We chose the Rhine river cruise with AMA for the castle viewing and the active shore excursions. Every activity was perfectly curated. The smaller group size, only 130 on board our sailing, made for manageable excursions in small groups. Every location had charm and many activities that interested us. We got lucky and had perfect sailing weather the morning of castle viewing as we sailed by. Bar staff brought around Rudesheim coffee for us to enjoy as the cruise director narrated the history of the castles.

Now for the bad, tons of sick people. It’s an open world post-pandemic. Illness was rampant on board as all dining is one seating all in a crowded and low ceiling room with no fresh ventilation. The same applies to shore talks and cocktail hour. We started skipping cocktail hour, but couldn’t skip meals. Hardly any tables for two, but that likely mattered little by then. We spent much time on our shore free time tracking down pharmacies and getting prescriptions filled. FYI the service Mobi-Doc offers English speaking EU doctors who will email you a prescription. Then you have to find a pharmacy with your meds in stock (Augmentin for an ear infection was VERY hard to find in France). In Switzerland you must see a Swiss doctor. They will not accept Mobi-Doc scripts.

All in all, a fantastic cruise, but disappointing to be sick several days of a very expensive and much anticipated vacation. We had to downgrade from hikes and biking to walking tours to conserve energy. I’d do it again with AMA for the Danube, but in a few years when the world is (hopefully) healthier.