Cruise1st, one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, offers hand-picked sailings aboard AmaSerena — the intimate AmaWaterways river ship that navigates the Rhine, Ijssel, Benelux waterways and Waal. With expert advice from real cruise specialists on the phone before you book, and the ability to wrap flights, hotels and transfers into a single Cruise1st Package, planning your European river holiday is straightforward from start to finish.
Crew
49
Passengers
162
Currency
EUR
Decks
4
Language
English
Launch Date
2015
AmaSerena is an AmaWaterways river ship launched in 2015, carrying up to 162 guests and 51 crew along 135 metres of hull. With 81 cabins across a compact, sociable layout, she is designed for the kind of unhurried river cruising where the scenery changes every few hours and shore visits are as much a part of the day as life on board. Current sailings depart from Amsterdam and Basel, taking in the Rhine, the Ijssel, the Benelux waterways and the Waal.
AmaSerena offers two distinct dining venues, both included in your cruise fare and open to every guest. The Main Restaurant runs on open seating times, meaning you choose when and with whom you sit — ideal for a relaxed pace rather than an assigned-table routine. Regional cuisine is served here with river views on either side, making the passing landscape part of every meal.
For something more theatrical, The Chef’s Table offers a dedicated chef crafting a multi-course tasting menu in an intimate setting, right in front of you. This is included at no extra charge — genuine culinary theatre without a premium price tag.
Between meals, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station runs on a complimentary self-service basis, whether you need a proper coffee first thing in the morning or a quiet afternoon brew.
The Main Lounge is where guests naturally gather: a fully stocked bar, informative talks about the ports ahead, and live entertainment in the evenings. Drinks are charged separately here unless covered by a beverage package, but entry is free and the programme keeps the social side of the cruise alive on days between ports.
On deck, the Heated Sun-Deck Pool is paired with a swim-up bar — a detail more commonly found on ocean ships — so guests can take a swim without losing their drink. Alongside it, the Walking Track circles the Sun Deck for anyone who wants to keep up a daily run or walk in fresh air with river views.
The Fitness Center provides cardio and strength-training equipment at no charge; specialist fitness classes carry a separate fee. Wind-down options include the Massage & Hair Salon — access is free and treatments are booked and charged separately — and the Library, a quieter corner stocked with books and games. The Gift Shop rounds out the amenities with souvenirs and essentials.
One detail worth highlighting: the ship’s Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. Guests can borrow a bike at no extra cost and head off independently whenever the ship is in port, exploring the towns and countryside at their own pace without joining an organised excursion.
AmaSerena carries three principal cabin grades, each sleeping two guests. Full layouts and deck-by-deck positions are shown on the AmaSerena cabins and deck plans page.
Every sailing currently on sale with Cruise1st departs from either Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Basel in Switzerland — both of which require a flight from the UK, so the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip. Cruise1st can book the flights, the hotel nights either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday rather than separate bookings.
Routes cover the Rhine, the Ijssel, the Benelux waterways and the Waal — a spread of itineraries that ranges across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with up to 11 nights at sea on the longest sailings. Prices start from £2,226pp*.
Browse by waterway: Rhine river cruises carry the largest number of departures, with further options across the Ijssel and Benelux waterways. All are operated by AmaWaterways.
Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists — not a generalist travel agent — which means the team knows this line and can help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions for your trip. Real cruise experts are available on the phone before you book, so you get advice rather than a search result.
Because every AmaSerena sailing currently on sale requires flying to the embarkation port, we can put the whole journey together as a Cruise1st Package — flights, hotel nights before or after the cruise, and transfers, all on one booking.
If you are weighing up the AmaWaterways fleet, Cruise1st also has pages for AmaMagna, AmaVerde, AmaVenita, AmaLea, AmaDahlia and Zambezi Queen — all other ships in the AmaWaterways fleet that you may be choosing between.
Yes — both the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table are included in your cruise fare, and so is the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station. Drinks in the Main Lounge are charged separately unless you have a beverage package, and spa treatments in the Massage & Hair Salon carry their own fee.
Yes. AmaSerena carries a complimentary bicycle fleet that any guest can borrow at no extra cost, making it easy to head off independently when the ship is docked. There is no obligation to join a guided excursion if you would rather explore on your own.
That depends on how you like to use your cabin. The Outside Cabin D at 14.9 m² provides fixed river-view windows and daylight throughout the day without the balcony premium — a solid choice if you plan to spend most of your time on deck or ashore. If outdoor space matters, the Balcony Cabin AA at 21.8 m² is the roomiest balcony option. The Suite SS at 27.9 m² suits guests who want a separate sitting area and the most space on board. The AmaSerena cabins and deck plans page shows exact layouts to help you decide.
Every current sailing departs from Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Basel in Switzerland, so yes — UK guests will need to fly. Cruise1st can arrange the flights, any hotel nights before or after your cruise, and transfers as a single Cruise1st Package, so there is only one booking to manage.
The longest sailings currently on sale run to 11 nights. Departures run from late September 2026 onwards, covering the Rhine, Ijssel, Benelux waterways and Waal.

Come aboard the AmaSerena and discover one of 8 cabin categories on a total of 4 decks that can accommodate 162 passengers. Choose your dream cabin and feel at home on board the AmaSerena!