Last minute because the significant reduction in solo supplement was appealing. Turns out the ship was only 65% full so I probably could have negotiated for 0 supplement. Because the dates straddled the New Year holiday, the wide age range from teens to elders made it especially enjoyable. And the weather was much friendlier than anticipated. AmaLea is barely 2 years old and everything sparkles. The ship's small size was comfortable while sailing, even when cold weather meant the entire upper deck couldn't be used. The ship's front of house mostly Eastern European crew members were skilled and friendly professionals who seemed to work well with each other. Cruise Director Vanessa Grauman was consistently unflappable. Even when some guests occasionally flapped. The high quality dining had its occasional hiccups when a meal slipped below the standard set on embarkation. I'd easily consider another AmaWaterways cruise, if low to no single supplement were on offer. Read Less

I loved this cruise--Nuremberg to Budapest on the Danube. Natalijia the cruise director and the crew were great. Solo female Traveller here (millennial too) so wasn't sure what it would be like. It's my first river cruise and was thoroughly impressed. Excellent excursions and tour guides, time to myself, great food and wine, and the onboard shop was lovely too! Highly recommend. Will do another Christmas market tour in 2020 but on the Rhine next time. The Danube was a bit low so the Captain had to maneuver around slower locks and we did get into Budapest a bit later than anticipated. But the tour guides styaed flexible and we still had plenty of Budapest time in the markets and on our own. Had dinner on the Danube at a great restaurant (Dunbarry restaurant) and got several Krampus dolls. The daily wellness program was great too--Alex was thoughtful and expert with strength training and cardio on board and off. AmaWaterways will be an annual trip for sure!!! Read Less

I have a good 15 or so ocean cruises under my belt, but this was my first river cruise, and my first time cruising solo. The itinerary was Budapest to Nuremburg, with stops in Vienna, Melk, Passau and Regensburg. I did not take the optional 2-night pre-stay in Budapest and 3-night post-stay in Prague, but did arrive one day prior to Budapest and used Ama's air/transfer/hotel package. My driver was waiting for me after baggage claim and I was as the hotel shortly (Sofitel Chain Bridge). When I woke up from a jet-lag nap, there was an information packet tucked under my door, with instructions for meeting up for the drive to the ship the next morning. Next morning (departure day), I had breakfast in the hotel (included buffet) and went out for a walk - glad that I had packed warm! Waterproof boots were a lifesaver! Managed to get a decent picture of the Parliament building in spite of the fog. Then met the bus in the hotel lobby and headed to the ship. Buses deposited us at the ship and we were directed into the lounge to wait for cabins to be ready (by 3 pm). But we also had the chance to take the bus back into town to visit a Christmas Market or walk around, rather than waiting in the lounge. Check-in was more like a hotel than an ocean cruise - just show your passport at the front desk and get your room key. Very casual. All-aboard was 5:30, after which the ship moved to another dock in Budapest. Several people had missed the boarding due to flight delays, and I heard later from a few that the transfers to finally get to the ship were less than efficient (transfer drivers didn't have up-to-date information, etc.). Shipboard life: I had an invitation to dine with the Wellness coach in one of the tasting rooms off the dining room (sort of semi-private rooms that events could be held in). I had already made dinner plans with folks I'd met earlier that day, so I didn't accept, but later found that all the solo travelers had gotten the invitation, to make sure we all had company at dinner that first night. A nice touch, I thought. After the first day, there was no chance of being lonely, as it was very easy to meet people and interact in the lounge, and by the second day I had a regular group of friends to hang out with, and plenty of other shipmates to talk to. The Lounge - This was the social hub of the ship, open pretty much 24/7 with a self-serve coffee station, a full-service bar (not staffed 24/7), small dance floor, souvenir shop, small buffet area where snacks were served between meals and late-night (note, late-night meant after 10 - this is not a night-life cruise!). Outside of the planned entertainment, it was a nice quiet place to watch the scenery go by. Planned entertainment for our cruise was of course Christmas themed - Christmas stories and tree decorating, Austrian singers, ginger-bread making, Christmas carol sing-along, etc. I found it all to be well-planned out, relaxing entertainment - which it needed to be, because it was the only option. That is, I think, the BIG difference to the ocean cruise - the trade-off for no crowds and more intimacy is, fewer activity options. Before dinner the Sip & Sail complementary cocktail was served (that plus wine or beer at lunch and dinner was included in the cruise fare). Meals in the Dining Room - Breakfast and lunch were buffet style with some menu options. Breakfast had made-to-order eggs at the buffet, and Eggs Benedict and a steak-and-eggs breakfast on the menu. Lunch always had some local dish or dishes to choose from, plus pizza and burgers on the menu daily. Plus ice cream! Dinner menu also had a local offering plus an every-day menu. We were never hungry. Even though seating was open, people tended to gravitate to the same tables with the same people for the most part, which gave the wait staff a chance to know us (our waiter Stefan made sure no broccoli found its way to my plate!). Chef's Table - by reservation only - This was recommended to reserve for at least one night, and I am glad I did it. 7-course meal with local (Austrian) or California wines. I believe the same menu was served each night, including Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio & Eggplant Caviar, Lemon Pepper Salmon, Skin Grilled Pike Perch with Beluga Lentil Ragout. Small portions, very well presented, served in an aft dining room (which I'm sure on a summer cruise would have had wonderful views). Delicious. Other amenities - On the lower deck were a tiny fitness room and a salon (which I did not use). The wellness coach, Alex, offered some sort of class each morning in the lounge and usually something in the fitness room in the afternoon. I took one circuit training class - 4 of us filled the room). Also offered "digestive walks" after some meals topside. The top deck was not used much on our cruise due to the cold and damp, but it did offer nice views and a walking/jogging track. I did see a few people enjoying the heated pool. Excursions - Except for a few optional extra tours, all the excursions were included with the cruise fare. Most were combo bus/walking tours, and all had an option for "gentle walkers" which went a little slower and/or didn't cover as much on foot. Bike tours would have been offered, weather permitting. Local guides met us at each stop, and all of us had an audio set which would be synced with the guide. I found most of the guides to be very entertaining, and happy to answer questions. One thing I wasn't really prepared for, although it make sense now, is that once you get off the ship for an excursion, the ship does not stay where it is - it moves on down the river, and your bus takes you to the new stop (there were some exceptions to this, but for the most part, I found it to be very regimented). In this case, my first solo cruise to places I was not familiar with, I was happy to be escorted everywhere, but I don't know that it would be my choice every time. As for the ports, Vienna and Salzburg (excursion from Passau) were my favorites (Salzburg was a long day, but worth the time on the bus to get there), and I think the Thurn & Taxis "Romantic" was my favorite Christmas market. Final impressions - Having done the Christmas Markets cruise, I am very glad I did it, but don't need to do that itinerary again. Too much shopping for my taste. I think the structure of the river cruise is good for an itinerary which is not so familiar, but I would like the option of more independent time in most cases. The ship was comfortable and the crew friendly and professional. For a first river cruise, I think AmaWaterways did a fantastic job. Highly recommend. Read Less

