AmaDolce

AmaDolce at a Glance

AmaDolce is an AmaWaterways river ship launched in 2009, carrying up to 140 guests with a crew of 45. Her 71 cabins sit aboard a 109.7-metre hull built for the intimate waterways of France. She sails the Garonne river, departing from Bordeaux, placing guests in the heart of one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions from the very first evening.

• Cruise line: AmaWaterways
• Home waters: the Garonne, southwest France
• Home port: Bordeaux, France
• Signature feature: a heated sun-deck pool with swim-up bar
• Included highlights: regional cuisine, complimentary bicycles, Chef’s Table experiences

Dining on AmaDolce

The ship’s two included dining venues cover both relaxed everyday meals and something considerably more theatrical.

The Main Restaurant operates with open seating, so guests choose when they sit down rather than keeping to a fixed time. Regional cuisine — expect the produce and wine culture of the Garonne valley to influence the menu — is served with river views included in the fare. For a more immersive evening, The Chef’s Table offers a multi-course tasting menu prepared in front of guests in an intimate setting, also at no extra charge. Both venues are open to everyone aboard.

Away from mealtimes, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station provides complimentary self-service drinks throughout the day — a quiet place to start a morning before heading ashore.

On-Board Life

The Main Lounge is the natural gathering point: a fully stocked bar, evening entertainment and port talks before or after excursions. Drinks at the bar carry a charge unless you hold a beverage package, but entry is free and the talks are a useful briefing for first-time visitors to the Bordeaux region.

Up on deck, the Sun Deck provides unobstructed views of the riverbanks — châteaux, vineyards and medieval towns drifting past — and doubles as an al-fresco dining space on fine days. The Heated Sun-Deck Pool sits here too, with an integrated swim-up bar for refreshments without leaving the water. A Walking Track runs alongside for anyone who wants to keep moving between port stops.

Active guests will also find a Fitness Center with cardio and strength equipment at no charge, though specialist classes carry a separate fee. The Massage & Hair Salon offers treatments and hairdressing at an additional cost, and the Library provides a quieter alternative — books, games, and a place to decompress. A Gift Shop stocks souvenirs and regional keepsakes for those wanting a tangible reminder of the Gironde.

Perhaps the most distinctive amenity is the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. AmaWaterways equips AmaDolce with bikes available to all guests at no charge — practical on a river itinerary where the ship docks in the centre of each town and the surrounding countryside is flat enough to explore without a guide.

Cabins and Suites on AmaDolce

AmaDolce carries three cabin grades, each sleeping two guests and each suited to a different priority. Full deck plans and every grade in detail are on the AmaDolce cabins and deck plans page.

The Suite, at 23.7 m², is the most spacious option on board, with a balcony — the largest individual living space the ship offers. For guests who want a French balcony and more floor area than a standard stateroom, the French Balcony Cabin A+ at 20.9 m² is the top tier of that category. The Outside Cabin with twin windows, at 15.8 m², brings natural light and river scenery at a more accessible price point — still with views, without the balcony premium.

Where AmaDolce Sails

All current sailings operate on the Garonne, departing from Bordeaux, France. Itineraries run up to seven nights and take in the landscapes and towns of southwest France — the Médoc, Saint-Émilion, the Dordogne confluence and the broader Gironde estuary all feature on routes through this wine country. Departures are from late September 2026 onwards.

Because every sailing departs from France, most UK guests will need to fly to Bordeaux. That makes this the kind of trip where combining the cruise with flights and accommodation on either side simplifies everything — one booking rather than three separate ones.

Why Book AmaDolce with Cruise1st

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st offers expert advice from real cruise specialists on the phone before you commit — useful when comparing cabin grades or deciding whether a suite or French-balcony stateroom suits your priorities. Because all current sailings require a flight to France, the cruise is often the centrepiece of a longer trip. Cruise1st Packages bring together the cruise, flights, hotels on either side, and transfers into a single holiday booking, so nothing falls through the gaps between separate reservations.

Whatever cabin grade you choose, Cruise1st helps match fare inclusions to your circumstances and puts everything on one booking.

Other Ships in the AmaWaterways Fleet

If you are weighing up which AmaWaterways vessel to sail on, several other ships in the fleet are available to browse: AmaMagna and AmaVerde both operate in European river country, while Zambezi Queen sails a very different waterway in Africa. AmaVenita, AmaDahlia and AmaLea are further options to consider. The full AmaWaterways fleet and what sailing with them is like is covered on the AmaWaterways cruise line page.

Common Questions About AmaDolce

What Is Included in the Fare on AmaDolce?

The Main Restaurant, The Chef’s Table, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, the Sun Deck and pool, the walking track, the fitness centre, the library, and the complimentary bicycle fleet are all included in the cruise fare. Drinks at the bar carry a charge unless you have a beverage package, and spa treatments and specialist fitness classes cost extra.

Do I Need to Fly to Join AmaDolce?

Yes — all current sailings depart from Bordeaux, France, so UK travellers will need to fly. Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotels and transfers alongside the cruise as a single Cruise1st Package, which keeps everything under one booking.

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book on AmaDolce?

If space is the priority, the Suite at 23.7 m² with a balcony is the ship’s largest cabin. Guests who want a French balcony in a generous stateroom but at a step below the suite price will find the French Balcony Cabin A+ at 20.9 m² the best of that tier. The Outside Cabin with twin windows at 15.8 m² suits those who want natural light and river views without the balcony premium. The AmaDolce cabins and deck plans page shows full layouts for each grade.

How Many Guests Are on AmaDolce?

AmaDolce carries up to 140 passengers, served by a crew of 45. The ratio of crew to guests — roughly one to every three passengers — reflects the attentive, personalised service that characterises river cruising on a ship of this size.

What Is the Garonne Like as a River Cruise Destination?

The Garonne flows through the Bordeaux wine country of southwest France, passing some of the world’s most famous wine appellations — Saint-Émilion, the Médoc and the Dordogne — as well as historic market towns and countryside estates. Itineraries on this river typically combine wine tastings, market visits and cycling excursions, making the complimentary bicycle fleet aboard AmaDolce particularly well-suited to the destination.