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Login AmaLea is a sleek river ship created with luxury yachts in mind and sails Europe’s Danube and Rhine rivers. Soft pink and blue tones and contemporary décor create a stylish atmosphere, while most staterooms feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies for multiple ways to enjoy the views. Guests can relax at the heated Sun Deck pool with a swim-up bar, stay active with a fitness room, walking track, and complimentary bikes, or enjoy wellness amenities such as a massage and hair salon. Evenings bring lively entertainment in the Main Lounge, while dining highlights include regionally inspired menus and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant.
We are back home now from our Magnificent Europe cruise, including pre- and post-cruise extensions in Amsterdam and Budapest. Short version—we had a great time! We traveled with another couple who had never been on a river cruise before and they wanted to take a cruise with us since we’ve been on several Ama cruises. We suggested this itinerary and off we went. I could make this a very long post, but I will just hit the highlights. We saw many great cities and towns along the way. We started out with a pre-cruise extension in Amsterdam—cold, drizzly Amsterdam. An Ama representative met us at the airport and transferred us to our hotel, which was the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside, located outside the main tourist area but in a very accessible, and more local, neighborhood. We boarded the AmaStella and quickly settled in. We had prepaid our gratuities and were given tokens to provide for tips to local guides and drivers. We had a room on deck 2 near the back. Our itinerary took us down the Rhine, the Main, the Rhine-Danube canal, and the Danube for a two week cruise. The weather improved and warmed up considerably as we traveled east along the rivers. Some of our favorite stops were Rothensburg, Bamberg, Regensburg, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna and Budapest. But we enjoyed all the places we visited. The local guides were very good to excellent and the audio devices made it easy to hear during the excursions. We had a mix of walking history and culinary tours that provided a good balance for us. A wine-focused excursion would have been a nice addition for Ama to offer since we traveled past many vineyards. We also enjoyed our sailing time through the Rhine Gorge and the Wachau Valley. We ended up sailing the first half of our trip from Amsterdam to Nuremberg on the AmaStella but had to switch to the AmaLea in Vilshofen because of low water. The ships are virtually identical, so we just moved into a room with the same number we had before. It meant packing up and unpacking but Ama has done this before and made it as easy as possible (for us, anyway—I’m sure the crews worked very hard). There were some follow-on effects of the swap in that some ports and excursions had to change, but that went well too and our cruise manager (Nikola) explained them carefully. We ended in Budapest and stayed at the Marriott right on the river for our post-cruise extension. We booked our air independently but Ama arranged transfers to the airport for us. Both ships were in great shape and each of the crew members were good to excellent. The food was very good to excellent. Ama does a very nice job of arranging for lunches and dinners inspired by local cuisine, which is very much appreciated. The included wines were good to very good. We had dinner once on each ship at the Chef’s Table which was very good. We were able to dine there when the ship was underway so we had a great view of the passing scenery. We also had lunch a two or three times in the Italian bistro in the Chef’s Table space and that was very enjoyable. Our room had a French balcony which we enjoy. The bed was comfortable and the shower had good water pressure and hot water. The room was small but had plenty of storage for us but outlets only by one side. Our suitcases fit under the bed. We used the laundry service several times and our clothes came back timely and clean. This itinerary provides a great overview of Europe, its history and its culture. And Ama does a great job of highlighting all that and providing a great way to see them, and eat well along the way. The pre- and post-cruise extensions were valuable add-ons for us, and we appreciated that our cruise manager stayed with us for both of those extensions.
