Amadeus river cruise ships
Its fleet includes quintessential river cruise ships. With no more than 180 passengers on board, all staterooms have an outside view — most with French balconies and some with walk-out balconies. Decor is classy, sophisticated and understated, with spacious cabins.
Atop each ship features a wide-open sundeck, usually with a Jacuzzi and small pool. Its newest vessel, the Amadeus Queen, has an indoor pool surrounded by panoramic windows, with a sun-roof to open on bright days.
Departure ports
Amadeus river cruises begin in legendary European ports like Amsterdam, Lyon, Paris and more. Here’s where you can begin your adventure:
- Amsterdam, Basel, Bucharest, Budapest, Cologne, Lyon, Nuremberg, Paris, Passau, Strasbourg, Vienna
Rivers cruised
Amadeus sails to key European port cities located along intercontinental transport routes, including:
- Danube
- Dutch and Belgian waterways
- Rhine
- Rhône
- Seine
- Saône
Destinations
With Amadeus, you can cruise to:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia
What’s included on my Amadeus river cruise?
Here’s what’s included in your fare:
- All onboard dining
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with meals
- Bottled water
- Wi-Fi
- Bicycles to use at each port
- Non-specialty coffee and tea
- Onboard entertainment like lectures, cooking demos and performances
Shore excursions are not included. If you’re interested in Amadeus-led tours at each port, book these as a package deal in advance.
Gratuities aren’t required, but Amadeus recommends budgeting about $12 a person each day to tip. You can prepay gratuities through the Amadeus office, charge ’em to your onboard account or tip in cash by leaving an envelope with the front desk.
Amadeus River Cruises excursion packages
The shore excursions are what set Amadeus apart from the pack. Excursions at each port are extra, but you can typically choose between tiered packages: Package A has the fewest excursions, with the largest package with the most excursions. Save 15% by booking these excursion packages up front, instead of individually after the cruise begins.
Here’s a screenshot of package options for its eight-day Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône and Saône cruise, to give you an idea of how it works:
Shorter cruises may only have one or two package options to choose from.
Opting in to Amadeus’ shore excursions definitely isn’t required. So if you’re an independent traveler, either book tours with a different provider or explore each port on your own.
Who owns Amadeus river cruises?
Amadeus is family-owned by an Austrian company called Lueftner Cruises. It’s operated Amadeus since 1997.
Why you should (or shouldn’t) cruise with Amadeus river cruises
Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of booking a cruise with Amadeus:
Pros
- Reputation for excellent service, according to online reviews.
- Spacious cabins.
- Complimentary beer and wine with meals.
- Bicycles to use at each port.
- Jacuzzi and pools on most decks.
Cons
- Some double beds are actually just two twins pushed together.
- Fewer onboard entertainment options than larger ocean cruise lines.
- You’ll pay extra for shore excursions, if you opt in.
Still on the fence about Amadeus river cruises?
Compare it with Riviera River Cruises and Tauck.
Frequently asked questions
