AmaWaterwaysriver cruise specialists
Small-ship European river sailings — Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Douro, and the Nile.
Your AmaWaterways experts
Sarah Riley
Hosts the annual AmaWaterways Christmas Markets sailing aboard AmaLea and coordinates themed Wine Host departures across the Danube, Rhine, and Douro.
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Melissa Eck
Plans luxury AmaWaterways river itineraries — Tulip Time, Romantic Danube, Enchanting Rhine — and pairs them with land programs in Paris, Prague, and the Wachau Valley.
Meet Melissa →Group rate amenities.
- Group amenities on hand-selected European river sailings
- Hosted Christmas Markets sailing aboard AmaLea (Nov 21, 2026)
- Shore excursions in every port included in fare
- Wine and beer with lunch and dinner included
- Twin-balcony staterooms on newer ships
- Highest crew-to-guest ratio in European river cruising
Current AmaWaterways group sailings
Group amenities on hand-selected European river sailings
AmaWaterways questions.
Who at Travel Squad Vacations specializes in AmaWaterways?
Co-founders Sarah Riley and Melissa Eck are the agency's AmaWaterways specialists. Sarah hosts the annual Christmas Markets sailing aboard AmaLea and coordinates themed Wine Host departures; Melissa plans luxury river itineraries including Tulip Time, Romantic Danube, and Enchanting Rhine, and pairs river cruises with land programs in Paris, Prague, and the Wachau Valley. Both are CLIA-credentialed and book AmaWaterways through Travel Squad Vacations' Opulence-preferred relationship.
What's included in an AmaWaterways fare?
AmaWaterways fares include all onboard meals, complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner (plus a welcome cocktail and sip-and-sail wines), shore excursions in every port (typically three options per day: gentle walking, regular pace, or active hiking/biking), use of onboard bicycles ashore, Wi-Fi throughout the ship, and gratuities for shore-excursion guides. Onboard crew gratuities are typically extra (~€16 per person per day) but can be prepaid.
Which AmaWaterways sailing does Travel Squad Vacations host?
Our flagship hosted AmaWaterways sailing is the 7-night Christmas Markets cruise aboard AmaLea — Vilshofen to Budapest, departing November 21, 2026. It's our only hosted river cruise of the year, includes our advisors traveling alongside the group, and historically sells out by spring. Beyond the hosted sailing, we hold agency group amenities on Tulip Time, Romantic Danube, Enchanting Rhine, and the Nile.
How does AmaWaterways compare to Viking River?
Both are excellent in their lane. Viking River is larger (190 guests vs. 156), more uniform across the fleet, and adults-only with included shore excursions and beer/wine at lunch and dinner. AmaWaterways differentiates with two restaurants on every ship (Viking has one), heated sun-deck pool, twin-balcony cabins on newer ships, complimentary bicycles ashore, and a slightly more active program. For Christmas Markets specifically, AmaLea's smaller size and Old World ship design feels more intimate.
Do AmaWaterways ships have balconies?
Yes — most cabins on the newer ships (AmaLea, AmaKristina, AmaSiena, AmaMagna) feature AmaWaterways' patented twin-balcony design: a French balcony (floor-to-ceiling glass that opens) plus a separate step-out balcony. A small number of staterooms have a single French balcony only. Suites add a separate sitting area. The Magna-class ships (AmaMagna) are wider than standard river ships and offer notably larger staterooms.
When should I book a Christmas Markets cruise?
As early as possible. Christmas Markets sailings (mid-November through late December) are the most in-demand week of the river-cruise calendar, and our hosted AmaLea sailing on November 21, 2026 typically books out 9-12 months in advance. Reserve with a refundable deposit to lock in the cabin category you want.
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