AmaStella

AmaStella at a glance

AmaStella is a river cruise ship built in 2016 and operated by AmaWaterways, carrying up to 156 guests and looked after by a crew of 51. Her 78 cabins are spread across a 135-metre hull — a scale designed for the rivers of Europe rather than the open sea. She is known for her dual-access cabin design, a heated sun-deck pool with a swim-up bar, and a complimentary bicycle fleet that lets guests explore each port independently. Itineraries currently on sale sail the Rhine and the Benelux waterways, departing from Amsterdam or Basel.

Dining on AmaStella

AmaStella has two distinct dining venues, both included in your cruise fare and open to all guests.

The Main Restaurant is the culinary heart of the ship: open seating lets you dine at a time that suits you, with regional cuisine served against a backdrop of passing river scenery. The informal atmosphere encourages conversation with fellow guests, and everything is covered by your fare.

For something more theatrical, The Chef's Table seats a smaller group in an intimate space where a dedicated chef prepares a multi-course tasting menu in front of you. It is included in your cruise fare — no surcharge, no reservation fee — making it one of the most distinctive inclusions in AmaWaterways river cruising.

Away from the dining rooms, the Specialty Coffee & Tea Station operates on a self-service, complimentary basis throughout the day. The Main Lounge is the social centre of the ship: a fully stocked bar, port talks and live evening entertainment in one space. Drinks are charged separately unless covered by a beverage package.

On-deck and leisure facilities

The Sun Deck runs the length of the upper deck and is the best place to watch the riverbank slide past — flat, open and unobstructed. Alongside it sits the Heated Sun-Deck Pool, which comes with an integrated swim-up bar so you can stay in the water and still order a drink. A Walking Track circles the same deck for those who prefer to keep moving.

Below deck, the Fitness Centre has modern cardio and strength-training equipment, complimentary to use (specialist classes carry a charge). The Massage & Hair Salon is on board for those who want to add a treatment — the space itself is free to enter, though services are charged. For quieter moments, the Library offers books and games away from the activity on deck. A Gift Shop rounds out the amenities with souvenirs and essentials.

One of AmaStella's most practical inclusions is her Complimentary Bicycle Fleet. At each port of call, guests can take a bicycle ashore and explore at their own pace — no guided tour required, no extra charge.

Cabins on AmaStella

AmaStella offers three cabin grades, and the differences between them are significant enough to shape how you experience the river. Full dimensions and deck positions are on the AmaStella cabins and deck plans page.

• Outside Cabin D (14.9 m²): A fixed outside-view window gives a direct connection to the passing scenery without the balcony premium — good value for guests who plan to spend most of their time on deck or ashore.
• Balcony Cabin AA (21.8 m²): This grade combines a drop-down French balcony window-wall with a separate outside balcony, giving you two distinct ways to be on the river. That dual-access setup is unavailable in the smaller grades.
• Suite – Two Private Balconies SS (32.5 m²): The largest cabin on the ship, with two private balconies. At 32.5 m², it offers more than double the floor space of the Outside Cabin, making it the most spacious way to sail on AmaStella.

Where AmaStella sails

Current sailings run on the Rhine River and through the Benelux waterways, with itineraries of up to 14 nights. Departures split between Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Basel in Switzerland. Because every sailing from Australia involves an international flight, Cruise1st treats the cruise as the middle of a longer trip — we can book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing falls through the gap between separate bookings.

Why book AmaStella with Cruise1st?

Cruise1st is backed by a Best Price Guarantee on every sailing we sell. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week — call before you book and a specialist who knows these itineraries will help you match the right cabin grade and fare inclusions to your travel style. And because AmaStella's departures are in Europe, our team can wrap the whole trip — flights, pre- or post-cruise hotels, and transfers — into one Cruise1st Package, with a single point of contact if anything changes.

Common questions about AmaStella

What is included in an AmaStella cruise fare?

AmaStella's fare covers dining in both the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table, specialty coffees and teas, use of the fitness centre, the sun-deck pool, the walking track, the library, and the complimentary bicycle fleet at ports of call. The Main Lounge is included to enter; drinks there are charged separately unless a beverage package is part of your booking.

Which cabin grade is right for me on AmaStella?

If budget is the priority, the Outside Cabin D gives you natural river light and outside views at the most accessible price point. If you want a private outdoor space, the Balcony Cabin AA adds both a French balcony and a separate outside balcony — a meaningful upgrade for guests who like to sit by the river in the morning. The Suite with Two Private Balconies is the most spacious option on the ship and suits those who want the most room and the most outdoor access. The cabins and deck plans page shows exact positions on board.

Do I need to arrange flights separately?

Every AmaStella sailing currently on sale departs from either Amsterdam or Basel, so Australian guests will need to fly to Europe. Cruise1st can book the flights, any hotel nights before or after the cruise, and your transfers as a single Cruise1st Package — one booking, one point of contact, nothing left unconnected.

Can I explore ports independently on AmaStella?

Yes. AmaStella carries a complimentary bicycle fleet available to all guests, which means you can ride ashore at each port and explore at your own pace without joining a guided excursion or paying extra. The ship also carries port-talk sessions in the Main Lounge to help you plan what to see.

What other AmaWaterways ships can I consider?

If you are weighing up your options within the AmaWaterways fleet, Cruise1st also has pages for AmaCello, AmaReina and AmaVerde — all ships in the same fleet that may be sailing dates or routes that suit you better.