Harrison’s first river cruise with AmaWaterways completely reshaped how he thought about cruising. Until then, most of his experience came from ocean liners, huge floating cities carrying thousands of guests across the seas. But once he stepped onboard AmaMagna, he realised that sometimes smaller really is better.
The Big Difference
The numbers alone are eye-opening. An average ocean liner can carry between 3,000 and 7,000 passengers, and when you include crew, some ships can reach close to 10,000 people onboard. By comparison, AmaMagna welcomes just 196 guests. That difference was not lost on Harrison. The moment he boarded, he felt the atmosphere was more personal, more intimate, and far more relaxed.
With fewer passengers, service became not only more attentive but also more personal. Crew members quickly remembered his preferences and those of his cameraman, James. It never felt crowded, rushed, or overwhelming. Instead, it felt like being welcomed into a beautifully run boutique hotel on the water.
Through Places, Not Just To Them
One phrase from Cesario, the AmaWaterways cruise manager, stayed with Harrison throughout the journey. “Ocean cruises take you to places. River cruises take you through those places.”
On a river cruise, there are no long stretches of open sea and no days of simply waiting to arrive. Instead, every morning, Harrison woke up in a new destination ready to explore. One day it was a grand European capital, the next a charming mountain town. Each stop offered something unique, and each left Harrison with ideas for where he might return in the future.
The magic was in the rhythm. Step off the ship in the morning, immerse yourself in a city’s history and culture, and return in the afternoon to a familiar lounge or dining room that already feels like home. It was seamless travel at its finest.
Life Onboard a Smaller Ship
AmaMagna itself made a lasting impression. At 135 metres long and 22 metres wide, it is nothing like the colossal scale of an ocean liner. Harrison found he could get his bearings within a day and quickly formed a connection with the ship’s spaces. His favourite became the lounge, a place to unwind after excursions and chat with fellow travellers who quickly began to feel like friends.
The smaller size of a river ship also meant access to waterways that ocean liners could never reach. The Danube, the Rhine, the Seine, the Nile, the Mekong, and even Colombia’s Magdalena. All rivers that carry ships directly into the heart of the world’s most captivating cities and landscapes. For Harrison, this access was a revelation. He could see more, experience more, and feel more connected to the places he visited.
A Smarter Way to Cruise
By the end of his AmaWaterways journey, Harrison was convinced. River cruising was not just different, it was better for the kind of traveller he had become. Smaller ships meant bigger experiences. More personal service, more time exploring destinations, and more meaningful connections with both crew and fellow guests.
Every day felt like waking up to a new story, and every evening ended with the comfort of coming back to a ship that felt like home. There were no crowds, no chaos, and no sense of being lost in the shuffle. Just 196 guests, all sharing something special on the river together.
As Harrison puts it, “This has set the bar really, really high. I am positive that I prefer river cruising already.”
Zambezi Queen Village Visit
Ready to Choose River?
If you are ready for a smarter way to cruise, it may be time to discover AmaWaterways for yourself. With smaller ships, personal touches, and itineraries that take you directly through the heart of the world’s most iconic rivers, it is an experience unlike any other.
Find your perfect AmaWaterways journey today. Smaller ships, bigger experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime.
