Viking vs. AmaWaterways: My Two-Week River Cruise Experience
River cruising has such a beautiful way of slowing travel down.
Instead of rushing from hotel to hotel, unpacking and repacking, navigating trains, transfers, and logistics, you simply settle in, let the river carry you, and wake up in a new place each day.
After spending two consecutive weeks on two different river cruise lines, I walked away with an even deeper appreciation for this style of travel.
Our first week was with Viking River Cruises on their Châteaux, Rivers & Wine itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Bordeaux through one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.
Our second week was with AmaWaterways on their Captivating Rhine itinerary, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
And here’s the honest truth: comparing Viking and AmaWaterways is not exactly comparing apples to apples.They were two very different river cruise itineraries, in two very different regions, with two very different rhythms. Bordeaux felt intimate, refined, culinary, and regionally focused. The Rhine felt more active, scenic, cultural, and multi-country.
So this is not about saying one river cruise line is better than the other.This is about sharing the small but meaningful differences we noticed onboard — the kinds of details that can help you decide which river cruise line may be the better fit for your travel style.
Viking vs. AmaWaterways: A Quick Overview
If you are trying to choose between Viking and AmaWaterways for a European river cruise, here is the simplest way I would describe the difference based on our experience:
Viking felt:
- Lighter and brighter
- More Scandinavian in design
- Calm and refined
- More adult-oriented on our sailing
- Strong for destination-focused itineraries
- Spacious in the lounge and dining areas
- Thoughtful in cabin layout and storage
AmaWaterways felt:
- More active and wellness-oriented
- More inclusive with excursions
- Strong for travelers who like choices in port
- Great for biking, fitness, stretching, and yoga
- More multigenerational-friendly on our sailing
- Strong in mid-tier balcony cabin design
- Lovely for travelers who enjoy cocktail hour and specialty dining
Both experiences were wonderful. The difference comes down to how you want to feel while you travel.
First: Both River Cruise Experiences Were Wonderful. Before diving into the differences, I want to say this clearly: we truly enjoyed both cruises.
The staff on both Viking and AmaWaterways were excellent. The service was warm, the onboard experience was comfortable, and each itinerary offered something unique and memorable.
This comparison is not about which cruise line is “better.”
It is about helping you understand which river cruise experience may fit your travel style, priorities, and personality.
That is where the details matter.
Our Viking River Cruise Experience: Bordeaux to Bordeaux
Our Viking river cruise was focused on the Bordeaux wine region of France. This made the experience feel very immersive and destination-specific.
Instead of visiting several countries, this itinerary allowed us to go deeper into one region — Bordeaux, wine country, châteaux, local cuisine, scenic rivers, and French culture.
The overall feeling onboard Viking was lighter, brighter, and more open. The Scandinavian design really stood out. Everything felt clean, simple, airy, and uncluttered.
What Stood Out to Us on Viking
A few things we especially noticed on Viking:
- The ship felt bright and open.Viking’s signature Scandinavian design gave the ship a lighter, more spacious feel.
- The dining room and lounge seemed larger.The public spaces felt open and easy to enjoy, especially when gathering before or after dinner.
- We liked the lower porthole cabin layout.Since we booked only about 40 days before sailing, we were in a lower stateroom with a porthole. Even so, we actually liked the room setup.
- The bathroom had helpful wall shelving.This may sound like a small thing, but when you are traveling for multiple weeks, extra storage makes a difference.
- There seemed to be more counter space in the cabin.The room felt thoughtfully designed, especially for organizing toiletries, chargers, and everyday items.
- The atmosphere felt calm and adult-oriented.On our sailing, the youngest guests we noticed were probably around their 40s. The overall energy felt mature, calm, and refined.
- The outdoor seating area outside the lounge was larger.We ate dinner outside several times, and that extra outdoor dining space was something we really enjoyed.
For travelers who appreciate clean design, a quieter onboard atmosphere, and a deeper dive into one region, Viking may feel like a beautiful match.
Our AmaWaterways River Cruise Experience: Captivating Rhine
The following week, we boarded AmaWaterways for the Captivating Rhine itinerary, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel.
This itinerary had a very different rhythm. We were moving through multiple countries and experiencing charming towns, historic cities, castles, scenic sailing, active excursions, and cultural moments.
AmaWaterways felt a bit more active, inclusive, and wellness-oriented.
What Stood Out to Us on AmaWaterways
There were several features we really enjoyed on AmaWaterways:
- Excursions were included in the cruise price.This was a big plus. It made the experience feel very easy and seamless.
- You could sometimes do more than one tour in a day.If we were in port longer, there were times when you could choose a morning activity and then another experience later in the day.
- AmaWaterways had a massage room.This was a nice added wellness feature onboard.
- There was also a fitness room.For travelers who like to stay active while traveling, this was a helpful amenity.
- The upper deck felt more luxurious.We noticed the lounge chairs on the top deck felt nicer and more comfortable.
- They offered bikes to check out in port.This is a wonderful option for travelers who enjoy exploring more actively.
