AmaPrima

AmaPrima at a Glance

AmaPrima is an AmaWaterways river ship launched in 2013, carrying up to 162 guests and crewed by 51 staff — a ratio that keeps service genuinely attentive. At 135 metres in length she is shaped for Europe’s rivers and canal locks, slipping through stretches of the Rhine, Main and Ijssel that larger vessels cannot reach. The sailings on sale through Cruise1st depart from late September 2026, running for up to 11 nights.

She sails primarily on the Rhine, one of Europe’s most celebrated river routes, as well as the Main and the Ijssel. Most itineraries begin or end in Amsterdam or Basel, with further departures from Luxembourg City and Nuremberg. All sailings are operated by AmaWaterways.

Dining on AmaPrima

AmaPrima offers two distinct dining experiences, both included in your cruise fare and open to every guest.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship — an elegant, open-seating space where regional cuisine is served against a backdrop of passing riverbanks. Open seating means you dine when you choose and with whom you choose, a deliberate move away from the fixed-table formality of larger ships.

The Chef’s Table is something rarer: a dedicated chef crafts a multi-course tasting menu in an intimate setting, with the preparation happening right in front of you. It is included in your fare, so there is no extra charge for what is, in effect, a private dining experience built around culinary theatre.

For something lighter, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station operates on a self-service basis throughout the day, with complimentary speciality coffees and teas included in your fare.

On-Board Life

The Main Lounge is the social centre of AmaPrima — a fully stocked bar, informative talks about upcoming ports of call, and live evening entertainment make it the place most guests gravitate to after dinner. Drinks are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package.

Up on deck, the Sun Deck provides unobstructed panoramic views, and the Heated Sun-Deck Pool — with its integrated swim-up bar — adds a resort feel that is unusual on a river ship. A Walking Track runs around the upper deck for guests who like to keep moving.

Active guests also have access to the Fitness Center, equipped with cardio and strength-training equipment at no charge; specialist fitness classes carry a separate fee. One of AmaPrima’s more distinctive touches is her Complimentary Bicycle Fleet — guests can borrow a bike at port and explore the riverbanks or town centres entirely at their own pace, without needing to join a guided excursion.

For quieter moments, the Library offers books and games in a relaxed setting. The Massage & Hair Salon is available for treatments and hairdressing, charged separately. There is also a Gift Shop stocked with souvenirs and essentials.

Cabins on AmaPrima

AmaPrima carries 81 cabins across several grades, all sleeping two guests. Full details, sizes and deck plans are on the AmaPrima cabins and deck plans page.

• Suite SS – French Balcony & Outside Balcony (27.9 m²): The largest cabin on board. A separate seating area and the choice between a French balcony and a full outside balcony set it apart from every other grade.
• Balcony Cabin AA+ (26.9 m²): The largest of the balcony cabin grades, with around 11 m² more floor space than the entry-level grades — a meaningful difference on a river ship where cabins are compact by design.
• Outside Cabin D (14.9 m²): Twin fixed windows keep the cabin light and connected to the river throughout the day, making it a solid step up from a windowless interior option.

Why Book AmaPrima with Cruise1st

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st brings specialist knowledge of AmaWaterways — not the broad generalism of a high-street travel agent. Our cruise experts are available on the phone to help you weigh up cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary options before you commit.

Because every AmaPrima departure on sale involves flying to the Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg or Germany, Cruise1st Packages are worth considering: we book the flights, hotel nights either side and the transfers together with the cruise, so the whole trip sits on one booking and one point of contact.

Other Ships in the AmaWaterways Fleet

If you are weighing up options within the AmaWaterways fleet, Cruise1st also sells sailings on AmaMagna, Zambezi Queen, AmaVerde, AmaVenita, AmaDahlia and AmaLea — each a different ship in the same fleet, and each worth comparing depending on your preferred route and travel dates.

Common Questions About AmaPrima

Where Does AmaPrima Sail?

AmaPrima sails the Rhine, Main and Ijssel rivers in Europe. The itineraries currently on sale through Cruise1st depart from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Basel in Switzerland, Luxembourg City and Nuremberg in Germany, and run for up to 11 nights.

Is Everything Included in the Fare?

The main dining venues — including The Chef’s Table multi-course tasting menu — are included in your cruise fare, as are the speciality coffee and tea station, the fitness centre, the sun deck pool, the bicycle fleet and access to the library. The massage and hair salon carries a charge for treatments, and drinks in the Main Lounge are charged separately unless you hold a beverage package.

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book on AmaPrima?

That depends on how much space and outdoor access matter to you. The Suite SS at 27.9 m² is the most spacious option and includes both a French balcony and an outside balcony. The Balcony Cabin AA+ at 26.9 m² gives nearly as much floor space. If you prefer a more straightforward cabin with natural light and river views, the Outside Cabin D with its fixed twin windows is a well-priced alternative. The cabins and deck plans page sets out every grade side by side.

Do I Need to Fly to Join AmaPrima?

Yes — all departures currently on sale embark in Amsterdam, Basel, Luxembourg City or Nuremberg, so a flight from the UK is required. Cruise1st can book your flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights and transfers alongside the cruise itself through Cruise1st Packages, putting the whole trip on a single booking.

When Do AmaPrima Sailings Depart?

The sailings available through Cruise1st depart from late September 2026. There are 18 departures currently on sale, the majority on the Rhine, with a small number on the Main and the Ijssel.