AmaWaterways vs Viking River Cruises: Which Is Better for You?

AmaWaterways vs Viking comes down to style more than quality. Viking suits adults-only travelers who want a consistent, calm, culture-focused trip on a very large fleet of near-identical Longships. AmaWaterways suits active and food-focused travelers, families and solo cruisers, thanks to its twin-balcony cabins, free bikes, a wellness host and an included Chef’s Table dinner.

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Both are premium lines with similar inclusions and broadly similar prices. Below we compare ships, cabins, routes, dining, what’s included, age rules, solo options, prices and loyalty perks so you can decide which line fits your trip.

AmaWaterways vs Viking at a glance

Ships and fleet: Viking Longships vs AmaWaterways’ varied fleet

Viking runs the biggest river fleet in the world. Most of its European ships are Longships: 135 meters long, 190 guests, 95 staterooms and the same Scandinavian-style interiors from ship to ship. Viking keeps adding more. Viking Rota, the newest, was delivered in October 2026. Viking says it expects 18 more river ships by 2028. The upside of all this sameness is predictability. If you liked one Longship, you’ll find your way around the next one on day one.

Viking also sails beyond Europe with purpose-built ships. These include the 386-guest Viking Mississippi in the US and a growing fleet on the Nile. Viking recently added a tenth Nile river ship (Viking’s tenth Nile ship, Viking Sekhmet). It also has ships on the Mekong, and India’s Brahmaputra is planned for 2027.

AmaWaterways has a smaller fleet of around 30 ships, and they vary more from one to the next. Most of its European ships carry roughly 150-170 guests. That means a slightly lower guest count than a Longship and, in many categories, slightly bigger cabins. The standout is AmaMagna, a double-width ship on the Danube. It carries only 196 guests but has several dining venues and much more space per person. Ama keeps building too. AmaSofia joined on the Rhine and Danube in May 2026, and AmaKaia began sailing on the Mekong in August 2026.

Cabins compared

On most Ama ships the hallmark is the twin balcony. Each of these cabins has a French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding doors with a railing) next to a small step-out balcony where you can sit outside. Viking Longships mix French balcony cabins with true veranda cabins and suites. Its two-room Explorer Suites, at around 445 sq ft, are some of the best accommodation on any European river ship.

• Families or groups of three: Several Ama ships, including AmaViola, AmaStella, AmaLea, AmaKristina and AmaMora, have cabins for three or four. Some also have connecting cabins.
• Proper suites: Viking’s veranda suites and Explorer Suites are easy to book across a huge number of departures.
• Riverview cabins: Both lines have lower-deck cabins with fixed windows at the cheapest fares. They’re fine if you’ll mostly be ashore.

Destinations: where each line sails

In Europe both lines cover the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Seine, Douro, Elbe and Garonne/Dordogne (Bordeaux). Both also sail the Nile and the Mekong. The differences are at the edges:

• Only with AmaWaterways: the Chobe River in Botswana, as part of African safari packages, and Colombia’s Magdalena River.
• Only with Viking: the Mississippi River in the US and the planned Brahmaputra sailings in India.

Because Viking has so many ships, it usually offers more departure dates on popular routes such as the Rhine and Danube. That helps if your dates are fixed. If you’re still choosing a river, our guide on how to choose the best river cruise in Europe compares the main routes.

Dining: Chef’s Table vs Aquavit Terrace

Both lines serve a breakfast and lunch buffet with made-to-order options, plus a served dinner with regional dishes. Many travelers notice the biggest difference in the extra dining venue.

AmaWaterways has The Chef’s Table, a separate small restaurant with a multi-course tasting menu and paired wines. It’s included, and most guests can book it once per cruise. Ama also has a strong reputation for dietary needs, especially gluten-free dining, and AmaMagna has several restaurants. Viking has the Aquavit Terrace, an indoor-outdoor area at the bow. You can eat a lighter, casual meal there while watching the river. Viking has no separate specialty restaurant on its Longships.

For drinks, both lines include house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Ama adds a daily “Sip & Sail” happy hour before dinner. Viking sells an optional all-day drinks package. See our guide to the Viking Silver Spirits package to check whether it’s worth it for you.

What’s included on each line

The two lines include similar things, so compare the extras rather than the basics. Both include all meals, Wi-Fi, wine and beer with meals, and a guided excursion in most ports.

