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AmaWaterways is an ideal river cruise choice for fit and active baby boomers and Gen X'ers seeking a moderate level of enrichment, modern ships and choice when it comes to onshore activities.
A choice of tours is included in each port, with options for hiking and biking when possible. At the opposite end of the spectrum, passengers with a need for slower-paced tours are well accommodated. On our cruise, there were several times when passengers with walking difficulties were offered taxis between one point of interest on a tour and another.
Unique to AmaWaterways are ships with double balcony cabins and the majority of AmaSerena's cabins fall into this category. One balcony is a standard exterior balcony with two chairs and a small table. The second balcony is a French balcony, with only sliding-glass doors and a rail -- perfect for quick peeks outside or for days with imperfect weather. Though all the double balcony cabins exceed 200 square feet, the all-glass walls give these cabins a feeling of being even larger.
Public spaces are open and airy, yet cosy and inviting with cheerful colour schemes, cushy couches and lots of windows for watching the scenery drift by. A heated pool and ample seating on the top deck make time spent outdoors a pleasure.
Food choices are more than adequate and there is never a time when snacks are not available, along with cold and hot drinks. Breakfast and lunches are served buffet style and include regional specialties along the cruise. Dinners are delicious and reflective of AmaWaterways' membership in the exclusive La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs culinary society. Beer, wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner.
Water conservation is taken seriously onboard AmaSerena. We appreciated that our cabin steward adhered to the ship's policy when it comes to replacing bath linens only when they are left on the floor. Ice buckets are also only filled by request, or may be filled at self-serve dispensers located on each floor.
The daytime attire on AmaSerena is casual and functional, with clothing in the ports geared toward the tours -- either walking, hiking or biking. Swimsuits and cover-ups are appropriate only at the pool or on the sun deck. Because port tours are sometimes scheduled for afternoon or even after dinner, casual attire often carries over to dinnertime. On days when there is time to change for dinner, men typically wear slacks and collared shirts and women wear dresses or a casual blouse with a skirt and slacks or.
Passengers typically dress up a bit more on the evening they dine in the Chef's Table restaurant and for the night of the Captain's gala -- with men adding a jacket and perhaps a tie while women break out the cocktail wear.
One shore excursion in included in each port of call. Several choices might be offered, ranging from guided bicycle tours to walking tours. In some ports, special interest tours focusing on regional cuisines or beverages are included in place of the basic city overview tour. On these tours, the food and/or beer or wine are included at no charge.
Beer, wine and soft drinks are included at lunch, regardless of whether you eat in the dining room or choose the lighter lunch in the lounge. Beer consists of one brand on tap, but pours are generous during the meal. Wines vary according to the port, but a choice of white or red is always available and again, pours are generous. During breakfast, sparkling wine and mimosas are also included. Cabins are continually stocked with bottled water and additional bottles are distributed as tours depart the ship.
A variety of things are supplied onboard for your use. Walking sticks, hiking poles and even canes are positioned next to the doors in the reception area. Reading glasses, shower chairs, wheelchairs, curling irons and electrical adapters are available from the reception desk, as are postcards that will be mailed for you at no charge upon request. Cabins have robes, slippers, two umbrellas, a bedside clock and a hair dryer.
There is no charge for Wi-Fi and multiple devices can be connected. An Apple computer is in each cabin for surfing the internet via a wireless keyboard and mouse, while the monitor doubles as the television for live TV with 20-plus English channels and on-demand movies, all at no cost. Neither the Wi-Fi nor the in-room computer are suitable for live streaming, but we had no difficulty uploading photos and short videos to social media in most locations along the river.
The currency used onboard is the euro.
Shore Excursions
One shore excursion is included at each port. Since the ship might be at one port in the morning before moving to another in the afternoon, it is possible to participate in more than one tour per day in some cases. The standard tour for each port is an overview city tour, that could be all walking, departing directly from the ship, or could be a combination walking and bus tour.
