Reviewed by and sailed to:  Carla Di Mento – Basel to Amsterdam 

Date: 12 – 19 November 2025

Cruise line and ship: Amacerto

Length of ship: 443 feet 

Passenger capacity: 162

Ship built: 2012

Refurbed: Full refurbishments frequently during the off season

Currency onboard:  USD

Where the Amacerto cruises: The Moselle, Rhine, Dutch and Belgian Waterways, Main and the Main-Danube Canal

Most suited to: AmaWaterways is an excellent option for travellers aged 50 and over who want a premium and thoughtfully curated river cruise experience. In every port, guests can choose from a range of included shore excursions, including gentle, regular and active options, ensuring there’s always something suited to your interests and fitness level. While AmaWaterways primarily pitches itself to the 50+ market, it was lovely to see a handful of multigenerational families onboard, with young adults, parents and grandparents all enjoying the journey together.

Atmosphere: Life onboard is wonderfully relaxed and easy going, something that an Australian audience will appreciate. There’s no pressure to dress up, what you wear for your morning sightseeing is perfectly suitable for lunch back on the ship. You might choose to slip into something a little more polished for the evening cocktail gathering, but it’s entirely optional, which means no need for multiple outfit changes each day and far simpler packing.

The crew are truly wonderful. From the housekeeping team to the captain and the exceptional cruise director, every staff member takes the time to get to know you, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels more like joining a family than stepping onto a ship.

 

Staterooms: We stayed in a BB Suite on Cello Deck.

Our cabin was set up with twin beds and, while the room was cosy, we found space to unpack and settle in comfortably, although one of our hardcase suitcases was a little tall to stow under the bed so we had to pop it under the desk out of the way. The BB Suites offer a lovely layout with their twin-balcony design – a French balcony with a drop-down window plus a separate outdoor balcony – all within a well-designed 210 square feet.

The bathroom was clean and modern, complete with multi-jet showerheads. Just a heads-up about the window looking into the bedroom! It turns opaque at the flick of a switch for full privacy, but it took us a moment to figure out. It’s worth asking your room attendant to show you when you arrive.

The suite also includes a large flat-screen TV, wardrobe, full-length mirror, hairdryer and safe. There are power sockets under the beds, though they’re a bit tricky to reach, so we ended up charging our phones on the dresser overnight – a bonus if you’re trying to avoid late-night scrolling!

Dining Options & Service: 

AmaCerto offers several dining options to suit your mood throughout the day. The main restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring a rotating à la carte menu complemented by select buffet items – including a very tempting cheese spread that appears at every meal. For something lighter, the Main Lounge serves a light breakfast and lunch daily, along with late-night snacks.

Be sure to reserve a spot at The Chef’s Table, the ship’s speciality venue located at the aft of the Violin Deck. This multi-course dining experience is beautifully presented and included at no extra charge, making it a must-try during your cruise.

Beer, wine, sparkling wine and juice are included with all meals, and each evening you can enjoy the cocktail or mocktail of the day during Sip & Sail hour in the lounge before heading to dinner.

Entertainment: 

There’s nightly entertainment in the Main Lounge, starting with a relaxed piano performance during Sip & Sail and followed by livelier music after dinner – perfect for those who want to keep the evening going. 

Onboard Activities: AmaCerto features a dedicated fitness coach who leads multiple classes each day, from morning stretches in the lounge to balance sessions on the Sun Deck and additional workouts in the gym. If you prefer something more relaxed, you’ll find board and card games available throughout the ship, including in the Main Lounge and even the Chef’s Table during the day. There’s also a small onboard spa area offering massage services and a hair salon for a little extra indulgence.

Families: Children are permitted onboard however there are no children’s facilities such as kids clubs, child menus or babysitting onboard.

Laundry: There is no self service laundry but you are able to have laundry done onboard and this will be returned to you within 24 hours. I had a bag done for about $35AUD which I thought was quite reasonable.