AmaWaterways inclusions

• Included excursions, often in several versions (gentle walk, regular, active hike or bike tour)
• Free bikes and helmets on European ships, plus guided bike tours
• A wellness host running onboard fitness classes, stretching and guided walks
• The Chef’s Table dinner and the Sip & Sail happy hour

Viking inclusions

• One guided excursion per port, plus paid “Privileged Access” and specialty tours
• Talks, cultural events and port talks on board
• Specialty coffee, tea and bottled water around the clock
• Frequent air offers, depending on the promotion running when you book

Neither line includes crew tips. Ama suggests around €100 per person for a seven-night cruise, though this can change. Viking suggests about €20 or $20 per person per night in Europe. Over a week, that gap can be worth more than $40 per person, so include it when you compare fares.

Viking vs AmaWaterways for families, solo travelers and active cruisers

Age policy

Viking is adults-only. Every guest must be 18 or older on the day they board. AmaWaterways accepts children and runs family-focused departures, including sailings through its Adventures by Disney partnership. That makes Ama one of the easier premium river lines for multigenerational trips. If you want a quiet adult atmosphere, Viking’s policy works in its favor.

Solo travelers

Several Ama ships have single cabins, and Ama sometimes runs reduced single supplements on selected dates. Viking Longships have no dedicated solo cabins. Viking does sometimes offer reduced or waived single supplements as a promotion, so check current offers.

Active travelers

Ama is the more active choice. Bikes, hikes, kayak outings on some routes and an onboard wellness host give you options well beyond walking tours. Viking’s excursions are mostly guided walking tours at a gentle pace, with optional paid tours that are more active.

Price per night and the true cost

Both lines are priced as premium, and their headline fares change a lot with season and promotions. At the time of writing, Viking’s 8-day Rhine Getaway is listed from around $2,000 per person for some early-spring 2027 dates. Many other dates start nearer $2,500. That works out to roughly $285-$360 per person per night for a riverview cabin, before tips. Ama’s seven-night European fares start in a similar range on promotion, and balcony cabins and peak summer or Christmas markets dates often run well above that. Ama often advertises discounts or free cabin upgrades instead of lower lead-in fares.

Here’s a fair way to compare quotes that many reviews skip: line up the same cabin type (French balcony vs twin balcony), the same month, and the full cost including tips, flights and any pre- or post-cruise hotel nights. Viking’s air offers can close the gap on a fare that looks higher. Ama’s bikes, Chef’s Table and loyalty discounts can do the same in the other direction. Promotions on both lines change often, so get quotes for the exact dates you want.

Loyalty perks

AmaWaterways’ loyalty program has Blue, Silver and Gold tiers, starting from your second cruise. Depending on your tier, benefits include a per-person discount on the fare, a category upgrade, airport transfers and a welcome amenity. Viking past guests join the Viking Explorer Society, which mainly offers occasional repeat-guest offers and early booking access rather than fixed tier perks; the details change, so check before booking. If you’ll sail many times on one line, it’s worth comparing the current terms on each line’s website.

Which is the best river cruise line for you?

Choose AmaWaterways if…

• You want bike tours, hikes and a wellness host as part of the fare
• Food matters a lot to you and you’d enjoy an included tasting-menu dinner
• You’re traveling with children or grandchildren, or you want a solo cabin
• You’d like routes Viking doesn’t offer, such as the Chobe in Africa or Colombia’s Magdalena River

Choose Viking if…

• You want an adults-only ship with a calm, enrichment-focused feel
• You need lots of departure dates on the Rhine, Danube or Nile
• You’d like a true suite, such as an Explorer Suite, or an American river trip on the Mississippi
• You like knowing exactly what the ship will be like before you board

Neither line is the best river cruise line for everyone. If neither one feels right, other premium lines such as Emerald, Avalon and Scenic are worth comparing too.

FAQs

Is AmaWaterways better than Viking?

Neither is better for everyone. AmaWaterways tends to suit active travelers, food lovers, families and solo cruisers. Viking suits adults who want a consistent, quieter trip with lots of departure dates.

Can children sail on Viking river cruises?

No. Viking is adults-only, and every guest must be 18 or older on the day they board. AmaWaterways welcomes children and runs family-friendly departures.

Does Viking have a specialty restaurant like Ama’s Chef’s Table?

Not on its Longships. Viking has one main restaurant plus the Aquavit Terrace for casual meals. AmaWaterways includes a Chef’s Table tasting menu dinner.

Are drinks included on AmaWaterways and Viking?

Both include house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Viking sells an optional all-day drinks package. Ama adds a daily happy hour before dinner.

Which is cheaper, Viking or AmaWaterways?

Their prices are broadly similar. Viking’s lead-in fares are often a little lower and sometimes come with air offers, while Ama includes more extras. Compare the same cabin type and dates, including tips.