Tour guides are typically highly qualified locals and are quite knowledgeable. When busses are used, they are comfortable and clean, often AmaWaterway's own coaches. Tour guides ride with guests at all times, providing insights and information about points of interest along the way as well as about the ultimate destination of the tour. Once off the bus, guides communicate through individual headsets provided in each cabin.
Special interest tours that include beer or wine tastings, cooking demonstrations or even cooking classes are offered in some ports of call, as an alternative to the city tours. In some locations, extended full-day bus tours to cities beyond the river's edge are offered as well. For example, when our ship stopped in Passau, a bus trip to Salzburg was one of the choices. The ship moved to Linz in the afternoon, but the bus tour met it there in the evening.
Optional tours with a charge are offered at some ports. These might include evening concerts or more extensive tours.
When possible, walking tours are divided into three groups: active with a faster pace and possibly rougher or steeper terrain, regular and gentle, for those who with limited mobility. A booklet with tour options is provided prior to sailing, and more detailed explanations of each is provided on the first or second day of the cruise. The tour options and operational logistics are explained in detail by the cruise manager onboard at the beginning of the cruise. At that time, you can choose your tours for the remainder of the trip.
Prior to each day's tours, guests are asked to pick up color-coded tour cards from the reception desk. The colours then match up with signs carried by tour guides and signs placed in the front windows of the busses, making it easy to follow your guide and to return to the proper bus following free time during tour stops.
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
A keyboard player plays during afternoon tea each day as well each evening following dinner in the lounge and for special events like the afternoon ice cream social held while the ship sails to a new port before dark. Local entertainers come onboard the ship at various times providing cultural entertainment in the form of song and dance. During our cruise, one night was designated as disco night in the lounge. Cruises during the Christmas season include activities like tree decorating, gingerbread cookie decorating and holiday carollers. For the most part, days are so packed with tours and activities that things get quiet rather early.
Enrichment
Enrichment, other than tours, comes in the form of port information in each day's newsletter and port talks provided by the cruise manager.
Main Lounge (Deck 3): This window-lined space is the social hub of the ship. Comfy couches, chairs and coffee tables are clustered throughout the space, providing plenty of opportunity for conversations with both new and existing friends or quiet spots for reading and scenery watching. The focal point is the buffet counter, in a shape that matches the ship's bow. It is home to an ever-changing supply of cookies and savoury snacks, ice tea and water, plus acts as the service area for light breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea and late-night snacks. The bar itself is the place to order complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks during lunch. Those beverages and cocktails are available for purchase at all other times. A keyboard is positioned between the bar and buffet with the ship's pianist playing most afternoons and every evening. There's a tea and coffee station just outside the entrance to the lounge on the starboard side. There is a small dance floor, that is easily overlooked. On our cruise, there were a few couples dancing on the designated disco night.
Observation Lounge (Deck 3): This is the most forward portion of the Main Lounge, with no separation between the two. It has panoramic views of both sides of the river and is an ideal spot for river watching when the weather prevents outdoor viewing.
Al Fresco Terrace (Deck 3): This small collection of patio tables and chairs is a great covered spot to enjoy snacks and drinks outdoors. It is accessed via a glass door on the port side forward in the Main Lounge. Re-entry into the lounge requires your room key card.
The Chef's Table (Deck 3): The rear-facing glass-walled specialty dining room is open during the day for guest games and conversation. There is a smaller version of the coffee and tea self-serve station available all day.
Pool Bar (Deck 4): The ship's pool on the Sun Deck has four barstools in one end, available during warm weather.
The Sun Deck features a small centre pool, not large enough for swimming, but would be a good spot for relaxing. The pool is heated, making it useable throughout most of the regular cruise season. The deck also has a putting green, an oversized chess set and a walking/jogging track circling the central portion of the deck. Ten laps equal about a mile. Jogging is restricted to the hours between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. because there are cabins located directly beneath the track. Lounge chairs and clusters of wicker sofas and chairs complete the main portion of the top deck of the ship.
