AmaSonata

AmaSonata at a Glance

AmaSonata is a purpose-built European river ship launched in 2014, sailing exclusively on the Danube for AmaWaterways. Here is what defines her at a glance:

• Guests and crew: 162 passengers, looked after by 51 crew — a ratio that makes for attentive, unhurried service
• Cabins: 81 staterooms across three grades, including balcony suites of up to 27.9 m²
• Itineraries: All 16 sailings on sale explore the Danube, departing from Budapest, Vilshofen or Nuremberg

Because every departure requires a flight to Hungary or Germany, Cruise1st can book the flights, hotel stays either side and transfers alongside your cruise — putting the whole trip on one booking.

Dining on AmaSonata

AmaSonata offers two distinct dining venues, both included in your cruise fare and open to all guests.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship, serving regional cuisine with open seating so you can dine at a time that suits you. River views come as standard, and the informal atmosphere encourages easy conversation with fellow guests. Alongside it, The Chef’s Table offers something more theatrical: a dedicated chef prepares a multi-course tasting menu in an intimate setting, with no extra charge. It is the kind of personalised dining experience that river cruising at this scale makes possible. For between-meal moments, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station is available on a complimentary self-service basis throughout the day.

Bars, Lounges and On-Board Life

The Main Lounge is where the ship’s social life centres — a fully stocked bar, evening entertainment, and informative talks about the ports you are heading for. Drinks and food are charged separately here unless covered by a beverage package, but entry is free and the atmosphere is relaxed.

On the upper deck, the Sun Deck offers unobstructed views of the Danube’s passing riverbanks — the ideal spot to watch the landscape change between ports, and occasionally to dine al fresco. The Heated Sun-Deck Pool sits up here too, with an integrated swim-up bar for refreshments without leaving the water.

For quieter moments, the Library provides a peaceful retreat with books and games, all included in your fare. The Gift Shop carries souvenirs and regional keepsakes for when something from the journey deserves to come home with you.

Keeping Active on AmaSonata

AmaSonata is unusually well equipped for active guests on a ship of her size. The Fitness Center offers modern cardio and strength-training equipment at no charge, and a Walking Track on the Sun Deck lets you jog or walk in the open air with river views on both sides. Specialist fitness classes carry a separate charge.

The Complimentary Bicycle Fleet is one of the standout features of sailing with AmaWaterways on this ship: bicycles are available to all guests at no extra cost, so you can peel off from a port call and explore at your own pace rather than following a group. For relaxation after an active day, the Massage & Hair Salon offers treatments and hairdressing — access is free, though services themselves carry a charge.

Cabins on AmaSonata

All 81 cabins sleep two guests, and the three grades on offer span a meaningful range of space and outlook. Full deck plans and a detailed breakdown of every grade are on the AmaSonata cabins and deck plans page.

The Outside Cabin D (14.9 m²) brings natural light and river scenery through a fixed window — a practical, comfortable choice that keeps you connected to the landscape outside. The Balcony Cabin AA+ (26.9 m²) is the largest standard balcony category in the fleet at this grade, offering noticeably more living space. At the top, the Suite SS (27.9 m²) provides the most generous layout on the ship, with separate sleeping and relaxation areas and private balcony access — a genuinely spacious environment for a river vessel.

Where AmaSonata Sails

All 16 sailings currently on sale are Danube river cruises, with itineraries of up to seven nights. The three main departure points are Budapest in Hungary, and Vilshofen and Nuremberg in Germany, giving you a choice of where your journey begins and ends. Whether you want to start in Budapest and sail west into Austria and Bavaria, or begin further inland and work your way towards Hungary, the itinerary range covers the Danube’s most celebrated stretches.

As all departure cities require a flight from the UK, every booking with Cruise1st can include flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, and transfers — arranged as a single Cruise1st Package so nothing falls between the gaps.

Why Book AmaSonata with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, which means the advice you get before you book comes from people who know AmaWaterways and the Danube specifically — not a general travel agent working from a brochure. Real cruise experts are on the phone to help you choose the right cabin grade, the right departure date, and the right fare inclusions for your trip. And because every AmaSonata sailing involves flying to Hungary or Germany, Cruise1st can put the flights, hotels either side and your transfers together with the cruise on a single booking, so the whole holiday is managed in one place.

Other AmaWaterways Ships to Consider

If you are weighing up your options within the AmaWaterways fleet, Cruise1st also sells sailings on AmaMagna, Zambezi Queen, AmaVerde, AmaVenita, AmaDahlia and AmaLea — all other ships in the same fleet that may be sailing different routes or dates.

Common Questions About AmaSonata

What Is Included in the AmaSonata Cruise Fare?

The main restaurant, The Chef’s Table, the specialty coffee and tea station, Sun Deck access, the heated pool, walking track, fitness centre, bicycle use and the library are all included in your cruise fare. The Main Lounge is free to enter; drinks and food there are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package. Spa treatments and specialist fitness classes carry their own charges.

Which Departure Point Should I Choose — Budapest, Vilshofen or Nuremberg?

That depends on which part of the Danube you most want to explore and how you plan to travel. Budapest-departing sailings make up the largest share of current departures (nine out of sixteen), while Vilshofen and Nuremberg offer fewer but distinct itinerary options. Because all three require a flight from the UK, Cruise1st can advise on routing and book flights into one city and out of another if your itinerary calls for it.

How Many Guests Are on Board AmaSonata?

AmaSonata carries 162 passengers, served by 51 crew. That ratio means each crew member is responsible for around three guests — a level of attentiveness that would be difficult to replicate on a larger vessel, and one of the defining characteristics of river cruising at this scale.

Which Cabin Grade Offers the Best Value on AmaSonata?

That is a question worth discussing with a Cruise1st cruise expert, as it depends on how much time you plan to spend in your cabin versus on deck. The Outside Cabin D at 14.9 m² is the entry-level option with a river-view window; the Balcony Cabin AA+ at 26.9 m² adds private outdoor space and significantly more room; and the Suite SS at 27.9 m² gives you the ship’s most generous layout. A phone conversation with our team before you book can help you match the grade to how you actually travel.

Can I Book AmaSonata as Part of a Package Including Flights?

Yes — because every current AmaSonata departure boards in Hungary or Germany, a flight from the UK is part of every trip. Cruise1st can arrange your cruise alongside flights, hotel nights before or after the sailing, and transfers as a single Cruise1st Package, so the whole journey is on one booking.