We just got off the ship yesterday , The water levels and weather was good, no worries about water to high or to low. The ship and the crew was Amazing . They were there for our every need. the ports and the scenery, was so beautiful . We are already talking about doing another river cruise with AMA waterways. If there was one thing I had to say negative about this cruise it is , that we are cruise again in 50 days on the NCL Bliss to the southern Caribbean . and I have now been spoiled .. and going from a 151 passenger ship to a 4,200 passenger ship will be overwhelming.. The chef table was a great time. and the captain's table was such an honor . If you want an experience and be pampered in every way .. Do AMA Waterways , You won't be disappointed.. Read Less

We had the best time on our Danube cruise with AMA. The AMALea is a beautiful ship, but more importantly, the staff was just awesome. The service was so special, and everyone seemed to know what you wanted or remembered what you had before you even asked. We had just about perfect weather and no water issues. Our cruise director, Stephanie, was so much fun, always available and seemed to be everywhere. The captain was out and about as well, and the ship was immaculately maintained. Our room was category CA 325. with a French balcony. It was perfect for us. I did not feel we missed out by not having a full balcony, but I’m very happy we had the French one. The sliding window opened fully and it was nice to be able to see the countryside while sailing. We were rafted several times, but it really wasn’t an issue. The bathroom and amenities were very nice. The iPad that controlled the lighting and temperature wasn’t too difficult to figure out. The room temperature was very comfortable. The room is located near the rear of the ship, nearby the Chef’s Table restaurant. This turned out to be a really good location. There is a coffee machine in the Chef’s Table, so in the morning it was just a short walk for a cup of coffee or tea. You could also sit in the restaurant and enjoy your coffee usually alone as most people didn’t take advantage of this coffee maker. There is also stairs from the Chef’s Table to the sun deck, which we did not discover to the end of the cruise. It would have been a nice short cut to get on the upper deck. The food was outstanding. The pastries and bread were to die for. Wonderful fresh fruits, salads, hot, delicious soups. Lots of choices. The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant was a fun delicious experience. My only complaint about that is the acoustics in the room. It was a bit noisy, but everyone was just having so much fun. We also enjoyed light lunch in the lounge on occasion with soups, small sandwiches, salads and usually a hot entree as well. There was an ice cream social on the sun deck one afternoon. They make the ice cream and it was outstanding. Their wine selection was usually just delicious, local Austrian or German wines. There also was a California selection available. It was free flowing through lunch and dinner and you could top off before leaving the dining area to enjoy on deck, your cabin or lounge. Sip and Sail was a big hit with a cocktail of the day available along with wine or other listed cocktails. Bitburger beer on tap. Local entertainers were brought on board and there was a pianist who played and also dj’d In the evenings. The most fun was the Oktoberfest at the end of the cruise with an oomph band, dancers, singing and lots of beer and pretzels. It was a great end to a great cruise. Shore excursions ran smoothly and all of our tour guides were knowledgeable and entertaining. Our evening in Grein at the castle was very nice but be warned. The walk up to the castle is a hike. Uphill, lots of steps. They did supply a van for people with issues, but most walked. It is a workout. There were lots of fitness classes handled by a very fit trainer. People were enjoying working with him. The swimming pool was heated and getting good attendance after touring days. It was an enjoyable amenity to use. Sitting on the sun deck enjoying the scenery along the Danube was also a relaxing end to the day. So overall, we very much enjoyed our AMA experience, and would not hesitate to book a cruise with them again. It was a first rate experience. Read Less

