River cruising: Exploring Europe with AmaWaterways
3 Minute Read
Summary
- Travel experts share first-hand perspectives on European river cruising with AmaWaterways itineraries.
- Itineraries focus on historic cities, regional cuisine, guided excursions and small‑ship onboard experiences.
- River cruising suits travellers seeking cultural depth, simplified logistics and frequent access to city centres.
Imagine floating along the Rhine River, enjoying close views of medieval castles, vineyard-covered hills and storybook towns. For travellers looking to experience Europe at a gentler pace, river cruising offers a relaxed yet immersive way to explore the continent.
We spoke with three of our travel experts who recently experienced river cruising with AmaWaterways. Lia Kupchanko, Director of Retail, Travel and Call Centre Sales, sailed on the eight‑day Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps itinerary, travelling through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. Jo-Anne Levata, Store Manager at CAA Thunder Bay, and Travel Consultant Caitlin Earl, travelled together on the eight‑day Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle cruise, journeying from Amsterdam to Champagne.
Who should consider a river cruise with AmaWaterways?
Lia Kupchanko (LK): “The demographic on my cruise was anywhere from 45 to 70, and predominantly solo travellers and couples. There were lots of Americans, and a mix of people from other countries.”
Caitlin Earl (CE): “River cruises are ideal for solo female travellers; it’s very safe, and I’d highly recommend them. The majority of cruisers were around 60 plus.”
What are the rooms like aboard AmaWaterways vessels?
Jo-Anne Levata (JL): “We shared a room in the lowest category, which was stateroom category E. I thought we had more than enough room; it was very comfortable. One nice feature in the room was a small fridge, which was always stocked with water for us.”
LK: “Being on the Amavenita was a treat; it was a riverboat that felt like a yacht. The rooms are well-appointed; my room had a French balcony. If you can, you’ll want a balcony to have light and see the views.”
How would you describe the culinary experience?
CE: “AmaWaterways river cruises are perfect for a foodie; I don’t think I had a bad meal. The staff are great at accommodating allergies, so if you’re celiac or have other preferences, you’re going to be well cared for.”
LK: “It will be a culinary experience of a lifetime. It was very much earth-to-table, with lots of great herbs and flavours. It was also immersive; wherever we were that day, the menu mirrored the local fare. There was also something called the ‘Chef’s Table.’ Everybody gets a reservation and enjoys a beautiful meal made by the chef. I enjoyed that thoroughly; the staff were so attentive and wonderful, and it was just the most delicious meal.”
What sorts of activities can cruisers expect on board?
JL: There’s a gym and a spa. You can have a massage if you’d like. There was yoga, a swimming pool and the option to walk around a track.”
LK: “There were different classes and yoga in the morning, and there’s a walking track around the deck that a lot of people enjoyed. The boat had a heated pool and lots of different games, including an oversized chessboard on the deck.”
How would you describe the evening entertainment with AmaWaterways?
LK: “It was very low-key. I enjoyed it immensely. There was a great singer and pianist; it was very relaxing each night.”
CE: “It was wonderful! There was a singer one day, there was music another day, and we were dancing, it was great.”
Are there a lot of different off-ship excursions and chances to explore?
JL: Yes, there are lots of choices! Plus, you can choose an active, regular, or gentle pace. You can mix it around; one day you can do the easy pace, and the next day, if you want something more strenuous, they’re happy to do that for you. If you choose the active group, you’re going to arrive at the city centre a little bit faster and have more free time.”
LK: “The excursions are included; you can pick between one and four excursions per day. However, I recommend leaving yourself a bit more free time. When we did that, we would stumble into cool, off-the-beaten-path experiences. My other tip is to book your excursions sooner rather than later; sites such as the Anne Frank House book up very quickly.”
CE: “There's something for everyone. For history buffs, they have a partnership with the Smithsonian; there are lots of options for visiting specific historical sites.
Start planning your next trip with CAA
Ready to book your own river cruise adventure with AmaWaterways? To learn more and start planning your dream vacation, book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant.
