19 Years Old—Happy Birthday AmaWaterways!
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
On 30 June 2002, Rudi and Kristin sat at their kitchen table and started a river cruise company that was then called Amadeus.
19 years later, they have become the best River Cruise Company for most of our clients. As Kristin told me once just before my first guest appearance on AmaWaterways webinar for other travel agents, her vision and dream was to have 2 river cruise ships in Europe.
Little did she know how far the company would come 19 years later.
The company has grown into a company we trust to deliver a vacation that will exceed your expectations. As Kristin always says, their vision was to create a company that they would be proud to sail on. They certainly have achieved this!
In many ways, their growth parallels our growth as European River Cruise Experts—we learned about European river cruising by taking our first cruise on AmaWaterways in the summer of 2009 and realized this was a great vacation that would become the most important trip we offer to clients and our core product.
We have documented many of these achievements in older blogs—if you want more in-depth information, please visit our river cruise blog archives on our website https://www.dreamdestinations.com/europe-river-cruise-blog-archives
So, let’s explore together and learn about AmaWaterways’ history and river cruise firsts—you won’t be disappointed! There is so much to cover, I won’t be able to include it all but you will be amazed how far this great company has come in 19 years.
Company Founding and Overview
Founded in 2002 by river cruise pioneers Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways sails on Europe’s Danube, Douro, Main, Moselle, Rhine, Rhône, Garonne and Seine rivers. It has expanded into Africa and Asia.
Hank and Rudi
Anne, Kristin and Hank
The line now sails to more than 24 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, including Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Kenya, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
Some Important Year By Year Changes
2006
The company launched its first originally designed and built ship, the AmaDagio (we sailed on her in 2013).
The AmaDagio Ship Bell
The AmaDagio
Along with a great ship designed by Rudi, there were two firsts in the river cruise industry—they were the first to carry bicycles on board and to have internet, free of charge, on board.
AmaDagio Bikes
I heard a funny story about the internet from some older cruise managers about the internet. When other cruise lines companies learned about the internet being used on AmaWaterways, the would try to dock next to AmaWaterways ships to try and use the free Wi-Fi since their ships did not have this feature.
For me, this was the start of the exceptional trend setting of the AmaWaterways’ product—almost every other river cruise line now offers what AmaWaterways started in 2006 and later years. Here is what I wrote in 2016 on a blog about their bike program:
Explore on Two Wheels. AmaWaterways carries a fleet of bicycles on board (they are free of charge), so you can see Europe’s enchanting scenery on riverside pathways while getting some exercise. They dock close to many city centers and small towns, where you can ride along the locals. Options are to ride on your own, which has always been available since we started cruising in 2009, or join one of our exclusive guided tours, like a trek along the beautiful Danube River in Austria’s Wachau Valley.
Bike on the ready 2018
Cycling group from our 2018 Danube cruise waving to us
This guided tour concept is new and we have had clients who love these tours (an update, these are now led by the on board wellness host and have 2 guides).
We have had clients take a ride along the scenic shores of the Inn River in Passau and along the banks of the Mosel around Cochem. Both reported, it was fun and a great experience. We also rode into Wurzburg on our own and really enjoyed our short ride—the bikes are very good and it was fun.
2009
AmaWaterways builds the Zambezi Queen and begins sailing in Africa on the Chobe River. Holding only 28 passengers, this is an experience of a lifetime. We sent 4 clients on this cruise in 2016.
2010-2012
AmaWaterways builds the AmaVerde and the AmaBella, with ship design innovations and features that changes the river cruise industry. Among the changes:
The Chef’s Table. In Europe, each AMA ship has the chef’s table specialty restaurant. This program began in 2012. This small dining venue (usually no more than 28 guests) features a kitchen where your meal is prepared right in front of you. This unique menu is paired with carefully selected fine wines. It is truly a great experience.
The Chef is ready to make our meal
AmaWaterways spends more than most other river cruise lines on the food and wines and it shows, especially in this unique dining venue. We always go during our cruises and always arrange for the groups we led to dine together—it’s always a superb experience!
Our 2019 group in the Chef’s Table
AmaWaterways is the first river cruise line member of the invitation-only La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations.
Ship Design Improvements. The newer designed long ships (135 meters) have 4 great new features.
First, the twin balconies have been added to some cabins—one is a French balcony with a sliding glass door and the other is an outside balcony to sit and watch the river glide by.
