River Cruising with AmaWaterways

Are you thinking about a European vacation? There are many ways to enjoy a European vacation – by river, by ocean, or by land. Let’s talk about European River Cruising with AmaWaterways. The luxury cruise line is well-known for its outstanding service, many inclusions, and overall luxury experience.

River Cruising – Finding the Perfect Itinerary

AmaWaterways is a luxury river cruise line with a huge variety of itineraries available. Currently, there are options in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2024, there will be a ship sailing in South America. Needless to say, there are itineraries for every interest. For example, there are specialty wine cruises and those themed for the popular European Christmas Markets. If you are looking for a longer vacation, there are two different Seven-River Journeys in Europe.

It may feel a little overwhelming to choose the best cruise but it’s best to start by determining what area you would like to visit. Each itinerary includes several ports, with included excursions at each stop. River cruising often takes you through several countries in Europe. However, there are also itineraries that focus on one country. For example, the Seine River itineraries will take you through France.

Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps

For this cruise, I chose the Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps itinerary. This itinerary sails both ways on the Rhine River – from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland, and vice versa. We started in Amsterdam and ended in Basel. The itinerary included the following stops:

• Amsterdam (overnight)
• Cologne, Germany
• Rüdesheim, Germany & sailing through the Rhine River Gorge
• Ludwigshafen, Germany
• Strasbourg, France
• Basel, Switzerland (overnight)

This cruise included many opportunities to learn about the history of Europe. This was a big draw for me personally. I enjoyed the walking tours and the charming towns where we stopped.

Arriving for a Pre-Cruise Stay

Like with all cruises, I highly recommend arriving at least one day in advance for your cruise. This is especially the case when traveling to Europe to help with getting adjusted to the time change. AmaWaterways has a great option where you can do a pre-and/or post-cruise stay. If you add this to your vacation, you will meet the cruise manager and have guided experiences throughout the city prior to embarking on the ship. This is a great way to get to know your fellow travelers too.

For this itinerary, guests had the option to spend extra time in Lake Como after we disembarked in Basel, Switzerland. Other cities that are offered for pre- or post-cruise stays on different itineraries include Budapest, Prague, Paris, and more!

The AmaWaterways Experience

European river cruising offers a very different experience compared to cruising on the ocean. I sailed on the AmaSerena, with approximately 130 guests total onboard. It resulted in an intimate cruising experience. I met other guests who became friends, we ate dinner together, and spent time getting to know one another!

On each cruise, there is a welcome and farewell reception with the Captain and the crew. It felt like a personalized experience where the crew had an opportunity to interact with the guests. At the beginning of our cruise, the Captain gave each lady onboard a rose as we left for our first dinner. It was a special touch that made the evening special from the start!

Accommodations

There are three different types of staterooms on every AmaWaterways cruise ship. These options are Balcony, French Balcony, and Window. There are several categories depending on the location onboard the ship. However, each room will fit into one of the above options. In addition, there are suites available if you would like to have a more spacious room for your vacation.

To give you the best views as you sail along the river, I highly recommend either the French Balcony or the Balcony category. There is something amazing about being able to sit out on the balcony with a cup of coffee or a book as you sail along!

Dining

The dining onboard Amawaterways is award-winning for a reason. All dining experiences are included with your cruise fare. You are free to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks at a variety of venues onboard. The menus change each day, with options that include regionally-inspired cuisine.

Make sure you have a reservation for the Chef’s Table specialty restaurant. This restaurant offers a tasting menu and your service team will provide a detailed explanation of each dish as it is presented. For this sailing, a member of the dining team approached us on the first day to see if we would be interested in dining there on the first night. This was a wonderful way to start our cruise!

In addition to all of your meals, there are several times when your alcoholic beverages are included as well. Each evening, guests onboard an AmaWaterways ship get to enjoy a Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks. In addition, a different drink of the day is available each evening during the cocktail hour. Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included with lunch and dinner. Enjoy Sparkling wine and juice with breakfast too.

If you look forward to dressing up, you are encouraged to do so during the Captain’s Dinner. This typically takes place on the last night, when you have the opportunity to say goodbye to friends and crew.

Excursions

All of the excursions on your AmaWaterways river cruise are included. Prior to sailing, you are encouraged to choose from different activities at each port. However, guests made changes once they were onboard as well. The cruise line appeared to be accommodating to these changes. On this cruise, there were typically at least two choices at each port. The tours that involved biking are very popular so make sure you sign up for those well in advance! Once you chose your desired excursion, you also decide whether you wanted to be active, regular, or gentle. This was perfect for accommodating guests with different mobility needs.

The excursions I chose were walking tours and hiking. At each port, we had the opportunity to enjoy some free time as well. We had plenty of time to grab those souvenirs, get an authentic bite to eat, or just explore. In Cologne, for example, we loved seeing the Cathedral and then walking back to the ship.

Finding the Best River Cruise for You

River Cruising is a wonderful way to experience the continent of Europe. You get to see a variety of destinations in one trip and only unpack one time! Plus, if you enjoy your time in one of the stops, you can always plan a longer visit.

Overall, the experience with AmaWaterways was amazing! This cruise line has luxury amenities, great service, amazing itineraries, and knowledgeable crew members. It will no doubt be a wonderful experience for those looking to have a luxurious river cruise vacation. There are many different cruise lines sailing on the European rivers, though, so it’s important to find what works best for you.

The Value of a Travel Advisor When Planning a River Cruise

Like with any other type of vacation, a travel advisor has a valuable role as you plan your river cruise. It starts with helping you decide on the best cruise line for your vacation. From finding the perfect itinerary to helping with any hiccups along the way, a travel advisor is your advocate to help you have the best experience possible on your river cruise vacation. Your Key to the World Travel advisor can help you with booking your cruise, arranging a pre-cruise or post-cruise stay, assisting with flights and transfers, and so much more. Are you looking to extend your vacation before or after? Work with your travel advisor to create the perfect land itinerary before or after sailing on the river!

River Cruising with Children

If you are considering a river cruise for your family, it’s important to note that not all cruise lines allow children onboard. AmaWaterways does allow children onboard their sailings. However, on this particular sailing, there were no children. It is important to note that, unlike larger cruise ships, there are no kids’ clubs or facilities. The atmosphere onboard the ship tends to be quiet, with some structured activities in the evenings. When the ship was cruising, many guests relaxed in the lounge or on the sundeck. That doesn’t mean that kids aren’t welcome but it’s something to consider as you’re talking with your travel advisor about European travel options and the best fit for your family. I think it will largely depend on the age and personality of your child.

One option that would combine the service of AmaWaterways with a kid-friendly itinerary is an Adventures by Disney River cruise. On select sailings, AmaWaterways partners with Adventures by Disney to cultivate unique experiences for those guests. These itineraries are designed specifically with families in mind and are the perfect fit if you want the luxury cruise experience with the whole family!

Stay tuned for a more detailed guide on cruising through Europe.

Are you interested in river cruising for your next vacation? Your Key to the World Travel Advisor is here to help you find the best fit for your vacation!

Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.