This 17-day trip centered on a 7 day AmaWaterways "Melodies of the Danube" River cruise from Budapest to Prague on the AmaLea ship. This was our second AmaWaterways cruise in Europe the first being a Douro River cruise in Portugal. We added both the 2 day Budapest and the 3 day Prague extension to the river cruise through AMA and thenadded one additional day in each city using cash an Marriott points. Although the capacity for this tour was 156, there were only 111passengers aboard mostly from North America. The hotels for the land portion in Budapest (Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge) and in Prague (Marriott) were excellently located and first class inevery other respect. In summary, AMA did an superb job providing a comfortable environment on the ship, keeping us well fed, showing us interesting things and beautiful scenery along the way, and giving us a good value for our money. The AmaLea was new in 2018 and gleamed in every respect. Our cabin, (C211) was compact but well designed. The queen bed was flanked by nightstands on either side. There were two small easy chairs and a round table in the alcove near the french balcony. There was a desk with drawer storage at the foot of the bed. A slider opened to the balcony that held two patio type chairs between a square table. It was comfortable to sit on the balcony and watch the scenery along the river as we sailed down the Danube. The closet held terry bathrobes, hangers for our clothes, and a combination safe. The food was notable for its creative preparation and flavor. The dining room was always set with cloth tablecloths and the wait staff was always friendly and super efficient. Read Less

wanted to Cruise on Danube to revisit Vienna and Budapest- AMA LEA answered my call- wonderful food, excellent service gleaming new ship- flew intoMunich met by AMA ground service- seamless transfer by Mercedes van to port Vilshofen- greeted by a mini October fest around 6PM- arrivedat ship, around lunch time - offered a lovely light buffet luncheon in beautiful Lounge- talented piano player entertained us -about 1PM we were informed our cabins ready- - welcome cocktail party- then opted for dinner in specialty Restaurant, THE CHEF S TABLE- amazing experience could have happily dined there again- food is beautifully and artfully prepared- breakfast and lunch are buffet, with menu service also- dinner is full waiter service- am a solo woman traveller and was included and embraced by my fellow guests-who watched out for me on all our excursions ,which offered so many choices- scenic and cultural highlight was MELK ABBEY SINGLE SPECIAL EXCURSION WAS THE CONCERT AT OPERA HOUSE IN VIENNA- it is an optional extra charge well worth it- easy an well handled disembarkation Mikki F Read Less

We chose AMA because of the itinerary, The Romantic Danube. The ship was beautiful and the staff was amazing. There is not one thing we could say bad about this vacation. Every need of ours was met at every turn. The excursions were amazing with super fun, informative tour guides. Even when we had to disembark and bus from Vienna to Budapest, John, our cruise manager made this a smooth and easy transition. We still had time in Budapest to do the tours we had scheduled and the illuminations cruise we were all looking forward to. Any adversity that came about, John handled professionally and never let the passengers know there was any bump in the plans. The onboard staff was amazing and took care of our every need. The food was fantastic and there were always may options for all. We loved this vacation and can't wait to go on another AMA river cruise. Read Less

We chose this cruise because Dr. Frank Winery was hosting it for their wine club members and their wines were featured. This was an awesome cruise experience. The staff was extremely attentive. The food was excellent. It was a new ship with all the amenities. Most everything was first class. Three of the nights' entertainment was outstanding! John Riley, our cruise director, was fabulous. He could turn a disaster into an apple pie! Every attention to detail was given. He was on call probably 16 hours a day. He was always available and approachable. He became a friend to all on board. Because the river was low due to lack of adequate rainfall, the ship could not sail the last leg of the trip so John had to arrange for travel and lodging for a night for all passengers at our final city. It was disappointing to not sail the last day/night, but John made the best of it and made sure we all were comfortable and attended to. There are only two issues I believe that could be improved upon: First, the "in house" pianist was O.K., but not outstanding. He was fine for some light background pieces for lunch and late afternoon, but didn't really cut it for the night life. He was pleasant enough and personable, but just was not of the level we were expecting for this type of cruise. Second, it appeared there was no thought about lighting in the main bar/lounge area. Different lighting is needed for different functions/moods/situations. The lighting seemed helter-skelter. Whatever was on, was on. The staff didn't know how to adjust it and didn't seem to understand the differences in lighting moods. All in all this was an outstanding trip for us and we look forward to once again sailing with AMA in the future. Read Less

