We travelled from Amsterdam to Basel on the Visionary from 6/24/ to 7/2/2012. The ship is new and we found that the upcharge for having a cabin with the highly touted panorama doors was worthwhile. The doors are actually a large slider so that 2/3 of your entire seaward wall can open to the water. This was our first river cruise, so we don't have any experience with which to compare, but we felt our expectations were very well met.

We spent several days in Amsterdam before the trip, stayed at the Movenpick and were charmed by both the city and the hotel. Given the chance, go for the concierge level at the hotel; you will get a room on one of the top 2 floors, the full breakfast (otherwise about 30+ Euro) and a lovely evening beer/wine and excellent hot and cold hors d'oeuvres from 5-7pm. Great service, very attentive.

We met our fellow passengers and cruise director, Sabina, at the Movenpick Hotel in Amsterdam to be shepherded to the ship, moored just next door. The staff of the ship was very well organized, all spoke English in consideration of the demographic. The passengers on our trip were all US, Canadian, UK or Australian. Read more