AmaWaterways, Sailings for Active Travelers and More

AmaWaterways is known for providing impeccable service, outstanding cuisine and a variety of included excursions on its river cruises in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Our customers can take advantage of special offers from AmaWaterways. To see all current offers, click here.

The upfront price of your AmaWaterways vacation includes a choice of tours in each destination, along with meals and unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner on board, plus a "Sip & Sail" cocktail hour. It also covers the company's Wellness Program, where hosts lead a variety of fitness classes and lectures.

Many staterooms have twin balconies: a French balcony with glass doors that open to a railing and a full balcony that you can walk out on. Meals feature locally sourced ingredients, recipes and wine.

AmaWaterways' options for exploring each port of call include walking tours of historic districts, guided hiking and biking excursions, special culinary experiences and more.

The company will debut a new itinerary this year, Seven River Journey, which sails through 14 fascinating European countries.
 

River cruise operators recognize that many of their guests want options for staying fit while traveling. These lines offer wellness programs and fitness amenities on board -- like gyms, spas and pools -- and provide unique and active ways to explore ashore.

Avalon Waterways includes guided active excursions on its itineraries, like a hike to Bratislava Castle in Slovakia or a morning run in the French town of Caudebec-en-Caux with the onboard Avalon Adventure Host. Active & Discovery itineraries provide even more immersive and active ways to take in the sights at every port of call, with hiking, biking, canoeing and jogging excursions.

As mentioned above, AmaWaterways has wellness hosts fleetwide in Europe (except for ships in Portugal). They lead fitness classes like stretching, core strengthening and resistance-band training and also conduct hiking, biking and jogging excursions.

The "Let's Go" shore excursions of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises include walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking and golfing tours. Bicycle to Claude Monet's home at Giverny or hike up to a 12th-century castle on the Rhine, for example. The line's Wellness on the Water amenities include yoga sessions, TRX suspension training classes with certified instructors, fitness centers and heated pools.

Emerald Cruises has the EmeraldACTIVE program, which might feature a guided bike tour along the Danube or a hike in Germany's Black Forest. Its sister company, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, has similar options, like cycling through the Dutch town of Veere or to a Bordeaux wine estate for a tasting.

Several lines also keep fleets of complimentary bicycles on their ships, so passengers can pedal along riverside paths or through cities and towns on their own.

Many companies offer shorter sailings that provide customers with an opportunity to sample the river cruise experience. For example, Avalon Waterways has itineraries of four to six days on the Danube and Rhine and CroisiEurope offers a variety of four- and five-day cruises, including sailings on the Rhone and Seine. American Cruise Lines offers Mississippi and Columbia river cruises that are less than a week long.

Click here to see all departures of four to six days.