We chose this cruise as friends wanted to visit Prague, Vienna and Budapest, as well as the Wachau Valley in Austria, and we had lived in the area, so felt comfortable traveling with them. The service onboard was superb, from the trip manager to the individuals waiting on us. Everything was organized, with multiple options daily for each type of group, be they active or unable to do physical activities. The night cruise in Budapest was a highlight. A few quibbles: this was a wine cruise with Dr. Frank from the New York Finger Lakes region. We are familiar with Dr. Frank's wines and were hoping to have more interaction with Fred Frank, who was on the cruise. We found him introverted and uninterested in interacting outside of his small circle. Also, the wines were mediocre for a 'wine' cruise, especially since we spent a few days in the Wachau Valley, which is home to outstanding white wines. Linz is a boring city. I realize it's the place that enables passengers to see either Cseky Krumlow or Salzburg, but any activity there is not worth the time. Perhaps they can redesign this piece. One day in Vienna and one in Budapest are too little. Both cities deserve more time at the expense of Linz, for example. Last, the optional concert in Vienna should have been at the Opera House or Symphony Hall. I realize this would have been much more expensive, but how often do passengers get the opportunity to see world class music? A tourist trap option was a disappointment. Read Less

In our opinion, the Nov 11, 2018, Danube cruise was one of the best cruises we've ever been on--which had a lot to do with the staff and the cruise manager. The beauty of Vilshofen all the way to Budapest was breathtaking. Most of the people who took the cruise were over 50, but they were very active and all of the active tours were completely full. The relaxing part was saved for the evening, where AMA spared no expense for incredible meals and libations. Top notch. I really wish I had two to three days in Vienna and Budapest. Wow. That 15 mile bike ride through Vienna was unbelievable. The Danube River was so low, unfortunately, that we could not go from Vienna to Budapest (we took a bus). Even with something that they couldn't control, AMA still managed everything with class by putting us up in a wonderful hotel (on the river) and we all us did a river cruise evening meal to see the evening illuminations . We got to enjoy Budapest in comfort and are so thankful. Which I'm sure was an extra expense to AMA--classy. I will say that the arrangements that had to be taken in order to arrange this last day in Budapest were handled incredibly by John our cruise director. He dealt with things that were very difficult, but yet he calmly met all challenges in such a way that deserves massive credit. His knowledge, professionalism, people skills and ability to handle pressure really came shining through. John--thanks to you from all of us (that cruise was incredible in every way). Thank you AMA - we're already planning our next cruise with you for next year. Read Less

We had a terrific time on this cruise, which was our fourth with Ama Waterways. The AmaLea is a lovely new river ship with an exceptionally well-trained and friendly crew. We lucked out with great weather, although this “lovely” weather also caused the Danube to be very low. Supposedly, we were the last ship to sail out of Budapest that day, due to this low water. The itinerary was fun – we were kept busy every day, including taking two lovely bike tours and a hike up to the Castle section of Budapest. Our cabin was small, but perfectly adequate. The bathroom is a good size for such a small ship, and the shower was great, with always enough hot water. The bed was comfortable, and the sliding doors open up the riverside world into your room. The TV/Apple computer was okay, but the keyboard and mouse seldom worked. Getting on and off the ship is a breeze, including when first boarding and when disembarking. Those used to large ocean liners will be amazed. They offer a range of activities each day, so you can be as active as you like. They always offered a “gentle” alternative, and you can certainly just stay onboard and enjoy the ship, which includes a heated pool on the upper deck. The food was very good, and was served by a cheerful and helpful staff. The hotel manager was a delight, and the Captain was low-key, friendly, and very down-to-earth (he helped move our luggage when we left the ship). Our tour manager, Kriss, is a gem. She keeps things very organized, and keeps calm and friendly under every situation (that’s the Canadian in her). I’d love to travel with her again, and I’d be very happy to again sail on the AmaLea. Read Less

