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Named for Kristin Karst, executive vice president and part owner of AmaWaterways, AmaKristina exudes all the poise, elegance and warmth of its godmother. With a sleek design and expertly chosen décor, the ship and its excellent crew make passengers feel welcome as soon as they step onboard.
Launched in 2017, AmaKristina is the 20th ship in the line's fleet, offering two superb dining experiences, a heated top-deck pool and a fleet of 25 bicycles that are made available to passengers for use in port. There are also fun hidden touches that also serve a practical purpose. The wavy ceilings in the dining room? They're actually sound panels that reduce noise. The paintings in the stateroom hallways? They creatively mask fire extinguishers.
Cabins are in line with the industry average in terms of size, and furnishings are rich. Nearly 90 percent of staterooms have balconies, and several offer connecting doors, which are ideal for families, particularly when the ship is chartered by AmaWaterways partner Adventures by Disney, which weave Disney into experiences both onboard and in port.
In addition to between-meal snacks in the main lounge, the ship features excellent cuisine in its two complimentary eateries -- the main dining room and The Chef's Table -- which often include local specialties from the Rhine region, where the vessel sails.
Excursions, which are free and a standout feature for AmaWaterways, range from standard bus and walking tours to more local pursuits like beer tastings and active ones like biking and hiking. Within the standard options, passengers can group themselves according to activity level so nobody feels rushed or slowed down.
Overall, passengers will find exceptional value for their money. Adding to the feeling that they're staying in the home of a good friend is a crew that's helpful and genuinely pleasant.
The dress code aboard AmaKristina is generally smart casual during the day for excursions or scenic cruising, with nice jeans, walking shorts or khakis with collared golf shirts or nice T-shirts being the norm. For dinner, passengers tend to dress up a bit more. While we didn't see many men in jackets, most women wore dresses, and almost nobody donned jeans.
With the cost of the cruise fare, passengers receive free ship wide Wi-Fi, wine and beer with lunch and dinner (wine/beer outside of meal times and all mixed drinks cost extra) and a choice of shore excursions in each port, as well as bottled water (replenished daily in cabins and offered at the gangway prior to shore excursions).
Shore Excursions
At least one shore excursion is offered in each port of call, and all are free of charge (with the exception of some tours found on pre- and post-cruise land add-ons). Most are standard walking tours (some requiring motor coach transportation) where guides give an overview of the place passengers are visiting. Generally these are offered in gentle, regular and active groups so cruisers can tailor the experience to their physical abilities. Passengers sign up for tours in advance by filling out the appropriate forms and handing them in to the cruise manager. Cruisers then obtain coloured cards at the front desk before disembarking. Those cards correspond with the tour for which each passenger has registered. Tour guides hold coloured paddles resembling lollipops, which passengers can use to find their appropriate groups. When tuning QuietVox audio commentary listening devices, passengers need only to hold them up to their guide's lollipop, and the frequency will be set automatically.
In some ports, additional complimentary, capacity-controlled tours are offered. They generally include a walking tour with additional components, such as a visit to Amsterdam's Keukenhof flower gardens or a Rüdesheimer coffee tasting in Rüdesheim.
More than two dozen bicycles are stored onboard AmaKristina for passenger use in port. In some destinations, organized bike rides and hikes are offered for more active travellers.
Umbrellas, walking sticks and folding cane seats are located at the door near the gangplank for passenger use while ashore.
All passengers are asked to scan their room keys before leaving the ship and to scan them again when coming back onboard.
Note: Shuttles are offered in some ports for passengers wanting to explore on their own without taking an excursion. Otherwise, anyone wanting to poke around independently can sign up for a tour to make use of the transportation and then advise his or her guide that he or she will be leaving the group. (If you do this, be sure to take the ship's docking location and contact information with you, and note the meeting point and time if you plan to utilize the ship-provided transportation back to your vessel.)
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
Since most of the daytime hours are spent in port, there aren't many activities planned during the day, if any. A small offshoot of the Lounge on the port side of Violin Deck offers a seating area with faux fireplaces, a handful of board games and a library. (By "library," we mean a single bookshelf.) Crossword puzzles and a selection of newspapers from several countries are available in the lobby, on a table just to the port side of the reception desk. In-cabin movies are also available on demand.
On days when the ship does scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge, the cruise manager offers commentary in the Lounge and on the Sun Deck, as well as on in-cabin TVs.