A smaller, observation area known as the Lower Sun Deck has tables, chairs and sofas. Look for it all the way forward in front of the wheelhouse. The designated smoking area of the ship is a small secluded spot with tables and chairs, all supplied with ash trays, at the rear of the Sun Deck.
The reception desk in the central lobby is manned around the clock and is the primary point of contact for most needed services either in person or by phone. The hotel manager and the cruise manager have desks just above the lobby on the Violin Deck. Passengers may use the printer located here from the computer in their cabins as needed, particularly for airline boarding passes. Besides managing all tours and entertainment, the cruise manager is available to discuss future cruises.
Self-serve ice dispensers are located on each floor, or you can request ice from your cabin steward.
A small library, complete with two faux fireplaces, offering books and board games for loan is located on the port side of the ship between the lobby and the lounge. News digests, puzzles and the daily newsletter are provided on a table in this same area. On the opposite side of the ship in the same location is a small gift shop with various sundries, AmaWaterways logo clothing items and regional souvenirs like Christmas ornaments.
Wi-Fi is included in the cost of the cruise and was surprisingly fast throughout most of our cruise. The exception was when the ship was in a lock.
A small spa and salon is located on the Violin Deck near the entrance to The Chef's Table Restaurant. The menu of services is located in your cabin. A fitness centre is opposite the spa. It has two treadmills, two cycling machines and a weight machine. Yoga mats, hand weights and an exercise ball are provided. Water and towels are available at all times.
Top quality food onboard the ship is a huge part of the experience. Upon arrival on the first day you will find tasty light snacks in the lounge consisting of sandwiches, soup and cookies (or brownies) -- all harbingers of the culinary trip you are about to embark upon. Meals and snacks often reflect the foods of the countries the ship sails through. One evening on our cruise we had crispy schnitzel, available either in pork or turkey. Lunch on another day featured sausages and sauerkraut presented by servers in traditional Bavarian outfits and hats.
Evening menus during our cruise also included favourites like prime rib and beef tenderloin. Desserts are creative and delicious. Our only complaint is that there was not a chocolate dessert option every night, but that was easily remedied with cookies and hot cocoa in the lounge (available around the clock), and by the chocolate croissants, doughnuts or chocolate chip pancakes that rotated through the breakfast buffet.
The Main Dining Room (Deck 2): The elegant window-lined dining room serves all three meals each day. Tables and booths seat from four to eight and two semi-private dining rooms on either side of the entrance seat 10 each. All seating is on a first-come-first serve basis. Tables cannot be reserved in advance. On our cruise, groups of six or more wanting to sit together at dinner usually sent a representative to line up just before opening to secure a large table or multiple tables together. There are no tables for two.
Breakfast in the dining room is served for two hours with opening times usually at either 7 or 7:30 a.m., depending on the port schedule. Times are posted in the Daily Cruiser newsletter provided each evening. Breakfast is primarily a buffet plus a menu of standard options like poached eggs, eggs Benedict, waffles, oatmeal and a minute-steak and eggs plate that can be ordered from the waiter. Waiters also serve an array of coffees, teas and juices.
The buffet has a full selection of cereal, fruit, smoked salmon, cheese, sliced meat, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and baked beans, as well as a cook-to-order egg station for omelettes and fried eggs. A full table at the end of the dining room is piled with both sweet and savoury breads and pastries. A steamer on that table also serves a different specialty each day -- look for chocolate chip pancakes, French toast and occasionally the menu items like poached eggs or waffles.
Lunch in the dining room is also a buffet featuring local specialties and salads and soups. It is served at a set time, as early as 11:30 a.m. and as late as 1:30 p.m., depending upon the port schedule. A carving station changes daily, serving roast beef, pork or local entrées.
Dinner is normally served at 7:00. It is usually a four-course meal, with two or more options to choose from for each course, plus vegetarian salad and main course options. The left side of the menu contains the chef's recommendations for the evening, with all choices presented on the right side of the menu. On one evening of the cruise, the entire menu is an example of AmaWaterway's membership in the La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society, taking that night's food experience to a higher level of creativity and taste.
