Viking vs AmaWaterways: Which River Cruise Wins?
- Shauna Damboise
- Mar 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 2
The question I get most often after Viking or Tauck is Viking or AmaWaterways. And honestly, it is one of my favorite questions to answer because these two lines are genuinely different from each other. Not better or worse. Different. Knowing which one fits you comes down to a few key things, and if you pick the right one, you will have the trip of your life.
I have sailed with Viking. I spent time on board their ships in China, visiting the Forbidden Palace, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Temple of Heaven. I know how Viking operates from the inside out. I also hold my Certified Tauck Specialist designation earned through daily training on board the MS Joy at Tauck Academy, so I have spent a lot of time studying what separates the top river cruise lines from each other. This comparison is not based on brochures. It is based on real experience.
How Viking and AmaWaterways Compare on Inclusions
Viking includes one guided shore excursion per port, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, soft drinks, WiFi, and port charges. It is a solid base. You will not feel nickel and dimed at the bar, and you will not sit on the dock while others go explore. But you will pay extra for premium excursions, gratuities, and any specialty options.
AmaWaterways matches Viking on the basics and then goes further. Every European sailing includes complimentary bicycles, a dedicated Wellness Host who runs yoga and guided hikes, and daily excursions at three different pace levels: Gentle, Standard, and Active. There is even a Late Starter option for guests who want to sleep in and still catch the highlights. AmaWaterways also includes a daily Sip and Sail cocktail hour, and on select itineraries, gratuities. The excursion flexibility alone is a meaningful differentiator.
One thing to confirm before booking: gratuities are not standard across all AmaWaterways sailings, so check what is covered on your specific itinerary. On Viking, gratuities are always additional.
The Dining Difference Is Real
This is one of the clearest differences between the two lines and it matters more than people expect.
Viking has one main dining room and the Aquavit Terrace, which is essentially an al fresco extension of the same menu. The food is genuinely good, consistent, well executed, and focused on regional flavors. You will eat well on Viking. But you are eating from one kitchen in one setting for the entire cruise.
AmaWaterways includes the Chef's Table for every guest at no additional charge. This is a real specialty dining experience with multiple courses, elevated presentations, and a curated menu distinct from the main restaurant. On a sailing of seven nights or more, having two distinct dining experiences on the same ship is a noticeable quality of life upgrade. This is not a gimmick. It is one of the reasons AmaWaterways consistently earns culinary recognition in the river cruise space.
If dining is a priority for you and your travel partner, AmaWaterways may be the stronger choice.
The Activity Level Question
Viking is built for the traveler who loves to explore but does not need a regimented fitness program. The excursion program is thoughtful, the guides are knowledgeable, and the pace is comfortable. If you want an electric bike ride through a vineyard, you can add it as an optional excursion.
AmaWaterways has active options built into its core offering rather than as add-ons. Bicycles are on every European ship at no charge. The Wellness Host is there every morning. Guided hikes are part of the standard excursion rotation. If you are someone who gets restless without a physical outlet during travel, AmaWaterways was built for you. The line also partners with Backroads on select Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, and Garonne sailings for longer point to point bike routes, and those sailings are genuinely special.
One important clarification: river cruise ships do not have full spas or fitness centers the way ocean ships do. That is true of both Viking and AmaWaterways. What AmaWaterways offers is active programming built into the cruise experience itself.
Ship Size and How It Feels on Board
Viking Longships carry approximately 190 passengers. AmaWaterways ships carry approximately 150 to 156 passengers depending on the vessel. Both are small by any comparison to ocean cruising. You will know your fellow passengers by name within two days on either line.
The smaller capacity on AmaWaterways translates to a slightly more intimate feel on board and proportionally more staff per guest. The newest AmaWaterways ship, AmaSofia, is debuting in spring 2026 on the Rhine and Danube with capacity for 156 guests across four decks.
Viking Longships have some exceptional cabin options at the upper end. Explorer Suites come in at 445 square feet with wraparound balconies, priority embarkation, breakfast served to your room, and complimentary laundry. These are among the most impressive accommodations on any river in Europe. AmaWaterways suites are excellent but do not match Viking at the top cabin category.
Pricing and What You Will Actually Spend
Here is the honest answer, because the advertised numbers do not tell the full story.
Viking European river cruise pricing for a seven to eight night sailing in a standard cabin typically starts in the range of $3,000 to $4,500 per person depending on the itinerary and season. That price does not include gratuities, optional premium excursions, flights, or travel protection.
