With an itinerary called Rhine & Moselle Fairytales, AmaWaterways had me hooked even before I started thinking about my Dream Cruise. What’s my Dream Cruise? It’s river cruise that pulls together the best of Europe. For me, that’s traveling in comfort along enchanting waterways, the Rhine & Moselle. It’s a river cruise with multiple opportunities for destination immersion, cultural encounters, pedaling and hiking – and sharing the experience with others who are passionate about travel.
It’s also a river cruise of the proper duration. As our readers know, seven nights is just too short for a fully satisfying experience. My Dream Cruise spans 11 nights, with optional pre- and post-cruise extensions (Amsterdam, Lake Lucerne & Zurich) that extend this epic adventure to 17 nights.
Here’s how Ama describes the Rhine & Moselle Fairytales river cruise on its website:
Pages from fairytales come to life as you find inspiration along the fabled, castle-laden Rhine and its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle, with fascinating scenery of Europe’s steepest vineyards lining its shores. Encounter some of the prettiest towns of the Alsace – Strasbourg and Riquewihr – that blend their German and French heritage into one enchanting masterpiece. Cochem and Bernkastel, towns that grew up below a castle, give you a sense of what it was like to live during the Middle Ages. Visit Trier, once known as the second Rome as no other city in Germany has so many monuments from Roman times; and Koblenz, where history meets at two rivers. Bygone grandeur of a different kind can be found at Mannheim’s glorious Baroque Palace and at Schwetzingen Palace Gardens with more than 100 sculptures and whimsical buildings, including the most spectacular, the Türkischer Garten. Colorful canals and glistening lakes, hilltop towns and majestic alps, mighty fortresses and storied castles, and hearty beer and delicate wines can all be experienced on this fairytale journey through time.
I already knew the time of year I wanted to conduct my Dream Cruise (October), and the rivers, the Rhine and Moselle. I also knew that AmaWaterways was a top contender for at least five reasons.
- AmaWaterways prefers to under-promise & over-deliver. I still remember a conversation I had nearly a decade ago with AmaWaterways’ cofounder Kristin Karst. She told me that AmaWaterways, rather than promising the world to guests, preferred a more subtle approach. Perhaps it is her European heritage that makes her less prone to hyperbole than we Americans can be. Rather, she’d prefer to exceed guests expectations. That means that you can expect a few delights during your adventure. It might be that a waiter has remembered your birthday, an impromptu ice cream party, oysters from Normandy being served by the chef, skilled lecturers and talented entertainers – and much more. You won’t find these things in Ama’s advertising or on the program, so to speak, but they all serve to enhance your river cruise experience.
- Twin-balcony staterooms. Of those who have booked my Dream Cruise so far, the majority have chosen twin-balcony staterooms. I get it. These staterooms feature both a French balcony, where you can sit at a table for two viewing the landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows, or you can sit outside on the step-out balcony. Having both a French balcony and step-out balcony in one stateroom is a novel touch that’s exclusive to AmaWaterways.
- The Chef’s Table. The main dining room is where you’ll enjoy most of your meals, and the dining experience there is wonderful, but for a real treat, try The Chef’s Table. Dining there comes at no extra charge and makes for a night to remember. The reservations-only restaurant is situated aft and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening with friends.
- Active & Immersive. One thing I have always appreciated about AmaWaterways is that the European ships have bikes on board. More importantly, however, is that the bikes are always in great shape. You won’t pedal off with flat tires or parts that will break. The bikes are there for you to use – at no charge – for independent pedaling or guided tours. On nearly every day of my Dream Cruise, bike tours will be offered, and when they’re not, you can always grab a bike and explore on your own (I’ll likely be with you!). Ama also offers hiking tours, yoga and stretching on deck, a fitness room, walking track and heated pool with swim-up bar.
- Something for everyone. If you’re not active or don’t care to be on your holiday, Ama still has something for you. I counted nearly three dozen included excursions during the 11-day Dream Cruise. They range from the active to the cultural and historical, and they cater to most modes of mobility, from gentle walkers to fast-paced walkers.
- No complaints. In the dozen-plus years that we’ve been running River Cruise Advisor, we can’t remember one negative comment about Ama from our readers. From my perspective, Ama’s philosophy means that it would be unusual for a guest to be disappointed. Ama is a partner that I can count on to deliver.
There are a few other reasons why I knew AmaWaterways would be perfect for my Dream Cruise. Ama’s crew always receives praise from guests, so we know we can count not only on excellent service but also on memorable encounters with crew. The company’s captains are skilled navigators, which helps when there are high and low water situations. Ama’s European founders know Europe, and that knowledge manifests in the experiences they make available to guests both on board the ships and ashore.
When you take all of this: the perfect time of year, the perfect itinerary, the perfect company to deliver top-notch experiences on ship and shore, it was a match made in heaven. Learn more about my Dream Cruise and how to save $2,000 per cabin PLUS an included two night Amsterdam pre-cruise package. October 2-13, 2024.
Warren Wolf says
I hate to rain on your parade or AMA’s but
We took a cruise from Amsterdam to Luxembourg with a 3 day post tour in Paris
The Sip and Sail was not all inclusive the beer on tap , included, was not very good and the beer available was not included, only with meals
I was hoping to have some good German wines on this cruise. Not a single German wine was offered with meals, not a Reissling in site
I bought a bottle in town and participated in a wine tasting off ship
Now , this was after Covid resumption so it might have been a supply chain issue
BUt??
Also sip and sail was poorly advertised
So, now you have a less favorable review. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Contact me if you wish