So, why did I choose AmaWaterways? First, I’m not an avid cruiser and usually prefer to drive ourselves and stay at cute inns to explore a country. However, I wanted to try a river cruise and visit Prague and Budapest so this seemed like a good solution although we’d already visited the Austrian ports on an independent trip. Plus, we had friends who also wanted to try one. I liked that AmaWaterways had about 150 vs. 200 passengers on Viking, that it had bikes onboard to use and hosted Backroads mini groups (figured passengers would be more active), that it got great marks for cuisine and shore excursions, and that the AmaLea was a brand new ship in 2018. Also had heard from several friends who had cruised favorably with them. The reason I picked going south to north was that we got to view Budapest’s bridges and buildings beautifully illuminated at night as we cruised along the waterfront, which wouldn’t happen on a north bound itinerary. We boarded the ship about 2p, before most of the guests arrived and was able to grab a quick , self service lunch. Our room included a small balcony with 2 chairs and table, and a french balcony, and was attractive and efficiently laid out, although the bathroom was a tighter fit compared to ocean cruises, it had a decent sized shower. It included a “window” that you could push a button to see into the bedroom and outside or frost it for privacy. I recommend you have collapsable suitcases which we did (Lipault brand) so they could be slid under the bed. Otherwise you’ll be tripping over them in the room. We quickly walked out on the balcony and enjoyed the long river view UNTIL another ship rudely pulled up next to us and the room went dark. Welcome to the ugly truth of “rafting”…or as I called it, being shafted. We were unlucky in that this basically happened every day. I caution you to figure out which side of the ship you’ll be docked on and try to get a room on the other side. This can change day to day and even if you’re on the outside river side, you still can have another ship pull up next to you. It became a joke because our friends were on the opposite side and mostly had clear views. The top deck of the ship had a lovely pool (which we never used although it was HOT for most days) and attractive seating areas. We walked around Vilshoven a bit but everything was closed since it was Sunday. There was an Oktoberfest celebration offered onshore for us with beer, pretzels, accordion music and children dancing. Very enjoyable. From 5:30-6:30 we were subjected to a way too long, stupid safety talk by the captain. Someone needs to edit that guy. Dinner was at a set time, 7pm, but seating was open so we could dine privately or with others. A special cocktail was always offered and wines were served with dinner, which was generally very good. Passau, Germany After a morning spent walking around the now open Vilshoven, we cruise down to Passau, where we went through the Locks for some natural room darkening….like being in a cave. Our selected shore excursion is to climb to Ober Vesterhaus for a view of the confluence of 3 rivers, the Danube, Inn and Els. We have a wonderful tour guide filled with entertaining tidbits who doesn’t stop talking the whole time we climb 38 floors and 12,000 steps (according to my Fitbit) up to the 1499 Castle atop the hill opposite the town. First we cross a suspension bridge and then start climbing. The Prince Bishop used to live here and control the whole region. It’s very hot and sunny…I didn’t pack the right clothes (shorts!) as I expected more fall like temperatures. Afterwards, we had free time to explore the town and we visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral with the world’s largest organ. Would’ve loved to hear it. Tonight was our friend’s birthday and we had made a reservation to eat in their Chef’s Table specialty restaurant for an excellent Tasting menu. Claudio (a double for James Franco) and the Maitre d’ joked around with us all night…very funny. They brought out an amazing chocolate cake for him and upgraded our wine. Wonderful celebration. Linz, Austria We enjoyed a brief view of Danube scenery until we docked at Linz. Then, the dreaded Rafting. We have a walking city tour of Linz, grab an early lunch, then board a bus for an all afternoon excursion to the Salzkammergut region…the Alpine Lake District. Decades ago we had driven and stayed over in this gorgeous region, but now we must be satisfied with a quick jaunt. The bus was very comfortable and our guide is very good. We drive along the sides of several lakes and have time in Mondsee to go inside the Sound of Music church where Maria got married and Wolfgangsee to walk around the tourist shops and have a drink on a terrace overlooking this stunning mountain lake. It’s so hot, I wish we could go for a swim and stay longer. Weissenkirchen, Wachau Valley, Austria 
Today we cruised through the prettiest stretch of the Danube, but the weather didn’t cooperate for photos turning cloudy, windy & cool. In the afternoon, we had a walking tour of the charming town of Durnstein, where we had stayed previously, and shopping only yielded a jar of their famed Apricot (Marille) jam. A tour of the Melk Abbey followed with an excellent guide. Vienna Although we have stayed in Vienna in the past, I had an ambitious touring schedule for us that included some quality shopping. We began with the ship’s city tour, which bussed us around the Ringstrasse for an overview of all the baroque buildings. Then, when they dropped us at the Albertina Museum for a walking tour, we left the group to tour the museum which had an interesting art collection and a wonderful photography exhibit. From here, we walked to the Hofburg Castle complex and toured the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments. So far so good, but now the restaurant I had wanted to lunch at was back near the Albertina and didn’t want to double back. Instead we walked into the shopping district and got an outside table at a famous cafe. This was a bad experience as we waited over an hour for our food and then when questioned, was told it would take another half hour for the schnitzel. Think they forgot to submit the order. So, just ended up with a salad and piece of cake which wasted about two hours of precious time. Didn’t help that I was starting to feel miserable from the onslaught of a cold. Didn’t see any good shops and didn’t feel like walking around more so just headed back to the ship. Bratislava, Slovakia Another sunny day as we cruised into this cute little town. Chose another city walking tour with a very funny guide. Not much to see in the town or good shops, but we stopped for an aperol spritz and cake. Tonight is the Captain’s Dinner and we hope he doesn’t talk. Budapest, Hungary We started with a city tour on a bus but the day was cool and rainy. We got to tour the City Market and Mathias Church and climb it’s Belvedere, but the views were dismal due to the weather. Ducked into a popular cafe nearby, Ruzworm, and tried their famous cream cake. I didn’t care for it but DH did. The cappuccino was lukewarm, as usual so far. Back to the ship for lunch, and then we just walked and walked. Watched a wedding party as they left the church…always enjoy that. Pre-dinner entertainment were two Hungarian dancing couples and an excellent violinist. After dinner, was the Illumination Cruise along the waterfront which was spectacular, although chilly from the top deck. An easy disembarkation, compared to ocean cruises. Read Less

