The Evolution of River Cruising.
AmaWaterways Proves Size Does Matter.
As a world traveler who spent part of my career in Europe, river cruising is a familiar chapter in my travel playbook. In fact, the story is well-read, dating back to the 1800s when ships were mainly used for transporting cargo.
In 1818, The Black Ball Line pioneered the first sail-steam-powered ship to offer passenger service between Liverpool, England, and New York. They later added the ports of Boston and Philadelphia to their roster.
In 1975, however, river cruising made a major improvement thanks to AmaWaterways Co-Founder and President, Rudi Schreiner. While traveling through South America, he built his first “ship” — a homemade raft — crafted from materials he found along the Amazon river. For the next seven months, he explored the rich waterway, vowing to share his discovery with the world.
From a simple river raft to what is now a fleet of 26 luxury ships, AmaWaterways has been creating unparalleled river journeys for over two decades. Paying tribute to his heritage, Schreiner has gone full circle by offering river cruises along the heart of the Danube, near his birthplace of Vienna.
Staying ahead of the competition, AmaWaterways has added routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa. They recently launched AmaDahlia on Egypt’s Nile River in the heat of the pandemic.
Despite the waves around them, AmaWaterways held steady in preparation for their 20-year anniversary by unveiling the “Godfather of River Cruising.” There were whispers of this new vessel that would measure twice the width of traditional European river ships with more personal space and unique dining venues. Rumor had it that it would be a game-changer for river cruising.
Naturally, I had to experience it for myself.
And so, I booked a week on the “AmaMagna,” a ship that had supposedly redefined the river cruise experience. The 7-night trip started with three nights of pre-cruise exploration in Prague.
Whenever I sail, I insist on getting my feet wet with a pre-travel excursion. These 2-to-3 day jaunts give me a chance to acclimatize, adjust to jet lag, and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Prague delivered on all fronts with a castle hike, beer tasting, and a city tour of the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires.” From the UNESCO World Heritage Site city center, I traveled two hours by bus to the small Bavarian port town of Vilshofen, Germany.
Here, I shook hands with AmaMagna, a strikingly magnificent ship proving that size does matter. It had 98 rooms and measured 443 feet long by 72 feet wide. Unlike compact quarters on traditional river ships, AmaMagna had suites ranging from 355 to 710 sq. ft. with full balconies. My room had a large bathroom with a double sink, plus a sitting area, a king-sized bed, and plenty of room to store my luggage.
Not to be confused with mega-cruise ships on open waters, river ships are designed with compact navigation in mind. Narrow in design, river cruises take you to the heart of a city where you can disembark in the town center, just steps from shops, cafes, and attractions.
While cruise ships take you to a destination, river cruises take you through them.
Despite the ability to maneuver slender waterways, the AmaMagna still had all the creature comforts including a sun-deck pool, a fitness center, a spa, a juice bar, and four dining options. In addition to the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, AmaMagna had Jimmy’s, a family-style restaurant, and the Al Fresco Restaurant with retractable windows and outdoor seating.
Due to the ship’s larger size, it had the ability to accommodate more crew members, larger kitchens, and frankly more leisure space for passengers. Trust me, I consider space a luxury, and something I seek wherever I go — whether that be on a flight, in a car, in a hotel, or on a ship.
AmaWaterways gets this. They get that personal space matters, especially now in a world that spent the last two years standing 6-feet apart. They get that travelers want to explore again without complication, hiccups, or hassle. That’s why they reinvented the onboard experience by introducing luxurious amenities and award-winning wines and cuisine that align with each destination.
In addition to an endless list of amenities, I was spoiled by incredible onboard service and a crew that went above and beyond to make sure my journey was flawless. Glass by glass, I sampled wines from each destination we visited, with the Austrian wines being a delightful surprise.
The daily shore excursions took me deeper into local culture where I sampled bratwurst, pretzels, strudel, and a whole oom-pah-pah Oktoberfest celebration. In Vienna, I had my choice to tour the city by bike or by horse-drawn carriage, with stops at cathedrals, palaces, and opera houses. For a hands-on experience, I joined a cooking excursion in Budapest where I made goulash and apple strudel. All of this, I might add, is included in the river-cruise rate.
From the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Budapest, I found myself immersed in unmatched culture, tradition, and beauty. As we silently drifted through the scenic Danube Bend, I thought about the AmaMagna and how she had taught me the importance of living life in the slow lane. This gentle pace on the banks of the world’s most iconic rivers allowed me to push pause on life — if even for just a week — to explore European towns, calm my soul, and find comfort in the serenity and peace of today.
— Jeff