AmaSerena

AmaSerena at a glance

Built in 2015, AmaSerena is an AmaWaterways river ship designed for European waterway itineraries. She carries up to 162 guests, served by a crew of 51, across 81 cabins — a ratio that keeps service attentive and the atmosphere on board genuinely relaxed. At 135 metres in length, she is sized to navigate the rivers of Central and Western Europe, reaching towns and landscapes that larger vessels simply cannot access.

• Cabins: 81
• Crew: 51
• Fleet: AmaWaterways

Current sailings on AmaSerena depart from Amsterdam and Basel, travelling through the Rhine, Ijssel, Benelux and Waal river regions of Western Europe.

Dining on AmaSerena

AmaSerena offers two distinct included dining venues, so there is always somewhere to eat without reaching for your wallet.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship — open seating, river views, and a menu of regional cuisine built around the destinations you are passing through. Everything is included in your cruise fare, and the informal layout encourages easy conversation with fellow guests.

For something more theatrical, The Chef's Table seats a smaller group while a dedicated chef crafts a multi-course tasting menu right in front of you. It is an intimate, personalised experience, and it too is included in your fare with no additional charge.

Whenever you want a quick coffee or a quiet afternoon tea, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station is available on a self-service, complimentary basis throughout the day.

On-board life: bars, lounges and relaxation

The Main Lounge is where AmaSerena's social life happens — a fully stocked bar, evening entertainment and talks about the ports ahead. Drinks are charged separately unless you are on a beverage package, but the space itself is open to everyone.

On the upper deck, the open-air Sun Deck gives you unobstructed river views and occasional alfresco dining. The Heated Sun-Deck Pool sits alongside it, complete with a swim-up bar so you can order a drink without climbing out. Both are included in your fare.

Quieter moments are well catered for too. The Library is a calm retreat with books and games, while the Gift Shop stocks souvenirs and essentials for when you need to pick something up. For wellness, the Massage & Hair Salon offers treatments and hairdressing services — access is free, though individual treatments carry a charge.

Staying active on AmaSerena

AmaSerena's fitness offering is built for guests who like to keep moving between port calls.

The Fitness Center carries modern cardio and strength-training equipment, free to use at any time. On the Sun Deck, a Walking Track lets you jog or walk in the open air with river scenery alongside you. One of the more distinctive inclusions is the Complimentary Bicycle Fleet — guests can borrow a bike at no charge and explore ports independently, without joining a guided tour. On a river itinerary that stops in cycling-friendly towns across the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, that matters.

Cabins on AmaSerena

AmaSerena offers 81 cabins across a range of grades. Full layouts are on the AmaSerena cabins and deck plans page, but the three main grades worth knowing are:

• Outside Cabin D — 14.9 m², sleeping 2, with twin fixed river-view windows. You get natural daylight and passing scenery all day without paying a balcony premium.
• Balcony Cabin AA — 21.8 m², sleeping 2. The roomiest balcony cabin on board, giving you genuine space to move around and unpack properly.
• Suite SS — 27.9 m², sleeping 2, with a separate sitting area and bedroom. At nearly double the footprint of a standard balcony cabin, this is the right choice if you want a proper living space for a longer itinerary.

Where AmaSerena sails

Current sailings cover the Rhine, Ijssel, Benelux and Waal river regions of Western Europe, with itineraries of up to 13 nights. Most departures start in Amsterdam, with further options from Basel. Because all ports of call are in the Netherlands and Switzerland, every AmaSerena sailing requires a flight from Australia — which is precisely why it makes sense to book the whole trip together. Cruise1st packages the cruise, your flights, hotels either side and transfers as one holiday through our Cruise1st Packages service, so nothing is left loose.

Why book AmaSerena with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is an Australian cruise specialist, and our team is available seven days a week to talk through cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary options before you commit. Our Best Price Guarantee applies site-wide, so if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere, we match it. And because every AmaSerena departure requires flying to Europe, booking flights, hotels and transfers alongside the cruise as a Cruise1st Package means one payment, one contact point and nothing to coordinate yourself.

Common questions about AmaSerena

Which cabin grade is right for a first river cruise?

For most first-time river cruisers, a Balcony Cabin AA strikes the best balance — at 21.8 m² it gives you comfortable space, and the balcony lets you watch the riverbanks go by from your own cabin. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your room or are travelling on a longer itinerary, the Suite SS at 27.9 m² adds a proper separate sitting area that makes a meaningful difference. Our team can walk you through the options on the cabins and deck plans page or over the phone.

Are meals and drinks included on AmaSerena?

Dining in the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table is fully included in your cruise fare, as is the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station. Drinks in the Main Lounge are charged separately unless you have a beverage package, and spa treatments at the Massage & Hair Salon carry their own charge. It is worth checking the specific fare inclusions when you book, and our team can help clarify exactly what your package covers.

Can I explore ports independently rather than joining shore excursions?

Yes — AmaSerena carries a complimentary bicycle fleet that any guest can use at no charge. On Rhine and Benelux itineraries, many of the towns and cities the ship visits are well set up for cycling, so borrowing a bike and heading out on your own is a genuine option rather than an afterthought.

Do I need to fly to join AmaSerena?

All current sailings depart from Amsterdam or Basel, so yes — you will need to fly from Australia. Cruise1st can book your international flights, any hotel nights before or after the cruise, and your transfers as part of a single Cruise1st Package, which keeps the whole trip straightforward to plan and manage.

Which other AmaWaterways ships can I compare AmaSerena with?

If you are deciding between ships in the AmaWaterways fleet, Cruise1st also lists AmaCello, AmaReina and AmaVerde — all AmaWaterways river ships you may be weighing up. Our team can help you compare itineraries and cabin grades across the fleet to find the right fit.