AmaLea

AmaLea at a glance

AmaLea is an AmaWaterways river ship built in 2018, carrying up to 156 guests looked after by a crew of 51, with 78 cabins across her 135-metre length. She sails exclusively on the Danube, one of Europe's great river routes, with departures from Budapest in Hungary, Vilshofen and Nuremberg in Germany, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She is purpose-built for river cruising and offers a heated sun-deck pool with swim-up bar — a feature rarely found on a river vessel — alongside a complimentary bicycle fleet that lets guests explore each port independently.

Dining on AmaLea

AmaLea offers two distinct dining venues, both included in your cruise fare and open to all guests. The Main Restaurant operates with open seating times, meaning you choose when you sit and who you sit with. The menu leans into regional cuisine, and the river views through the windows make for a setting that changes with every port. For something more theatrical, The Chef's Table seats guests around a dedicated chef who builds a multi-course tasting menu in front of you — an intimate experience with no additional charge. Complimentary specialty coffees and teas are available throughout the day at the self-service Specialty Coffee & Tea Station.

On-board spaces and activities

The Main Lounge is where the ship's social life centres: a fully stocked bar, port talks from the cruise team, and live entertainment in the evenings. Drinks are charged separately here unless you hold a beverage package. Up on the Sun Deck, the open upper deck gives unobstructed river views and occasional al fresco dining. The Heated Sun-Deck Pool is a genuine highlight — an outdoor pool with an integrated swim-up bar, so you can cool off without leaving the water.

Staying active is easy. The Walking Track on the Sun Deck is complimentary, the Fitness Center carries modern cardio and strength equipment at no charge (specialist classes carry a separate fee), and the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet is one of AmaLea's most practical touches — guests borrow a bike at each stop and explore at their own pace, with no guided tour required and no extra cost. When you want to slow down, the Library offers books and games in a quiet corner of the ship, while the Massage & Hair Salon is available for treatments and hairdressing at an additional charge. A Gift Shop rounds out the on-board options for souvenirs and essentials.

Cabins and suites on AmaLea

AmaLea carries three cabin grades, and full deck plans are available on the AmaLea cabins and deck plans page. In brief:

• Suite SS — At 32.5 m², this is the most spacious grade on board. It offers two separate outdoor spaces: a sheltered French balcony and a full open private balcony, giving guests the choice between protected and open-air river views depending on the weather and the moment. Sleeps two.
• Balcony Stateroom AA — At 21.8 m², this is among the largest balcony staterooms on the ship. A comfortable choice for guests who want balcony access with generous floor space. Sleeps two.
• Outside Stateroom D — At 14.9 m², this grade features fixed river-view windows that bring natural light and a clear outlook onto the passing scenery, without the cost of a balcony. Sleeps two.

We help every guest match the right grade to their budget and priorities — whether that is outdoor space, room to spread out, or simply the best value fare for the itinerary they want.

Where AmaLea sails

All 11 sailings currently on sale follow the Danube through Budapest and Central Europe, with the longest itineraries running to 16 nights. The majority depart from Budapest, Hungary, with sailings also starting from Vilshofen and Nuremberg in Germany, and one departing from Amsterdam. Every one of these ports requires flying from Australia, which is why we package the cruise with flights, hotels either side and transfers as a single booking through our Cruise1st Packages service.

Booking AmaLea with Cruise1st

Because all sailings depart from Hungary, Germany or the Netherlands, the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip — and that is exactly what Cruise1st Packages is built for. We book the flights, the hotel nights either side and the transfers, so nothing is left to piece together separately. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help you choose between cabin grades, compare itineraries and confirm exactly what is included in your fare. Every booking is protected by our Best Price Guarantee.

AmaLea sails with AmaWaterways, a river cruise line whose itineraries are designed to spend as much time in port as possible — another reason the complimentary bicycle fleet matters so much on a ship like this one.

Common questions about AmaLea

What is included in the AmaLea cruise fare?

The Main Restaurant, The Chef's Table, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station, Sun Deck access, the heated pool, the walking track, the Fitness Center, the Library and the complimentary bicycle fleet are all included in your cruise fare. The Massage & Hair Salon is on board but treatments carry a separate charge, as do drinks in the Main Lounge unless you hold a beverage package.

Which cabin grade should I book on AmaLea?

The Suite SS suits guests who want the most space and genuine outdoor flexibility — two separate balcony areas at 32.5 m² is a meaningful difference on a river ship. The Balcony Stateroom AA at 21.8 m² is a strong mid-range choice for guests who want balcony access without the suite price. The Outside Stateroom D at 14.9 m² is the best-value option for guests who still want natural light and river views through fixed windows. Call our team seven days a week and we will walk through the options with you.

Do I need to arrange flights separately?

No. All current sailings depart from Budapest, Vilshofen, Nuremberg or Amsterdam, so every guest travelling from Australia will need flights. Through our Cruise1st Packages service we can book the flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel nights and all transfers as one holiday on a single booking.

Are there other AmaWaterways ships I can compare?

Yes. If you are weighing up which ship suits you best, you can browse AmaCello, AmaReina and AmaVerde — all ships in the AmaWaterways fleet available through Cruise1st.