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At double the width of most other cruise ships sailing the Danube River, AmaMagna stands out from a casual glimpse from the shore. But it's not just the exterior that makes the ship a head-turner: Within, it holds first-of-its kind features, as well as a surprising intimacy, which makes the ship a true pleasure to sail.
The sheer size of AmaMagna provides flexibility, both in cabin options and dining choices. While the ship is much larger than other river ships, it holds only 196 passengers. AmaWaterways wisely put that extra space into creating bigger, innovative cabins with large balconies and a bevy of creature comforts. The ship has seven fully loaded suites, but even the introductory cabins -- those that feature two windows rather than balconies -- are smartly designed and offer lots of space and storage.
Additionally, AmaMagna offers four distinct dining venues, and while you'll find some overlap among the restaurants, we applaud the imagination -- and passengers we spoke with loved the ability to choose. The Al Fresco Restaurant is the best spot for dinner onboard -- as much for its refreshing Mediterranean menu filled with light and fresh choices as for its views from the front of the ship.
AmaMagna also features a first-of-its kind lift that brings passengers to the Sun Deck. (On other river ships, the lift stops short, taking passengers among the first, second and third decks only.) This opens up the Sun Deck and scenic cruising to those who might have trouble with stairs.
AmaWaterways has been a leader in wellness programming on its cruise ships, but it works best on AmaMagna. The ship is designed for passengers who crave wellness options, with a large fitness room, two massage rooms and a solid number of classes and activities aboard and ashore each day. Yoga, Pilates, spin classes and bike tours were well attended, and a number of passengers on our sailing were trying new things for the first time -- like Champagne yoga. It's a nice option for people who want to stick with a regimen or those who are curious to try something new. (Those who don't take advantage of the wellness program still will have a great cruise.)
Shore Excursions
At least one shore excursion option is included in every port on your cruise on AmaMagna. This is a spot where the ship excels, offering several included options in most ports. The most-popular excursions tend to be the city tours, which often require a coach tour and some amount of walking. AmaMagna offers slow-walking groups in addition to those who walk at a somewhat brisker pace. (If you notice the slow-walkers group is small, jump in. Chances are, you'll move at a decent pace while hanging with a more intimate group.)
AmaMagna also offers an active option in every port, though the level of "active" varies. Look for the number on your excursion list that indicates how active -- the higher the number, the more strenuous the excursion. Active options might include a bike tour or hike. On our sailing, we had a group of 35 that joined in for a roughly 12-mile bike ride from Pöchlarn to Ybbs, which made for some slow going. (Worth noting: Electric-assist bikes aren't available on AmaMagna; if you want to bike, you'll do it under your own power.)
Many shore excursions can be booked online ahead of your cruise, though if you want to participate in the active tours, you'll have to sign up onboard. And do it fast: The available slots are limited and can fill up quickly. Those excursions that cost extra might include a Mozart and Strauss concert or an excursion to the famed Schönbrunn Palace from Vienna. Most excursions are a half-day, meaning you'll get up, have breakfast onboard AmaMagna and then head out for your tour, returning to the ship in time for lunch. In some cases, you'll have an afternoon excursion as well or instead. Some excursions, like a visit to charming Český Krumlov or Salzburg (famous because of "The Sound of Music") require full-day tours. You'll have lunch off the ship.
Tours are led by mostly excellent local guides who speak English well and love the areas they're showing off. Passengers listen along via Quietvox systems. These devices are in your cabin. You bring them to your tour and pop in an earpiece so you can listen to the guide speaking into a headset. This makes it easy to hear even from the back of the group. Passengers who wish to explore on their own can grab maps -- and suggestions -- from the guest services desk.
Several people on our cruise preferred some time on their own, especially after dinner in Vienna, where the ship stayed overnight. A cruise manager is your weeklong guide on AmaMagna, providing information on the entire journey at the beginning of the cruise and again each night at a pre-dinner port talk, when he or she will talk about the options for the next day. The cruise manager is also your guide for pre- and post-cruise stays. Our cruise manager, Maddy, was so popular with passengers, they threatened to take her home in their suitcase.
