Although the waterways of Europe gave birth to modern river cruising, they are far from the only destination available to adventurous passengers.  River cruisers can choose to explore the mysteries of Egypt’s Nile, the history of Russia’s Volga, and the exotic beauty of Asia’s Mekong and Yangtze. For its part, AmaWaterways wants you to experience Asia like never before with a captivating journey on their Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong itinerary.

AmaLotus heads up the Mekong River on her maiden voyage. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

Available as a week-long cruise or a 16-day Cruisetour, AmaWaterways’ popular AmaLotus and La Marguerite offer a variety of departure dates for 2012 and the remainder of 2011. With this kind of flexibility, there’s certain to be a departure date and length that works best for you.

The full itinerary on this fascinating river cruise:

Staterooms aboard AmaLotus will reflect the same modern yet traditional decor found on La Marguerite. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

Like all AmaWaterways voyages, the ship is as much of a prize as the destination itself. With no staterooms smaller than 226 square feet, AmaLotus is ideally suited to providing guests with an experience that is as relaxing as it is luxurious. The onboard décor is Colonial in theme, accented with regional Khmer touches, and passenger staterooms and suites even include kimonos and slippers.

Dining can also be taken as you wish, with an immersive menu of Asian and North American specialties, ensuring there are culinary options available for those seeking more local fare, or meals more reminiscent of home. Complimentary wine and beer are offered during lunch and dinner hours, along with complimentary spirits and soft drinks.

But few things can rival the natural majesty of the Mekong River as seen from the expansive Sun Deck aboard AmaLotus. Guests can kick back and relax in a deck chair, amble up to the bar for a refreshing drink, or end the afternoon off with a final plunge in the onboard swimming pool.

La Marguerite, comfortably nestled along the Mekong. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

The line’s popular La Marguerite is no less well-appointed. In fact, Travel Weekly Magazine recently selected her as a recipient of its Gold Magellan, an award designed to recognize the very best the travel industry has to offer.

La Marguerite combines traditional colonial elegance with modern amenities and furnishings to create an onboard ambiance that is best described as “historically modern.” Like AmaLotus, her smallest stateroom is a roomy 226 square feet and features all the amenities of a fine European hotel. You’ll also never miss a minute of the Mekong, thanks to the glass-walled Panoramic Lounge, the multi-windowed Restaurant, and an expansive sun deck for taking in the warmth and natural beauty of the region.

With two exotic ships sailing the legendary Mekong River, all that’s left is to take the plunge and discover this remarkable region of the world for yourself.

For more information about AmaWaterways, La Marguerite and AmaLotus, check out our complete AmaWaterways company and fleet overview right here on River Cruise Advisor.

AmaWaterways was recently honored by Travel Weekly Magazine with two 2011 Gold Magellan Awards. AmaWaterways was presented with Gold Magellan awards not only in the Overall River Cruising category, but also for its elegant MS La Marguerite, which debuted along the Mekong River in 2009.

AmaWaterways has scooped up two Gold Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly Magazine. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

“We are extremely proud to receive these two prestigious Gold Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly. Knowing that the awards are judged by industry experts with extremely high standards of excellence makes this honor for MS La Marguerite and for our overall cruise line even more satisfying,” said Rudi Schreiner, president of AmaWaterways.

The recognition is a crowning achievement for a line that is just preparing to celebrate its first decade in service in 2012. In addition to the award-winning La Marguerite, the AmaWaterways fleet is composed of nine river cruise vessels, all of which were built within the last five years. Next spring, AmaWaterways will take delivery of its newest member, the attractive AmaCerto. Carrying just 164 guests, AmaCerto will join her siblings AmaBella (2010) and AmaVerde (2011) in offering more of the line’s popular twin balconies: staterooms that feature not one, but two balconies for unparalleled views of Europe’s waterways.

La Marguerite, pictured above, sails the magnificent Mekong River. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

That Travel Weekly chose to honor La Marguerite is no surprise. Sailing along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, the La Marguerite combines traditional colonial elegance with modern amenities and furnishings to create an onboard ambiance that is best described as “historically modern.” Her smallest stateroom is a roomy 226 square feet and features all the amenities of a fine European hotel. You’ll also never miss a minute of the Mekong, thanks to the glass-walled Panoramic Lounge, the multi-windowed Restaurant, and an expansive sun deck for taking in the warmth and natural beauty of the region.

AMAWATERWAYS' La Marguerite features luxury accommodations.

View our complete AmaWaterways overview and fleet profiles to discover for yourself what Travel Weekly – and those of us here at River Cruise Advisor – already know and appreciate.

Planning your river cruise vacation for next year just got easier, thanks to the recent release of AmaWaterways’ brand new 2012 Brochure.

At 128 pages in length, the AmaWaterways 2012 Brochure marks a milestone in the company’s history. Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways now operates 12 river cruise vessels, along with a vast array of itineraries; impressive for a company celebrating its first decade in service.

AmaDagio will sail France's Rhone river for the first time in 2012. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

In 2012, the line will once again offer some of its most popular European river cruise itineraries, including the spring Tulip Time voyages that traverse the waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands. Making her debut on this scenic itinerary is AmaWaterways’ new, 164-passenger MS AmaCerto, due to enter service in April. AmaCerto will offer AmaWaterways’ unique “twin balcony” concept, offering passengers the choice of full or French balconies within the same stateroom

The popular MS AmaDagio will make a debut of her own next year, as she cruises through France along the Rhone River, marking the first time an AmaWaterways vessel has operated on the Rhone.

In Europe, AmaWaterways will operate a total of nine ships for 2012, all featuring French balconies or twin balconies, in addition to complimentary amenities like in-room Internet, shipboard Wi-Fi, and guided bicycle tours ashore.

Next year will also see the creation of AmaVoyages, a new product line designed to encompass AmaWaterways’ offerings in Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. These river cruises and land tours are separate from the European AmaWaterways experience, but are designed to offer a premium experience to some of the world’s most fascinating and exotic regions.

In 2012, guests can explore Russia aboard the redesigned AmaKatarina, or experience the splendors of Asia’s waterways aboard La Marguerite or the new, elegant AmaLotus.

AMAWATERWAYS' La Marguerite features luxury accommodations.

The brochure also provides information about some of the new programs and distinctions guests can look forward to, like a visit to the Floriade World Horticultural Expo, which takes place once every ten years in the Netherlands. Guests who prefer culinary delights aren’t left out in the cold either; the line’s new “Culinary Delights – Bites and Sights” shore excursions are designed to explore the rich culinary history of Europe.

The line’s “In Celebration of Wine” itineraries also return in 2012, sailing along the magnificent Danube and Rhine rivers, as well as a maiden journey down France’s Rhone River. Details about the 2012 “Jewish Heritage” cruises are also included in the brochure, which contains full dates and pricing.

For more information on AmaWaterways, be sure to view our detailed line and fleet profiles right here on River Cruise Advisor.  For a look at a voyage aboard La Marguerite, check out our extensive photo-slideshow!