I just cruised with AmaWaterways — here’s why I fell in love with the experience
The Nile is calm in the early morning, the sun catching the sandstone of Philae Temple in a soft, amber glow. AmaWaterways Egyptologist Dina Talaat guides us past the colonnades and into the grand Temple of Isis, painstakingly relocated in the '70s to Agilkia Island from the rising Aswan Dam waters. Block by block, centuries of history have been preserved.
But Dina is already back in the past. "This was one of the last places Egyptian gods were worshipped," she says, motioning to the carvings of Isis, Osiris and Horus above us. In the hypostyle hall, Coptic graffiti hints at the Christianity that later took hold. At Hadrian's Gate, we trace the shallow grooves of the last known hieroglyphs — a prescient wish that this gate might stand for eternity.
Back on the river, color and music greet us at a Nubian village, where an ethnic group that once inhabited the area until being displaced by the dam now resides. Sipping karkadeh (hibiscus tea), surrounded by percussive beats, we smile as young men in embroidered tunics sway and clap to the rhythm. Soon, we're up on our feet, too, hearts full, dancing with them.
And then, as our final, serene chapter, we climb aboard a felucca waiting on the riverbank near our ship, its sail snapping in the breeze as we glide across the Nile. In a neat twist, AmaWaterways has brought the markets of Egypt to us — minus the chaos and clamor. Drifting past date palms and bronzed desert sands, the crew pulls back a canvas to reveal tables of handcarved animals, beaded necklaces and copper jewelry that gleam in the soft light.
When we returned to 82-passenger AmaLilia, a shawarma station was ready. The warm, fragrant wrap hit the spot after a morning steeped in Egyptian culture.
The AmaWaterways difference
This blend of attentive detail, cultural depth and seamless service is immersive travel at its best, something AmaWaterways does exceptionally well.
On our 11-night "Secrets of Egypt & the Nile" journey, days unfolded with precision. Plush coaches waited at the dock. Egyptologist guides brought ancient history to life. On board, local cuisine, traditional Sufi music, whirling dervishes, belly dancing and even a destination-themed night complete with flowing galabeya tunics and sheathlike kalasiris dresses invited us to experience Egypt in all its beauty.
AmaWaterways has a knack for days that feel both spontaneous and artfully choreographed — and every sailing is deeply inclusive. From the Nile and south-central Africa's Chobe River to Bordeaux, France, and Vietnam, the excursions are many and varied, with options including cycling tours in medieval towns and vineyard hikes that offer moments to linger over a robust red.
On the Nile, custom-built AmaLilia (one of two ships in the fleet) feels made for its surroundings, thanks to its richly detailed interiors and intimate deck spaces where the river is always in view. In Europe, wide-bodied flagships like AmaMagna shift the experience again, with sundeck pools, pickleball courts and elegant lounges that feel more like they belong in a boutique hotel than on a ship.
Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at meals, sparkling wine at breakfast, cocktails at Sip & Sail and, in many destinations, a wellness program with yoga, Pilates and aerobics come standard. Wi-Fi, walking sticks and even airport transfers can be arranged with the same attention to detail. It's a style of travel designed to let you step inside a destination, not just pass through it — whether you're pedaling along the Danube, sipping wine in Bordeaux or standing in the shadow of Egypt's pyramids.
Curated journeys for passionate travelers
On our Nile sailing, every day was filled with thoughtful excursions — an optional visit to Abu Simbel, tea with members of the Nubian ethnic group, high tea in the hotel where Agatha Christie wrote "Death on the Nile" and expert-led tours of ancient temples.
Elsewhere in the fleet, themed cruises cater to personal passions. "Celebration of Music" voyages spotlight Europe's musical heritage, "Celebration of Beer" journeys offer tastings and brewery tours in the Netherlands and "Celebration of Wine" itineraries pair European fine wine with local cuisine.
Tailored for explorers and luxury seekers
AmaWaterways also appeals to travelers who want more than a standard sightseeing tour.
Golfers can tee off on world-class courses via the line's Concierge Golf Program. It includes the new nine-night "Impressions of the Seine & Paris" itinerary, with rounds at storied fairways such as Golf de La Boulie (host of the inaugural French Open in 1906), Paris' elegant Saint-Germain course and the spectacular clifftop green of Golf d'Etretat on France's Cote d'Albatre.