This was our first river cruise and it was a fantastic experience. The accomodations were excellent. The state room was always clean and comfortable. The staff's attention to detail was great. The facilities were first rate. The dining area, the lounge, the gym and the upper deck were always immaculate and very welcoming. The food served in the main dining area, chef's table and lounge were five star level. We were very impressed! The night time entertainment was very good and it encouraged lots of fun and engagement amongst the guests. There were lots of opportunities to find ways to meet and engage with fellow guests and also have space for quiet time. Our Cruise Manager , Veronika did a fantastic job taking care of all of the guests to ensure that we had all of our needs met and that we had lots of fun and enjoyment. Veronika was very efficient and organized and she was very attentive, warm and friendly. She is truly a professional! The captain and his crew were very knowledgeable and engaging with the guests and we were always very reassured that we would have a very smooth and safe journey. The excursions were very educational and enjoyalble. I would certainly do another river cruise with AMA and would recommend your company to family and friends
We had a wonderful time on our cruise up the Danube. The service by the staff and crew was incredible. Our Cruise Manager David was fantastic. Everything was so organized and on time. Communication was superb. We were kept up to date via the Daily Cruiser and David’s daily announcements. Plus lounge meetings. The ship being decorated for Christmas was a nice surprise. As were the activities which were Christmas themed. We were surprised that there were some young children on the cruise? Maybe because it was a Christmas themed cruise? As our previous cruises were adults only. The daily excursions were great, as was the Prague post-cruise land package. The tour guides for each excursions were top notch. Especially Dana E in Prague. What a fantastic job she did. Sondra in Salzburg, Martin in Vienna and Donald Husband in Regensburg were also great guides. The food and beverages were outstanding as was the service from the dining staff. A special shout out to Stanley, Kai and Anna for their attention to us and exemplary service. Our housekeeping was perfect with Jufri having our room top notch every day. Sreco was a great wellness co-ordinator. The fitness room could use a few more pieces of workout gear. A flat bench with a barbell and some free weights would be good. Hats off to Captain Chris and his crew for smooth sailing and negotiating the locks.The bus drivers were all great. We found the classical music concert in Vienna a little expensive. We can see local symphonies which are good or better here in Canada for much less. The folklore dinner was very enjoyable. Thanks to David for his orientation walk in Prague the first day there. It helped us get our bearings and he had great tips. Overall, everything about the cruise was exceptional except for a few small issues. We would definitely choose AMA again.
The customer service was excellent, as was the food. My only wish is that the excursions were longer so we could enjoy each city more. I felt rushed and it’s hard to remember everything we saw, which was beautiful! The crew were friendly and took care of all our needs. The bathrooms are a bit small, so be prepared to hit your head on the wall a few times. The guides were all knowledgeable, and some took us to see little off the road gems. You don’t feel the ship moving after a day or two, so motion sickness is not an issue. The drinks and food are never ending. I’ve never had so much to eat in my life! The Chiefs Dinner was so creative, and a fabulous experience for my taste buds. They really go all out to make the experience fun and creative. A must try for your first river cruise!
Everything was exceptional from the ship to the staff, the excursions, the food. AmaWaterways took care of us from the moment we stepped off the plane until we were in line waiting to go through airport security to return home. I have never felt so pampered and happily exhausted from all the wonderful shore adventures. We took advantage of all the included excursions and the excursions additional excursions. They were all wonderful and the local guides were knowledgeable and interesting, providing a lot of local interest. The Chef's table was a fun experience with lots of great food and wine. The local food options were delicious and for the less adventurous, there were always familiar foods to choose. We chose a stateroom that had a French and outside balcony and 210 sq.ft. It was a very efficient use of space. We had room to store our luggage and enough room to store our clothes. It was so wonderful to watch the local homes on the shore as the ship passed.
AmaLea has 78 suites and staterooms across nine categories. All have climate control, flat-screen TVs, spacious bathrooms, and a desk and chair. Most staterooms include twin balconies — a step-out balcony with seating and a French balcony — while suites offer larger sitting areas and expansive bathrooms with both a bathtub and separate shower.
AmaLea has two main restaurants: the Main Restaurant, serving elegant, locally-inspired cuisine, and The Chef’s Table, offering a multi-course tasting menu with views into the glass-enclosed kitchen. Guests can also enjoy tapas and light bites in the Main Lounge. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs are happily accommodated.
Experiences On Shore
From guided city strolls and wine tastings to invigorating hikes and bike rides, AmaWaterways’ on-shore experiences invite you to discover each destination through culture, connection, and a sense of wonder.
Tour Attractions Alongside Expert Guides
Wander through charming towns and historic landmarks alongside expert guides who will share the history, traditions, and stories about each place.
Extend Your Journey
Stay and explore your destination a little longer before or after your cruise. AmaWaterways’ curated land extensions pair perfectly with your river itinerary, offering the same luxury, care, and sense of place found on board.
Get a glimpse of what awaits you aboard your AmaWaterways cruise ship, where every moment on board is designed to make your journey feel effortless and memorable.
AmaLea has a fitness room, massage services, a hair salon, and a specialty coffee station. On the Sun Deck, guests can enjoy a heated pool with a swim-up bar and a walking track overlooking the river.