Evenings are generally spent freshening up for dinner, but night-time entertainment in the Lounge on our sailing consisted of a resident musician playing tunes on a piano and performances by several singers -- a solo artist, a singer and accordion player duo and an ABBA dance party.
Enrichment
Apart from the aforementioned scenic cruising commentary, the only other enrichment available onboard comes in the form of port talks offered by the cruise manager to prepare passengers for the destinations they're about to visit.
Soft drinks, beer and wine are available for free at lunch and dinner and during special happy hours and other scheduled events. (See your Daily Cruiser planner for details.) These drinks incur a charge when ordered from any of the ship's onboard bars at other times of the day.
Lounge & Bar: The ship's main lounge serves as the hub for special gatherings, port talks, scenic cruising, teatime and night-time entertainment. It's the largest public space onboard, boasting large picture windows on three sides. The setup -- with clusters of tables, chairs and couches surrounding a central bar, food service area and piano -- feels homey and welcoming, as though you're relaxing in a friend's living room. Neutral colours and jewel-toned solids somehow blend harmoniously with bright, chaotic stripes and floral prints. (We have no idea how it works, but it definitely does.) The centrally located full-service bar features wine, beer and cocktails, as well as soft drinks for a fee. On one afternoon, we also spotted complimentary gemstone water (water infused with rose quartz, which is thought to help with poor circulation).
Sun Deck Pool Bar: A second bar is located on the pool deck, but given the chilly weather on our sailing, we never saw it in use.
Chef's Table: Bar service is available during the day by phone for anyone wishing to utilize The Chef's Table space.
The Sun Deck, AmaKristina's uppermost deck, is home to a giant chess set, a walking/jogging track (8 laps to a mile), a heated pool (which we never saw used, although it looked inviting) and, of course, the bridge. There's plenty of seating; passengers can grab coffee in the Lounge, carry it up one deck and enjoy it alfresco at one of several tables or grab a reclining sun lounger, either shaded by a canopy or umbrella or in the sun. The aft area of the Sun Deck is the only place onboard where smoking is permitted. The line also requests that, out of respect for other passengers, the jogging track not be used between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The lobby area, midship on Violin Deck, is where passengers will find the main reception desk. That's the place to ask general questions, set up onboard accounts, obtain shore excursion colour cards, set wake-up calls, book spa and salon appointments and swipe out before an excursion or back in after returning from one. Cruisers can also ask to borrow a variety of items from reception, including curling irons, voltage converters, blood pressure monitors, earplugs, reading glasses and shower chairs. A large safe is available, as well, for valuables too large to fit in passengers' cabin safes. The staff at reception is extremely friendly and accommodating, as are the hotel and cruise managers, whose desks are located midship on Violin Deck (up one flight of stairs from the reception desk). The cruise manager is who you'll want to see for all things shore excursion- and future cruise-related.
To the port side of reception is where you'll find daily newspapers and crossword puzzles, as well as information about UNESCO sites on your itinerary and the locks you'll be passing through as you sail the Rhine.
A small onboard shop, found starboard on Violin Deck between reception and the Lounge, sells a small selection of toiletries and AmaWaterways-branded clothing, as well as jewellery and local souvenirs like Christmas ornaments and dolls. (Hours vary; check your Daily Cruiser.)
A small but gorgeous glass lift is available for passenger use, but due to top-deck height constraints, it doesn't service the Sun Deck.
AmaKristina does not have an onboard doctor or medical facility, but several crew members are trained in CPR and first aid. The ship is also never far from land, so emergency stops are possible if the need arises.
Spa
Found midship on Piano Deck are a single massage room for massage treatments and a small salon, which offers hair washing, cutting and styling. Massages are extremely affordable when compared with those offered on ocean cruises. We booked a 60-minute head-to-toe massage, and it was one of the best we ever had. Our specialist, who's also a physical therapist, was even able to give us pointers on improving general circulation and reducing swelling from a recent injury. Our travel companion also greatly enjoyed her 30-minute head and neck massage.
Fitness
There are no organized fitness classes onboard, but passengers can utilize the tiny gym midship on Piano Deck. It's spartan, offering TechnoGym equipment in the form of a treadmill that's recessed into the floor and two recumbent exercise bikes. The room is also stocked with water, towels, yoga mats and exercise balls. One wall features floor-to-ceiling mirrors so you can stare at yourself as you use the provided resistance pulleys.
