AmaSonata Review
4.5 / 5.0
gardenangel42
First Time Cruiser • Age 80s
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Sail Date: Aug 2016
Cabin: Stateroom with French balcony
The AmaWaterways "Magnificent Europe" river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in August 2016 was my first river cruise. For several years I had researched European river cruises with most of the better known, positively rated cruise companies. I am a single traveler (single supplement - urrgh!) so getting the most value for my dollars was a prime consideration when making a choice. Based on the budget I had allowed myself, I was about to book a similar Viking cruise for spring of 2017 when I received a last minute opportunity for the AmaWaterways cruise at a special rate. It was like a dream come true!
From the moment I was picked up at the airport in Budapest to the moment of departure at the airport in Amsterdam the focus of the entire staff of the AmaSonata was the comfort, pleasure, and safety of each passenger. The ship is one of the largest and most technically advanced cruise ships on the European rivers. The design elements throughout are those of a luxurious, sophisticated five star resort on land. My stateroom was a French balcony type with an amazing bathroom and more overall storage than most best quality hotel rooms. The complimentary InfoTainment system (TV, movies, and internet access) was excellent. Caveat: it does not operate during the time the ship is going through a lock. There are 68 locks on this trip.
The 12 chefs and their staff provided consistent, very high quality food choices, including many dishes specific to the regions we traveled through. I belong to a culinary society and am a strong advocate of farm-to-table and fresh food cuisine so was very impressed with the overall food and beverage experience on this trip. The Chef's Table dining room was a small high end fine dining complimentary option by reservation which I attended three times during the cruise. Both dining rooms were always spotlessly clean, the wait staff were professional while very congenial, and there was definite attention to overall shipwide hygiene with hand sanitation dispensers throughout all the public spaces.
Cabin Review
Stateroom with French balcony
Cabin C
Bathroom space design and finish surfaces (marble and stainless steel) made it very functional. The housekeeping staff visited twice a day while we were out on tours and at dinner and evening activities. Bathroom surfaces were cleaned and refuse removed at each visit. The glass shower doors were kept sparkling clean, as if brand new.
Port Reviews
Nuremberg
Good example of ages old city almost completely destroyed by Allied bombings of WWII and subsequently restored by vote of citizens to give exterior representation of what it was before bombings. Next time I visit I will spend time visiting those sites related to the Hitler / WWII era.
Bratislava
Short walk from ship to tour in old walled city area which was very interesting. At free time I went out back entrance of walled city into regular city which looks very much like it did during Soviet occupation; very drab and somewhat dirty. People on street not smiling; in two shops I visited not gracious and no attempt to use English. Clear that other people I saw on streets were not tourists.
Miltenberg
Historic town with very concentrated representation of half-timbered architectural construction. Was a very hot day so shade of buildings on narrow streets was much appreciated. Another good example of how locals have done tasteful and respectful job of keeping the historical integrity of a site, while using it in a contemporary way with shops and businesses that serve the everyday residents as well as tourists.
9 Helpful Votes
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