An travel agent acquaintance made some suggestions when my sister and I decided we would like to try a river cruise and we are so grateful she suggested AMA. The service was wonderful and the cruise manage, Camille, was terrific. She was friendly and professional and personal. She supplied pertinent information at the exact time we needed it. The excursions were timely and informative and guides were excellent. The time at the excursion sites is relatively quick. If you really want to explore a city, you really don't have time to do so - you mostly get an overview, then move on. We did a bike tour along the Danube, as well as a hiking tour, but the rest were city tours, which are informative, but next time I might do something more specific to the area, such as a wine tasting, etc. The cruise was relaxing but never boring. You can be as active as you wish, or relax as necessary. The excursions were offered for easy walkers, regular walkers or active walkers, along with bike and hiking. Be sure to pack clothing to enjoy the deck. As you travel along the Danube (we sailed from Budapest to Vilshofen) the scenery got more and more beautiful as we sailed up the river. The food was delicious but not in excess like it can be on an ocean cruise. The only thing I would criticize would be the on board gym. It could have used a few free weights and an elliptical machine, but after a few days I didn't have the time or energy to use it anyway! Can't wait to cruise with AMA again! Read Less

We chose this cruise because we liked the idea of a smaller group of people. We didn't want to dress up for dinner and loved the idea of country club casual. This cruise was absolutely wonderful. We were on the bottom deck and did not feel slighted in the least, the crew took wonderful care of us as if we were in the Ritz Carlton. AMA will always be my choise for a river cruise and I will request Camille Dernis as the cruise manager. She treated us as if we were the only ones on the cruise. She was fabulous!! I lost my passport and she coordinated help with the American Consolate and this was after our cruise was over!! All of our transfers were handled for us and AMA made travel stress minimal. We were met at the airport and the shore excursions were great as well, all of our travel guides were wonderful. Read Less

We had heard a lot of good things about AMA Waterways so when it came to choosing a company we didn't look anywhere else for a river cruise. We chose the 7 night Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest. The brand new Ama Lea was beautiful and nicely appointed. I can't say enough about the staff who made sure our experience was exceptional. The food was delicious and always beautifully presented. We dined at the Chef's Table one night and everything was exceptional. The tours in each port were well organized and informative. They had tours for different levels of activity so they catered for all levels of physical abilities. We usually chose the active tours, hikes to castles and the bike ride along the Danube in Weissenkirchen. The ride took us through quaint villages, vineyards and apple orchards. The scenery in the Wachau Valley was gorgeous. Thank you AMA Waterways. Read Less

We did a lot of research before choosing the Danube and AMA. Eight of us were traveling together so we had a variety of opinions before making our decision. The new ship, AmaLea, was beautiful and sparkling clean. The upper decks had plenty of seating, umbrellas, blankets, etc. Common areas were exceptionally clean with modular seating for groups to sit together. We loved the coffee area and all of the food options. The staff was fun, friendly, highly trained and looked after our every need. Our cruise director, Florentin, was caring, perfectly organized and our excursions were excellent. The level of security was also impressive. Our cabin was on the lowest floor without a balcony (we planned this). We didn’t miss a balcony because we spent a lot of time on the upper deck and on land. Even though there were worries about low water, we did not experience any disruptions with our trip. The trip exceeded our expectations and we will definitely book with AMA for our next cruise. Read Less

This was our first river cruise and after my AmaWaterways experience, definitely won't be my last! Everything about the AmaLea and our Danube cruise was sensational! From the fun Oktoberfest embarkation to receptions and final night viewing of the lights of Budapest - I couldn't have asked for more! The ship was impeccable and beautifully decorate. Our room was lovely and we enjoyed the robes, slippers, free WiFi, Mac, refrigerator, bottled water, French balcony, sumptuous linens and roomy bathroom! The dining?! Oh my goodness - each chef's recommended dinner was five-star with local paired wines and decadent desserts. Other menu items were always available but we were addicted to each night's chef's specialties! The onboard entertainment included wonderful local singing, dancing and musicians - always enjoyable and fun! My 17 year old daughter and I particularly enjoyed disco night! The service was beyond compare. From the charming service of cruise manager Rolf to the dining staff and captain - it was apparent all thoroughly enjoyed their roles on the ship and provided impeccable service. The excursions were included and each outing was fantastic. Our guides were knowledgeable and friendly and our destinations were amazing. We added a few optional excursions and loved the Vienna symphony and Schonbrunn Palace visit. We hated for it to end and are already planning river cruise #2 and will only consider AmaWaterways. We were thrilled to receive a handwritten Thank You from Rolf and the Captain - such style, such class, such grace. AmaWaterways - we'll be back! Read Less

