AmaWaterways releases details about Disney river cruise ships

AmaWaterways has released details of the connecting rooms for families that will be offered on two new ships coming in the spring of 2016.

The cabins were designed with feedback from Adventures by Disney, which has partnered with AmaWaterways on seven sailings next year. They are one of several changes designed to accommodate more family travel on AMA.

The 158-passenger ships, AmaViola and AmaStella, will sail the Europe's popular Rhine and Danube rivers. AmaWaterways said there will be six sets of adjoining cabins that can be connected via shared doorways to accommodate families of up to five. In addition, the ships will have four suites with sofa beds that can handle four guests at a time, and 12 suites that can accommodate three guests.

AMA said it is making another change to the design of the ships. The fitness room and salon on the ships will be moved down a deck to allow for more balcony staterooms and suites with panoramic views.

"These new ships have been developed in a way that will bring added comfort to groups and families," AMA executive vice president and co-owner Kristin Karst said. Earlier this year, AMA launched the European river ships AmaSerena and AmaVenita, bringing its fleet to 18 ships.

Disney's move into river cruising comes as the company's ocean cruise business continues to expand its offerings, featuring new destinations such as Norway and the British Isles. The Disney Cruise Line also recently completed a major makeover of its 1,754-passenger Disney Magic. For a deck-by-deck look at the line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, click through the carousel below.

Tom Stieghorst covers cruises at Travel Weekly magazine.