AmaWaterways vs Riverside Luxury Cruises: which is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what AmaWaterways and Riverside Luxury Cruises each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

AmaWaterways vs Riverside Luxury Cruises: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone. AmaWaterways includes a choice of daily onshore experiences and, on its US booking terms, lists additional food and drinks, optional excursions and gratuities as extra; Riverside Luxury Cruises, launched in 2022, includes gratuities, Starlink Wi-Fi and butler service in suites of 20 to 82 square metres.

What is each line?

AmaWaterways sells river cruises; its US booking terms say AmaWaterways, LLC acts solely as sales and marketing agent for separate carriers, among them AmaWaterways GmbH for Swiss-flag ships, DouroAzul in Portugal and a partnership with Wings Tours & Nile Cruises in Egypt; the same terms say it does not own or operate any ship. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises sells luxury river cruises in Europe on its own all-suite river ships, a young brand launched in 2022, with butler service for every guest; it names no owner or group. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

AmaWaterways sells sailings on ships including AmaRudi, which it calls the newest ship to join its fleet, AmaPrima and AmaMagna, plus AmaNubia arriving on the Nile in November 2026. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises' fleet of all-suite river ships includes Riverside Mozart, the first ship in its fleet, plus Riverside Debussy, Riverside Ravel and Riverside Mahler. Source

Which rivers does each line sail?

AmaWaterways sells named sailings on the Rhine and the Dutch & Belgian Waterways (City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals), the Danube (Celebration of Music), the Main (Europe's Rivers & Castles), the Douro (Flavors of Portugal & Spain), the Nile (Secrets of Egypt & the Nile) and the Mekong (Riches of the Mekong, Charms of the Mekong). Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône and Saône on 3 to 14 day itineraries, including Delightful Danube Christmas on Riverside Mozart, a Rhine sailing from Amsterdam via Cologne, Bonn, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Holland at the Heart of Tulip Blossom on Riverside Debussy and a Rhône and Saône sailing from Lyon. Source

How large are the cabins?

Riverside Luxury Cruises' suites measure 20 to 82 m² with panoramic windows; suite types include the Harmony Suite on Riverside Mozart, the Melody Suite on Debussy, Ravel and Mahler, plus Penthouse and Owner Suites. Source

AmaWaterways does not publish this on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

AmaWaterways' fares include daily onshore experiences, regional cuisine and personalised service; its US terms say airfare, fuel surcharges, visas, travel protection, laundry, additional food and drinks, optional excursions and gratuities cost extra. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises' package includes gratuities, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, butler service and complimentary transfers between the ship and selected airports on embarkation and disembarkation days; RIVERSIDE CHOICE shore excursions are in the Excursion Package and CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION private activities cost extra. Source

Are shore excursions included?

AmaWaterways includes daily onshore experiences, with a choice each day from guided walking tours, culinary tastings, bike rides and vineyard hikes; optional excursions cost extra. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises offers RIVERSIDE CHOICE shore excursions in each port, included in the Excursion Package, with entry fees, transport and refreshments (where applicable) covered and an audio-guide device for each participant; CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION private activities in select locations cost extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

AmaWaterways charges a single supplement when a stateroom's occupancy is reduced. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises publishes no single supplement figure; the solo offer on the pages read carried dates that have now passed, so no current solo term is shown. Source

How much is the deposit?

AmaWaterways asks US bookings for a deposit of $400 per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia, $1,200 for Egypt or $2,400 for Africa, with final payment no later than 90 days before travel; Canadian bookings pay $500, $1,500 or $3,000 per person in CAD and UK bookings from £270 to £570. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises does not publish its standard deposit or balance due date; a current offer gives an extended deposit deadline of 14 days. Source

What happens if you cancel?

AmaWaterways' US scale per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia: $200 at 121 days or more before departure, $400 at 120 to 90 days, 35% of the cruise and land price at 89 to 60 days, 50% at 59 to 31 days and 100% from 30 days; Egypt and Africa start at $600 and $1,200, while date or name changes count as cancellations. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises does not publish its standard cancellation scale; a current offer gives free cancellation up to 90 days (FIT) or 120 days (groups) before departure, with rebooking to 2027 possible up to 60 days before departure. Source

Is your money protected?

AmaWaterways' UK flight-inclusive packages are protected under ATOL number 11232 and UK packages without flights by an ABTA bond (membership no. Y6393); in the US it is a California seller of travel (CST 2065452-20) with the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund where applicable. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

What happens if the water is too high or too low?

AmaWaterways says the carrier may alter itineraries for high or low water, keeping guests on the docked ship, substituting ground arrangements or moving them by coach or another vessel; such changes bring no credit or refund except as the Passenger Ticket Contract provides. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises says unusually high or low water levels may affect your itinerary and that its response may include alternative arrangements for the duration of the trip; it names no refund or compensation. Source

What if your mobility is limited?

AmaWaterways says accessible facilities may not be available on board or in many places visited; guests with mobility needs should tell it in writing at booking. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises says wheelchair accessibility is limited on its ships and that motorised scooters are not allowed. Source

Can children come?

AmaWaterways sets a minimum age of 4 (children under 5 not recommended) or 12 on Africa (including Egypt) and Southeast Asia programmes; it provides no child-specific programmes or child-minding. Source

Riverside Luxury Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• AmaWaterways: not the fit if you need a doctor on board: it says medical doctors are not available on any vessel. Source
• Riverside Luxury Cruises: not the fit if you need medical care on board: there are no medical facilities or doctors aboard its ships. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• AmaWaterways: Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
• Riverside Luxury Cruises: no Google or Trustpilot listing under Riverside Luxury Cruises's own name was found.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel river cruise page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sail the same rivers?

The lines that sell sailings on the same rivers are compared on What are the best alternatives to AmaWaterways?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 10 November 2026 · updated 10 November 2026