Dining aboard AmaKristina is a pleasant experience all around. The variety of options in the ship's two restaurants is large enough to offer something for everyone but small enough that it's not overwhelming, and menus frequently feature local dishes from ports in the Rhine region, where the ship sails. Overall, we found the food to be fresh and beautifully prepared in portions that left us feeling pleasantly full, rather than wasteful or overfed. (All dinners, regardless of location, include a breadbasket, loaded with freshly baked carbs, and a selection of butters and oils.)
Menus denote healthy fare and locally inspired dishes. Each menu also has a list of common food allergens with number codes so you can easily inform your server; special dietary requests can best be accommodated with advance notice.
Main Restaurant (Cello Deck): The ship's main dining room is a mix of tables with river views and those with high-walled booths that make you feel like you're in your own cosy enclave. Neutral cream and brown tones are accented with pops of bright floral patterns in red, teal and gold. White tablecloths add an extra air of sophistication. Passengers sit where and with whomever they want during meals. We didn't see any tables for two, but it's possible for two passengers to sit at a table for four or six by themselves if they wish.
Breakfast and lunch in the Main Restaurant are a blend of buffet-style and waiter-service options. For breakfast, which runs for a set two-hour come-when-you-want block each morning, the buffet includes items like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cold-cut meats and cheeses, yogurt and nuts, cereal and a made-to-order omelette station. A variety of juices and vitamin shots (think ingredients like kale and quinoa) are available. Diners can also order from a menu, which features oatmeal, waffles with berries and cream, and a selection of egg dishes; coffee and tea can be ordered from waiters, as well.
For lunch, cruisers will find premade sandwiches, an assortment of bread, cold cuts and cheese, salad bar items, fruit and cake, as well as fare that's inspired by local dishes. On the day we visited Heidelberg, we came back onboard to a spread of German sausage, soft pretzels, roast suckling pig, sauerkraut and roasted potatoes on the buffet. From the menu, we were able to order things like sauerbraten and käsespätzle. Those with pickier palates can choose from the always-available lunch menu: minute steak sandwiches, chicken ciabatta sandwich with tomato and mozzarella or a breaded fish burger. Lunch hours vary each day according to port stops; they're announced in the Daily Cruiser planner.
Dinner, which has one set two-hour chunk of seating that varies daily with the ship's port schedule, is entirely waiter-served. Each night, the menu includes one chef's recommendation for each course, but passengers are free to order whatever they'd like from the full menu, which includes always-available options like grilled entrecôte steak, salmon fillets or chicken breast with sides of Caesar salad, coleslaw and potato wedges (or to-die-for French fries on request). The rotating menu consists of four courses: appetizer, soup, main and dessert. Standout items included a crabmeat cake appetizer with pineapple salsa; sweet corn soup with prosciutto; asparagus risotto and a grilled sweet potato with chickpeas and spinach yogurt as mains; and pistachio ice cream with poached peaches and a delightful tray of petits fours for dessert.
The Chef's Table Restaurant (Violin Deck): All passengers are guaranteed at least one chance to eat at The Chef's Table Restaurant during their sailing. (If there's room, additional visits can be booked.) Located at the aft of Violin Deck, panoramic windows provide stunning views of the ship's wake. The tiny eatery seats just 28 people at a time (at five tables for four, with one large round table for eight), so it feels intimate, and the black and metallic gold décor gives it a swanky, modern vibe. All visits to this venue are complimentary, and passengers can watch as dishes are prepared by the chef in the glass-walled kitchen. Our meal consisted of five courses, each of which incorporated a variety of dishes: a chef's welcome of lemon, pomegranate, kiwi and feta cheese in a yogurt meringue; an appetizer of salmon, scallops and shrimp with a variety of sauces, followed by watermelon ice with black pepper; Malaysian laksa soup with halibut in lobster sauce, followed by cheddar chili sorbet; aged beef brisket in whiskey sauce, rack of lamb with sweet potato and peach salsa, corn soufflé with pumpkin mash and garden veggies and handmade ravioli; and warm almond Baileys cake with mandarin sorbet.
Lounge and Coffee Bar (Violin Deck): Each afternoon, a "tea time" selection of self-serve soup, finger sandwiches, cakes and other small bites (including gluten-free cookies) is available in the lounge to alleviate between-meal cravings or serve as a light lunch. Both early and late risers can snag pastries there in the mornings for one hour before and one hour after the Main Restaurant's set dining times. Self-serve tea, hot chocolate and specialty coffees can be had around the clock via the coffee bar located on the starboard side of Violin Deck at the entrance to the Lounge. Late-night snacks are available in the Lounge, as well, in conjunction with the nightly entertainment. A small alfresco dining terrace with a handful of tables and chairs is located all the way forward, just outside of the Lounge.
