ama river cruises ships

Storybook Castles and Villages—I Sailed the Rhine on AmaWaterways' Newest Ship

Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

• Pros & Cons
• Facts & Features
• Who It's Best For
• Itineraries & Ports of Call
• What's Included
• Ship Layout

Stateroom Types

• Where to Eat & Drink
• On-Ship Activities & Entertainment
• Off-Ship Activities & Excursions

The Bottom Line

After pandemic-induced delays, family-owned river cruise line AmaWaterways had a big year in 2021, debuting three new ships to its international fleet, including the AmaSiena, sister to the AmaLea and AmaKristina, which was christened on Europe’s Rhine River in August 2021. I had the chance to sail the new vessel on its first sailing. Here's what I thought.

Pros and Cons

• Excursions are included
• Free Wi-Fi onboard
• Free bicycle rentals
• Alcohol isn't included outside meals
• No room service
• Limited activities and entertainment

Facts and Features

• Size: 443 feet long by 38 feet wide
• Maximum Guest Capacity: 156
• Number of Crew: 51
• Decks: 4 available to guests

This Ship Is Best For... Couples

As a California-headquartered cruise line, AmaWaterways typically attracts a North American clientele, which holds for the AmaSiena’s passengers. And as with most European river cruises, the demographic skews towards older couples with a moderate activity level (many guests take advantage of the complimentary bicycles available at every port, for instance). That’s not to say that friend groups or multi-gen families wouldn’t enjoy sailing—several cabins do have connecting doors. But there aren’t many activities for children, so younger kids might find the experience a little dry. Overall, the ship has an atmosphere of laid-back luxury.

Itineraries and Ports of Call

The AmaSiena’s home river is the Rhine in Europe. She frequently sails seven-night itineraries between Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland, sailing through Germany’s scenic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with castles. Ports of call include Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and smaller picturesque towns throughout the Alsace region of France and the Black Forest region of Germany. On some days, guests have a choice of excursions to different towns in different countries, so it’s best to do a little research before making your selection—you often will only have time for one, as they’re usually a bus ride away. The ship also sails seven-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium.

What’s Included

• Meals (with house beer and wine)
• Daily “Sip and Sail” cocktail hour
• Bicycle rentals
• Alcohol (outside of meals and cocktail hour)
• Spa/beauty treatments

The Ship's Layout

There are four publicly accessible decks on the AmaSiena. Deck One, the Piano Deck, has a few staterooms, plus the massage room, salon, and a fitness center. The next deck is the Cello Deck, home to staterooms and the main restaurant, followed by the Violin deck, with more staterooms, reception, the lounge, a gift shop, and the Chef’s Table restaurant. Most of the public areas are forward of or just behind the central atrium, which houses the elevators, though the Chef’s Table, which is all the way aft. Up top is the open-air Sun Deck, where there’s a running track, a small pool, loungers, and a smoking area. Note that the Sun Deck is only accessible via stairs, not the elevators.

AmaSiena has 78 staterooms across nine room types, each of which can have the bed configured as a queen or two twins. They’re all exterior cabins decorated in the ship’s signature red-and-gray color palette, equipped with hairdryers, safes, telephones, TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, a desk and chair, and a (somewhat cramped) en-suite bathroom with a shower. Here’s what else you can expect from each room, from least expensive to most.

Categories D/E

These Piano Deck cabins with fixed windows are the smallest onboard at just 160 square feet. If you don’t plan on spending much time in your room, these categories will do just fine, but be forewarned—part of the fun of the Rhine itineraries is sitting outside watching the castles and locks go by. There’s always the lounge or the Sun Deck, though.

Categories CA/CB

These small staterooms on the Cello and Violin decks have French balconies—that is, the floor-to-ceiling window-door slides open entirely. CA cabins (170 square feet) have a small seating area, but CB cabins (155 square feet) don’t. 

Categories BA/BB

These 210-square-foot cabins offer guests AmaSiena’s signature double balconies; one true balcony with two chairs and a small table and a French balcony right beside it.

Categories AA/AB

These cabins are practically identical to the previous category, although they provide slightly more space at 235 square feet.

The four 350-square-foot suites have separate living and sleeping spaces, the former of which has a pull-out sofa that can accommodate two extra guests. The bathroom is far more spacious than in other cabins with a double vanity and a tub.

Where to Eat and Drink

All meals are included on AmaSiena. There’s just one main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It serves an ever-changing menu inspired mainly by local cuisine—think semmelknödel , or bread dumplings, while sailing through Germany might be paired with a local beer or wine. (Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfast—otherwise, alcohol is à la carte. But during meals, the waitstaff is quick to refill your glass!) Both lunch and dinner are multi-course affairs—there are multiple options per course—though portions are reasonably small to account for all the dishes. Because of COVID-19, tables were assigned, though it’s open seating in standard times.

There’s also the Chef’s Table, a 32-seat specialty restaurant with a panoramic view from the ship's stern that serves a five-course tasting menu. One dinner here per sailing is included for all guests, but you need a reservation.

Light bites are served throughout the day in the lounge; there are pastries for early or late risers who miss breakfast, tapas for lunch, afternoon tea, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour (alcoholic beverages are complimentary), and a late-night snack served at 10:30 p.m. You can also access a complimentary coffee station here 24/7.