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
One of the unique features on AmaMagna is its cinema. It was most-utilized by children onboard who wanted to play games, but it also was a great spot to watch sporting events. It also offers movies on-demand. Most nights, a pianist/DJ is the entertainment, playing music during happy hour and again after dinner. AmaMagna has a huge dance floor, and some nights on our cruise -- especially toward the end -- it was bustling. You can also expect local entertainers to visit AmaMagna at least once during your cruise. On our sailing, a string trio joined for a post-dinner performance.
Enrichment
When the ship is sailing through historic or scenic areas, such as the city centre of Budapest, you can expect a lecture on the area from your cruise manager. The narration is mic'ed up and piped through speakers, so you can hear it from virtually anywhere onboard (except your cabin). Specific lectures take place in the lounge sporadically on various aspects of the region in which you're sailing.
AmaMagna Bars and Lounges
Nightlife isn't a big part of cruising on AmaMagna, in large part because of a packed schedule that includes early mornings in port (or on the spin bikes, for those active passengers). In the evening, passengers spend time in one of two places: the Main Lounge or the Sun Deck.
Main Lounge (Deck 3): The Main Lounge serves as the hot spot just ahead of dinner, when the port talk takes place, and afterward, when a keyboardist plays or spins hits. How hot this space gets depends totally on the passenger mix aboard. Our cruise was quiet, with only a few people dancing after dinner most nights. But we're told that on the previous cruise, passengers kept bartenders busy until 5 a.m. on one night. The space itself features brightly coloured couches and chairs, with a mix of small and larger tables. A bar is the centre point, just in front of a dance floor. Passengers spill into the adjacent libraries when the lounge is full. Sightlines can make it difficult to see speakers, depending on where you're seated -- especially during port talks and the welcome party. TVs are set up for the port talks, and they're positioned so people can see them no matter where they sit, though.
Pop-Up Sky Bar (Deck 4): Open when the ship is sailing, the pop-up bar rises out of the floor of the Sun Deck right at the front of the pool -- it is lowered when the ship goes under low bridges. On hot days, when passengers are hanging by the pool or in the hot tub, the bartender is busy serving the cocktail of the day or other refreshers.
AmaMagna Outside Recreation
The top deck is the Sun Deck. This massive area features lots of seating on mesh chairs, many with footstools, clamshells and tables under umbrellas. There's plenty of shade if you need it, though umbrellas must be taken down when the ship is sailing. This is also where you'll find a pool and attached hot tub. Both are located at the rear of the ship and are a stone's throw from the pop-up bar. Waiters also walk around offering ice water and treats like cold watermelon when the weather is warm. The Sun Deck also offers an oversized chessboard with giant plastic chess pieces, a putting green and fresh herbs in stylish planters. It's also the only spot onboard where passengers can smoke, and only in a designated area, set off by glass windscreens.
AmaMagna Services
AmaMagna's primary reception area, open 24 hours daily, is located on Deck 2. This is the spot where passengers check in, pay their bills, arrange for shore excursions, spa treatments and the like. The cruise manager's desk is located adjacent to the reception desk, and passengers can book bike excursions or get more information about upcoming ports and destinations.
On Deck 3, you'll find two small libraries, each with a handful of books and games, on each side of the lounge. These comfy nooks include cushy couches and faux fire places. Passengers gather here for quiet reading time, especially when the ship is sailing and the schedule is light.
On Deck 1, AmaMagna features a large shop, containing items like dirndls and lederhosen, jewellery, ornaments and AmaWaterways and AmaMagna logo clothing. The store has open hours each day.
Finally, you'll find a small self-service laundry room on Deck 1. Laundry is free to do, and detergent is provided. Laundry rooms are busiest near the end of the cruise when the ship is sailing, rather than docked in port.
There is no internet café onboard, but all cabins include a combo Apple TV/computer monitor. Wi-Fi is included for everyone as well, and while it can be a bit draggy, speed wise, we like that it can be used on multiple devices -- a phone, a tablet and even a laptop -- for the same passenger at the same time.
