasbourg, France

Finally, the day many of us were most excited to see; Strasbourg, France. River ships dock in Kehl, Germany, just across the river from Strasbourg. The two countries are connected by the Bridge of Europe or Pont de l’Europe. It’s only a 15 minute bus ride depending upon traffic crossing the bridge and into Strasbourg.

Christmas Markets in Strasbourg

Almost all river cruises to Strasbourg plan an entire day there. Guests can join a morning walking tour of Strasbourg and then either take the motor coach back to the ship for lunch or have lunch in the quaint and oldest section of Strasbourg, Petite France.

For those returned to the AmaCerto for lunch, a shuttle bus ran back and forth into Strasbourg from 2:30pm until 5:30pm. Since departure isn’t until 4:45am (that’s right, a.m.!), many guests chose to have a truly French evening dining experience ashore and took a taxi back to the AmaCerto.

Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets, “Christkindelmärik”, is one of the oldest in France, began in 1570. There are several Christmas Markets within Strasbourg but the main one is Place de la Cathédrale.

Day Six:  Fifth Christmas Markets in Breisach and/or Riquewihr

Breisach, Germany was the fifth and final port on this seven-day Enchanting Rhine cruise. Guests could choose either an afternoon walking tour of Breisach and then to Freiburg by motor coach.

Another tour was bicycle tour of Breisach or a 45-minute bus ride to Riquewihr, a beautiful small French town in the heart of Alsace. Sort of like the town in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Since I knew I’d be back in Breisach in three days to do a walk-around, a re-visit to the charming Alsatian town of Riquewihr was my destination. I was curious how the town would be dressed up for Christmas.

READ ABOUT: Five Unusual Museums to Visit in Cologne

It’s always sad to say goodbye to new river cruise friends. On small river ships like these, it’s easy to get to know almost everyone.

After the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, it was time to head to my stateroom. With jacket on, I sat on the balcony and enjoyed the crisp breeze as the AmaCerto left Breisach for Basel, Switzerland.

Day 7:  Basel, Switzerland – Turnaround Day

When we woke up the next morning, we were in Basel. It was important for me to stay out of the way of the crew this morning. Tons of provisions were waiting to be loaded, rooms had to be cleaned as the ship prepared for its next guests. 

The perfect opportunity to check out, wait for it… the Christmas Markets in Basel.

By tonight, I’d be settled into my new room, ready to re-explore the same Christmas Markets that we visited on our last cruise, except in reverse. This time, I knew where to go for the best potato pancakes and glüewein!

Disclosure: I was a guest aboard AmaWaterways AmaCerto. As always, all opinions and photos are my own. How could I fake this stuff? It was a spectacular pair of cruises on an excellent, award-winning river cruise line.

Seriously. You need to put this on your to-do list. And if you can budget the time and money, reserve a back-to-back river cruise.

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Hi Nancy, Thank you for reading my article. From my experience, almost every major river cruise line pushes two twin beds together to create a king bed. Or at least very close to the size of a king. Cruise ships do the same, too. I don’t think it would be an issue because the two twins together are definitely larger than a traditional land-based queen bed.

If my suggestion still leaves you unsure, your travel agent or someone at a major river cruise line’s reservations department should be able to get the exact width measurements for you. All I know is that, in my experiences, two twins = king bed. I hope this is helpful to you.

Thank you again for reading my article and taking the time to send your question. Have a wonderful cruise!

With all of your knowledge of river cruises, are there any lines that offer king size beds in their state rooms? My husband and I need this size of bed and we like the small ship. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Marlene, Thank you for readying my article. Your question is very interesting and I’m sure applies to many travelers. Going on tours in Europe, especially in small towns could be an issue for finding a public washroom. France and by now probably other countries have pay-per-use restrooms on street corners. You’d just have to have the right currency and be on the closest corner. Motor coaches all seem to have restrooms, but passengers are not always aware. These are located at the back exit door, sort of under a row of seats. Sometimes they are locked and only the driver has the key.

I would take a very close look at where you’d go before paying anything for a Europe trip. That’s a very tough and personal question to answer. I’m sorry that I can’t say that it would be easy to find a washroom in Europe…unless you could duck into a restaurant to use one. And even then, be sure to have the right currency. For me personally, it hasn’t been an issue. If there’s a facility where we are visiting, I’ll usually take the time. Curiously, another thing I do is if the tour includes lunch, then I just pick at the meal, unless I know there will be a washroom en route. I don’t want to take any chances and have found this to be a good practice.

Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful trip abroad. Thank you again for reading my article and taking the time to write your question.

Love to live vicariously thru someone elses travels as having choleitis makes it difficult to get around and leads me to this question. Needing washrooms at a moments notice. How did you find them and did you always have to pay? Such an annoyance and always wonder how others contend with such issues. In Canada it’s considered a right to have washrooms at our disposal everywhere. Travelling to europe is never easy as one would like. Would love an info you can share.

Hi Laura, Thanks for your comment. The Christmas Markets experience is truly a shopping and food fest, especially if you like potato pancakes! I hope you get to go to one soon. From your email address, it looks like you’re much closer than I am! Happy travels. Sherry

I have only taken a summer river cruise with AmaWaterways so far but a Christmas markets cruise is definitely one I’d like to book. Even doing the same itinerary would be be totally different (I’m assuming). I’m not going to lie, I want to visit Rüdesheimer just for the coffee! A very interesting post.

Hi Karen, Thanks for reading the article and for your question. The market with the ferris wheel was the Altstadt Market, very close to the river dock…towards the Chocolate Museum end. I hope you get to go, if you haven’t already experienced the Christmas Markets in Germany or France. Thanks again for writing. Sherry

Which market in Cologne had the adorable ferris wheel?

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7 Nights - Captivating Rhine - Amsterdam to Basel

Cruise Ship : AmaSiena

Departing : Thursday, June 20, 2024 from Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cruise Line : AmaWaterways

OUR PRICES STARTING FROM

AAA Special Offer

Take a Journey and Discover a World of River Cruising on AmaWaterways and Receive Up to $600 Savings per stateroom with your AAA/CAA Member Benefit Amenities! Your "AAA/CAA Member Benefit" Offer Includes: Up to $600 savings per stateroom Cruise Discount. 7-11 Day Sailings- $150 Off USD per person (1st/2nd passenger) and 14 Day Sailings- $300 Off USD per person (1st/2nd passenger). Plus, Welcome Amenities based on Cruise Destination. Welcome Amenities are as follows: Europe Sailings-Bottle of Wine/Box of Chocolate and Asia/Africa- $25 Per Person(max $50 per stateroom) Onboard Credit USD.

Travel with AAA

Smart Travel Begins With Fantastic Values From AAA Travel

Let AAA Travel make your dream vacation a reality. Serving as your travel advocate, we provide you peace of mind - before, during, and after your vacation.

Member-only benefits allow you to embark upon your dream vacation at fantastic values.

As one of North America’s largest leisure travel agency networks with over 62 million members, AAA Travel provides complete travel solutions.

Plus, look for AAA Vacations® vacation options: Designed for AAA members, AAA Vacations® offers exciting itineraries with engaging experiences and exclusive values not found anywhere else. AAA Vacations® also offers 24/7 Member Care and a Best Price Guarantee.

* If you make a booking for a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise or tour vacation, and you find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of your booking, AAA Vacations® will match the lower rate and send you a $50 AAA Vacations® future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations for full terms and conditions.

As One of North America’s Largest Leisure Travel Agency

Networks with over 60 million members, AAA Travel provides complete travel solutions.

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get ideas from the pros.

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

Travel Alert Advisory

• WHAT'S INCLUDED
• DATES & PRICES
• CONNECTIONS

CRUISE FROM :

At a glance.

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

Experience More Connections

• Terms and Conditions
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• Privacy Policy
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• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
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• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
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• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
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Travel Alert Advisory

2024 european river cruises.

• from $ 3,599 pp

• from $ 3,699 pp

• from $ 3,799 pp

• from $ 3,899 pp

• from $ 3,499 pp

• from $ 3,999 pp

• from $ 4,999 pp

• from $ 6,099 pp

• from $ 4,599 pp

• from $ 4,299 pp

• from $ 4,499 pp

• from $ 4,099 pp

• from $ 7,098 pp

• from $ 7,198 pp

• from $ 2,999 pp

• from $ 4,399 pp

Experience More Connections

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Passenger Ticket Contract
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Library
• Travel Advisor Portal