As part of our continuing series of AmaWaterways reviews for River Cruise Advisor, I’m in Vienna, Austria, to experience innovations on the newly-launched AmaPrima — including a heated swimming pool with swim-up bar and an aft-facing specialty restaurant. The views should be spectacular as we cruise along the Danube river through the middle of next week. On Tuesday, I’ll be reporting from Vilshofen, Germany, where AmaPrima will be christened, before disembarking on Wednesday. Join me as we travel on the new AmaPrima along AmaWaterways’ Melodies of the Danube itinerary. — Ralph Grizzle
I’ve just stepped on board the new AmaPrima, and she is a stunner. You’ll learn more about AmaWaterways’ newest vessel this week as we cruise along the Danube toward Vilshofen, Germany, where AmaPrima will be christened on Tuesday.
I also have the good fortune to be cruising with two of the line’s founders, Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst. I’ll try to glean their insights about river cruising and AmaWaterways’ future initiatives. Seems there is always something new happening at AmaWaterways. The company that started in 2002 now operates more than a dozen vessels in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Africa.
Check out our story about what’s new, AmaWaterways Launches 2014 Brochure as well as Aaron Saunders’ interview.
Where Are We Going On AmaPrima?
Most passengers boarded July 31 in Budapest and were able to tour that lovely city. This morning, AmaPrima docked in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, before cruising to Vienna, the music capital of the world.
If I make it on board in time, I’ll be able to experience (and share with you tomorrow) a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a rustic wine tavern outside the city. I’d love to taste a glass of newly pressed, locally grown and produced wine along with Austrian music and friendly Viennese hospitality.
Tomorrow morning, still in Vienna, we’ll get a complimentary guided sightseeing tour, which will include the Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. With the afternoon free, I may stroll along the Kärntnerstrasse or head to a coffee shop — or join an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace. In the evening, I’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a Mozart and Strauss concert. AmaWaterways always includes free tours as well as optional tours for reasonable fees on its river cruises in Europe.
Sunday, we’ll visit Dürnstein, where we will take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestoned streets. We will see the magnificent blue façade of the local Stiftskirche and the ruined castle, high on a hill, where Richard the Lionhearted was once imprisoned.
I also plan to pedal the scenic guided bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk, if there enough bicycles for me to do so. In the afternoon in Melk, we’ll tour the Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque-style monasteries and the inspiration for the novel “The Name of the Rose.” AmaPrima moors overnight in Melk, giving me time for an evening stroll along the Blue Danube.
Monday, we arrive in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. We have the choice of three different excursions:
- The scenic “Salzkammergut” region (Austrian Lake District), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will explore the historic town of Gmunden;
- The Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border;
- Or Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where we are offered a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music.” I wonder if the hills are alive?
On Tuesday, we cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Our included city tour takes us around this charming city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ in the world. As an alternative, we can explore the city on a guided bike tour. Sounds fun as I’ve already seen the cathedral.
In the afternoon, AmaPrima cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen, where we’ll witness a traditional christening ceremony for the newest member of AmaWaterways’ family, the AmaPrima.
Wednesday, we disembark and head to Munich for, you guess it, another adventure.
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Also see . . .
- The AmaWaterways River Cruise Difference
- AmaWaterways Expands Africa River Cruises in 2014
- River Cruise of the Week: Vietnam & Cambodia with AmaWaterways
- AmaWaterways Launches 2014 Brochure
- AmaWaterways Introduces New Years Knitting Cruise