- The ship had a strong wellness and activity focus.There were exercise classes, weight classes, stretching classes, yoga, and other onboard movement options.
- Cocktail hour before dinner was included.One hour before dinner, cocktails were included in the lounge. There was an alcoholic drink of the day, a mocktail of the day, and other available cocktails.
- The Chef’s Table was a special dining option.AmaWaterways offered a Chef’s Table experience in the back of the ship. It is a smaller specialty dining venue and a lovely way to enjoy a more intimate meal.
- The Chef’s Table space helped reduce crowding in the main dining room.During the day, this area also functioned as an Italian lunch venue, which gave guests another dining option.
For travelers who enjoy included excursions, wellness, active touring, bikes, and a more flexible daily rhythm, AmaWaterways has a lot to love.
Cabin Differences We Noticed in the Lower Staterooms
On both sailings, we stayed in lower staterooms with portholes, so our personal cabin experience was based on those entry-level accommodations.
On Viking, we really liked the lower cabin layout. It felt thoughtfully designed, with more usable counter space in the room and helpful shelving in the bathroom.
On AmaWaterways, the room was comfortable, but it did feel a little more cramped to us. One thing we noticed was that the room had two chairs. While that was nice in theory, it made the space feel tighter. We also felt there was less shelving and counter space compared to our Viking cabin.
These are small details, but when you are living out of a cabin for a week, they can affect how the room feels day to day.
Balcony Cabins: The Biggest Difference Between Viking and AmaWaterways
Although we did not stay in balcony cabins on this trip, I was able to view balcony cabins at the River Cruise Expo last year. This is where one of the biggest differences between Viking and AmaWaterways really stood out.
The headline difference is the balcony itself.
AmaWaterways is known for its Twin Balcony concept. This means many of their upper-deck cabins include both:
- A French balcony, which is a floor-to-ceiling sliding door with a railing
- A separate step-out balcony with chairs and a table
You get both in the same room.
This is one of AmaWaterways’ signature design features and a major reason travelers often love their upper-deck cabins. It gives you that indoor-outdoor flexibility — fresh air from the French balcony and a true outdoor space when you want to sit outside.
On Viking, the balcony choice is more of an either/or decision.
You generally choose between:
- A French Balcony cabin, which gives you the sliding door and railing but no outdoor sitting space
- A Veranda Stateroom, which gives you the step-out balcony
Viking does have twin balconies on a limited number of suites, but not on standard staterooms.
Viking vs. AmaWaterways Cabin Categories and Sizes
Cabin size and layout can vary slightly by ship, but here is the general difference between the two lines.
Viking Longships Cabin Categories
Viking keeps the room categories simple with five main types:
- Standard Staterooms: approximately 150 sq. ft.
- French Balcony: approximately 135 sq. ft.
- Veranda Stateroom: approximately 205 sq. ft.
- Veranda Suite: approximately 275 sq. ft.
- Explorer Suite: approximately 445 sq. ft. (only 2 available in the aft upper deck)
One important thing to know: Viking’s French Balcony cabin is actually smaller than the Standard Stateroom.
That can feel counterintuitive because many travelers assume a French balcony means an upgraded experience with more usable room. But on Viking, the French Balcony cabins are on the narrower side of the ship, while the Veranda Staterooms are on the wider side.
So the practical takeaway is this: on Viking, I would often guide travelers toward the Veranda Stateroom not only for the balcony itself, but also for the extra interior space.
AmaWaterways 135m Ship Cabin Categories
AmaWaterways has more cabin categories, often with several tiers leading up to suites, but they generally fall into four broad types:
- Riverview cabins: approximately 155–170 sq. ft.
- French Balcony cabins: approximately 155–170 sq. ft.
- Twin Balcony cabins: approximately 210–235 sq. ft.
- Suites: approximately 350 sq. ft.
Where AmaWaterways really shines is in the mid-tier balcony category.
Their Twin Balcony cabins are generally larger than Viking’s Veranda Staterooms and include both the French balcony and the separate step-out balcony.
For travelers who care about outdoor balcony time, fresh air, and having that indoor-outdoor flexibility, AmaWaterways’ Twin Balcony cabin can be a very worthwhile upgrade.
At the very top suite level, Viking pulls ahead in size. Viking’s Explorer Suites are significantly larger than AmaWaterways’ suites and are some of the most spacious accommodations in the river cruise industry.
My Travel Advisor Takeaway on Cabins
Here is the simplest way I would explain the cabin differences.
Choose AmaWaterways if you love the idea of:
- A Twin Balcony cabin
- Both indoor fresh-air access and outdoor sitting space
- More balcony flexibility
- A strong mid-tier cabin upgrade
- A cabin that feels connected to the river in more than one way
Choose Viking if you prefer:
- A simpler cabin category structure
- Signature Scandinavian design
- A larger top-end suite option
- A Veranda Stateroom with more interior space than the French Balcony category
- A clean, calm, streamlined cabin feel
The key with Viking is knowing that the French Balcony cabin is not always the best choice if interior space matters to you. In many cases, the Veranda Stateroom is the better practical upgrade.
