AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a privately held American luxury river-cruise company offering destination-focused voyages, excursions, dining, wellness, and active-travel programs across major rivers worldwide.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
AmaWaterways is a privately held American river-cruise company headquartered in Calabasas, California. Founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy, the company entered the market under the name Amadeus Waterways and later adopted the AmaWaterways identity in 2008. Its core business is the operation and marketing of upscale river cruises that combine accommodation, full-board dining, guided shore excursions, local cultural experiences, and onboard leisure facilities. The brand’s principal market has historically been Europe, where its ships travel the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Garonne, and Douro. It has also developed itineraries on the Mekong in Southeast Asia, the Chobe in Southern Africa, the Magdalena in Colombia, and rivers in Egypt and other emerging destinations. Rather than focusing solely on transportation between ports, AmaWaterways positions its voyages as packaged destination experiences, with included sightseeing and optional activities designed around the character of each river and region. AmaWaterways is associated with relatively spacious river ships, multiple dining venues, balconies, wellness facilities, fitness centers, spas, libraries, and destination-oriented programming. Its excursion model generally provides more than one activity level, often including gentle, regular, and active options. Guided walking tours, cycling, hiking, tastings, cultural visits, and selected golf services allow the company to address couples, families, multigenerational groups, and travelers seeking more active holidays. Complimentary bicycles and guided bike tours are a recurring part of the product proposition. Fleet development has been a major part of the company’s growth. AmaDagio became its first fully owned ship in 2006. Later vessels introduced features such as twin-balcony staterooms, connecting and triple-occupancy cabins, expanded dining, and all-suite accommodation on selected Asian routes. AmaMagna, which entered Danube service in 2019, is approximately twice the width of many conventional Danube river ships and was designed to provide larger accommodations and more dining choices. The company has continued to add or announce ships for the Mekong, Douro, and Magdalena rivers. The company has pursued partnerships and specialist programming to broaden its customer base. Since 2015, Adventures by Disney has chartered AmaWaterways ships for selected family-oriented Danube and Rhine cruises. The line also promotes solo-traveler options, culinary experiences, wellness programming, and active itineraries. It has belonged to the gastronomic society La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs since 2011, a distinction that supports its emphasis on food and wine. AmaWaterways has also publicized environmental measures, including shore-power connectivity, reductions in single-use plastics, refillable water bottles, paper-saving digital tools, recycling initiatives, and efficiency systems. AmaMagna uses a diesel-electric configuration intended to reduce fuel consumption, and the company has added solar panels to selected areas of the ship. AmaKristina received Green Award certification in 2020, followed by additional recognition for ships in the European fleet. Leadership changed in 2025 when Catherine Powell joined as president in February and became chief executive officer on July 1, while co-founder Rudi Schreiner moved to chairman of the board. Kristin Karst transitioned from executive vice president to chief brand ambassador. AmaWaterways remains privately held, and independently verifiable public information about ownership and financial performance is limited.
History
AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy. It initially operated as Amadeus Waterways, entering a river-cruise sector that was becoming increasingly attractive to travelers seeking an alternative to large ocean ships. The company’s model centered on smaller vessels, direct access to inland cities, included sightseeing, and an integrated combination of accommodation, meals, and destination activities. The brand adopted the AmaWaterways name in 2008. A significant early development was the arrival of AmaDagio in 2006, the company’s first fully owned ship. This helped establish a platform for controlling ship design and onboard service rather than relying solely on chartered capacity. During the following decade, AmaWaterways expanded its European presence and introduced vessels with features intended to distinguish the brand in a competitive market. AmaCerto, launched in 2012, used a 135-meter design with twin-balcony staterooms and several dining venues. AmaDara entered Mekong service in 2015 as an all-suite ship, extending the company’s geographic reach beyond Europe. The company also developed partnerships and special-interest programming. In 2015, Adventures by Disney began chartering AmaWaterways ships for family-oriented itineraries on the Danube and Rhine. These cruises used Disney-themed programming while retaining the river-cruise operator’s ships and destination infrastructure. AmaWaterways joined La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in 2011, reinforcing its emphasis on culinary service. In 2017, AmaKristina introduced cabin configurations suited to connecting rooms and triple occupancy, supporting multigenerational travel. That year the company also piloted a wellness program, which was extended to additional ships in 2018. AmaMagna represented another major product development when it entered Danube service in 2019. Its double-width hull enabled larger suites and additional public spaces compared with conventional Danube vessels. The ship included four restaurants and a diesel-electric propulsion arrangement designed to use engines more selectively. The company associated the configuration with projected fuel savings of approximately 20 to 25 percent. Later sustainability measures included solar panels on selected balcony awnings, shore-power capability, reductions in disposable plastics, refillable water systems, digital documentation, and efficiency-oriented navigation technology. AmaKristina became the first AmaWaterways river ship to receive Green Award certification in 2020, with other European ships receiving recognition afterward. AmaWaterways’ itinerary portfolio now spans major European rivers including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Douro, Garonne, Rhône, and Saône, as well as the Mekong, Chobe, Magdalena, and selected Egyptian waterways. The company markets excursions at several activity levels and combines guided city visits with cycling, hiking, tastings, cultural programs, and selected golf services. This broadens the product beyond traditional sightseeing and helps address active travelers, families, couples, and solo guests. Fleet development continued into the mid-2020s. AmaMagdalena entered service on Colombia’s Magdalena River in April 2025, while AmaMelodia was scheduled as a related vessel. AmaSintra was associated with the Douro, and further ships were announced or marketed for later delivery, including a future AmaMagna sister ship marketed as AmaRudi and AmaMaya for the Mekong. In 2025, Catherine Powell joined the company as president and subsequently became chief executive officer. Schreiner moved to the chairmanship of the board, and Karst became chief brand ambassador. AmaWaterways remains a private company whose publicly available information is concentrated on its ships, itineraries, partnerships, and operating initiatives rather than detailed financial disclosure.
