October 25, 2023
Sail the Rivers of the World with AmaWaterways
Jim Gladstone READ TIME: 4 MIN. SPONSORED
Looking for a luxurious, relaxing and culturally enriching cruise experience?
Well, here's a hot tip: Don't look to the sea for intimacy.
Choose a river cruise with AmaWaterways for a truly rewarding, restorative journey that will bring you closer to your traveling companions while offering close-up looks at some of the world's most fascinating places.
Rather than non-stop partying, AmaWaterways offers queer travelers the opportunity to settle in and savor the good life on its distinctively sophisticated cruise vacations.
Whether you're part of a couple looking for a romantic getaway, or a group of friends and chosen family members who want to dedicate some quality time to each other, AmaWaterways extends a warm welcome and personal service specifically tailored to your needs.
Each of the 26 elegant ships in AmaWaterways' fleet carries an average of 156 guests. So travelers are assured a peaceful, crowd-free trip and no-hassle access to all of the activities, included excursions and gourmet dining experiences they want to participate in as they cruise the great rivers of Europe, Africa, Asia and, beginning in 2024, South America (inaugural "Magic of Colombia" and "Wonders of Colombia" itineraries along the Magdalena River include visits to several cities rich in LGBTQ+ culture).
Amazing Excursions Included
At every stop on AmaWaterways journeys, guests can choose among multiple excursions – all included in the price of the cruise with no pricey surprise add-ons.
From city tours led by guides with expertise in history and architecture; to curated explorations of local foodways and signature dishes; to hiking and biking adventures (The ships travel with a fleet of bicycles on board!), there is an incredible range of outings to suit everyone's tastes.
Even as you're traveling from one port to the next, you're never far from shore on an AmaWaterways river cruise. So, from the fishermen beginning their days on the banks of the Mekong to the twinkling village lights along the Danube, there's always something new and fascinating to marvel at.
And, you always have options for where to take in those remarkable views: from a lounger on the Sun Deck, a stylish cocktail lounge, or your own private balcony – the majority of staterooms have one!
The Onboard Experience
Whenever and wherever you choose to cruise with AmaWaterways, you'll enjoy the warm and engaging attention of their highly trained Cruise Managers and staff. Remarkably diverse – though all English speakers – they bring multicultural perspectives and inside knowledge that enriches every journey.
With an average of 156 guests on each cruise, the ships' public areas, lounges and dining rooms all offer a sense of spaciousness and no crowding. Small complimentary group exercise classes are offered daily, and a fitness room is available for guests who prefer to follow their own workout regime.
After a day of exploring on shore, a massage may be just the thing to help you wind down before a lively evening begins. And the pool deck, many complete with a swim-up bar, offers 365° panoramic views, night and day.
AmaWaterways is a 2023 winner of a "Food & Wine" Tastemakers award for cruise dining. Ships' menus are specially focused on the cuisine and specialties of each cruise's sailing region, but a wide variety of options are always available. Three meals daily (with unlimited wine and beer at lunch and dinner), a Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour, and all-day snacks are included in the price of every cruise.
Live entertainment on board includes musicians, dancers and storytellers from towns and cities visited on the cruise to provide an extra element of cultural engagement. A resident piano player is on hand throughout the trip to play a wide range of music – including guests' requests.
Plan Your Next Great Adventure
With the winter holidays quickly approaching, it's time to start planning ahead. Summer is an ideal season for river cruising. A trip on AmaWaterways could be the gift of a lifetime for you and your loved ones.
In the summer of 2024, AmaWaterways is featuring six unique 7-night itineraries through France, including a roundtrip "Paris & Normandy" cruise – with visits to Monet's color-drenched gardens at Giverny and the historic D-Day beaches.
There's also an "Essence of Burgundy & Provence" journey with a special focus on all things gourmet: Tour the culinary capitol of Lyon; taste the wines of three unique regions; and even join a truffle hunt.
Of course, that's just the start of a long list of AmaWaterways adventures on offer. And there's no need to wait for summertime – if you're itching to set sail, AmaWaterways has remarkable journeys scheduled all year long.
An AmaWaterways river cruise can provide you and your partner with memories for a lifetime, or offer an extended group of friends and family the perfect opportunity to get away together and reconnect (Special discounts and amenities are available with reservations of 5 or more staterooms).
Everyone's welcome on board AmaWaterways.
To discover the best AmaWaterways river cruise for you, call (855) 296-0109 or visit www.amawaterways.com.
Jim Gladstone is a San Francisco-based writer and creative strategist.