Also available each evening are optional choices like grilled salmon or chicken breast and side dishes like mixed vegetables and even fries. Dietary needs and food allergies are addressed on an individual basis.
One red and one white wine from the region the ship is sailing through are paired with each night's menu, but a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay are offered as standard alternatives. Beer and wine are served by the ship's bar staff in the dining room. Coffee (including speciality coffees) and tea are available with dessert.
Dinner on the first and final nights include pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres in the lounge with complimentary wine, beer and sparkling wine while guests enjoy toasts and introductions by the captain and crew. One dinner during our Christmas Market cruise was a buffet/menu combination similar to lunch due to a schedule of evening tours.
AmaSerena Lounge (Deck 3): The lounge features a central buffet counter that serves alternatives to meals in the main dining room as well as snacks at various times of the day. Sweeping views of the river are the perfect backdrop for light meals. For an hour before and an hour after breakfast service in the dining room, light breakfast options like breads, pastries and cereals are served on the buffet.
A light lunch is served here concurrently with the main dining room lunch. It consists of soup, salad, breads and one or two of the hot entrées being served in the dining room, plus a dessert and cookies. Iced tea and water are self-serve, while complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks can be ordered from the bar staff.
Iced tea and water plus a rotation of cookies and savoury bites are available throughout the day on the buffet counter, while gluten-free snacks have their own spot away from the buffet on the bar itself. Also look for the detox water of the day on the bar near the library entrance, with explanations of the health benefits of each water being served.
Tapas are served upon request all afternoon in the lounge. The menu changes daily and is posted on a chalkboard in front of the bar. Afternoon teatime is also held in the lounge with tea service from the wait staff as well as sweet and savoury pastries, cookies and cakes.
Just outside the lounge is one of the most popular spots on the ship -- the self-serve coffee station. One push of a button grinds the beans and brews a selection of coffee drinks, including cappuccino, espresso and regular coffee. The same machine creates a fabulous hot chocolate and has a hot water button for tea. Cups are pre-heated or choose a paper to-go cup. An array of tea choices includes flavoured teas and decaf.
The Chef's Table Restaurant (Deck 3): The ship's specialty restaurant is at the back of the ship with a stunning circular glass wall providing views of the river and ports of call. The restaurant has four tables for four and one table of eight. There is no charge for dining at The Chef's table once during each one-week cruise, but reservations are required. The menu is chosen and prepared by the restaurant's chef and usually consists of a duo or trio of small portions served together for each course, and often with an accompanying sorbet. Expect unusual flavour combinations and the finest ingredients. Courses are paired with wines designed to enhance the flavours of both the wine and the food.
The doors of The Chef's Table are open during the day, providing access to a second self-serve coffee machine. This one is a smaller version without the hot chocolate. It is perfect for quicker access to coffee and tea for guests in cabins near the rear of the ship on all floors.
All cabins on the ship have a light and airy feel and are conveniently laid out with desk/vanity space, two nightstands and two chairs with a small side table between them. A separate desk chair or stool would have been appreciated, as the chairs are quite heavy and were a challenge to move across the carpeted floor for use at the desk. All cabins have twin beds that can be separated or pushed together. Mini-refrigerators that are stocked daily with water by the cabin steward are tucked away in a cabinet beneath the desk.
There is a nice array of lighting options from soft lights tucked behind the ceiling moulding to brighter LED ceiling lights. Additional lights are at bedside, above the desk, on exterior balconies and in the closet. Electrical outlets are for two-prong Europlugs, but adapters for North American 110-volt plugs are available upon request. Multiple outlets are at the desk and there is one in the bathroom. A plug strip for additional power needs is either in a desk drawer or available from the front desk. There are no USB outlets.