And for history buffs, there's the ability to dive deep on new Smithsonian Journeys | AmaWaterways sailings in France, Dutch and Belgian waterways. These itineraries include a wide variety of covered excursions at every port.
Immersive itineraries that explore the world
AmaWaterways is a pioneer in river cruising, with itineraries that often reach beyond the usual routes. In Colombia, the just-launched Magdalena River cruises take travelers into the "Land of a Thousand Rhythms" through music, culture and nature. In south-central Africa, a river cruise on the Chobe includes a multiday land safari for a rare blend of wildlife and water.
Even on our Nile journey, hidden gems awaited. At the rarely visited Dendera Temple, carvings seemed to hint at ancient light bulbs, and at Edfu, we had the temple complex entirely to ourselves — a rare moment of quiet discovery.
Looking ahead to 2026, AmaWaterways is expanding its land options, too. Travelers can now dive deeper into France, Colombia and Spain, including a new four-day pretrip option featuring two days in Madrid before heading north to sample the pintxos of San Sebastián.
Voyages for every kind of traveler
Whether venturing solo, traveling as a couple or bringing the whole family along, AmaWaterways makes every sailing feel as if it was designed just for you. On the Nile, I met guests of every age and style, including three generations of one family.
Excursions can be as leisurely or as active as you like, with options ranging from gentle walks to late-riser tours. In Europe, complimentary bikes on board encourage spontaneous exploration.
Solo travelers benefit from dedicated rates, and the intimate ships make it easy to connect with fellow passengers. And for everyone, wellness classes, regionally inspired menus and local performances keep each day as enriching as the last.
Service that goes the extra mile
What truly sets AmaWaterways apart is the warm, personal service that begins the moment you arrive.
On the Nile, our cruise director, Mohammad, was waiting at Cairo International Airport (CAI) to greet us and guide us through visas, baggage and hotel transfers. His welcome set a tone that continued throughout our journey — from leading the dancing during our destination-themed evening to arranging tickets for those in our group eager to climb inside the Great Pyramid of Giza to accompanying me and my partner to a local market to help us navigate the haggling with ease when our luggage broke. Tea even quietly appeared at my room, followed later by dinner — no prompting needed — when I fell ill partway through the journey.
Every AmaWaterways sailing has a dedicated cruise director like Mohammad, and a high crew-to-guest ratio means nothing is overlooked. Chilled towels appear after excursions, sparkling wine is provided on arrival, handwritten welcome notes wait in your cabin and crew members remember not just your name, but also your morning coffee order and favorite evening drink. The service is effortlessly attentive and so unobtrusive, you hardly notice it — yet every thoughtful touch is felt.
Logistics are just as seamless. Flights, luggage transfers and airport connections can all be arranged, leaving you free to enjoy the journey. On excursions, expert guides paired with Quietvox audio systems let you move through historic sites at your own pace, focusing entirely on the experience rather than the mechanics of travel.
Bottom line
AmaWaterways delivers a river cruise experience that is as seamless as it is enriching. From expert-led excursions and personalized service to inclusive dining, wellness offerings and luxurious staterooms, every element is designed to elevate your journey. Whether you want to immerse yourself in history, culture or simply the joy of river travel, AmaWaterways crafts a voyage that lingers long after you leave the ship.
If this type of travel sounds like a dream come true for you, then know it also may be more affordable than you think, as for a limited time, guests can save up to $2,500 on select 2025 and 2026 river cruises through Europe, Asia, Egypt and Colombia. This offer is valid through Dec. 31.*
*All rates are per person in U.S. dollars, cruise-only, based on double occupancy in an entry-level stateroom and include port charges. Rates reflect savings of up to $2,500 per stateroom, based on double occupancy (solo travelers receive half); actual savings vary by itinerary and sailing date. This offer applies to select 2025 and 2026 sailings and is valid on new FIT and Group reservations made from July 1 to Dec. 31 and is combinable with AirPlus Rates, Combination Cruise Savings, Loyalty Benefits and the Future Cruise Benefit Program. Tour operators are eligible; additional restrictions may apply. This offer is not combinable with other promotions or discounts and is capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn without notice. Stateroom upgrades, optional land packages, visas, airfares and gratuities are additional. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct errors or omissions. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.amawaterways.com/terms-conditions. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. CST#2065452-20.