Are you ready to set sail with AmaWaterways?
The Countdown Has Begun!
We're sure you're excited to set sail with AmaWaterways, but the journey starts well before you step onboard.
River cruising is wonderfully relaxed once you're underway, but there are a few things worth organising before you travel. From completing your Cruise Check-In and choosing your included excursions to downloading the myAmaCruise app, checking your embarkation location and deciding what to pack, we've answered the questions our guests ask most often below.
If there's anything you're still unsure about, our team is always here to help.
As you've booked your AmaWaterways river cruise through Paramount Cruises, your booking details, payments and Paramount Cruises travel documentation can be accessed through My Trip.
You'll also receive an AmaWaterways booking number, which you'll need to complete your Cruise Check-In and add your sailing to the myAmaCruise app.
If you'd like to make a change to the holiday you've booked through Paramount Cruises, please contact our team rather than making amendments directly with AmaWaterways.
AmaWaterways requires every guest to complete its online AmaWaterways Cruise Check-In before travelling. You'll need your AmaWaterways booking number and surname to retrieve your reservation.
During Cruise Check-In you'll be asked to confirm important information including your personal and passport details and emergency contact information. On eligible itineraries, you'll also be able to register for your shore excursions.
AmaWaterways asks guests to complete the process no later than the final payment date, so we'd recommend doing it well before departure rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Yes. The myAmaCruise app is well worth downloading before you travel.
The app brings together useful information about your river cruise and can be used to:
- Select your shore excursions when registration opens
- Access your electronic travel documents
- View your Daily Cruiser onboard newsletter
- Follow your ship on an interactive route map
- See information about the destinations you're visiting
- Keep track of your daily itinerary
Shore excursion registration becomes available through the app once your cruise has been paid in full and you're within 60 days of embarkation.
Your electronic travel documents are normally available in the app approximately 30 days before departure.
The myAmaCruise app isn't currently available for Egypt or Africa itineraries, where different arrangements apply.
Your electronic travel documents are normally issued approximately a couple of weeks before departure, once your holiday has been paid in full and you've completed the required Cruise Check-In information.
For cruises supported by the myAmaCruise app, your documents can also be accessed there once they've been released.
Your final documents are important on a river cruise because they contain information about your embarkation arrangements and itinerary, so make sure you read them carefully before travelling.
You'll need a valid passport for travel. It must have at least 6 months validity from your date of return to the UK.
Please check the entry requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting, some destinations do require a visa to be organised prior to departure. You can find the latest information at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Boarding generally begins in the early afternoon, at around 3pm, although you should always follow the embarkation time shown in your own travel documents.
If you arrive earlier, AmaWaterways can often accept your luggage while the crew prepare the ship and staterooms, giving you the opportunity to explore the local area before returning to board.
If you're onboard before your stateroom is ready, you may be able to relax in the Main Lounge until your accommodation becomes available.
Don't rely solely on a generic boarding time, however. Your final travel documents should always be your main reference.
This is particularly important for river cruises. Unlike large ocean cruise terminals, river ships can use several different berths within the same city and the exact docking position may be allocated or changed by the local port authorities.
Always check the docking information in your latest travel documents before setting off for the ship.
If you're making your own way to the ship rather than using an included transfer, we'd also recommend checking the location again on embarkation day. Your travel documents should contain the relevant ship or local contact details.
Don't be surprised if you open your curtains and find another river ship next door. It's common for river cruise ships to moor alongside one another, particularly in busy European ports where several vessels may be visiting at the same time.
When this happens, your view may temporarily be restricted and you may need to walk through the lobby or across the Sun Deck of another ship to reach the shore.
This is a completely normal part of river cruising and isn't something AmaWaterways can control.
It's also worth bearing in mind if you have limited mobility, as access between the ship and shore can occasionally involve stairs, narrow gangways or uneven surfaces.
A fantastic range of shore excursions is already included with your AmaWaterways river cruise.
On eligible itineraries, you can select your preferred excursions through Cruise Check-In or the myAmaCruise app once your cruise is paid in full and you're within 60 days of departure.
AmaWaterways often gives you several different ways to experience the same destination. Depending on the port, you might be able to choose between a traditional sightseeing tour, gentle-paced walking tour, active hike, cycling experience, tasting tour or another special-interest experience.
Some optional or specialist experiences may carry an additional charge, so check the information shown against each excursion.
For Egypt and Africa itineraries, excursions are curated differently and you don't currently need to make excursion selections during online check-in.
One of the things AmaWaterways does particularly well is giving guests a choice in how actively they want to explore.
On many European excursions, walking tours are divided into different activity levels, allowing you to choose a pace that suits you.
You may find a gentle walkers group designed for guests who prefer a more relaxed pace, a regular walking group and an active walkers option for guests who want to cover more ground.
There are also hiking and cycling excursions on selected itineraries.
You don't need to choose the most active option every day. One of the advantages of river cruising is being able to vary your pace as you go.
On most of AmaWaterways' European ships, complimentary bicycles are available for guests. They can be used on selected guided cycling excursions, and where permitted you may also be able to reserve a bicycle to explore independently.
Helmets are provided and must be worn when taking part in AmaWaterways cycling tours.
Availability, local regulations and cycling conditions vary between destinations, so speak to your Cruise Manager before heading out independently.
AmaWaterways describes its onboard style as casually elegant. During the day, comfort should be the priority. You'll spend plenty of time walking along cobbled streets, through historic centres and around attractions, so comfortable footwear is essential.
For dinner, smart-casual clothing is perfectly suitable. You may want to bring something a little dressier for special occasions such as the Welcome and Farewell dinners, dinner at The Chef's Table or an evening concert ashore, but traditional cruise formalwear isn't required.
For itineraries visiting religious sites, particularly in destinations such as Egypt, make sure you also pack clothing suitable for local dress requirements.
There are no traditional formal nights, so there's no need to pack black tie or an evening gown. The atmosphere remains relaxed throughout the cruise, although guests often dress a little smarter for the Welcome and Farewell dinners and other special evenings.
Entertainment tends to reflect the destinations you're visiting rather than following a traditional ocean-cruise format. Depending on your itinerary, this might include local musicians, dancers, cultural performances, tastings or an evening concert ashore.
Some itineraries also feature special experiences unique to the destination. For example, selected Danube cruises include AmaWaterways' popular Oktoberfest-style celebration in Vilshofen.
Your Daily Cruiser will show exactly what's happening during your sailing.
Yes, please ensure that you have adequate Travel Insurance in place for your holiday and that your insurance covers cruises and the countries you are travelling to. We’ve partnered with award-winning Travel Insurance Just Travel Cover to help you find the right insurance for your next cruise. At Just Travel Cover you can compare prices from multiple insurers; there’s no age limit and cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
Special offer: Click get a quote below and use code PARAMOUNT to get a 5% discount at JustTravelCover.
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Travel Insurance is provided by Just Travel Cover, a trading style of Just Insurance Agents Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (610022).
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, and all quotes are subject to underwriting criteria.
To review AmaWaterways' terms & conditions, please visit their website.
