AmaLea

AmaLea at a glance

AmaLea is a purpose-built Danube river ship launched in 2018 and operated by AmaWaterways. She carries up to 156 guests looked after by a crew of 51, and at 135 metres she is sized to navigate the river locks and historic town quays of Central Europe. Her 78 cabins span three grades — suites with a double-balcony arrangement, full balcony staterooms and fixed-window outside staterooms — and the onboard experience is built around included dining, complimentary bicycles at every port, and a heated sun-deck pool with a swim-up bar.

• Cabins: 78 across three grades
• Route: Danube River, Europe — departing Budapest, Vilshofen, Nuremberg and Amsterdam

All 11 sailings currently on sale with CruiseAway follow the Danube through the heart of Europe. Most depart from Budapest, Hungary, with others starting in Nuremberg, Germany and Vilshofen, or from Amsterdam on the extended Rhine–Danube itineraries.

Dining on AmaLea

AmaLea offers two distinct dining venues, 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 serving regional cuisine with river views framed through wide windows. Open seating means you dine when it suits you and share tables with whoever you choose. Alongside it, The Chef's Table offers an intimate counter experience where a dedicated chef prepares a multi-course tasting menu in front of you — culinary theatre with personalised attention, at no extra charge. A complimentary Specialty Coffee & Tea Station runs throughout the day for self-serve espresso, teas and blends whenever you want them.

On-deck life and activities

The Sun Deck runs the full width of the ship and is the place to be as AmaLea glides past vineyards, castles and medieval town fronts. It doubles as an al-fresco dining space on fine evenings, and the Heated Sun-Deck Pool — with its integrated swim-up bar — adds a resort flavour to a river voyage. A Walking Track circles the upper deck for anyone who wants to log a few kilometres between ports.

Below deck, the Fitness Center carries modern cardio and strength equipment at no charge (specialist classes carry a separate fee). The Massage & Hair Salon is the place to book a treatment or a trim — the space itself is free to enter, though services are priced individually. The Library offers a quieter retreat with books and games, and the Gift Shop stocks souvenirs, regional keepsakes and everyday essentials.

One feature that sets AmaLea apart for active travellers: the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. Bikes are available to all guests at every port of call, so you can peel away from the group and explore a riverside town, a vineyard lane or a cycle path along the Danube at your own pace — no excursion fee, no guide required.

Evenings gather in the Main Lounge, the social hub of the ship, where port talks, live entertainment and a fully stocked bar fill the hours after dinner.

Cabins on AmaLea

AmaLea's 78 cabins come in three grades, each sleeping two guests. Full details and deck plans are on the AmaLea cabins and deck plans page.

The Suite SS (32.5 m²) is the most spacious option on board and the only grade to offer two distinct outdoor spaces: a sheltered French balcony on one side and a full private balcony on the other. That combination lets you choose between a protected perch for windier mornings and an open-air vantage point when the conditions are perfect.

The Balcony Stateroom AA (21.8 m²) is among the largest balcony cabins on AmaLea, with a private balcony for uninterrupted river views and a floor plan that gives you noticeably more room to move than the mid-tier balcony grades.

The Outside Stateroom D (14.9 m²) trades the balcony for fixed river-view windows, letting natural light and the passing scenery into the cabin without the balcony price premium — a practical choice if you expect to spend most of your time on deck.

Booking AmaLea with CruiseAway

Every AmaLea departure on sale here leaves from a European port, so flying is part of the plan for Australian travellers. CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages are designed for exactly this: we combine the river cruise with your international flights, a hotel night before embarkation and transfers between them, booked as one holiday on one invoice. Our cruise experts know AmaWaterways fares inside out and can advise on which cabin grade and inclusions fit your travel style — and every booking is backed by our Best Price Guarantee.

Common questions about AmaLea

When do AmaLea sailings depart?

All sailings currently listed on CruiseAway depart from September 2026 onwards. Itineraries run up to 16 nights on the Danube, with departure cities including Budapest, Vilshofen, Nuremberg and Amsterdam depending on the route you choose.

Which cabin grade should I book on AmaLea?

If outdoor space matters most, the Suite SS (32.5 m²) is the only grade with both a French balcony and a full private balcony — useful on a river ship where the view is the whole point. Balcony Stateroom AA gives you a private balcony in a generously proportioned stateroom. Outside Stateroom D suits travellers who prefer a lower price point and are happy to enjoy the scenery from the Sun Deck rather than a private balcony.

Are flights included in the price?

The cruise fare itself does not include flights, but CruiseAway can bundle flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers into a single DreamAway Package. Because AmaLea sails exclusively in Europe, most Australian guests find this the most straightforward way to book the whole trip in one go.

What is included in the AmaLea cruise fare?

Both dining venues — the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table — are included, as are the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, the heated pool, the fitness centre, the walking track, the library and the complimentary bicycle fleet at every port. The Main Lounge bar is open to all; drinks are included or charged separately depending on the package you select. Spa treatments and specialist fitness classes carry their own charges.

Are there other AmaWaterways ships I could consider?

Yes — AmaWaterways operates several ships that may appear in your search results on CruiseAway. You can compare AmaBella, AmaCello, AmaVida, AmaReina and AmaVerde as other ships in the same fleet to find the sailing and itinerary that suits you best.