A Twin-Balcony River Ship Built for Active Travelers
AmaKristina was built in 2017 and named for AmaWaterways co-founder Kristin Karst, who is also her Godmother. She is the same 443-foot length as other European river ships, yet she carries only 156 guests where some competitors carry 190. Most staterooms have AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies, a French balcony and a step-out balcony, and the Suites add a larger sitting area and a bathroom with a tub and separate shower. For 2026 and 2027 her published sailings are on the Rhône in Provence.
Danny says AmaWaterways is the river line most dedicated to wellness and staying active, and this ship shows it, from the bikes on the Sun Deck to the fitness host on board. In this tour he walks AmaKristina from the lobby and Main Lounge up to the pool, then down to The Chef’s Table, the gym and the spa rooms. Watch the full tour below, or jump straight to the part of the ship you care about most.
Full Ship Walkthrough · 10 min · Jump to:
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See Your Room Before You Sail
We’ve walked the decks and filmed the rooms on AmaKristina. Pick a category, press play, and see exactly where you’ll be staying.
AmaKristina Highlights
Main Lounge
Danny calls the Main Lounge the hub of activity on board. It has the main bar, plenty of comfortable seating for groups of all sizes, and floor-to-ceiling windows for scenic cruising. Guests gather here each evening for the complimentary cocktail hour before dinner, and it’s also where the daily port talks and lectures happen. A piano sets the stage for entertainment, and there are always snacks out, with a gluten-free corner too.
Al Fresco Terrace
Just forward of the Main Lounge is a covered outdoor terrace at the front of the ship. It’s a natural place to gather with fellow guests and one of the best spots on board during scenic stretches of river. Because it’s sheltered, guests can step out for photos in any weather and head straight back into the warm lounge, which makes it especially handy on cooler sailings like the holiday season.
Sun Deck
The Sun Deck is full of intentional spaces for small groups. Up front there are tables for a coffee while the scenery slides by, then a large lounge area with plush cushions and blankets that suits couples and groups traveling together. Because river ships must pass under low bridges, the bridge rides on hydraulics and almost everything up here can be lowered flat to the deck when needed.
Heated Pool & Swim-Up Bar
A heated pool on the Sun Deck is one of the signatures of AmaWaterways’ twin-balcony ships, and Danny counts it among his favorite spots on board. Bar stools sit in the water at one end, so the pool doubles as a swim-up bar. It’s a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon between ports, and because it’s heated, it still works on cooler days when the deck chairs stay empty.
Bikes & Walking Track
AmaWaterways is a strong choice for travelers who want to stay active, and AmaKristina carries a fleet of complimentary bikes, usually at least 20. Guests can join guided bike tours in many ports or take a bike into town on their own. Farther aft, the walking track loops past tables, chairs and shaded loungers with ottomans, so it works for a morning workout or for watching the river roll by.
The Chef’s Table
At the back of the Violin Deck, The Chef’s Table is AmaWaterways’ specialty restaurant, and Danny calls the concept unique to the line. It has its own open kitchen, so guests can watch the chefs prepare and plate each course of a multi-course tasting menu, and every dinner is paired with wine. Panoramic windows wrap the room, which seats roughly 26 to 30 guests and is included once per cruise.
Fitness & Wellness
The fitness room on the Piano Deck is large for a river ship, with high-end equipment, a cable system and a treadmill set down into the floor for extra headroom. A fitness host leads yoga and other classes during the cruise. Nearby are a hair salon for a fresh look before a special dinner and a massage room that’s ideal after a long flight or a full day of touring.
Signature Experiences on AmaKristina
The Chef's Table
A specialty restaurant with its own open kitchen, where guests watch the chefs plate a wine-paired tasting menu. Danny calls it a concept unique to AmaWaterways, and it's included once per cruise.
▶ See it · 5:15Swim-Up Pool Bar
The heated Sun Deck pool has bar stools set right in the water, so it doubles as a swim-up bar. It's a signature of AmaWaterways' twin-balcony ships and a favorite spot on sunny afternoons.
▶ See it · 4:12Elevator to the Lowest Deck
AmaKristina's elevator was redesigned to reach the Piano Deck, the lowest deck, as well as the decks above it, but not the Sun Deck. Danny points out this is a real advantage for guests with mobility needs.
▶ See it · 6:42