Room Service: Room service is only available in suites. The limited menu includes coffee, tea and Continental breakfast.
Of the ship's 78 well-appointed passenger cabins, 67 have at least a French balcony -- a large sliding-glass door that opens to fresh air but offers no outdoor seating area. Of those 67, 49 have both traditional and French balconies.
Décor in all cabins is a relaxing mix of dark faux woods, granite countertops, tan carpeting and curtains, and white linens with red and brown floral accents.
Each stateroom features two twin beds that can be pushed together to form a queen, two nightstands with reading lamps, shelving and extremely limited drawer space, a closet with two bars for hanging clothes, a vanity area with a large mirror and chair, a small wood-and-glass coffee table, full-length mirror, two umbrellas, a hair dryer, a code-operated safe, a mini-fridge stocked with free bottled water, a flower vase and ice bucket, two robes and pairs of slippers, and a set of two QuietVox personal audio devices for use during shore excursions. (Earpieces are provided, but you might want to bring your own set of headphones or earbuds.)
Each cabin also comes equipped with a Mac desktop computer. Passengers can use it as a computer, taking advantage of the ship's complimentary and reasonably reliable bow-to-stern Wi-Fi, or use it as a TV. Channel options are CNN, BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg Europe, Discovery, Animal Planet, TLC, Vh-1, National Geographic and channels with movies (family, Sundance), sports (soccer, golf) and ship information (safety, bridge cam, announcements, daily activities).
The majority of the ship's outlets are 220-volt two-pronged European style. Each stateroom has one or two North American-style outlets, including one by the bed. USB outlets are also found next to the bed for easy overnight mobile phone charging.
Bathrooms are compact but functional. They're modern with white flooring and walls, offset by brown faux wood cabinets and brown granite countertops and shelving, which is ample for storage of toiletries. Hydro brand shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and lotion are provided, along with shower caps, vanity sets and small sewing repair kits. The shower-only setups have glass doors and they include both regular (detachable) showerheads and overhead-style rain showerheads. (Be careful! The same knob controls both; if you turn it too far when shutting the regular showerhead off, you'll get a surprise drenching from above.) The water pressure is impressive.
Fluffy, white towels and washcloths are provided, as is a makeup mirror.
Each bathroom also has a window that looks into the rest of the cabin. A switch in the bathroom frosts it for privacy.
Each night at turn-down, our cabin steward left us pillow chocolates -- a rare gesture on many ships. One night we also came back from dinner to the most elaborate towel dog we'd ever seen. On several evenings, AmaKristina passengers also receive take-home recipe cards that offer guidance on making local dishes like Hungarian sauerkraut soup and Alsatian Bundt cake.
River View: Eleven fixed-window cabins, located on Piano Deck, offer 160 square feet of space and water-level views through twin windows that don't open.
French Balconies: This group of 18 cabins, found on the Cello and Violin decks, includes French balconies that allow passengers to get some fresh air while in their rooms. Each cabin offers 155 to 170 square feet of space.
French and Outside Balconies: These 45 staterooms, spread across the Cello and Violin decks, range in size from 210 to 235 square feet and boast two balconies each -- one French and one outdoor. Each outdoor balcony features two padded faux wicker chairs and a small table for drinks. A dozen rooms in this group of cabins offer one additional berth each, in the form of a chair that folds out into a twin bed. A further 12 cabins can be connected for larger groups traveling together.
Suites With French and Outside Balconies: These 350-square-foot staterooms are the largest onboard; all four are found on Violin Deck and offer both a French and outside balcony with two faux wicker chairs and a drinks table. The interior layout is a bit different from that found in other cabins. A small living area with a TV, couch (which turns into a two-person pull-out bed), desk/vanity with chair, storage cupboards, two chairs and a coffee table gives way to a queen French-balcony-facing bed and closet in their own alcove that's offset by an odd partition of slatted blinds that don't close. The bathroom is slightly larger than average and includes a bathtub. In addition to the living area television, there's also a Mac desktop mounted in the wall across from the queen bed; it functions like a TV. A wall-mounted (but removable) iPad and a MacBook are provided for passenger use in each suite, as well.