The Zen Wellness Studio is located at back of the ship on Deck 3. The area is divided nearly in half: to the port side, you'll find the fitness centre; to the starboard side, the spa. Both sides feature floor-to-ceiling windows. AmaMagna features the biggest fitness centre we've seen on a river cruise ship. It includes two treadmills, a rowing machine and two upright stationary bikes. It also has a variety of hand weights, plenty of mats for stretching, a bench and a cable resistance machine. We like the wide-open floor space, which has room for classes in case poor weather sends passengers inside. AmaWaterways has one of the most extensive wellness programs on the rivers, with guides on almost every ship in the fleet. On AmaMagna, the guide leads classes in areas like yoga, Zumba, abs, stretching and even spinning. (You'll find four spin bikes outside, just behind the fitness centre.) Guides also lead walking and jogging sessions ashore. These are focused on the exercise, rather than the history or culture of the port. A small track on the Sun Deck is used for casual walking or as part of the wellness program; wellness guides lead fast-paced walks here throughout your cruise. Daily wellness activities also take place on the Sun Deck, when the weather is decent. Most are held under awnings, if space permits.
AmaMagna has bikes available to use in port as well. These are eight-speed bikes, suitable for cruising alongside the river or doing an urban tour -- depending on the town. There's no additional cost to borrow a bike, but you must sign a waiver and wear helmets while you're cycling. Kids bikes also are available.
The spa includes a small bar with a fruit basket, juices and fruit-infused and gemstone waters, as well as some tables and chairs for sitting and relaxing. The spa has a small room for manicures, as well as two massage rooms for treatments like aroma oil/mood therapy and head-to-toe massage. The striking copper art piece at the doorway actually has a dual function: Lockers here house robes and slippers for spa-goers.
On Deck 1, you'll find a small salon, where stylists will cut hair, trim beards and provide styling.
Dining on AmaMagna takes place at any of four restaurants: the Main Restaurant, The Al Fresco Restaurant, Jimmy's Wine Bar & Restaurant or The Chef's Table. Quality is consistent from venue to venue, even if the menu options change. The standout is The Al Fresco Restaurant, which serves a set menu that doesn't change from night to night. Items like a shaved asparagus salad and parmesan soup, which seem simple enough, are creatively prepared and tickle the taste buds. We'd dine there a couple of times per cruise. Passengers can dine at any of the four restaurants as they'd like, but they do need to make reservations for all but the Main Restaurant, and on our sailing, these filled quickly. Make your reservations when you board to guarantee you can sample each. (It's worth asking the concierge when the captain's dinner and La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs meal are served so you can make sure you're in the Main Restaurant for those meals.)
Meals at all restaurants are served by knowledgeable waiters and waitresses who quickly learn your name and preferences and make menu suggestions as needed. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner, and some spirits are also gratis at dinner. You won't lack for food, with late-night tapas, buffets and dessert bars popping up regularly onboard.
Main Restaurant (Decks 2): The biggest restaurant on AmaMagna (seats up to 140 people), this one's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with a daily live cooking station serving popular choices like Vietnamese pho and pasta creations, while dinner is a sit-down event. There are no set times for breakfast or lunch, though everyone is encouraged to head to dinner at the same time. You also won't find set seating at any meal. The restaurant itself features booths and round tables with most seating six, though a handful of tables are available for two. The middle of the restaurant features two parallel long counters, which are used for the buffet setups during the day. The layout of the restaurant overall is a bit odd, in that, for buffet meals, the space is really tight; you'll often have to squeeze between a counter and people or simply change your course to walk from one side to the other. The wait staff have it better choreographed than the passengers, but they, too, face the same challenges. It's minor but worth noting, especially for those who might have mobility issues.
Breakfast features essentially the same options every day, with minor changes. The variety is excellent, and you can choose from cold items like cereal, fruit or yogurt, or hot items such as eggs, bacon and sausage. You can also order from the menu, with egg dishes and oatmeal on order, or simply walk up to the hot station at the back and have the chef make eggs to your liking.
