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Written by Andrea Trevisan - Bancosta Cruise
"Ama" means love, and this sentiment was palpable throughout the cruise. I had conversations with several returning guests, and they echoed the same sentiment: the exceptional service and the homely atmosphere were key reasons for their repeated visits, a sentiment I wholeheartedly shared
WHEN THE RHINE RIVER BECOMES A FAIRYTALE
A 3-DAY RIVER CRUISE ON BOARD THE AMAPRIMA
Following our recent marketing collaboration for group charters with the splendid river cruise brand AmaWaterways, I had the gracious privilege of being invited to partake in a 3-day familiarization cruise aboard the AmaPrima, which set sail from Amsterdam and journeyed to Lahnstein from October 3 to 6, 2023.
The complete 11-night itinerary extended from Amsterdam to Basel and was named "Rhine & Moselle Fairytales." The name resonated with me, as it perfectly encapsulated the feeling of stepping into the enchanting world of fairytales as we cruised along the Rhine, adorned with its fabled castles.
This experience proved to be unique, offering valuable insights into the beauty of river cruising and why AmaWaterways enjoys such adoration from its guests, owing to its exceptional offerings.
The journey on the AmaPrima commenced with embarkation in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Coming from an ocean cruising background, I was pleasantly surprised by the distinct advantages of river cruising, particularly the hassle-free embarkation process. Boarding and check-in procedures on a river cruise ship were surprisingly more straightforward than those in land-based hotels.
The pre-arrival arrangements facilitated by AmaWaterways were impeccably organized, with the information provided before boarding being informative, well-presented, and highly valuable.
My embarkation experience proved to be extremely efficient. Upon arriving by taxi at the ship's dock, the ship's crew warmly welcomed me at the gangway, swiftly attending to my luggage. The reception efficiently provided me with my stateroom keys, and in less than three minutes, I found myself in my delightful stateroom with a captivating view of the heart of Amsterdam.
One significant advantage of river cruising is the ships' typical docking locations, such as the AmaPrima in this instance, right in the heart of the city. This negates the need for shuttles or taxis, allowing guests to seamlessly immerse themselves in the destination.
WELCOME ON BOARD
OVERNIGHT IN AMSTERDAM
Our first day included an overnight stay, a thoughtful arrangement that allowed guests, particularly those arriving from North America with long flights and jet lag, to recuperate while still offering the opportunity to enjoy a full day exploring Amsterdam.
In the evening, I attended an informative welcome cocktail and safety presentation conducted by the remarkable senior management team of the AmaPrima, including Capt. Meye Attema, Hotel Manager Miguel Rodrigues, and Cruise Manager Marcia Moricz.
During the welcome cocktail, I was attended to by an attentive bartender who crafted the perfect Negroni, one of my personal favorites, creating the ambiance of a classic "aperitivo Milanese".
I had the honor of being invited to the Captain's table for dinner, a delightful opportunity to forge new friendships on board. This is another charming aspect of river cruising; it virtually guarantees that you'll encounter intriguing individuals and establish new connections thanks to the intimate journey environment.
Following dinner, those who had overcome their jet lag were treated to an engaging performance by the Dutch guest entertainer, Angelique Verbrüggen. Her extraordinary vocal talents were complemented by humor, including good-natured jests about Dutch culture. This performance evoked hearty laughter, especially from North American guests in attendance, culminating in a standing ovation for the talented artist.
A PLEASANT EARLY MORNING STROLL
DUTCH BIKING CULTURE
Despite residing most of the year just 50 kilometers from Amsterdam, in The Hague, I found immense delight in embarking on an early morning stroll through the streets and canals of Amsterdam. The city was waking up to the sunrise, with commuters energetically cycling to their offices and busy parents transporting their children to school in "bakfiets" (cargo bikes). They pedaled through the streets as if competing in the Tour de France, a delightful spectacle for visitors unaccustomed to Dutch bike culture. However, crossing the roads required heightened caution due to the incredible speed of the cyclists.
During my morning stroll, I rekindled my affection for this delightful city and its unique character. It became clear to me why legendary painters such as Rembrandt, Mondrian, and Van Gogh fell in love with Amsterdam and its vibrant colors. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Amsterdam, and it serves as the perfect turnaround port for a river cruise.
FEELING PART OF A FAMILY
AMA MEANS LOVE
The AmaPrima, introduced in 2013, boasts a length of 135 meters and a width of 11.45 meters. It features 81 staterooms and accommodates up to 162 guests. While it may not be the newest vessel in the AmaWaterways fleet, its interiors exude warmth and welcome. Seasonal floral decorations, personally selected by the Hotel Manager Miguel added a touch of class and a sense of being at home.
The main Lounge, often regarded as the "living room," offered bistro-style breakfasts and lunches, delectable snacks available throughout the day, and splendid high-teas in the afternoon. Happy hour cocktails and savory snacks after 10:30 pm, along with a wide selection of infusions. The service provided by the staff was kind, intuitive, and elegant. They quickly grasped my preferences, and their familiarity made me feel at home and part of a larger family
Indeed, "Ama" means love, and this sentiment was palpable throughout the cruise. I had conversations with several returning guests, and they echoed the same sentiment: the exceptional service and the homely atmosphere were key reasons for their repeated visits, a sentiment I wholeheartedly shared.
The ship featured several intriguing amenities, including a swim-up bar within a heated pool on the upper deck, a walking track, and generously furnished outdoor spaces. Personal space abounded, and the ship never felt overcrowded.
