Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises was founded by Martina and Dr. Wolfgang Lueftner founded their company over 30 years ago. Today, it remains a somewhat-small, family-run business based in Innsbruck, Austria.

Ships: 10

How Many Passengers: From 140 to 180 passengers.

Personality: The Amadeus fleet of river ships are modern and refined. They feature natural wood tones and an overall neutral palette, but with pops of color throughout like rich teal, gold and royal purple. Most of the ships are quite young, and they boast a style that is elegant while remaining casual and relaxing.

Fellow Passengers: Most guests are well-traveled, somewhat older, and prefer a casual atmosphere. They tend to be 50+, and it’s uncommon to see kids on sailings. Rather than focus on touristy areas and activities, guests on Amadeus cruises want to dive into the places the voyage visits and immerse themselves in the culture.

Cabins: From 161 to 258 square feet. All rooms are outside-facing and have either a window or balcony. On some ships, the window drops down, opening up the room to fresh air and giving guests more of a balcony feel. The color scheme for cabins varies from ship to ship, but generally features neutral tones and wooden details paired with rich colors for a fun, elegant atmosphere.

Dining Experience: Cuisine is prepared with fresh ingredients, and menu/buffet items are often international dishes, regionally inspired, or particular Austrian delicacies. The main dining room serves a buffet for breakfast, along with a menu of waiter-served choices. Lunch is served as well and also include a salad bar, but for a lighter option guests can find alternative lunch options in the lounge. Dinner is a five-course affair, and there’s also an afternoon tea.

Amenities: Lido bar, swimming pool, shuffleboard, oversized chess board, informative talks about the regions the cruise visits, cooking demonstrations, and musicians performing every day. There are also bicycles stored onboard that guests can use while in port.

Best For: Older couples, guests who want to immerse themselves in new cultures, and English-speaking travelers.

Included Alcohol: Wine and beer during lunch and dinner.

Gratuities: Additional

Where They Go: Irrawaddy River in Burma, the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Rhône, Saône, Danube, Rhine, Main rivers in Europe, and the Dutch Waterways.

Contributor: Sarah Bretz