Whenever I ask someone to compare Adventures by Disney to other tour operators, the same term consistently pops up: “the Disney Difference.” For the brand’s guided land tours, this translates to Disney’s high level of service, attention to detail and trademark storytelling. And on a river cruise — a type of vacation not usually associated with family travel — the Disney Difference kicks into high gear.
Since 2016, family-focused tour operator Adventures by Disney and luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways (already experts in multigenerational travel) have partnered to create itineraries that feature “tailor-made family-friendly excursions and unique onboard programming that offer a truly remarkable river cruise journey to clients from [ages] 5 to 95,” according to Kristin Karst, co-founder of AmaWaterways.
[Thanks to] triple occupancy and connecting staterooms designed by AmaWaterways with families in mind, and Adventures by Disney providing the perfect balance of entertainment and cultural immersion, travel advisors are able to offer a truly remarkable river cruise journey.
The partnership, which began with only seven sailings in 2016, has continued to prove successful, with 14 Adventures by Disney family river cruises on the Danube, Rhine and Seine rivers in 2024, including special holiday itineraries.
"Each partner is dedicated to delivering an unmatched experience,” Karst said. “[Thanks to] triple occupancy and connecting staterooms designed by AmaWaterways with families in mind, and Adventures by Disney providing the perfect balance of entertainment and cultural immersion, travel advisors are able to offer a truly remarkable river cruise journey.”
Review: Adventures by Disney/AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise
My two sons were always on the sophisticated side, yet I never considered taking them on a river cruise because I was told they were “kid-unfriendly.” But times have changed. Recently, my sons (now in their 20s) and I sailed on a Danube River cruise with Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways, and our only regret was not doing it sooner.
Adventure Guides keep passengers organized and engaged.
Credit: 2023 Adventures by Disney“Our goal was to get guests out of the mindset that river cruising was for a certain demographic,” said Lesley Kay Combs, senior manager of land and cruise operations for Adventures by Disney. “We built this product to cater to families, and wanted them to be immersed in cultural experiences that are not only educational, but also a lot of fun, so we handcrafted those experiences — both on ship and off.”
There were 90 passengers on our sailing, from kindergarten-age kids to grandparents (kids must be at least 5 years old to sail). Adventures by Disney’s team of four Adventure Guides kept us organized and engaged during excursions that ranged from cultural tours of cities and palaces — where junior adventurers enthusiastically split from their parents for kid-focused activities — to “foodie” experiences such as an apple strudel demonstration at Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace and a marzipan-making class in Passau, Germany. Also on offer were more active endeavors, such as biking to Klosterneuburg Abbey in Vienna or hiking to castle ruins in Durnstein.
But our favorite excursion by far — and one that’s exclusive to Adventures by Disney — was a visit to Salzwelten (near Salzburg, Austria), the world’s oldest salt mine.
"Disney knows the purpose of visiting Europe is to have authentic experiences,” said Jana, an Adventure Guide. “But they also want to make sure there’s some adventure, and that’s where the salt mine comes in.”
The tour of the Salzwelten salt mine includes an underground mine train.
Credit: 2023 SalzweltenThe educational, interactive and downright Willy Wonka-esque experience checks every box for kids and adults alike, including an underground mine train, a raft across a salt lake (enhanced by a light and projection show) and two miners’ slides. Plus, during the tour, we crossed a subterranean border between Austria and Germany, which provided a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.
By the time we disembarked, our family agreed that an Adventures by Disney river cruise was not only kid-friendly, but adult-friendly too.
“To be able to go on a vacation where you don't have to think about what you're doing next is fabulous,” Combs said — and for parents to have Adventure Guides ensuring their kids are having “an adventure of a lifetime” is pretty fabulous, too.
Advisors should note that, unlike many river cruises, Adventures by Disney mostly sails at night, with daytime hours reserved for activities. The one exception was a lunchtime cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley from Krems to Melk, Austria — though a 20-mile bike ride was offered for adventurous passengers.
Of course, anyone could skip excursions at any time to enjoy the ship’s pool, gym and lounge. There were also opportunities to stay onboard while the ship repositioned from Bratislava, Slovakia, to Vienna and from Passau to Vilshofen, Germany.
In addition to family river cruise itineraries in 2024, Adventures by Disney also offers adult-exclusive Oktoberfest and Food & Wine cruises.
