AmaKristina

The 2016-built AmaKristina ship cruises on the Rhone River in France, departing from homeports Lyon and Arles.

The 158-passenger riverboat AmaKristina belongs to the modified Concerto-class series, with sisterships AmaFiora (2027), AmaLea (2018), AmaMora (2019), AmaSiena (2020), AmaSofia (2026), AmaStella (2016), and AmaViola (2016).

Decks and Cabins

AmaKristina's 76 staterooms are across 10 categories and include 4 Twin Balcony Suites, 45 Twin Balcony Staterooms, 18 French Balcony cabins, and 9 Riverview cabins (with non-opening high windows).

Most staterooms feature AmaWaterways' signature Twin Balcony design and measure 20-22 m2 (210-235 ft2). The four Suites are the largest accommodations, measuring 33 m2 (350 ft2).

Standard cabin amenities include a hotel-style Queen (double bed convertible to twin beds) luxury bedding sets, under-bed suitcase storage, ample closet space, bedside cabinets with drawers and reading lamps, two long-range portable audio devices (for use during land tours and excursions), individual climate control, a private bathroom (single-sink vanity, glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium bath amenities, bathrobes), digital safe (in the closet), direct-dial phone, TV, and daily-supplied complimentary bottled water.

Mini-bars are available in Twin Balcony staterooms only.

Free shipwide Wi-Fi is also included.

The boat has 4 decks, of which 3 have cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All AmaWaterways ships provide complimentary bicycles, stored on the sundeck, for guests to use during shore excursions and tours at each port of call along the cruise itinerary.

A passenger elevator/lift connects only two cabin decks (Cello/2nd/, and Violin/3rd).

Next are reviewed the AmaKristina ship's venues, facilities, and amenities by deck.

Piano Deck (1st floor)

The wellness complex consists of a Spa (two Massage Rooms for body massages and facial treatments) and a Gym/Fitness Room. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows.

The ship has no Beauty Salon/Hair Salon (hairstyling and barber services, manicure and pedicure) and Sauna.

On the Piano Deck are also all staff and crew cabins.

Cello Deck (2nd floor)

Journeys Restaurant (Main Dining Room) is the ship's primary dining venue serving breakfast, lunch, and a 3-course dinner, all included in the cruise fare. The dining room is spacious, with modern furnishings, comfortable upholstered chairs, luxury dining amenities (premium table linens, china, cutlery, glassware), and large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows offering river views from nearly every table. Tables are arranged for couples as well as larger groups (up to 8 guests per table). Meals are primarily waiter-served, although breakfast and lunch also include buffet components. Complimentary beverages (regional wines, beer, and soft drinks) are served with lunch and dinner.

Adjacent to the Restaurant is the Galley (kitchen and storage rooms for provisions). It supports two dining venues simultaneously (Journeys Restaurant, Al Fresco). Food preparation emphasizes fresh regional ingredients and daily baking. Special dietary requirements are generally accommodated when requested before sailing.

Violin Deck (3rd floor)

The fore-located Bow Terrace is a great vantage point for outdoor observation. The space is accessed from the Al Fresco.

The Lark Lounge & Bar is the ship's main social venue, featuring floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows, a full-service bar, comfortable lounge seating, a dance floor, a grand piano and live musical/show performances (in the afternoons and evenings), and a large screen used for lectures/media presentations and evening entertainment. Standard cocktails, premium spirits, specialty wines, and premium beverages may incur additional charges, while many drinks are included depending on the fare and service period. The lounge's evening programming includes live music and vocal performances, cocktail hour (nightly), a live show program with local performers (dancers and musicians boarding the riverboat), and the crew show (once per cruise). The daily programming includes various workshops, classes, demonstrations, trivia games, and watching movies. Special activities hosted here are themed dance nights and food-and-wine tastings (itinerary-based / local delicacies, liqueurs, cheeses, sweets, etc).

Al Fresco is a bow-facing, glass-enclosed dining venue with direct access from the Lark Lounge. It is also accessed via outside stairs from the Sun Deck (above). Al Fresco serves breakfast and lunch, and features floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Depending on weather, sections may open for fresh air while remaining protected from wind. Meals are included in the cruise fare and generally feature lighter buffet selections than the main restaurant.

The Lobby Hall (Atrium's upper level) houses the ship entrances (portside and starboard), the Boutique, and the Reception Desk (24-hour general assistance, information, account queries, purser services, key-card issues). The Reception doubles as the Cruise Director's Office, providing information on shore excursions/tours, daily scheduled activities, and also serving AmaWaterways' onboard cruise booking program.

