AmaSonata

AmaSonata at a glance

AmaSonata is an AmaWaterways river ship launched in 2014, purpose-built for the waterways of Europe. She carries up to 162 guests looked after by a crew of 51, and at 135 metres she is sized for the rivers rather than the open sea — which means she moors in the heart of each town, not at a distant port. Her 81 cabins span three grades. All 16 departures currently on sale sail the Danube, departing from Budapest in Hungary, Vilshofen and Nuremberg in Germany.

• Operator: AmaWaterways
• Itineraries: Danube River, Europe

Dining on AmaSonata

Two dedicated dining venues are included in your cruise fare, giving you real choice each evening without any supplementary charge.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship — an elegant, open-seating space where regional cuisine is served alongside river views, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to fall into conversation with fellow guests. Open seating means you dine when it suits you, not when a sitting dictates.

For something more theatrical, The Chef's Table offers a multi-course tasting menu prepared right before you in an intimate setting. A dedicated chef provides personalised attention throughout — it is the kind of experience that would carry a premium on most ships, and here it is included in your fare.

Between meals, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station is available on a complimentary self-service basis — good for a morning coffee before a port excursion or an afternoon pause mid-river.

On board AmaSonata: bars, lounges and social spaces

The Main Lounge is where the ship's social life happens. The fully stocked bar is the natural gathering point before and after dinner; in the evenings there is live entertainment, and port talks give context to the towns you will step into the next morning. Drinks are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package.

On deck, the Sun Deck offers unobstructed open-air views — the ideal spot to watch the riverbank unfold, and occasionally used for al fresco dining. The Heated Sun-Deck Pool sits up here too, complete with a swim-up bar, so a cool drink is always within reach without climbing out of the water.

Quieter moments are well served by the Library, a peaceful retreat stocked with books and games — useful on a sailing day when you want to step away from the deck entirely.

Keeping active on board

AmaSonata takes fitness seriously for a ship of her size. The Walking Track on the Sun Deck lets you jog or walk in the open air with the river as your backdrop — complimentary and always open. Below, the Fitness Centre is equipped with modern cardio and strength-training machines at no extra charge, though specialist fitness classes carry a separate fee.

Ashore, AmaSonata's Complimentary Bicycle Fleet is one of the features that sets AmaWaterways river sailing apart. Bikes are available to all guests at no cost, so you can peel away from the group and explore each town at your own rhythm — whether that is a gentle pedal along a riverside path or a longer inland ride.

Wellness and other facilities

The Massage & Hair Salon offers a place to unwind properly mid-voyage. The space itself is open to all guests; individual treatments and hairdressing services carry a charge. The Gift Shop rounds out the facilities with souvenirs, regional keepsakes and practical essentials — browsing is free and purchases are at your discretion.

Cabins on AmaSonata

All 81 cabins sleep two guests. Three grades are available, and the full cabin layouts and deck plans for AmaSonata are worth reviewing before you book.

• Outside Cabin D (14.9 m²) — a river-view window brings natural light and outdoor scenery into the room, a meaningful step up from an inside cabin without the balcony premium.
• Suite SS (27.9 m²) — a genuinely spacious layout with separate sleeping and relaxation areas and a balcony. At roughly 13–15 m² more living space than the balcony cabins, the Suite SS is the most comfortable option on board.
• Balcony Cabin AA+ – largest in fleet (26.9 m²) — at 26.9 m², noticeably roomier than the standard balcony cabins and the top balcony grade available on this ship.

Danube itineraries: where AmaSonata sails

All current sailings are on the Danube River through Central Europe, running up to seven nights. The majority depart from Budapest, Hungary — one of the great river cities — with further departures from Vilshofen and Nuremberg in Germany. Fares start from A$3,518pp* for sailings from September 2026 onwards.

Because every departure is in Europe, Australian guests will need to fly. Rather than arranging flights, accommodation and transfers separately, Cruise1st can wrap everything into a single Cruise1st Package — flights, hotels either side and transfers, all on one booking. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help you put it together.

Why book AmaSonata with Cruise1st?

Cruise1st backs every booking with its Best Price Guarantee — the brand's own named promise, site-wide. Our team of Australian cruise experts is on the phone seven days a week before you book, helping you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions for your circumstances. And because the Danube is the middle of a longer trip from Australia, we can put the whole holiday — cruise, flights, hotels and transfers — on one booking as a Cruise1st Package.

Common questions about AmaSonata

How many passengers does AmaSonata carry?

AmaSonata carries up to 162 guests, looked after by a crew of 51. That ratio gives a noticeably attentive level of service, and the ship's 81 cabins mean the on-board atmosphere stays genuinely intimate throughout.

Which cabin grade offers the most space on AmaSonata?

The Suite SS at 27.9 m² is the most spacious cabin on the ship. It has a balcony and separate sleeping and relaxation areas — roughly 13–15 m² more living space than a standard balcony cabin. The AmaSonata cabins and deck plans page shows exact layouts for every grade.

Do I need to book flights separately?

All current AmaSonata sailings depart from Budapest, Vilshofen or Nuremberg, so Australian guests will need to fly to Europe. Cruise1st can bundle the international flights, any hotel nights either side and your transfers into a single Cruise1st Package, so you only deal with one booking.

Are meals included in the cruise fare?

Yes. Both the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table are 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 treatments at the Massage & Hair Salon carry an additional charge.

Are there other AmaWaterways ships I could consider?

AmaWaterways operates several river ships you can compare on Cruise1st: AmaCello, AmaReina and AmaVerde are all other ships in the fleet. Check each ship's page to see what departures and itineraries are currently available.