Beer cruise with AmaWaterways in Utrecht, Netherlands — Our Celebration of Beer Cruise on the Rhine River with AmaWaterways took us to breweries in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Here, we start off at a craft brewery in Utrecht. (Photo by John Roberts)

What if someone asked you to describe you perfect vacation?

Well, when AmaWaterways developed the theme cruise called “Captivating Rhine: Celebration of Beer,” this sounded like it was designed with us in mind.

Colleen and I absolutely loved what this trip would offer: beer, history and the comfort and pace of a European river cruise.

So, we joined the seven-night winter itinerary aboard the elegant AmaLucia, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland.

This cruise turned the legendary Rhine River into a low-key floating beer festival, as we were among 90 fellow cruisers who sampled new brews in cool locations while traveling through three different countries.

In February, when temperatures typically hover between about 35 to 45 degrees, most travelers don’t even consider a river cruise — or a trip to Europe at all.

This is why it was a perfect time to take our beer cruise.

Utrecht canal in the Netherlands — A river cruise during winter time allows travelers to enjoy the towns with no crowds. (Photo by John Roberts)

Crowds vanish, ports feel like private playgrounds, and the focus stays squarely on brews, bites, and breathtaking scenery.

AmaWaterways has refined its themed cruising program, with more 30 special departures in 2026 alone. This Celebration of Beer voyage stands for me, though, blending expert tastings, historic brewery visits and the unmatched intimacy of river cruising.

During our trip, we had some gray skies and cooler temperatures, but spirits were bright as we quickly made friends with people who also enjoy trying new beers and new destinations. Add in the warm service onboard our luxurious cruise ship AmaLucia, and it made for a fantastic winter vacation.

Beer isn’t just a drink on this sailing, it’s the star of the show. AmaWaterways brought in a dedicated beer sommelier, cicerone Ken Smith (a veteran from Boston Beer Co./Sam Adams), who sailed with us and offered expert insights during special tours, a beer-pairing dinner and presentations on the history of our favorite beverage. Smith’s genuine passion turned every tasting into a masterclass.

I’ve got 14 reasons that you’ll enjoy a Celebration of Beer cruise with AmaWaterways.

1. Expert Onboard Talks and Tastings

Cicerone Ken Smith gives an enrichment talk on beer on AmaWaterways Celebration of Beer cruise on AmaLucia. — Cicerone (beer sommelier) Ken Smith hosted the cruise and offered his expertise with talks about the history of beer, as well as during daily tastings and brewery tours. (Photo by John Roberts)

Smith offered an enrichment talk “The History of Beer from the Sumerians to the Fall of Rome.” He explained how ancient civilizations shaped modern brewing. We also sipped thoughtfully selected pours during select “Sip and Sail” cocktail hours. Additionally, we had a full-ship beer-pairing dinner in the Journeys restaurant featuring five standout varieties matched to multi-course dishes. No generic happy hours on this cruise; this is beer education at its finest.

2. Visits to a Diverse Range of Beer Destinations

We visited some of Europe’s historic brewing hot spots. In Utrecht, Netherlands, we explored the small craft brewery Oudaen, located inside a medieval city castle, and sampled witbier, Champagne-style beer, and a Belgian tripel paired with bitterballen, beer cheese and fried Dutch snacks dipped in beer-infused mustard and syrup. This was out first tour of the trip and a great way to whet our appetites for everything yet to come.

3. Classic Kölsch in Cologne

Gaffel Kolsch house in Cologne — We enjoyed a stop for beers at Gaffel am Dom in Cologne, which is renowned for Kölsch style beers. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

Cologne’s legendary clear, crisp Kölsch is served in tiny 0.2-liter glasses, and the Köbes (servers) keep them coming. We started our visit to the city with a guided walking tour and stop at the stunning Gothic Cologne cathedral.

From there, we went straight to Gaffel am Dom brewhouse for fresh pours of Kölsch and wheat beer. We enjoyed the cold beers, plates full of cheese and other snacks and watching a Budesliga soccer game amid the lively locals. The energy of sharing a few rounds with new friends was delightful.

4. Altbier and More in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf’s copper-colored Altbier has protected status. You stroll charming streets before settling in for tastings at traditional houses — another chance to geek out on regional styles while the city feels like your own. Some of our fellow cruisers picked this tour, which was an option at the same time when we picked our trip to Cologne instead.

5. Alsatian and Craft Diversity in Breisach

Brasserie du Pays Welche craft brewery in Lapoutrie, France — My favorite craft brewery visit on the cruise was the charming Brasserie du Pays Welche in Lapoutrie, France. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

Straddling the French-German border, Breisach offers a thrilling mix: traditional German lagers, Alsatian specialties, and innovative seasonals like cherry beers. The growing craft scene here surprises even seasoned hop heads. We hopped on a coach to head into the mountainside in France and arrive at the small rural town of Lapoutrie, where we enjoyed a tour and tasting, sample the varieties at award-winning Brasserie du Pays Welche, which also has an attached museum and shop showcasing brandy varieties and brandy making equipment.

We loved hearing about the breweries story and trying some of the blondes, ambers, whites, seasonals and special beers. We also bought a few bottles to bring back to the ship to share with our new friends at cocktail hour.

6. Sipping in a Cellar in Strasbourg

We toured scenic Strasbourg on a brisk active walk through the heart of the city, wandering through gardens and along the canals. We learned about the city's evolution from a Roman garrison at the crossroads of travel throughout Europe to its fate as the focus of a rivalry between Germany and France, with the city changing hands multiple times over the centuries.