Outside of a twin balcony
Inside the twin balcony—the glass slides open for a French Balcony
The second feature is an enhanced pool topside, that includes a swim up bar. It is a nice upgrade from the hot tub on earlier riverboats.
Ported in Cologne, this is the pool on the AmaKristina
The third is two separated larger tables that can seat 10 in the front of the main dining room. These also serve as a wine storage area, so it’s like dining in a wine cellar.
The last design feature is the lounge library area-- a reading room complete with an electronic fireplace.
2015
In 2015, AmaWaterways expands into SE Asia, sailing on the Mekong on the AmaDara
2017
AmaWaterways added a wellness host on every sailing by expanding the program they started in 2017.
We got an early look at the program in the winter with the onboard wellness host, Selena on the AmaKristina. It was very good—as I have earned a master’s Degree in Physical Fitness, I think I have the credentials to properly evaluate the program.
Let me be clear—it is robust, fun and I was taken back about how many different activities were offered—it by far is the best fitness program on the Europe rivers by any company!
Among the features: They offer stretching, Yoga, resistance bands, core exercises, bike tours and jogging tours. All are professionally led—Marcello, from Portugal, was our onboard wellness host and he did an outstanding job on the AmaKristina in 2019!
Selena, now the overall director of the program, has created a wonderful addition to Europe river cruising—well done! Here is a sample of another great off board program that I had previously written about:
Go for a Hike. The beauty of Europe doesn’t just lie in its architecture and landmarks – there are also great views to see and unique experiences when you venture out into nature.
AmaWaterways has designed special hikes that will take you a bit off the beaten path in some very beautiful destinations. Examples include making your way up to Dürnstein Fortress (great views of the Wachau Velley), or walking the Philosopher’s Path in Heidelberg (an optional tour around the famous castle area).
You can see this would be a great hike for views of the Wachau Valley
2018-19
AmaWaterways expands its partnership with Adventures by Disney, and Backroads. The Adventures with Disney is focused on kid’s activities. Backroads is a premier cycling company.
2009-2021
It is not just the improvements of the sailing vessels, without a doubt, the most important improvement is the expanded tour options. Here is a brief summary of the key changes we have seen:
Limited Edition Tours. These tours are specially designed to give small groups an opportunity to be even more immersed in the places they are visiting. Best of all, these tours are included in the cruise fare—there is no extra charge! Popular options include a Belgian waffle and chocolate tasting in Antwerp, a beer and sausage tour in Nuremberg, or a chance to see Vienna’s hidden treasures, like the romantic Schönlaterngasse.
We have done the waffle tasting and the sausage and beer tour—both were awesome!
Anne also helped make a traditional soup in Bratislava—it was a fun experience.
We have had clients participate in the Vienna tour and they really liked it (one great benefit for us—we discovered a great schnitzel restaurant which we managed to eat at as a result of their tour—it was the largest schnitzel I’ve ever seen, and just melted in our mouths—a really neat experience!).
Limited Edition Tours are also a great option for a cruiser who is sailing on the same route a second or third time—it provides a new experience that enhances your trip. Along with the Bratwurst and beer tasting at the oldest brewery in Nuremberg described above, here are 2 other unique culinary experiences:
Learning how to knot a bretzel (German for pretzel) at a German bakery
Sampling regional specialties at the Les Halles market in Lyon (we have been on this tour—it is excellent).
Les Halles Food Tour
Special Wine Themed Cruises
In 2013, we went on our first wine themed cruises. Since then, we have been on 3. There is now over 60 wine themed cruises a year. I have also written 2 special blogs about wine cruises on AmaWaterways (3 June 2021 and 24 September 2020)
2019
The double wide AmaMagna debuts and begins cruising on the Danube. It is the best river cruise ship in Europe. We have several clients sailing on her in 2021.
2021
AmaWaterways resumes sailing starting on 3 July 2021. In September, they will begin sailing on the Nile with the new AmaDahlia. We plan to experience this new 10 day route in December of 2021.
2022
AmaWaterways s partners with Ancestry—I covered this in last week’s blog (24 June 2021).
2023
AmaWaterways offers a new 7 rivers journey, 46 night cruising experience. I wrote about this in a blog on 17 May 2021.
My Final Thoughts
What a great story—just another reason we love the Old World of Europe so much! We hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane as much as we enjoyed sharing them with you. I think it is very easy to see why we think AmaWaterways is the best river cruise company.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
