AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways is a Calabasas, California based luxury river cruise company founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy. AmaWaterways currently operates 29 ships that offer cruises in Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Egypt. AmaWaterways has a reputation for spacious vessels, wellness amenities, and fine dining.[1][2][3]

History

Present day

AmaWaterways cruise ships ply a number of rivers in Europe, including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro,[3] Moselle, Main, Garonne,[23] and Rhône.[24] Outside Europe, their ships cruise the Magdalena,[25] Mekong, and Chobe rivers.[3]

Cruises are full-board and include wine and beer with meals as well as a cocktail hour. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to belong to the gourmet chain La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.[1][3]

Unusual for river cruises, there are hair salons on AmaWaterways ships,[3] as well as spas, gyms, and libraries.[26]

Special interest cruises

To attract multi-generational families, AmaWaterways partnered with Adventures by Disney to create Disney-themed cruises that feature the Christmas markets in cities on the Danube and Rhine rivers, among others.[33][3][34]

The company has also offered promotions for solo travellers. On four ships (the AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello, and AmaDante), single cabins are available without a supplemental fee.[35]

Fleet

As of 2025, AmaWaterways had a fleet of 29 ships.[2] One of these, the AmaMagna, is the largest cruise ship on the Danube.[3] Roughly twice as wide as other cruise ships on the Danube,[36] the AmaMagna is meant to offer passengers more roomy accommodations and more dining options than would be possible on a narrower river cruise ship.[3]

Awards and recognition

<ul> <li>TravelAge West WAVE Awards (2019) - Best River Cruise Line, Best Onboard Dining, Best River Cruise Line for Families, Best New Ship AmaLea[38]</li> <li>Cruise Critic's Best in Cruise Awards (2024) - Best River Cruise Line and Best for Active Cruisers[39]</li> <li>Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards (2023) - Cruise Line of the Year and Best River Cruise Line[40]</li> </ul>

Sustainability

AmaWaterways has introduced a range of measures to reduce fuel use, waste and emissions. Its double-width AmaMagna employs a diesel-electric setup with ten smaller engines that can be engaged as needed, a configuration reported to cut fuel consumption by ~20-25%.[41] In 2023 the ship added solar panels on select balcony awnings to assist with heating/cooling loads.[42][43] By 2024 the line said all ships could connect to shoreside electric power while in port.[44]

The company highlights single-use plastic reductions (paper straws, refillable glass water bottles, refillable bathroom dispensers), Tetra Pak water on excursions, recycled-material luggage tags and the MyAmaCruise app to cut paper.[45] Navigation and efficiency pilots have included a riverbed "Track Pilot" system on select ships.[46] In 2020, AmaKristina became the first river cruise ship to receive Green Award certification; additional European fleet vessels were recognized soon after.[47][48][49]

Leadership

AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy.[50] In February 2025, former Disney and Airbnb executive Catherine Powell joined as president; on 1 July 2025 she became CEO as Schreiner moved to chairman of the board.[51][52][53] Co-founder Karst transitioned from executive vice president to chief brand ambassador in 2025.[54]

External links