The tour was capped with a stop at Au Brasseur, a restaurant and craft brewery with a large cellar tasting room, where we had full pours of the tasty house white, blonde and amber.

7. Instant Community of Like-Minded Travelers

Cruise on AmaLucia with AmaWaterways — Colleen and I made wonderful new beer-loving friends during our Rhine River cruise. (Photo by Ken Smith)

With only about 90 guests on a 156-passenger ship during low season, conversations flowed as easily as the beer with our fellow travelers. We met a couple of beer fanatics from Indianapolis, as well as another couple who lives just down the road from us here in Colorado. The state is legendary for its craft beer scene, so that’s not a huge surprise that we would have people from the Centennial State onboard. In fact, our beer sommelier Ken Smith also lives in Colorado.

Another couple of beer aficionados from England helped round out our tight-knit group of eight who shared stories of their favorite travel experiences and best breweries back home.

8. Perfect Balance of Fine Food and Fun Destinations

On this trip, you’re not just drinking. You’re experiencing cultural heritage. German Reinheitsgebot purity laws, Dutch brewing innovation, French flair — this cruise maps Europe’s beer evolution in real time.

For aficionados, it’s the ultimate beer bucket-list adventure.

9. Your Cruise Ship Is a Floating Boutique Hotel

AmaLucia was our home base; it’s designed for comfort, and this was especially nice with the February winds blowing. The ship offers spacious, well-appointed cabins.

Every stateroom features floor-to-ceiling windows or true balconies, ultra-comfortable beds with high-quality linens, large showers, ample storage and thoughtful touches like bathrobes and premium amenities. Suites add even more space and step-out balconies. After a day of exploring, coming back to our room was blissful.

10. Multiple Decadent Dining Experiences

Chef's Table dining on AmaLucia with AmaWaterways — Cruisers can enjoy a fantastic wone-pairing meal in the Chef’s Table restaurant during the cruise. (Photo by John Roberts)

Journeys, the main restaurant, serves buffet breakfast and lunch plus elegant four-course plated dinners. The Chef’s Table offers an included seven-course wine-pairing meal (reservations needed) with dishes like chilled scallop with avocado tartar or Angus beef striploin.

Also, the Chef’s Table venue offers a new Italian lunch daily with fresh pasta, pizza and rotating gelato flavors. The Al Fresco bistro in the Lark Lounge delivers casual sandwiches, salads and desserts anytime. Late-night snacks (hot dogs, empanadas, chicken tenders) ensure you never go hungry.

11. Lively Entertainment in the Lark Lounge

La Strada string trio on AmaLucia with AmaWaterways — String trio La Strada performed during our trip. (Photo by John Roberts)

We enjoyed performances each afternoon and evening from our resident pianist Cezar.

The program also offers shows from guest performers; we had a wonderful show from string trio La Strada, who blends classical pieces with modern hits. The panoramic windows frame passing villages while you sip cocktails, wines and beers into the night. It’s sophisticated yet relaxed — exactly what you want after a full day.

We also had a couple of trivia nights onboard — fun affairs hosted by Cezar.

12. Wellness Host Workouts to Help Earn Your Brews

Morning workout with Wellness Host Antonio on AmaLucia with AmaWaterways — I got up early every morning to start the day with a nice workout with Wellness Host Antonio. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)

AmaWaterways’ river cruises feature a Wellness Host who offers workout sessions every day during your voyage. This means morning workouts and stretch classes, plus afternoon classes like fitness bands, dancing, HIIT training and more.

We joined our Wellness Host Antonio for morning core workouts and stretch sessions, He also ran afternoon dance classes, walking groups and guided bike tours. The ship has a fleet of bikes that you can use for riding on your own, too.

The onboard gym and spa massages (60-minute treatments are heavenly) keep you balanced. On a beer-themed cruise, this thoughtful programming helped to keep us happy and refreshed.

13. Sun Deck Activities

Heated pool on AmaLucia with AmaWaterways — We saw a few cruisers enjoying a dip in the heated pool on the Sun Deck. (Photo by John Roberts)

The weather is cool, but it’s still nice to head up bundled in your bathrobe to slip into the heated pool to unwind while enjoying all the views.

The expansive Sun Deck is a great place to enjoy the best views as you cruise through especially interesting stretches of river, passing castles and vineyards and watching the process for going through the locks. Bundle up, grab a hot drink, and watch the fairy-tale Rhine Gorge unfold — one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

14. Personalized Service and Included Amenities

AmaLucia cruise ship from AmaWaterways — We cruised in comfort on 156-passenger AmaLucia during our week on the Rhine River. (Photo by John Roberts)

With fewer travelers cruising in winter, the crew-to-passenger ratio is ideal for extra attention. Staff easily remember your name and favorite drink order. The ship also features a little library with games and books, and wifi and daily shore excursions are included.

Our first winter cruise (and first river theme cruise) blended AmaWaterways’ signature luxury with a passionate theme that resonated deeply with the beer lovers onboard. However, there were plenty of travelers who had no idea that it was a theme cruise and were simply onboard to enjoy an enjoyable and affordable winter getaway.

AmaLucia’s amenities keep you comfortable and energized; the expert programming educates and delights; and the Rhine delivers postcard-perfect moments around every bend.