Lunch changes every day, but you'll always have some fresh salad option along with cold cuts, cheese and bread. You can also order entrees and soups from the daily menu. A few items, including pizza and hamburgers, are always available from the menu. Make sure to save room on Bavaria day, where you'll get your fill of sausage, ham, pork belly and other bits of pork goodness, along with hot pretzels and mustard, sauerkraut and spaetzle. (Our favourite was the creamy cheese spaetzle, ordered from the menu.) Wash it down with a big glass of pilsner (servers wander the restaurant with trays filled with the famous beer of the region and are eager to hand them out for your meal).
Dinner has a set menu, which changes every night. The multicourse meal consists of appetizers, salad or soup, and entrees, along with desserts. Always-available items include salmon, steak or chicken breast. Chef's recommendations are listed on the left side of the menu, though you can order whatever you'd like. Regional specialties often show up on the menu, which are always well-prepared. Chefs can easily accommodate most dietary restrictions, though it's wise to alert AmaWaterways at the time of your booking and follow up once you're onboard with the maître d' and your waiters.
Once a cruise, AmaMagna offers a La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs menu. This is a scrumptious, French meal served with fine wines. You'll dine on items like foie gras, lamb chops and French onion soup. It's a meal to look forward to, so make sure you plan to eat that night at the Main Restaurant or at Jimmy's Wine Bar (see below).
The Al Fresco Restaurant (Deck 3): Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in The Al Fresco Restaurant. Offerings for breakfast and lunch are a bit light; usually a pared-down version of what's offered in the Main Restaurant. But the atmosphere is terrific, with floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the ship. When AmaMagna is not sailing and the weather is nice, the windows can be opened. For breakfast, you can order eggs and oatmeal, and while there's no menu at lunch, you can order items from the lunch menu offered at the Main Restaurant.
Tapas, such as baba ghanoush, serrano ham and chorizo, and mushrooms stuffed with tuna, are served here all day.
A gluten-free corner, serving pastries and cookies, is located at the back of this restaurant.
For dinner, the menu is set, and you only have to pick your appetizer and entrée. The rest is filled in with tiny starters like goat cheese and marinated figs, cheese soup and a refreshing beetroot and ginger granita. The portions are small enough that you can clean all your plates without guilt, walking away satisfied rather than stuffed.
Savoury snacks are served in The Al Fresco Restaurant after 10 p.m.
The Chef's Table (Deck 1): The menu at The Chef's Table is set, and you should expect this one to be your longest meal of the week. We lost track of courses, after an amuse-bouche, appetizer, salad, fish course and meat course. Plating is gorgeous, and care is given to all aspects of preparation: You can actually watch the chefs make your meal, thanks to an open-kitchen concept. Because the menu is set, vegetarians and those with restrictive diets should check with the maître d' before booking.
Jimmy's Wine Bar & Restaurant (Deck 1): Named after the late Jimmy Murphy, one of the founders of AmaWaterways, Jimmy's is a family-style restaurant. It's one of the prettier venues onboard, with long, wooden tables and earthy greens. Menus here are based on the menu offered that night in the Main Restaurant, but you don't have quite the selection, and the choice is made for you: You'll be served everything on the Jimmy's menu, family style. Waiters bring plates piled high with appetizers and salads, and then a meat and a fish entrée. It's finished off with one dessert option. All of it comes on large plates, with serving utensils, and you pass the plates around the table for everyone to share. We love the concept of the family-style venue, but we suspect sharing plates might be difficult for introverts who aren't keen on meeting new people. By the end of the cruise, when people have gotten to know one another, it might be a more popular option. It also can make for some odd meal pairings, with things like Wiener schnitzel and salmon served at the same seating. (But man, that Wiener schnitzel is good.) If you really like a food -- or even a part of a dish -- you can ask for more. Jimmy's is also open for late-night tapas and wine.
Room Service: Coffee and pastries can be delivered to your cabin in the morning. Just order via card and hang it on your doorknob the night before and pick your delivery time.
