One of the most innovative and well-loved river cruise lines in the industry, AmaWaterways works with a variety of esteemed travel advisors. Why do so many travel advisors love working with them and reserving their clients on the line’s incredible river cruise and land journeys across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America? Touch the surface of what AmaWaterways has to offer you and your clients with this countdown of 20 incredible highlights of selling its river cruise experiences.
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The Luxury of Space
Each of AmaWaterways’ intimate river cruise ships is a floating sanctuary. That is why the river cruise line chooses to carry an average of just 156 guests on their Europe ships, so that they can offer your clients the luxury of personal space in larger staterooms that range from 155-350 sq ft (355-710 sq ft aboard the innovative AmaMagna) and provide more amenities. With fewer people on board, the inviting public venues, including restaurants and lounges, are never crowded.
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Included Shore Excursions
AmaWaterways has developed a diverse menu of included shore excursions to accommodate all travelers with personalized experiences in every port of call. In many destinations, guests will be free to choose from one of several tours — all of which are included in their cruise fare. There is always a city tour designed to showcase the renowned highlights and landmarks in grand capitals and charming villages alike. Some destinations offer up to five unique excursions such as active biking and hiking tours as well as culinary tastings and more, which are included in the cost of guests’ river cruise fare.
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Unparalleled Service
On board every AmaWaterways river cruise, the genuinely warm and welcoming crew go above and beyond to ensure your clients’ journeys are as memorable as possible, and you can rest assured that they will be well taken care of throughout their journey. AmaWaterways hires the very best team of professionals in the industry and continuously trains them to ensure they always exceed expectations. This means getting to know your clients so they can anticipate their individual preferences and offer them those extra special touches to make them feel at home.
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Extraordinary Cruise Managers
Every journey needs a guide, but when your clients embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise, they will enjoy much more than that. The river cruise line’s highly trained and experienced Cruise Managers are hand-selected from among the best tourism professionals in the world, providing your clients with unparalleled personal attention, unique travel insights and thoughtfully considered travel accommodations. Often hailing from the very regions the cruise ships sail through, AmaWaterways’ extraordinary Cruise Managers apply their multicultural knowledge and years of tourism experience, going above and beyond to ensure the memories guests make on board and on shore last a lifetime.
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Connectivity
While your clients are enjoying their AmaWaterways river cruise, they will want to stay in touch with all their loved ones back home. That is why this river cruise line provides complimentary internet access and Wi-Fi for their guests while they are on board their floating home-away-from-home.
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Accessibility
Guests can download AmaWaterways’ interactive myAmaCruise app to their phones or tablets to read about their daily program and shore excursions, track their itinerary and even email personalized postcards for their family and friends to enjoy.
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Culinary Delights
AmaWaterways’ expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally sourced cuisine as well as traditional Western offerings. The Chef’s Table is an intimate specialty restaurant included in the price of the cruise, where diners can watch in delight as the chef prepares a lavish multi-course menu right in front of their eyes. Guests can also savor sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, menu service during lunch, as well as delicious tapas and snacks in the Main Lounge between meals. All onboard dining, as well as unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner, is included, so your clients can indulge whenever and however they would like.
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Accommodations
AmaWaterways is dedicated to creating the perfect experience for your clients, especially in relation to dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, low-sodium and vegetarian diets as well as allergies. The head chef will sit down with your clients at the beginning of their journey to ensure that the kitchen and crew understand what they can and cannot eat. With that in mind, your clients will find that they are not missing out on AmaWaterways’ renowned culinary experience as delicious cuisine is placed in front of them at every meal.
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Dedicated Wellness Program
On an AmaWaterways river cruise, you will find that living well is incorporated into the onboard experience. Not only can your clients enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine at every meal, but they can also take advantage of AmaWaterways’ special Wellness Program. Led by a dedicated Wellness Host on their Europe* and Mekong River cruises, guests can immerse themselves in a variety of included classes from Champagne yoga on the Sun Deck when the weather allows to core strengthening exercises, stretching lessons and more!
*Wellness Hosts available on all Europe ships except AmaVida, AmaDouro, and AmaSintra (2025).