In the Lobby, there is also a complimentary (open 24 hours) self-service beverage station offering coffee, espresso-based drinks from automated machines, hot water, tea bags, hot chocolate, and occasional cookies or pastries. Guests don't need a drink package to use the station.

Boutique is a small Shop selling mainly locally made gifts and souvenirs, AmaWaterways-logoed merchandise, and travel essentials.

The Chef's Table is a 24-seat specialty restaurant. The dining experience is included in the fares, with every passenger receiving one reservation per cruise. The aft-facing restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows for stern views (of the ship's wake) and features a live cooking experience/an open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs prepare each course. The dinner menu is a multi-course tasting menu with carefully selected regional wine pairings. The Chef's Table menus change seasonally, with most dishes prepared with fresh locally-sourced ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary preferences are accommodated with advance notice. The dinner lasts about 2 hours, allowing guests to enjoy each course at a leisurely pace. The chefs explain the dishes, the wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen, and the overall presentation rivals that of many land-based fine restaurants.

Sun Deck (4th floor)

The bow-facing Sun Deck & The Deck Club (fka Lower Sun Deck) is an open-air lounge/seating area and offers unique vantage points for enjoying the riverside scenery. The Deck Club features comfortable shaded seating (sofas and chairs) and 4-seat tables. Beverage service is provided from the Al Fresco Lounge (below) accessed via outside stairs.

Forward-midship is the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) and the bicycle stands. Next is the sunbathing area with a heated freshwater pool and a swim-up bar. The sundeck area is furnished with luxury loungers and deckchairs. The shaded seating areas are covered by retractable awnings and are encircled by a Walking Track.

On select days, an alfresco lunch is served, while each morning (depending on weather), an open-air group exercise class is organized (complimentary activity).

All sundeck structures (Wheelhouse, awnings, glass railings) are collapsible and lowered when the ship passes under low bridges. During these periods, the Sun Deck closes temporarily, all furniture is secured, and passengers must leave the deck until clearance is restored.

Itineraries

AmaKristina's Rhone cruise schedule (2027-2028) listed the following itinerary.

COLOR OF THE PROVENCE is a 7-night cruisetour between Lyon and Arles. The southbound route starts with Lyon (DAY 1-2-3/ship embarkation/overnight stay/city tour, Les Halles Market Tour, Bike Tour, Beaujolais Excursion and Tasting), continues with Vienne (DAY 4, Walking Tour, Mount Pipet Hiking Tour, Viarhona Bike Tour, Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting), Tournon (DAY 5/Steam Train Ride, Hermitage Wine Tasting, Tain L'Hermitage Hike and Wine Tasting, Evening Walking Tour), Avignon (DAY 6/Walking Tour and Papal Palace, Tastes of Avignon, Bike Tour, Pont Du Gard, Truffle Farm Visit, Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine Tasting), and ends in Arles (DAY 7-8/overnight stay/walking Tour, Van Gogh Walking Tour, Bike Tour, Les Baux De Provence/ship debarkation).

Themed Wine Cruises feature guest lectures by renowned wine experts and onboard tastings.

AmaKristina cruise packages include complimentary Wi-Fi, all tours and excursions (including guided bike tours), ground transfers, live evening entertainment with local performers, daily enrichment lectures, wine and food tastings, 24-hour coffee and tea service, and replenished bottled water in cabins.

AmaKristina cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and are indicative only. Actual fares may vary depending on promotional offers, group bookings, and last-minute deals. AmaWaterways also offers discounted airfare packages with major airlines, without charging flight deviation fees.

AmaWaterways’ 20th riverboat, AmaKristina, was officially christened on May 10, 2017, in Lahnstein. The vessel’s godmother is Kristin Karst (AmaWaterways' Co-Owner and Executive VP). The naming ceremony was part of the company's 15th-anniversary celebrations.

APT AmaKristina is one of the company's newest river cruise ships from the modified Concerto-class, with sisterships AmaLea (2018), AmaLucia (2021), AmaMora (2019), AmaSiena (2020), AmaSofia (2026), AmaStella (2016), and AmaViola (2016). This modern APT riverboat design features the "Twin Balcony" stateroom concept, combining a traditional French balcony with a second, step-out covered verandah for year-round comfort. Each vessel is powered by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model "C32 DITA ACERT" V-12), with a total output of 1900 kW / 2550 HP.

The vessel's construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 07002053) was carried out at the Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Founded in 1923, the Dutch shipbuilding company Scheepswerf En Machinefabriek Vahali BV operates yards in Serbia (Belgrade and Zasavica) and the Netherlands (Gendt). The Zasavica yard was officially opened in 2013. After construction in Serbia, AmaKristina was towed to Holland for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali in Gendt.

Note: For a complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats, visit the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.