AmaLucia

AmaLucia at a Glance

AmaLucia launched in 2021 and carries up to 156 guests in the care of 51 crew across 78 cabins. At 135 metres in length, she is proportioned to navigate the rivers of Western Europe with ease, giving her access to the heart of cities and towns that larger vessels cannot reach. She sails for AmaWaterways and is built around an unusually generous ratio of crew to guests, which shapes the pace and attentiveness of life on board.

• Regions: Rhine, Benelux, Ijssel, Waal
• Home ports: Amsterdam and Basel

Current sailings depart from Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland, travelling the Rhine, Benelux and Ijssel waterways, with itineraries of up to 14 nights.

Dining on AmaLucia

Every meal in the Main Restaurant is included in your cruise fare, served with open seating so you choose when you sit and who you sit with, always with a river view alongside regional cuisine that changes with the itinerary.

The Chef’s Table takes dining a step further: a dedicated chef crafts a multi-course tasting menu in an intimate setting, right in front of you. It is included in your fare — there is no surcharge — and delivers the kind of personalised culinary theatre that most ships charge handsomely for as a speciality restaurant. For those moments between meals, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station is self-service and complimentary throughout the day.

Life on Board AmaLucia

The Main Lounge is the social centre of the ship: cocktails at the fully stocked bar, port talks from the crew before each stop, and live entertainment in the evenings. Entry is included; drinks are charged separately unless you hold a beverage package.

Up on the Sun Deck, the heated outdoor pool comes with a swim-up bar — a feature more commonly found on resort ships — and the walking track runs alongside it for a morning jog with unobstructed river views. The Fitness Center below offers modern cardio and strength equipment at no charge, with specialist classes available for a fee.

When the mood calls for something quieter, the Library provides books and games in a calm corner of the ship, and the Massage & Hair Salon offers treatments for those who want to be pampered — treatments carry a charge, but the space itself is open to all. The Gift Shop rounds out the on-board facilities with souvenirs and essentials.

One of AmaLucia’s most practical inclusions is the complimentary bicycle fleet. Guests can take a bike ashore at any port and explore independently — no guided tour required, no extra cost.

Cabins on AmaLucia

AmaLucia carries three published cabin grades, each designed for a different way of experiencing the river. Full deck plans and every cabin category are shown on the AmaLucia cabins and deck plans page.

The Outside Cabin D at 14.9 m² sleeps two and has a fixed outside-view window — natural daylight and riverside scenery without the balcony premium. It is the most straightforward route to a view cabin on board.

The Balcony Cabin AA at 21.8 m² sleeps up to four and offers dual private balcony access: a full drop-down window-wall that opens the cabin to the river, and a step-out outside space for those moments when you want to feel the air. Both can be used at different times of day, giving genuine flexibility.

At the top of the range, the Suite on Violin Deck at 32.5 m² also sleeps up to four and goes a step further: a French balcony for fresh air, plus a full outside balcony for private riverside dining and relaxation — two distinct outdoor experiences in one cabin.

Where AmaLucia Sails

AmaLucia’s sailings currently cover four river regions: the Rhine, Benelux, the Ijssel and the Waal. The Rhine itineraries are the most numerous, threading through the vineyards, medieval towns and cathedral cities of Germany, France and Switzerland. Benelux sailings explore the Low Countries, while the Ijssel and Waal routes reach into the quieter corners of the Netherlands.

The two home ports — Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Basel in Switzerland — anchor either end of the most popular Rhine itineraries, and many guests sail one way and fly the other. Because every departure requires an international flight, Cruise1st can build the whole trip as a Cruise1st Package: flights, hotel nights before or after the cruise, and transfers, all on one booking.

Why Book AmaLucia with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, which means our team knows AmaWaterways’ ships and itineraries in detail rather than treating them as one line among many. Before you book, real cruise experts are available by phone to talk through the cabin grades, the fare inclusions and which itinerary suits your travel style.

Because AmaLucia sailings all start overseas — in the Netherlands or Switzerland — the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip. We put the flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel and all transfers together as one holiday, so you arrive at the ship without anything left to organise. That is the practical value of booking with a specialist rather than piecing it together yourself.

Common Questions About AmaLucia

What Is Included in an AmaLucia Cruise Fare?

The Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table both operate on an included basis — no surcharge for either. The Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, the heated pool, the Sun Deck, the walking track, the Fitness Center and the bicycle fleet are all complimentary. Drinks in the Main Lounge, spa treatments and specialist fitness classes carry separate charges, as do any purchases in the Gift Shop.

Which Cabin Grade Is Right for Me on AmaLucia?

If river views matter but you prefer to keep costs down, the Outside Cabin D gives you natural light and scenery without a balcony premium. If you want private outdoor space and flexibility, the Balcony Cabin AA delivers both a drop-down window-wall and a step-out balcony. Travelling as a group of up to four, or simply wanting the most space and two distinct outdoor areas, the Suite on Violin Deck is the top choice. The full breakdown is on the AmaLucia cabins and deck plans page.

Do I Need to Book Flights Separately?

No. Every AmaLucia sailing departs from Amsterdam or Basel, so an international flight is always part of the journey. Cruise1st can book the flights, any hotel nights either side and the transfers as a single package — call our experts and they will put the whole trip together for you.

How Many Other Ships Does AmaWaterways Operate?

AmaWaterways operates a fleet of river ships. Others available to browse on Cruise1st include AmaMagna, Zambezi Queen, AmaVerde, AmaVenita, AmaDahlia and AmaLea — each sailing different routes and worth comparing if you are deciding between itineraries.

What Is the Shortest AmaLucia Cruise Currently on Sale?

Sailings currently on sale start from £1,856pp*, with itineraries running to a maximum of 14 nights. Our cruise experts can help you match the right length of trip to your available holiday time — call before you book to talk it through.