AmaLyra

Sailing the Seine on AmaLyra

AmaLyra makes a single river her whole story. At 109.7 metres and carrying a maximum of 140 guests looked after by a crew of 45, she is a genuinely intimate ship — the kind where you recognise the same faces at breakfast and hear the same enthusiastic accounts of the morning’s market visit at lunch. The Seine suits that scale perfectly: a river that moves through some of France’s most recognisable countryside, threading together Normandy’s coast, its medieval towns and the capital without ever feeling hurried.

All of her current sailings are seven-night round-trips departing from Paris, running in November 2026 and March 2027. The route calls at Le Havre, Rouen, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux and Vernon — a programme that pairs D-Day Normandy with the Seine Valley’s chalk cliffs, riverside villages and the water-lily light that made Monet famous. Because Paris is the start and end point, the cruise is the natural centrepiece of a longer France trip, and Cruise1st books the flights from Australia, accommodation in Paris and all transfers as one package alongside the cruise itself.

Life on board

AmaLyra’s onboard life is built around eating well, moving when you feel like it and relaxing when you do not. The Main Restaurant serves regional cuisine with open seating — sit where you like, eat when the doors open — with river views on all sides. The Chef’s Table takes that a step further: a dedicated chef builds a multi-course tasting menu in front of a small group, an intimate experience included in the cruise fare at no extra charge.

The Specialty Coffee & Tea Station is self-service and complimentary throughout the day — useful before an early excursion or after a long afternoon ashore. The Main Lounge doubles as the ship’s social centre: a fully stocked bar, evening entertainment, and talks about the ports ahead. Drinks at the bar carry a charge unless you hold a beverage package.

Up on the Sun Deck, the ship opens to the sky — the right place to watch Les Andelys’ castle ruins slide past or to take a turn on the walking track before dinner. The heated Sun Deck pool has a swim-up bar, which makes it easy to stay in the water longer than you planned. The Fitness Centre is complimentary; the Massage & Hair Salon is there for anyone who wants a treatment at an additional charge.

Beyond the ship, AmaLyra carries a complimentary bicycle fleet — guests are free to borrow a bike at any port and explore independently. For quieter moments, the library stocks books and games, and the gift shop carries regional keepsakes from the towns along the river.

Cabins on AmaLyra

AmaLyra has 71 cabins across eight grades, spread across outside, balcony and suite categories — five suite grades in total, alongside one balcony grade and two outside grades. The AmaLyra cabins and deck plans page shows every grade, what each includes and where it sits on the ship.

Fares and what they cover

AmaWaterways structures its pricing across a standard AmaWaterways River Cruise Fare, which covers the core cruise experience with inclusions confirmed at the time of booking. Beyond that, River Cruise Offers provides a starting point for comparing itineraries across the line’s European programme, while the Solo Traveler Specials fare is designed with independent travellers in mind — both are worth asking about when inclusions are being confirmed. Cruise1st’s Australian specialists are available seven days a week to work through which fare suits your trip.

The AmaWaterways fleet

AmaWaterways runs a large fleet of river ships, each dedicated to a particular waterway. AmaLyra shares the Seine with AmaDante. The line’s other rivers are covered by their own ships:

Danube River, Europe: AmaVerde, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaReina, AmaMagna, AmaMora, AmaLea, AmaRudi

Rhine River, Europe: AmaSofia, AmaFiora, AmaPrima, AmaLucia, AmaViola, AmaSiena, AmaCerto, AmaVenita, AmaStella, AmaSerena

Rhône River, Europe: AmaCello, AmaKristina

Portugal: AmaVida, AmaSintra, AmaDouro

South America: AmaMelodia, AmaMagdalena

Nile River: AmaCleo

South East Asia: AmaDara, AmaMaya

Garonne: AmaDolce

The full AmaWaterways fleet and cruise deals page covers every ship and current sailings in one place.

Why book AmaLyra with Cruise1st

Because AmaLyra departs from Paris, the cruise is the middle of a longer trip — Cruise1st books the flights from Australia, the hotel in Paris either side and all transfers as one holiday, so nothing is left to piece together separately. That is what Cruise1st Packages does: cruise plus flights, hotels and transfers on a single booking, shaped to what you actually want. Australian cruise experts are on the phone seven days a week before you book, and every booking is backed by Cruise1st’s Best Price Guarantee.

Questions about AmaLyra on the Seine

When does AmaLyra sail the Seine?

The sailings currently on sale depart in November 2026 and March 2027 — a shoulder-season programme that avoids the peak summer crowds along the river. Both are seven-night round-trips from Paris.

Which ports does AmaLyra call at on the Seine?

Most sailings on this route include Le Havre, Rouen, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux and Vernon, though the exact stops can vary between departures. Le Havre serves as the gateway to the Normandy coast. The cabins and deck plans page links through to individual sailings where full itineraries are shown.

Are bicycles available on AmaLyra?

Yes — AmaLyra carries a complimentary bicycle fleet available to all guests. You can borrow a bike at port and explore the towns and countryside along the Seine at your own pace, without booking a guided excursion.

Can Cruise1st arrange flights and hotels alongside the cruise?

Yes. Because the ship departs from Paris, most Australian guests will want flights and at least a night or two in the city before or after the river portion. Cruise1st puts all of that — international flights, Paris accommodation and transfers — on the same booking as the AmaLyra cruise, so you deal with one itinerary rather than several.

How many cabin grades does AmaLyra have?

AmaLyra has eight cabin grades across outside, balcony and suite categories, with five different suite grades available. Full details — layouts, what each grade includes, and the deck plans — are on the AmaLyra cabins and deck plans page.