- 2025
Magdalena River program launches
[2]AmaMagdalena enters service in Colombia, with further vessels and destination expansion announced for the mid-2020s.
- 2020
AmaKristina receives Green Award certification
[2]AmaKristina becomes the first AmaWaterways ship to receive Green Award certification.
- 2019
AmaMagna enters Danube service
[2]The double-width ship launches with larger suites, expanded dining, and a diesel-electric efficiency system.
- 2017
AmaKristina and wellness program introduced
[2]AmaKristina debuts with family-oriented cabin configurations, and the company pilots a wellness program.
- 2015
Mekong and Disney initiatives expand
[2]AmaDara begins all-suite Mekong service, while Adventures by Disney starts chartering selected AmaWaterways ships.
- 2012
AmaCerto launches
[2]AmaCerto introduces a 135-meter design with twin-balcony staterooms and multiple dining venues.
- 2011
Joins La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
[2]AmaWaterways becomes a member of the international gastronomic society.
- 2008
Brand renamed AmaWaterways
[2]The company adopts the AmaWaterways identity after operating under the Amadeus Waterways name.
- 2006
AmaDagio enters service
[2]AmaDagio debuts as the company’s first fully owned ship.
- 2002
Company founded
[1]Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and Jimmy Murphy establish the company, initially under the name Amadeus Waterways.
Products and positioning
Upscale, destination-focused river cruising with an emphasis on spacious ships, inclusive excursions, culinary quality, wellness, and active travel.
River travel · 2002
European river cruises
The company’s central product family covers cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Douro, Garonne, Rhône, and Saône. Voyages generally combine full-board accommodation with included city tours, guided walks, cultural visits, meals, and beverages. Selected itineraries add cycling, hiking, wine experiences, UNESCO sites, and other destination-specific activities.
River ship · 2019
AmaMagna
AmaMagna is a double-width Danube ship designed to provide more spacious suites and public areas than conventional river vessels. Its offering includes multiple restaurants, expanded leisure facilities, and a diesel-electric propulsion arrangement. The ship is positioned as a flagship-style experience within AmaWaterways’ European portfolio.
River travel · 2015
Mekong cruises
Mekong itineraries connect river travel with Southeast Asian cultural and historical destinations. AmaDara, an all-suite ship introduced for the region, helped establish the company’s Asian operation. The product combines onboard service with excursions and land components in countries along the Mekong route.
Travel program · 2017
Active and wellness programs
AmaWaterways offers excursions at different activity levels and supports guided cycling, independent bicycle use, hiking, fitness, and wellness activities. Some itineraries include golf services and other specialist programming. The approach is intended to make river cruising relevant to travelers who want more physical activity than standard sightseeing alone.
Travel service · 2015
Group, family, and charter cruises
The company sells group and charter arrangements and has developed family-oriented programming through its partnership with Adventures by Disney. Selected ships also offer connecting or triple-occupancy cabins, while certain vessels provide single cabins without a supplement. These formats broaden the customer base beyond couples traveling in standard double occupancy.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Adventures by Disney river cruises
United States · Europe
AmaWaterways began supporting Adventures by Disney chartered sailings on selected Danube and Rhine itineraries, using family-oriented programming and Disney branding to attract multigenerational travelers.
Outcome. The partnership created a recurring family-cruise channel on European rivers.
Brand decisions
2025
Expansion into the Magdalena RiverGeneration changeBackground
The company continued expanding beyond its established European and Asian routes.
Action taken
AmaMagdalena entered service on Colombia’s Magdalena River, with AmaMelodia planned as a related vessel.
Aftermath
The launch established a new South American operating market for the brand.
2025
Executive succession under Catherine PowellOtherBackground
AmaWaterways reorganized leadership while retaining its founders in board and ambassadorial roles.
Action taken
Catherine Powell became chief executive officer, Rudi Schreiner became chairman, and Kristin Karst became chief brand ambassador.
Aftermath
The structure combined external executive leadership with continued founder involvement.
2019
Launch of AmaMagnaProduct launchBackground
AmaWaterways wanted to offer greater space and more onboard dining variety on the Danube.
Action taken
It introduced the double-width AmaMagna with larger suites, four restaurants, and a diesel-electric propulsion configuration.
Aftermath
AmaMagna became a distinctive flagship product in the Danube market and a platform for the company’s larger-ship concept.
2008
Rebrand from Amadeus WaterwaysStrategyBackground
The company sought a distinct identity as it developed its own fleet and broader river-cruise proposition.
Action taken
It adopted the AmaWaterways name.
Aftermath
The AmaWaterways brand became the company’s continuing public identity.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
AmaWaterways unveils AmaNubia[3]
AmaWaterways unveiled a first look at AmaNubia, a new luxury river ship designed for the Nile, with 76 guests accommodated in 38 staterooms. The ship is scheduled to debut in November 2026.
Reported
AmaWaterways and Ancestry announce heritage-travel partnership[4]
AmaWaterways announced a partnership with Ancestry to offer family-history research and genealogy experiences to guests on European river cruises.
Sources4 sources
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