We chose this cruise line and trip based on a recommendation from a good friend who took this trip last year. We flew into Amsterdam and sailed the Rhine for 7 days to Basel. Booking the trip with an Amawaterway rep was easy. One call to Jonathan and he made all the arrangements and flight details. He was responsive to our questions and kept us informed before our trip. We even got upgraded to a room with a French balcony.
Our room was very small, but the shower was very nice. We also liked the Mac TV/computer in the room. Our room was kept absolutely spotless and was serviced at least 3 times a day. The staff are all very hardworking. Food was very good and I recommend eating one dinner at the Chef's table. It is a separate dining area where the chef prepares a variety of tasting dishes. It's excellent and a lot of fun. We also enjoyed eating a few lunches upstairs. They offer most of the items on the buffet, but it is in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. You can enjoy a quick bite before or after an excursion.
The first few days of the cruise was a bit slow for my husband and me. We just didn't feel like we had enough to do. Those excursions lasted about an hour. We had expected to be on the go for most of the day. The rest of the trip got better. Our favorite was the bike tour in Breisch, Germany. I don't know if other boats do this, but we really loved having an option for an active tour. The other tours are for gentle/slow walkers and regular folks. Many of the guests are past 70 yrs old and we are quite a bit younger. We would have been frustrated if we had gone any slower on our tours. The staff greets you back on the boat with a flavored water or tea drink along with a warm, moist towel to wipe your hands or face. There are many examples of pampering by the crew. We are not that fancy, but I think a lot of the folks had money and expected that type of treatment.
Cabin was at end of hall and was quiet. I was happy to burn a few calories walking down the hallway! Our housekeeper did a perfect job keeping our room cleaned and stocked with water, ice, etc. Rooms are very small, but there is a lovely shower. There are also plenty of closet space for clothes.
We arrived in Amsterdam in the early morning and the Ama reps met us at the airport. We drove to the ship and unloaded our luggage leaving us free until dinner. We pre-booked a tour of the Anne Frank Home and tickets to the Rijksmuseum. We enjoyed both of those places. Our ship included a one hour canal cruise the next morning. It was fine.