AmaWaterways European itineraries for comparable length sailings start around $3,500 to $5,000 per person. You will see lower starting prices advertised online, often for shorter itineraries or early booking promotions. The meaningful comparison is total out of pocket cost after you add everything you actually want. On AmaWaterways, the bikes, the Chef's Table, the Wellness Host, and the cocktail hour are already part of what you paid. On Viking, they are not.
My standard advice: do not compare headline prices between these two lines. Build the full trip cost with everything you actually plan to do, and then compare. AmaWaterways often looks more competitive than the brochure price suggests once you account for inclusions.
Who Should Book Viking
Viking is the right choice if you want the most consistent, polished river cruise experience available at a competitive price. The ships are beautiful, the service is seamless, and the brand is genuinely earned. Viking has been voted number one for rivers by Conde Nast Traveler for five consecutive years. They know what they are doing.
Viking is also the stronger choice if cabin category and ship architecture matter to you. The Longship design is elegant, and the Explorer Suites are among the most impressive accommodations in the river cruise space.
If this is your first river cruise and you want something reliable, beautifully run, and widely respected, Viking is a strong starting point. You can read more about what to expect on your first river cruise in my post on this site.
Who Should Book AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is the right choice if active excursions, cycling, and elevated dining are priorities. If you are the kind of traveler who plans to walk 15,000 steps a day on vacation, AmaWaterways built their product around that energy. The Backroads partnership sailings are some of the most sought-after itineraries in river cruising and they sell out early.
AmaWaterways is also a strong choice for repeat river cruisers who want something that feels distinctly different from their previous trips. If you have done Viking and loved it, AmaWaterways offers a genuinely different energy on board.
Food focused travelers should take a close look at AmaWaterways. The Chef's Table experience and the overall dining program consistently receive exceptional reviews from guests and travel press.
Can You Go Wrong With Either?
No. Both Viking and AmaWaterways are excellent products run by experienced operators. I would put clients on either line and feel confident about the outcome. The question is which experience matches what you will actually enjoy day to day.
For couples where one person wants to bike twelve miles and the other wants to sit on the deck with a glass of wine watching the Rhine go by, AmaWaterways covers both. That is genuinely useful to know.
If you are also weighing the fully all inclusive approach, take a look at my piece comparing Viking, Tauck, and AmaWaterways together on this site. And if you want to understand how to plan and book a European river cruise from start to finish, that guide is also here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AmaWaterways better than Viking for active travelers?
Yes, if you define active as wanting cycling, hiking, and structured physical activity built into the daily itinerary. AmaWaterways has bikes on every European ship, a Wellness Host, and tiered excursion pacing. Viking excursions involve walking and exploration, but the structured active programming is not as integrated.
What does AmaWaterways include that Viking does not?
The most notable additions on AmaWaterways are complimentary bikes, the Chef's Table specialty dining, a daily Sip and Sail cocktail hour, and guided bike excursions as part of the standard program. On select itineraries, gratuities are also included. None of these are standard on Viking.
Which line has smaller ships?
AmaWaterways carries approximately 150 to 156 passengers per ship. Viking Longships carry approximately 190 passengers. Both feel intimate compared to ocean cruising.
Is Viking or AmaWaterways better for first time river cruisers?
Both work well for first timers. Viking is more commonly recommended for first time cruisers because of the consistency of the brand, the depth of the itinerary network, and the overall ease of the experience. AmaWaterways is an equally strong choice if you already know you want an active, food centered vacation. The decision comes down to your priorities, not your experience level.
How far ahead should I book either line?
For 2026 sailings, you should already be booking or at least consulting with a travel agent. The most popular departures on both lines filled by mid-autumn 2025. For 2027, booking in early 2026 is not too early. AmaWaterways Backroads sailings in particular sell out the fastest. If you have a specific itinerary or cabin category in mind, waiting is not a strategy that works in river cruising.
Do both lines offer solo traveler cabins?
AmaWaterways has dedicated solo cabins on select ships with single pricing rather than the standard double occupancy single supplement. Viking offers a solo supplement on standard cabins. If you are traveling alone, AmaWaterways has the more traveler friendly pricing structure for solo guests on those specific sailings.
I plan river cruises every week for clients who want someone who has actually been on these ships. If you want help figuring out which line and itinerary fits you, book a call and we will sort it out together.
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