Because of the sheer size of AmaMagna, the ship has some of the most spacious cabins on Europe's rivers. Sure, AmaWaterways could have stuffed more cabins into the design, but the company elected instead to create bigger public spaces and larger cabins, aiming to give the ship a more luxurious feel. Even the smallest cabins on AmaMagna are significantly bigger than the industry standard, and it makes for exceptional comfort.
All but 11 cabins have true walkout balconies, something only a handful of other river lines can boast. Spending time in your cabin is a pleasure on AmaMagna. We also love AmaMagna's variety of cabins, including 19 that offer occupancy for three or four passengers across four cabin categories.
All cabins feature dark furniture, wood and laminate floor. Pops of rust and orange, including huge area rugs, brighten the modern design, as do textured cream walls and padded headboards. All rooms include two twin beds that can be combined to create one queen-sized bed. Cabins also feature wardrobes, bureaus, desks with chairs and interactive Apple TVs, which provide on-demand TV, movie and music and, of course, serve as computers for surfing the internet. (Speeds generally won't support streaming but are fast enough for visiting social sites and the like.) You'll also find a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, with the same on-demand options.
Cabins come with a bevy of amenities, including bottled water (replenished daily), umbrellas for use while in port, full-length mirrors and temperature controls. You'll also get a hair dryer, safe, bathrobe, slippers and mini-fridge. Cabins have lots of outlets and bedside low-power USB ports for charging. You'll find only European outlets, meaning many travellers will need converters if they want to power their devices this way.
Cabins also come with tablets that can be used to adjust the temperature and turn lights on and off or set mood lighting. We liked this for a bedside option, allowing us to and turn down the air conditioning without getting out from under the covers. Every bed has a bedside table. There is space under all beds for your suitcases. Bathrooms have showers with dual heads -- choose from an adjustable traditional jet option or a rainfall showerhead. Showers include leg-shaving ledges and a toiletry shelf. Bathrooms also have adequate drawer space, fog-free mirrors and lighted makeup mirrors. Bath amenities include shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, bar soap and lotion, as well as vanity kits and shower caps.
River view: At 205 square feet, AmaMagna's entry level cabins are among the biggest introductory cabins on Europe's rivers. Cabins feature large fixed windows, which sit about halfway down the exterior wall. Passengers can relax with two chairs and a low table. Each bathroom has a single sink, toilet and large shower.
Balcony: Two distinct types of cabins comprise the ship's balcony rooms. The smaller, at 252 square feet, is laid out similarly to the river-view cabin but adds a balcony. Balconies are fairly large and feature two chairs and a small table, suitable for holding drinks. Cabins in this category are found at the back of the ship on Decks 2 and 3. The other balcony cabin type is a whopping 355 square feet and is beautifully laid out, with function as important as style. Each cabin in this category has an entryway, off which you'll find a bathroom -- with dual sink and large shower -- as well as a separate water closet. Two frosted glass and wood doors allow you to shut off this whole area from the rest of the room. Cabins each have two wardrobes, with plenty of hangers and storage space, as well as a long bureau with five deep drawers. Full-size sofas, along with two round tables, make up the living area.
Suite: In an effort to lure group travellers who prefer high-end accommodations, AmaWaterways added seven suites to AmaMagna. Six of them are Grand Suites, our favourite category on the ship, and the seventh is an immense Owner's Suite. The Grand Suites are 474 square feet and are arranged so the beds face the balcony, so passengers can watch the scenery as they're sailing. At the foot of the bed is a huge pop-up flat-screen TV that goes down with the touch of a button. There's a comfy chair and small table near the bed, and balconies feature padded chairs and ottomans. Bathrooms have dual sinks, oversized showers and large, soaking bathtubs. Passengers staying in this cabin level and above also get coffee machines for in-suite use. The Owner's Suite includes the same amenities as the Grand Suites, as well as a dry bar, large living area with sofa, chair and cocktail table, and a dining table. This also features a small guest bathroom and walk-in closet.
