Do they update ships?

Looking at a river cruise on AMAWaterways

Our preferred Danube cruise is on a 2012 brought into service ship as opposed to a 2017 ship for our second choice.

Concerned that the "older" ship make lack a few of the amenities of the newer ship and be a little more worn

My question is...Do they upgrade/update ships similar to drydocks on the major ocean going cruise lines

Yes, ships are updated and it being from 2012 it could well have been. Sometimes you read "refurbished in..." which means there have been major renovations like new carpeting throughout. If the ship you are looking at is not mentioned thus you could always ask AmaWaterways in an e-mail how the two ships compare. Or give past cruisers here more details about the cruise you are interested in.

notamermaid

Of course they do.

Its the AMACerto Doing the Danube Discovery from Budapest-Prague in Sept 2019 (I know Prague is a land portion)

Unlike ocean ships that sail 52 out of 52 weeks unless sent to drydock, river ships only sail during the spring-to-fall season. They have a long winter vacation in which maintenance and refreshing work can be done. Therefore they stay fresh and new much longer than ocean ships. [Also they aren't exposed to salt water, which takes its toll very quickly on ocean ships.] I sailed on AmaCello when she was 5 years old, and AmaDagio when she was 9 years old -- they were missing a few new bells and whistles on Ama's latest designs, but the ships themselves were in tiptop shape and we had a great time.

My TA told me that the Avalon Illumination will have just come out of refurbishing when I cruise in May on the Danube. Pictures show it is already a nice fairly young ship, so this will be very interesting.