It was on a river , my wife has a motion sickness problem. The itinerary looked interesting. My wife uses an electric trike to travel any distance but it is not needed on board. The excursions all had a gentle options so we assumed we could cope. Unfortunately mainland Europe has not progress as far the UK and north america in disability access. Another problem was the boat was frequently double or triple parked so we had to get to the top deck, no lift to that and then go up and down over one or two other boats. The crew helped as much as they could but it was still a problem. No idea why they did that there seemed to be unused berths in places. My biggest problem was the quality of the shore excursions the guides seemed to pitch the talks at a very superficial level. The only ones I enjoyed were the tasting options when the guide or subject expert had the time to talk to us as adults. Of the other guests two thirds had booked as a group this appeared to limit social interaction. Given the price I ticked the luxury box and marked accordingly. Enrichment activities not sure any were offered. They had a resident pianist, bland, inoffensive and quiet. Fitness room had a treadmill, 2 bikes and a high tech multi-gym with virtually no instructions, I would have preferred an elliptical machine instead of the second bike. Never saw any of the machines in use. One guide I found really irritating referred repeatedly to the visit the Royal Air Force made to her town on 16/4/1945 and yes we did flatten most of it but we were at war. Very difficult to avoid asking what here parents did in the war years. Another tour the guide sent most time talking about basket ball (ex pro 7ft 2inch) of no interest to me and not what I paid for. We found the almost total absence of both bird life and fishermen along the rivers interesting makes you wounder what is in the water. In-spite of the crew and the food being excellent we would not repeat this or try another cruise. Read Less

This was our second cruise with AMA and the brand new sparkling AMALea was pure delight! We arrived in Amsterdam on Friday, 4/27, which is “King’s Day” - the Netherlands national holiday - think Mardi Gras combined with St. Patty’s Day except all in orange! The city center is shut down to all vehicular traffic so cab could only get us 1/2 mile from our hotel -with lots of baggage we had to roll over cobblestones! Our hotel, The Banks Mansion Hotel took us to our rooms right away and was a fantastic boutique hotel that felt very cozy and homey - highly recommended. Embarking for the cruise could not have been easier - cab pulls up to dock, bags disappear and your standing beneath a crystal chandelier with champagne in hand. This was the final week of the Tulip cruises and the flowers were going to be at their height of beauty. The cabin was spacious and modern with a full and French balcony. There is plenty of storage - more than we needed - and we always overpack! There’s a mini iPad that controls the lights and temperature for the cabin and a huge Mac monitor for tv, movies, music, info & navigation. The bathroom design was so beautiful! The dual headed shower was large with gorgeous tile inlay and again, plenty of storage beneath sink. We were in cabin #309 and never heard a sound from anywhere outside our room. “Anja” was our cabin attendant and she was awesome! From our previous cruise with AMA, (Paris to Normandy), we knew the food, excursions and service would be five star - except I would add at least one more star for our cruise director, “Sonja” on AMALea. I think she’s actually Super Woman just hiding her cape under that blazer! Each daily excursion was interesting and well executed - but getting 150 passengers off and back on the ship in a timely matter cannot be easy! Throughout the week we visited Hoorn, Middleberg, Antwerp, Bruge, Kinderkork, the Kukenhoff Gardens then back to Amsterdam. There were a couple special new treats we enjoyed on board: 1) the “Sip n’ Sail” complimentary happy hour offered a selected cocktail or a list to choose from each evening and 2) our entertainer “David Onka” - an enormously talented musician and vocalist who was 2nd runner up in “ Gernany’s Got Talent”! I have never seen so many “mature” cruisers up late and on the dance floor! David would keep things mellow for “tea time & sip n’ sail” but it was Motown and any crowd favorite after dinner!! So much fun! We had other spectacular music on board by a Broadway singer and the “La Strada” trio. We “Baby Boomers” are not old fogies - we just need the right motivation! ;) This is a long review but it’s also a love letter... We may not remember every entre but we remember those on board who made our trip so special: Anja, Julien, Dada, Daniel, Milos, Marina, David and Sonja. We will be back and hope to see you again soon. Read Less