On-Ship Activities and Entertainment

As most of your daylight hours—and sometimes evening hours—will be spent off the ship, AmaSiena offers limited onboard activities. There are fitness classes (during COVID times, these were provided outdoors, weather permitting, rather than in the fitness center), massages and beauty treatments in the one-room spa and salon, a small pool, and an outdoor giant chess set. Otherwise, you’ll have plenty of time for peaceful contemplation in the lounge. So, yes, you should bring a book. There’s usually a musical performance after dinner in the lounge in the evenings.

Off-Ship Activities and Excursions

All excursions are included for guests on the AmaSiena, and while there’s a range for all types of travelers, Amawaterways as a company offers more active excursions than its competitors. At every stop, there’s almost always a general walking tour (guests can choose their activity level: active, regular, or gentle), as well as specialty options like beer or wine tastings, hikes and bike tours, or unique visits to museums. Typically, there’s just one excursion per day, but in some ports, there are nighttime ones; on our sailing, we had the option to leave the ship after dinner in Rüdesheim, Germany, to sample the local coffee or visit a music museum.

Many of these excursions only occupy a portion of your time in port, so there’s usually time to explore on your own after a tour, too. You can also venture off without officially joining an excursion—bicycles are available to borrow any time the ship is docked, and you can always use your own feet or a taxi to get around. There is, however, an exception when it comes to DIYing your own itinerary. In some destinations, guests can choose between different towns that are usually a 30- to 45-minute bus ride away from the dock. In that case, it’s best to pick an excursion to hitch a ride. Once at your destination, you can speak with your guide about going off solo—just make sure you don’t miss the ride back to the ship.

AmaSiena joins AmaWaterways’ legacy of upscale yet relaxed river cruises that cater to more active couples or mature multi-gen groups. The ship primarily sails the Rhine River through Western Europe, whisking guests to fairytale-esque towns and historic cities. As with most river cruises, onboard activities are limited, as the focus is on excursions. In the case of AmaWaterways, and the AmaSiena in particular, bike tours are a highlight. However, there’s always plenty of flexibility while in port for adventures, from wine tastings to museum visits.

The Best Alaska Cruises

13 New Ocean Cruise Ships in 2018

Elbe River Cruise Ships – Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild

Why Cruising Solo Is Worth it

Carnival Magic - Cruise Ship Photo Tour and Profile

Carnival Dream - Cruise Ship Profile

The Best Cruise Lines for Couples

What's Included in Your Disney Cruise Line Fare?

This 49-Night European River Cruise Is Open to Book for 2024

Dos and Don'ts for Your Disney Cruise Embarkation Day

AmaWaterways Is Giving Frontline Medical Workers a Free Cruise

Disney Magic - Tour and Profile

Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam's Cabins and Suites

Disney Dream Virtual Tour

8 Disney Cruise Hacks for Grown-Ups

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship: Oasis of the Seas

Travel Alert Advisory

RIVER CRUISE SHIP

• WHAT'S INCLUDED
• DATES & PRICES
• CONNECTIONS

CRUISE FROM :

At a glance.

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

Included Features

Detailed itinerary, experience more connections.

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Passenger Ticket Contract
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Library
• Travel Advisor Portal

Travel Alert Advisory

COMFORT & STYLE

Experience More Connections

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Passenger Ticket Contract
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Library
• Travel Advisor Portal

This grand 106-passenger vessel features balconies in the majority of its spacious staterooms and suites, which range up to 323 sq. ft. Guests on the AmaVida will enjoy fine dining in the main dining room, plus al fresco dining for up to 32 guests. The AmaVida also features a Sun Deck swimming pool; fitness center and spa; complimentary in-stateroom Internet access on a 42” flat-screen and ship-wide Wi-Fi.

• Detailed Information
• Dining Info

Travel Alert Advisory

AmaSiena RIVER CRUISE SHIP

• ITINERARIES
• REQUEST A QUOTE
• TECHNICAL DATA
• Staterooms 78
• Passengers 156

Enjoy panoramic views and plenty of fresh air in our lavish twin-balcony staterooms that feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony.

Savor exquisite cuisine at a variety of dining venues, like the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table. You can also order delicious tapas between meals in the Main Lounge.

With fewer passengers on board, guests can enjoy the luxury of space — our public areas, like lounges and restaurants, are never overcrowded.

With a fleet of bicycles on board, guests have the opportunity to explore Europe on our guided bike tours, or go discover on their own.

Soak up some rays or take a dip in our refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as we pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.

Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment on board.

• Lower Sun Deck
• Navigation Bridge
• Heated Pool
• Walking Track
• Al Fresco Terrace
• Observation Lounge
• Main Lounge & Bar
• The Chef's Table Restaurant
• Main Restaurant
• Massage & Hair Salon
• Fitness Room
• Crew Cabins

•   SUITE
•   CATEGORY AA
•   CATEGORY AB
•   CATEGORY BA
•   CATEGORY BB
•   CATEGORY CA
•   CATEGORY CB
•   CATEGORY D
•   CATEGORY E

• In-room temperature control
• Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
• Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
• Flat-screen TV
• Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
• Desk and chair

AmaSiena GALLERY

Experience more connections.

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Centre
• Travel Agent Portal