Dining and Lounge Differences
On Viking, the dining room and lounge felt more open and spacious to us. The overall layout felt lighter, and we especially enjoyed the outdoor seating area outside the lounge. We ate dinner there on several occasions, which was a lovely way to end the day.
On AmaWaterways, the main dining room felt a bit smaller and more enclosed in some areas because of the wall layout and booth sections. However, AmaWaterways also offered the Chef’s Table, which gave guests another dining experience and helped make the main dining room feel less crowded.
Both lines offered enjoyable meals, but the layout and atmosphere felt different.
Viking felt more open and spacious.
AmaWaterways felt a little more intimate, with the bonus of the Chef’s Table and Italian lunch option.
Activity Level and Onboard Energy
This was one of the bigger differences we felt.
Viking felt quieter, more adult-focused, and more relaxed in its onboard rhythm.
AmaWaterways felt more activity-oriented. There were more wellness classes, movement options, bikes, and opportunities to be active in port.
We also noticed a different mix of travelers onboard. Viking felt more adult-oriented and older in atmosphere. On AmaWaterways, we saw more multigenerational families, including grandparents, parents, and adult children in their 20s. We did not see anyone under 20 on our sailing.
There were probably at least 15 guests in their 20s on our AmaWaterways sailing. They blended in beautifully, and we did not have younger children onboard, but it did feel like AmaWaterways could be a good fit for a multigenerational family trip.
Viking May Be a Better Fit If You Love:
- A lighter, brighter Scandinavian design
- A more open-feeling lounge and dining room
- A quieter adult-oriented atmosphere
- Thoughtful cabin storage and counter space
- A refined, destination-focused itinerary
- A deeper dive into one region, like Bordeaux wine country
- A simpler cabin category structure
- Larger top-end suite options
- Outdoor dining space near the lounge
AmaWaterways May Be a Better Fit If You Love:
- More inclusive excursion options
- The ability to do multiple tours on certain days
- A more active onboard experience
- Wellness classes, stretching, yoga, and fitness options
- Bikes available in port
- A massage room and fitness room onboard
- Included cocktail or mocktail of the day before dinner
- Specialty dining at the Chef’s Table
- Italian lunch options during the day
- A more multigenerational-friendly atmosphere
- Twin Balcony cabins with both a French balcony and a step-out balcony
Should You Book a River Cruise Directly or With a Travel Advisor?
This is something many travelers do not realize: booking with a travel advisor can sometimes give you access to extra incentives or added value compared to booking directly through the cruise line.
As a travel advisor, I help you look beyond the brochure and choose the river cruise that actually fits you.
That includes helping you think through:
- Which cruise line best matches your travel style
- Which itinerary fits the experience you want
- Which cabin category is worth the upgrade
- Whether a French Balcony, Veranda, Twin Balcony, or Suite makes the most sense
- Which sailing dates may offer the best value
- What promotions or advisor incentives may be available
- How to avoid choosing a cabin that looks good on paper but may not fit how you actually travel
Currently, with AmaWaterways, I have access to some Future Cruise Benefits that I am able to pass on to clients. These may help lower the deposit from $400 to $200 and provide an additional 5% off published rates.
Benefits are limited and may be subject to availability, eligibility, sailing date, and change, so contact me for current details.
My Honest Takeaway
After two weeks of river cruising, one week on Viking and one week on AmaWaterways, I can honestly say both were beautiful experiences.
The differences were not dramatic, but they were noticeable.
Viking’s main dining and lounge areas felt more open, calm, and Scandinavian in design. AmaWaterways felt more active, inclusive, and wellness-oriented. Viking’s lower cabin layout worked better for us, while AmaWaterways offered more activity options, included excursions, bikes, wellness spaces, and a lovely cocktail hour.
When it comes to balcony cabins, AmaWaterways’ Twin Balcony design is a standout if you want both fresh-air access and outdoor sitting space. Viking’s Veranda Stateroom is the category I would look at if you want more livable space, while their Explorer Suites are impressive for travelers who want a larger suite experience.
Neither one is wrong.
It really comes down to what kind of traveler you are and how you want to spend your time.
Do you want something calm, refined, and destination-deep?
Or do you want something a little more active, inclusive, and flexible?
That is where working with a travel advisor can make such a difference. River cruise lines may seem similar from the outside, but the small details can shape how the trip feels once you are onboard.
And those details matter.
Ready to Find the River Cruise That Fits Your Travel Style?
If you are considering a river cruise and trying to decide between Viking, AmaWaterways, or another river cruise line, I would love to help you design a river cruise experience that fits your travel style.
The right river cruise is not just about the itinerary.
It is about how you want to feel while you are there.
Whether you want a quiet, refined wine-country sailing, an active multi-country itinerary, a wellness-focused experience, or the perfect cabin with the right balcony setup, I can help you narrow down the options and choose with confidence.
Contact me for personalized river cruise recommendations and current AmaWaterways Future Cruise Benefit details.
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