Avalon River Cruises or Ama Waterways for your river cruise?

How do you choose between Avalon River Cruises or Ama Waterways for your next cruise? This video will provide you with some insights on the differences between Avalon River Cruises and Ama Waterways.
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Ship size
01:04 Comparing the cabins
02:18 Ama French and twin balcony
03:28 Comparing the food
06:18 Tours and Excursions

[@Paul-GrnHil]

This was very helpful. I’ve cruised Avalon years ago and was quite pleased. We are more active travelers so will likely stick with them but will consider AMA if the price and itinerary is better. As a frequent ocean cruiser, a balcony is a must but on a river cruise, it is not a priority. On a river cruise you have no sea days, spend little of your waking hours in your cabin and likely will wake up one morning to find your balcony is 3 feet from the balcony of an adjoining river boat tied along side while in port. I prefer to save on the cost of an upgraded cabin and spend it on pre/post cruise extensions.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Paul thank you for your great comments. AMA has also added a staff member on most ships for yoga and more active excursions. Last week Uniworld announced a partnership with Butterfield and Robinson to add more biking tours to a group of sailings. They are going to include upgraded bikes with preloaded maps with GPS and support vehicles that go with the gorup.

[@luxurycruisetips]

That must have been an interesting site to see. It is great to hear that Avalon took great care of you.

[@kathieahptravel9766]

Thank you for this comparison video. I have a group going on Avalon and I only toured and didn't sail on it. So I'm very happy to hear that it is very similar to AmaWaterways.

[@luxurycruisetips]

i am sure they will enjoy!

[@jakeoleary3267]

Nice recap - Thanks! I've cruised with both and had a great experience - they both have great products.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Agreed. Slightly different but two of my favorites.

[@bigchick100]

Sailed on both AMA superior

[@DileepB]

On AMA they often have a morning and an afternoon included tour.

[@jenniferparry8709]

Only been on Ama. Loved it, everything was perfect. 2 excursions every day aimed at different levels of ability

[@luxurycruisetips]

Agree with you.

[@Clutching.My.Pearls]

Weve been on two Avalon ships. Both had white tablecloths at dinner. I prefer the buffets, because I can have a wider variety of food each day.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Currently on the AMA Cello and they now have buffets for breakfast but don't have them for lunch or dinner.

[@lindac8788]

Thanks for the comparison. We’ve cruised with Ama before and currently looking into booking a Rhine river cruise.

[@luxurycruisetips]

I think my favorite is Uniworld, but enjoy Ama and Avalon as well.

[@luxurycruisetips]

I have not tried them yet but riviera is on my list especially since they now own the old crystal ships

[@sandraorourke8006]

Thank you! Looking at May 2025 River Cruise Paris/Normandy Beaches. Considering Ama, Avalon & Uniworld. Great information!

[@luxurycruisetips]

I have done the cruise on both ama and uniworld. I think of all the lines uniworld is my favorite. Some my not like the decor, but I think it is fitting for this itinerary

[@susangerhards1296]

Thank you! Our first river cruise. Wanting Danube in May 2025. Trying to decide between these two. companies.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Susan, both are good. I would also think of Uniworld. Let me know if I can be of any help. Jack

[@magnuswalker7957]

Riviera cruise ships are worth considering, we love our river cruise with then, so nice after sailing on the likes of P&O which are now just too big.

[@luxurycruisetips]

I agree that I like the smaller ships. For ocean cruises you can try Windstar, Silversea and Seabourn as they have smaller ships that I have had a great experience on.

[@detchicago4731]

Great video. You didn't mention anything about Entertainment. Your thoughts? I recently sailed on Avalon and loved the Panoramic Suite. Avalon has something called a Panorama Bistro Menu for dinnertime. It's on the lounge level. It's great for dining a lighter meal and has most of the same dinner menu items served more like Tapas. Does Ama have this? Thanks !!!!

[@luxurycruisetips]

I think the entertainment is pretty much the same. I was just on another AMA in May and they brought on local entertainment 4 nights of the cruise. Ama does not have a light dinner menu. They do have the TAPAS but not really dinner. But they have the Chefs Table which Avalon does not have. Ama does have a light lunch each day.

[@detchicago4731]

@@luxurycruisetips Thank you kindly for the really quick response to my query!!!

[@Moni_type1]

Hi, thank you for this comparison of the 2 river boats. We just booked with Emerald for 2025 after checking out all the tour companies. We liked the idea the all gratuities were included. Could you tell me approximetly how much a spirit drink costs since I don"t drink beer or wine?

[@luxurycruisetips]

I am sorry to say I have not cruised Emerald and am not sure of the cost of their drinks. My experience on AMA, Viking and Avalon is the drinks range in price from $6 to $10. I found them pretty reasonable compared to ocean cruises. Have a great river cruise.

[@Mleencihols]

oh god...I've traveled on both. Ama Waterways is far superior. Avalon was the worst. On Avalon, we were only informed on the first night of our 2-week river cruise that, due to water levels, we would be bussed and hoteled for the second week. I would never have gone had i known that, and Avalon knew this well before the cruise. We were bussed at the crack of dawn, housed in substandard hotels, and only offered hotel buffet fare. It was HORRIBLE On the other hand, Viking was faced with the same problem and actually moved their passengers to another ship for their 2nd half. Avalon was deceitful and horrible. My Ama Waterway river cruise was WONDERFUL, albeit it was for their Christmas Market cruise.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Great info. Our AMA had the itinerary changed due to water levels as well. Sorry to hear about your Avalon experience.

[@clarkcalabrese292]

@@luxurycruisetips Our cruise with Avalon on the Rhine River was blocked by a Viking ship and a river barge. They both got stuck on a sand bar due to low water level. We swap ship with another Avalon ship and vice versa and was able to continue our cruise/tour. We also got a refund of one full day for the inconvenience. Thank You Avalon Waterways!!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Waaaaay too many face shots. Please, just give me ship shots.

[@luxurycruisetips]

Thank you for your feedback