AmaWaterways vs Viking River Cruise: Which One Is Right for You?

I get this question every single week. AmaWaterways or Viking?

Both are solid. Both are aimed at adults who want to see Europe without juggling a dozen hotel check-ins. But they are not the same experience and the differences matter more than the brochures let on.

I’ve sailed AmaWaterways – France, on the AmaCello. I book clients on Viking all the time. Here’s what I actually tell them.

The Short Answer

Neither is a wrong choice. But one of them is probably a better fit for how you travel.

What’s Included: Where They Differ

Both lines call themselves inclusive. The details matter more than the headline.

The two spots where these lines really diverge day-to-day: excursion variety and cocktail hour.

On AmaWaterways, one person bikes through the vineyards while the other does a guided town walk. You meet back for lunch. All of it covered. Viking gives you one solid included excursion per port. Want something more adventurous or more in-depth on top of that? You can add it – and some of those optional excursions are genuinely worth doing. You’ll just pay for them separately.

Ship Size and Atmosphere

AmaWaterways ships carry around 128-156 passengers on most European itineraries. By day two the crew knows your name. It’s family-owned and that shows in how the whole operation runs – from the onboard culture to how quickly things get sorted when something comes up.

Viking Longships carry 190 passengers. Still intimate by any ocean cruise standard – don’t let that number throw you. The ships are beautifully designed with a Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic, floor-to-ceiling windows and a polished feel throughout. Strict 18-plus. Think upscale, culturally curious adults who are there for the history and the ports, not a party deck.

Viking now holds over 50% of the North American river cruise market. More departure dates, more itinerary options, very well run. Also more corporate in feel than AmaWaterways. That’s just the reality of the scale.

Service: Both Are Excellent

This is not a category where one line wins and the other falls short. My Viking clients come back raving. So do my AmaWaterways clients. The service quality is genuinely right there with each other on both ships.

The difference is personality. AmaWaterways runs warmer and more personal. Viking runs refined and precise. Both are exceptional – it just depends on which version of excellent fits you better.

Excursions: What You Get Day to Day

AmaWaterways builds variety into the base fare. At most ports you’ll choose from a cultural tour, an active option like biking or hiking and a gentle walker option. Those active excursions are the real deal – not a light stroll with an “active” label slapped on it. And the bikes are always available for anyone who wants to skip the group and explore independently.

Viking includes one excursion per port. It’s thoughtfully put together and destination-focused – Viking does that part really well. If you want more on top of it, like a cooking class, a private tour or something more adventurous, those optional add-ons can be genuinely great. Budget for them separately and they can absolutely make a port day.

Pre and Post Cruise Stays

AmaWaterways works with host hotels for pre and post cruise stays and the coordination is genuinely seamless. Transfers handled. The hotel staff knows the ship and the program. It feels like one continuous trip instead of a bunch of moving parts you’re managing yourself.

I experienced this firsthand on my France sailing. The pre-cruise stay was already sorted when we arrived. No scrambling. Just showed up and it was handled.

Viking offers pre and post extensions too and they’re well-organized. But the AmaWaterways host hotel model has a warmer, more personal feel to it – and my clients bring this up consistently when they get home.

Who Each Line Is Built For

My Take

Oh man, I love AmaWaterways. The daily cocktail hour, the multiple excursion options per port, the bikes, the smaller ship, the host hotel coordination – it all adds up to a trip where you genuinely don’t have to think. That’s what most people actually want from a river cruise and AmaWaterways delivers it every time.

Viking is a great product and I book it confidently. The ships are beautiful, the service is exceptional and the upscale 18-plus atmosphere is exactly right for a lot of travelers. If a client comes to me wanting Viking – or wants the flexibility to build in something more adventurous at certain ports – I’m fully on board with that too.

If you ask me where I’d go? AmaWaterways, no question. But the right answer really does depend on how you travel and what matters most when you’re off the ship. Let’s figure that out together.

Frequently Asked Questions

This post contains affiliate links. We receive a small commission when you book through our links at no additional cost to you.