It was recommended by our travel company. So glad we went on AMA. The entire staff was amazing and the cruise director Peter was the best. I know he was stressed at times but he handled it all. I know he had 5 days off after we left Amsterdam so he could go see his family in Austria. Hope he had a great and relaxing time . They say it rains about 225 days a year there but we had no rain. All the cities we visited were great. Love the old architecture. It was allot of walking but worth it. We went to see the tulips and boy did we ever. Keukenhof gardens the last day was absolutely beautiful. The cruise director had everything set up just so. We enjoyed all of the options that we were given. We had not picked the activities before arriving on the ship but that was no problem. We were given a sheet to make our choices and each day they gave us the option of a regular walk or a slower walk. My husband had a pacemaker placed a few weeks before the trip and the slower walks helped allot. The Tulip cruise was just amazing Read Less

My husband and I planned our spring trip to Holland to see the fields of tulips with another couple. In doing our research we learned that the AmaLea was a new ship and that the cruise we were interested in was departing on April 1st and it was to be the second cruise for this new ship. The AmaLea was a great choice although in hindsight we should have left a week or two later because the bulbs were late bloomers this year...although if we had waited for a later date we would have missed out on the big Easter basket filled with chocolates that was in our cabin! We have been on several cruises and found the crew on the AmaLea to be outstanding--they accommodated every request and I believe that if they could have, they would have even encouraged Mother Nature to work harder and prepare the fields of yellow, pink, and red tulips that we had been hoping to see. Of course Keukenhof did not disappoint and we also enjoyed visiting a tulip farm, one of the optional shore excursions. We presented some challenges--one of us was in a wheelchair and needed a doctor at one of the ports. The crew was very helpful in setting up an appointment and a taxi. (If someone is dependent upon a wheelchair port excursions are sometimes challenging, especially having to cross through-- and sometimes over-- other ships during disembarkation at the various ports.) I am a vegan and Chef Daniel Tanase prepared every meal I ate to those specifications. I can honestly say that I have never eaten better and I believe that several of my dining partners may be seriously considering "converting" after seeing the wonderful meals he prepared for me. Our cabin was always clean and comfortable -- my husband was given his choice of 8 pillows to choose from after he said his pillow the first night was a little hard! The service could not have been better nor the staff friendlier. Would we go again? I can't say. We usually travel on our own and enjoy meeting the locals. Our ship was predominately Americans so other than the local guides we had limited opportunity to do that. However, it is certainly a conversation we would have and I would recommend it to anyone who prefers the ease and convenience of cruise travel. Read Less

We went on the Tulip Time Cruise, seeing the tulips was a bucket list item for me. This was the first sailing of the Amalea. The staff was amazing. Everyone was an experienced professional. Especially Anja, who cleaned our room, and waiters Coco and Milos(2). The ship is beautiful and very modern. They only glitches were with the ipad on the wall that controls the climate and the lights. It would only go dark for a minute and then back on. At night this was a problem. They attempted to do a fix mid-trip but it did not take. I found if I went into the setup of the ipad and brought the brightness down to as low as it would go it was ok. The room was great. There was a full size Mac that could access the internet, movies and tv. This was very helpful. The bathroom had nice touches, magnifying makeup mirror, blue lights at night and warm tiles on the floor. Two different shower heads, lots of warm water. The beds were very comfortable and we slept well when the ipad was dimmed. Rachel the Cruise Director was very attentive and made a wonderful trip even better. She is a gem and I believe she has a degree in Diplomacy, if she doesn't she should. The shore excursions enhanced the experience. There were options for Gentle, and Regular walking tours. The best part of the shore excursions were the guides, they were all local for their area and provided personal insight. The food options were just enough, the quality of the food was excellent. I arrived home feeling I had one of the best vacations of my life. Oh, the tulips at Keurkenhof gardens were not at their peak but still breathtaking. Read Less

This was our first river cruise, and we chose AMA Waterways based on the reviews and the available trips for our spring break. We have no reason to ever try a different company! This was the Amalea's maiden voyage, so the ship was sparkling perfection. Our standard room was comfortable and roomy enough; the bathroom was designed well and had space for storage. Comfort: the bed, shower, in-room monitor/computer and cabin controls were all high-end. The food was AMAZING - high end gourmet, fresh ingredients, way too much at all times, and standards like pizza, chicken and steak were always available. We really liked that they picked up fresh regional specialties, like cheese and chocolate, along the way, to make each dinner relevant and special. The wine selection for dinner was good quality. The lounge was very comfortable for having a drink or enjoying the entertainment. The entertainment was okay, but we would have liked to have danced more. The service, across the board, was IMPECCABLE. From the waitstaff to the cleaning staff, everyone was efficient, pleasant, and sincerely interested in making our vacation the best experience it could be. Our cruise manager, Rachel, was the best. Our shore excursions went off without a hitch, and the tours were well planned, varied and very interesting. We got only one mediocre guide out of 5, and the staff was attentive to our feedback about that. Otherwise, the local guides were knowledgeable, entertaining, and well vetted. We have already booked our next cruise with AMA on the Danube for July, 2019. Read Less