AmaWaterways Cruises
River cruising, booked by a concierge desk at the same fare as direct
River cruising for people who refuse to just sit on deck — bikes, hikes and wine country woven into every itinerary.
AmaWaterways rebuilt the river cruise around movement. Founded in 2002 by river-cruise veterans and run from Calabasas, California, the line noticed that river guests were getting younger and more restless, and answered with tiered excursions in every port — gentle walking tours alongside guided bike rides and brisk hikes — plus onboard fleets of bicycles and wellness programming that treats a river trip as active travel rather than scenic sitting.
The waters covered run from the classic European rivers to the Nile and the Mekong, with wine-themed departures through Europe’s great river valleys a recurring signature. Vessels stay small by the nature of the rivers, dining leans regional and fresh, and the daily rhythm remains river cruising’s best trick: a new town outside the window most mornings, no repacking ever.
Since every river itinerary begins with a long flight to a European, Egyptian or Southeast Asian gateway, the air is where trips go wrong before they start. Biirdee’s consolidator business-class fares into river-cruise gateways, with arrival padded a day, are the quiet fix.
Founded 2002
Headquartered in Calabasas, United States — a river line
3 Regions Covered
European Rivers, Nile, Mekong
Concierge Booked
Biirdee books the sailing and everything around it as one plan
Who AmaWaterways Suits
Active Travelers Wary of River Cruising
Guided bike rides, hiking-pace tours and onboard wellness give restless travelers a genuine outlet the stereotype says rivers lack.
Wine-Focused Itinerary Hunters
Themed departures through storied wine valleys pair tastings ashore with regional lists aboard — a natural fit for oenophile couples.
First-Time River Cruisers Comparing Brands
A modern fleet, energetic excursion tiers and broad route choice from Europe to the Mekong make it an easy, current-feeling entry point.
Where AmaWaterways Sails
AmaWaterways: FAQs
Is AmaWaterways good for younger or active travelers?
It is one of the river lines most deliberately built for them: excursions come in multiple activity levels including bike and hiking options, and bicycles travel with the ship. You can be as active or as leisurely as each day demands.
AmaWaterways vs Viking river cruises — what is the difference?
Viking standardizes a calm, culture-forward product at scale; AmaWaterways differentiates on activity tiers, wellness and wine programming. Travelers who want gentle uniformity lean Viking; those who want to earn their dinner with a ride or hike lean Ama.
What is included on an AmaWaterways cruise?
Guided excursions in ports, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and onboard programming are part of the fare, in line with premium river-cruise norms. Extras concentrate in spa services, some special outings and gratuities depending on market.
Does AmaWaterways sail beyond Europe?
Yes — alongside the core European rivers it runs the Nile and the Mekong, bringing the same small-vessel, excursion-included format to Egypt and Southeast Asia. Those routes pair naturally with pre- and post-cruise land stays.
How far ahead should I book a river cruise?
River vessels carry few cabins, so prime-season departures and the best cabin categories sell out well ahead — booking early matters more on rivers than on oceans. Shoulder seasons offer softer pricing and thinner crowds in port towns.
Biirdee · Cruise Desk
Plan a AmaWaterways Cruise
Tell us where and roughly when — the desk comes back with the right ship, the right suite category, and honest advice before you put down a deposit.
Questions?[email protected]
Prefer to book it yourself at net fares?
Biirdee Pro members book flights & hotels at net rates — $100/mo, cancel anytime.