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Sustainability
From the design of AmaWaterways’ ships to the green measures they have taken on board and in their shoreside offices, the river cruise line continues to innovate and explore new ways they can enhance their efforts in sustainable tourism. In fact, 20 of AmaWaterways’ ships in Europe have earned the prestigious Green Award certification for their industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance – including their most innovative ship to date, AmaMagna.
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A Focus on the Travel Advisor Community
“Ama” means love – and the river cruise line puts love into everything they do, including their relationships in the travel advisor community. Helpful marketing materials and informative resources can be found on their Travel Advisor Portal, and your local Business Development Manager is ready to answer any questions you may have.
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Comprehensive Commission Payout
Every piece of an AmaWaterways river cruise vacation is commissionable for travel advisors at a very lucrative rate. Commission rates are set at 15% of your client’s river cruise fare, 12% of their land package cost, 5% of their fully contracted air (if reserved through AmaWaterways) and 5% of their Cruise Protection Plan.
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Lucrative Group Program
Group journeys are one of the most time-effective, lucrative opportunities available to travel advisors as you work to obtain reservations. Creating a group river cruise may feel like a daunting task, but AmaWaterways helps their dedicated travel advisors navigate this process with ease. With a minimum threshold of five staterooms for ten guests, these groups can be a great way for your clients to celebrate birthdays or special milestones surrounded by loved ones. Groups also cater to special interest groups looking to explore the world and their passions together. The possibilities are endless!
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Customization
When you create your own group sailing, you can also set up special custom excursions that cater to your clients’ unique interests for a nominal fee. Plus, these experiences are commissionable at a 10% rate, so you can enjoy the additional income as your clients are immersed in an extra personalized experience.
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Travel Advisor Education
For travel advisors who want to learn more about new itineraries, marketing tips and more, AmaWaterways hosts special Webinar Wednesday events every week. Travel advisors can register for the webinars through their Travel Advisor Portal and be treated to the most up-to-date information and insights from members of the AmaWaterways family and even fellow travel advisors. Your Travel Advisor Portal also includes AmaAcademy, a collection of comprehensive courses created to educate travel advisors on the world of river cruising so you can grow your business with AmaWaterways.
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Marketing Support
AmaWaterways also curates a variety of valuable tools and resources within its robust Travel Advisor Portal. There, you can find helpful resources that allow you to make your own co-branded webpages, linking to approved content that stems from your business’s website. AmaWaterways also provides toolkits with beautifully produced content, images, insider tips, and special social media posts that you can utilize to help you engage with and inspire your clients as well as grow your business.
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Innovation
AmaWaterways has always been inspired by a vision of innovation. Among other things, the river cruise line was the first to create twin-balcony staterooms, include a complimentary specialty restaurant, carry a fleet of bicycles on board and offer a broad selection of tours. AmaWaterways was also the first river cruise line to offer professionally trained Wellness Hosts leading a range of complimentary wellness activities on board.
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Inclusivity
In addition to expanding its diverse marketing content, the river cruise line specially curated Soulful Epicurean Experiences sailings, with unique itineraries celebrating Black history and culture in France and Egypt. AmaWaterways also introduced new experiences celebrating Latin culture and heritage as it will become the first major river cruise line to explore Spanish-speaking Colombia along the Magdalena River.
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Dedicated Sales Team
AmaWaterways also has many helpful people that are ready to assist you and your clients as you build their dream vacation. Your dedicated regional Business Development Manager is available to answer any questions you may have, equip you with any additional resources you may require and assist you in creating your in-person and virtual cruise events.
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Family-Owned and Operated
More than 21 years ago, AmaWaterways first began inviting guests to explore the legendary rivers. Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy founded the river cruise line with passion in their hearts and a vision to show their guests the world one river at a time. That dream stands behind every aspect of the AmaWaterways experience from the moment you reserve your client’s stateroom on board until they safely arrive at home after their memorable river journey.
Experience firsthand what makes working with AmaWaterways so special. Visit the Travel Advisor Portal at www.AmaWaterways.com/agent-home to learn more.
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