Drawers are in short supply -- only two small drawers in the nightstands and a very shallow one in the desk. There is a small amount of cabinet space in the bathroom and there are shelves in the cabinet next to the clothes closet in categories BB and higher. One of those shelves is taken up by the safe. There are two hooks for robes or towels on the inside of the bathroom door and two more on the inside of the cabin door, which are useful for jackets or backpacks.
Closets have two rods and ample wooden hangers. More can be requested if needed. The one drawback to the closet is the lack of a full-length hanging area for dresses. There is room for small luggage in the bottom of the closet if you primarily use the top closet rod. Large luggage can be stored under one bed. The other bed has a pull-out plastic bin underneath that the cabin steward uses to store the bed scarf at night after turndown.
Bathrooms all have glass showers with dual shower heads -- one ceiling-mounted rain shower and an adjustable-height mounted, handheld showerhead. Amenities include Hydro Basics shower gel, separate shampoo and conditioner, body lotion and bar soap. Also included are shower caps and vanity sets with cotton pads and swabs.
Cabins are divided into nine categories on three floors named for musical instruments, starting from the bottom with the Piano for Deck 1, Cello for Deck 2 and Violin for Deck 3. The lift does not go to Piano Deck (or to the Sun Deck), so passengers unable to climb a flight of stairs should choose a cabin on a higher deck.
Riverview: Five Category E and 11 Category D cabins on the Piano Deck are all partially below the water line and have a pair of fixed windows above the chairs. Total space is 160 square feet. Bathrooms have a single wash basin and angled showers, which provides a bit of extra manoeuvrability in the small space. The safe is in an upper cabinet at the desk and the mini-fridge in a lower cabinet.
French Balcony: There are 16 category C cabins -- eight on Cello Deck (Deck 2) and eight on Violin Deck (Deck 3), all near the rear of the ship. Each has a set of sliding doors that open, but have no exterior balcony space. Total space is 170 square feet, but the floor-to-ceiling glass doors with faux wood flooring in front simulating a balcony create a nice illusion of more space. The increase in space from the Riverview cabins gives a bit more room at both the foot and sides of the bed.
Double Balcony: Forty-six of the ship's cabins have double or twin balconies -- one exterior and one French balcony. The flooring in front of the French balcony doors changes from carpet to faux wood, giving it the feeling of an interior balcony. Having the option of enjoying the view in front of the French balcony is ideal when weather is less than perfect. These cabins have expansive desk space and enough floor space at the foot of the beds to move around, or even move the chairs in front of the infotainment monitor to watch a movie. Bathrooms have rectangular showers and a single wash basin. The bathrooms have a spacious feel that matches the cabin. The one love-it-or-hate-it feature in the bathrooms of this type of cabin is a window that changes from clear to frosted with the touch of a switch. We loved that you could continue to enjoy the view of the river while doing hair or makeup in the bathroom, but hated that light glares through the window into the room in the middle of the night when the bathroom light is turned on.
Double balcony cabins are classified into five categories. Categories BA and BB have 210 square feet, while AA and AB have a comfy 235 square feet. Categories ending in A are on the Violin Deck (Deck 3) and those ending in B are on the Cello Deck (Deck 2). The fifth category of this cabin type, AA+, is a wheelchair-accessible cabin on Deck 3 that is 290 square feet.
Suite: There are three suites, all on Violin Deck midship. They employ the double-balcony design, featuring one French balcony and one exterior balcony. The balcony doors are the same width as those in the Double Balcony categories, but floor-to-ceiling windows extend the wall of glass to the full width of the suite. The total space is 300 square feet. Bathrooms are enlarged and have separate bathtubs and rectangular showers. The bathrooms have double wash basins, but do not have the window that features prominently in the bathrooms of the Double Balcony categories. Suites have in-room coffee makers and include butler service. A fruit bowl is stocked daily. The closet space is larger than in smaller cabins, but the length of the desk is shortened to accomplish that. The infotainment monitor is mounted on the wall facing the bed, leaving no option for watching TV from the room's two chairs. A laptop computer is provided at the desk rather than the monitor and keyboard found in other cabins.