ENJOYING THE VIEW
TWIN BALCONY
I was fortunate to be assigned a remarkably comfortable and beautifully appointed stateroom, complete with a twin-balcony. This unique feature, a hallmark of AmaWaterways, offered both a physical balcony and a French balcony, allowing for private connections with the external environment. I thoroughly enjoyed this feature, particularly considering the pleasant autumn weather during our cruise, which allowed me to work on my laptop from the balcony, despite having a spacious desk within the stateroom.
One of the stateroom's standout features was the 27" iMac desktop, serving both as a TV and a portal for interactive journey maps. It also offered internet connectivity, providing an alternative to personal devices. Entertainment-On-Demand and a selection of music were additional options. Notably, high-speed Wi-Fi was complimentary throughout the ship and the cruise. Moreover, as we cruised along the shoreline, I could easily access 5G and 4G data networks throughout the voyage.
INDULGING ON BOARD THE AMAPRIMA
GREAT DINING WITH VEGETARIAN ALTERNATIVES
The ship featured a main restaurant with two separate rooms for intimate gatherings and a complimentary specialty restaurant known as "The Chef Table," accommodating 28 guests. I had the pleasure of dining at "The Chef Table" on the second night, indulging in a seven-course live cooking tasting menu paired with quality regional wines. The culinary experience was great, made even more enjoyable by the engaging and interesting fellow guests at my table.
The main restaurant offered à la carte breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, with daily-changing menus inspired by the destinations and a selection of "Always available" classics. Overall, the dining experience on the AmaPrima consistently delivered high-quality, well-presented, fresh, and tasteful meals, served in appropriate portion sizes. The variety was abundant, and the discovery of new dishes was an exciting part of each meal. The broad selection of vegetarian options was remarkable.
DISCOVERING COLOGNE
JUST A FEW STEPS FROM THE AMAZING CATHEDRAL
After departing Amsterdam, I had the pleasure of exploring Cologne, where the ship conveniently docked just a 2-minute walk away from the magnificent Cathedral. Furthermore, an overnight stay allowed guests to experience the vibrant nightlife of this beautiful German city, taking full advantage of the splendid autumn day.
COMPLIMETARY TOURS
AmaWaterways provided inclusive tours with various options catering to different levels of physical activity, all of which were well-organized and greatly appreciated by the guests. The ship also carried 20 bikes, offering a means for more physically demanding tours along the picturesque landscapes of the Rhine River and the various destination cities. Biking along the rivers proved to be an incredible way to explore Central Europe, offering an immersive and unique experience.
After an extensive walk-through Cologne's city center, I found myself indulging in a delightful high-tea in the AmaPrima Lounge, complete with fresh sandwiches and delectable pastries. I must admit that I made an effort to increase my step count to offset the sumptuous dining experiences on board, and the walking track on the upper deck was a helpful ally during the short cruise.
WELLNESS AND ACTIVITIES
COMPREHENSIVE DAILY PROGRAM
The AmaPrima offered a well-equipped fitness center with an inspiring view. Onboard, a Wellness Host organized various classes, including yoga and resistance bands, ensuring that guests had access to diverse wellness activities. Additionally, a beauty salon and masseurs were available to further enhance the overall cruise experience.
MY AMACRUISE APP
AmaWaterways thoughtfully provided an intuitive and well-designed app that allowed passengers to efficiently manage their cruise, share live memories with friends and family, access destination information and itineraries, and review the daily cruise program. I found the AmaWaterways app to be highly valuable, offering a seamless and interactive experience throughout the journey.
THE RHINE AS A FAIRYTALE
A FIVE-SENSORY EXPERIENCE
The journey along the Rhine River after Cologne grew increasingly captivating and began to resemble a fairytale. The ever-changing landscapes featured enchanting castles, historic fortresses, charming hilltop towns, and lush vineyards, creating an astonishing backdrop. One of the remarkable aspects of river cruising is the close proximity to the shores, allowing passengers to almost "touch" the land, hear the local voices, and even catch a whiff of the fragrances, providing a truly immersive five-sensory experience that I enthusiastically recommend.
RIVER CRUISING TO HOST AN EVENT
CLOSING A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
My three-day familiarization experience concluded when I disembarked at the port of Lahnstein, situated near Koblenz, on a beautiful autumn day. The AmaPrima continued its journey on the Moselle River, with guests having the opportunity to explore four different countries: The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. I found this relaxed and enriching mode of travel to be truly amazing, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.
I was deeply impressed by how the dedicated staff on this small river cruise ship could significantly impact the overall experience for their guests. The AmaPrima was graced with an exceptional team, with guests particularly the incredible Cruise Manager, Marcia, who was consistently available, perpetually cheerful, and highly engaging. The Hotel Manager, Miguel, ensured that all aspects of the hotel's operation ran seamlessly.
During a conversation, the cruise manager, Marcia, shared insights into AmaWaterways' expertise in hosting group charters. Whether for corporate or private events, a river cruise ship such as the AmaPrima proved to be a fantastic venue, offering fine dining experiences and the opportunity to sail to beautiful destinations. Marcia highlighted their experience hosting a variety of groups, including doctors' annual events, golfers visiting Europe, incentive travels, and more. The size of river cruise ships allows for flexible arrangements, making it feasible to host events of varying sizes. Notably, AmaWaterways conducts river cruises in Europe, Asia, and Africa
TO ALL TEAM ON BOARD THE AMAPRIMA
THANKS NOTE
I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the entire team on board the AmaPrima for providing such a beautiful and privileged experience: thank you!