AmaDara

AmaDara at a glance

Built in 2015 and purpose-designed for the Mekong, AmaDara carries up to 120 guests in 60 cabins, accompanied by 54 crew. At 92 metres in length she is sized to navigate the river intimately, and the high crew-to-guest ratio means attentive, personalised service throughout. She sails under the AmaWaterways flag, a line whose river ships are sold on CruiseAway alongside the wider DreamAway Package programme.

• Home waters: Mekong River, Cambodia and Vietnam
• Known for: an intimate scale, a high crew-to-guest ratio, and a heated sun-deck pool with swim-up bar

Current sailings depart from Kampong Cham, Cambodia and My Tho (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, taking in the heart of Southeast Asia for up to 14 nights. All four sailings on sale are in the South East Asia region, departing from September 2026 onwards.

Dining on AmaDara

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

The Main Restaurant operates on open seating — sit when it suits you, with fellow guests or alone — and focuses on regional cuisine served with river views. It is the everyday culinary heart of the ship. For something more theatrical, The Chef's Table delivers a multi-course tasting menu prepared in front of you by a dedicated chef, in an intimate setting with no additional charge. It is one of the more memorable inclusions on a river ship of this size.

Self-service is covered by the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, complimentary throughout the day, whether you need an early-morning coffee before going ashore or an afternoon brew in the sun.

On-board spaces and activities

The Sun Deck is the social centrepiece above the waterline: open, unobstructed and occasionally used for al fresco dining. Alongside it sits the Heated Sun-Deck Pool, which includes a swim-up bar — a genuine resort feature on a 92-metre river ship. A Walking Track runs the same deck for guests who prefer to start the day with a jog above the Mekong.

Below deck, the Main Lounge is where evenings take shape: cocktails at the fully stocked bar, port talks from the expedition team, and live entertainment. Drinks and food here are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package. The Fitness Center is complimentary to use; specialist classes carry a charge. Guests who want to slow down will find the Library — books and games, open to all — and the Massage & Hair Salon, where the space is free to enter but treatments are charged separately.

One particularly practical inclusion is the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. Guests can borrow a bike at each port call and explore independently, without booking a guided tour or paying extra. On a river itinerary that visits rural Cambodia and Vietnam, this matters.

A Gift Shop rounds out the facilities, stocking souvenirs and essentials.

Cabins on AmaDara

AmaDara's 60 cabins divide into two principal grades. Full deck plans and cabin details are on the AmaDara cabins and deck plans page.

The Balcony Cabin A (23.3 m²) sleeps two and gives each guest a private balcony — fresh air and river views without sharing outdoor space with other guests, something an inside cabin cannot offer. For guests who want considerably more room, the Luxury Suite L (46.6 m²) is the largest cabin on the ship, at roughly double the floor space of a standard balcony cabin, and includes a full separate sitting area. Both grades sleep two.

Where AmaDara sails

All current sailings explore South East Asia, threading the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. Departure ports are Kampong Cham in Cambodia and My Tho (Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam, with itineraries running up to 14 nights. Because neither port is reachable without a flight from Australia, every sailing suits a fuller holiday: flights out, hotel nights before and after, and transfers, all tied together in a single booking.

Browse all available departures through our DreamAway Packages search, which covers bundled cruise-and-flight combinations, or explore the full range of AmaWaterways cruise packages if you are weighing up other itineraries from the same line.

Why book AmaDara with CruiseAway

Every AmaDara sailing currently on sale requires a flight to Southeast Asia, which makes the packaging straightforward to explain: the cruise is the middle of a longer trip. CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages bring the flights, hotel nights and transfers into one booking alongside the cruise, so there is nothing left to arrange separately. Our cruise experts can help you choose between cabin grades — Balcony Cabin A or Luxury Suite L — and advise on fare inclusions, beverage packages and excursions. Every booking is protected by our Best Price Guarantee.

Other ships in the AmaWaterways fleet

If you are weighing up which AmaWaterways ship to sail on, CruiseAway also carries pages for AmaBella, AmaCello, AmaVida, AmaReina and AmaVerde — other ships in the same fleet you may be choosing between.

Common questions about AmaDara

What is included in the AmaDara cruise fare?

Your fare covers dining in the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, use of the Sun Deck, Heated Sun-Deck Pool, Walking Track, Fitness Center and Library, and the complimentary bicycle fleet at ports. The Main Lounge is open to all, though drinks are charged separately unless a beverage package is included. Massage treatments and hair salon services also carry a charge.

Do I need to book flights separately for an AmaDara cruise?

All AmaDara sailings currently available depart from Cambodia or Vietnam, so a flight from Australia is required. CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages bundle your international flights, hotel stays either side of the cruise and transfers into a single booking — our cruise experts can put the whole trip together for you.

Which cabin grade should I book on AmaDara?

If a private balcony and river views are the priority, the Balcony Cabin A at 23.3 m² is a strong choice for two guests. If you want significantly more living space and the comfort of a separate sitting area, the Luxury Suite L at 46.6 m² is the largest cabin on the ship. Our cruise experts can talk through what each grade includes relative to your budget and travel style.

How many passengers does AmaDara carry?

AmaDara carries a maximum of 120 guests, served by 54 crew. The resulting ratio means most guests find service attentive and the atmosphere notably unhurried compared with larger vessels.

Can I explore ports independently on AmaDara?

Yes. AmaDara carries a complimentary bicycle fleet that guests may use at each port call, allowing independent exploration without booking a guided tour or paying an additional charge. It is one of the more practical inclusions on a Mekong itinerary where many stops are accessible by bike.