AmaLea

The 2018-built AmaLea ship cruises on the Danube River and the Dutch and Belgian waterways, departing from the homeports of Amsterdam, Prague, and Budapest.

The 158-passenger riverboat AmaLea belongs to the modified Concerto-class and has several sisterships: AmaKristina (2016), AmaMora (2019), AmaSiena (2020), AmaSofia (2026), AmaStella (2016), and AmaViola (2016).

Cabins

AmaLea features AmaWaterways' advanced design, with most staterooms offering exclusive Twin Balconies. These rooms measure 22 m² (235 ft²), while the four Suites are the largest accommodations onboard, each sized 33 m² (350 ft²). The ship has a total of 79 staterooms across 8 categories:

• Suites - SU (x4, Deck 3)
• Twin Balcony Staterooms - AA (x8, Deck 3), AB (x10, Deck 2), BA (x12, Deck 3), BB (x15, Deck 2)
• Balcony Staterooms - C (x18, Decks 2-3)
• RiverView Staterooms - D (x8), E (x4, Deck 1)

Shipboard Facilities

AmaLea offers multiple dining venues, including the Main Dining Room, Chef’s Table (tasting menu), a private Wine Bar, and alfresco dining on the Sun Deck. Guests enjoy gourmet cuisine and complimentary wines throughout the ship.

Additional public areas include an Observation Lounge with an alfresco Teak Front Deck, Main Lounge & Bar, Lea Atrium (lobby), Fireside Library, Gift Shop, Fitness Center & Sauna, and a top-deck space with a pool/jacuzzi, swim-up bar, sundeck loungers, shaded relaxation area, giant chess, putting green, and a walking track.

There is also a glass elevator connecting the Cello and Violin decks.

All AmaWaterways ships offer complimentary bicycles (stored on the sundeck) for use during shore excursions and guided tours at ports of call along each itinerary.

AmaLea cruise fares include Wi-Fi Internet, guided tours and excursions (including bicycle tours), ground transfers, live evening entertainment (with local performers), daily enrichment lectures, food and wine tastings, 24-hour coffee/tea stations, and daily replenished bottled water.

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. These are indicative rates and may vary based on promotions, group bookings, special offers, or last-minute deals. AmaWaterways also offers discounted airfare on major airlines for AmaLea cruises, with no Flight Deviation fees.

River Cruise Itineraries

Listed below are AmaLea’s themed river cruise itineraries offered by AmaWaterways:

• "TULIP TIME CRUISE" – 10-day cruises (8 sailing days) through The Netherlands and Belgium, round-trip from Amsterdam. Includes a 2-night Amsterdam hotel package.
• "BLUE DANUBE DISCOVERY" – 13-day cruises (8 sailing days) to Nuremberg, visiting Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Includes a 2-night stay in Budapest and a 3-night stay in Prague.
• "THE ROMANTIC DANUBE" / "THE ROMANTIC DANUBE (WINE THEMED)" – 11-day cruises (8 sailing days) from Vilshofen to Budapest, visiting Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Includes a 3-night Prague hotel package.
• "MELODIES OF THE DANUBE" / "MELODIES OF THE DANUBE (WINE THEMED)" – 11-day cruises (8 sailing days) from Vilshofen to Budapest, visiting the same countries as above, also including a 3-night Prague stay.
• "ICONIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS" – 10-day Christmas Markets cruises (8 sailing days) from Prague to Budapest, visiting the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Includes a 2-night hotel stay in Prague. Guided shore excursions, including Limited Edition Tours, are offered in every port.

AmaLea's christening ceremony took place on May 26, 2018, in Vilshofen, Germany. The ship’s godmother is Filomena Andre (an AAA executive). She began her career as a travel agent and joined AAA Southern California in 2010 as a travel product manager. The ceremony was part of a 7-day celebratory cruise attended by Filomena Andre, company President Rudi Schreiner, Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, international media, and travel industry representatives. Captain Jan de Bruijn led the ship during the event, which also featured a welcome speech by Vilshofen’s Mayor Florian Gams, a gala dinner, and a fireworks display.

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

During her inaugural season, AmaLea operated all six “Tulip Time” themed cruises before beginning her 7-day Danube River program (Vilshofen to Budapest). In November 2018, two of the voyages were wine-themed, hosted by Amelia Ceja (President of Ceja Vineyards, Napa CA) and Frederick Frank (President of Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, NY). The inaugural season also included four Christmas Market-themed cruises on the Danube.

The vessel’s construction (hull and superstructure, ENI number 07002067) was carried out at the Vahali Shipyard in Zasavica (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Founded in 1923, the Dutch shipbuilder Scheepswerf En Machinefabriek Vahali BV operates yards in Serbia (Belgrade and Zasavica) and in the Netherlands (Gendt). The Zasavica yard officially opened in 2013. After completion of hull construction in Serbia, AmaLea was towed to Gendt for final outfitting at Scheepswerf Vahali.

Note: You can find CruiseMapper’s full list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.