I was very disappointed when I boarded the AmaMagna. I thought I would be the youngest on board! How wrong could I be?
How things have changed since my last excursion on a river. While the popularity of river cruising has rocketed, the age demographic has plummeted and I can’t say I am surprised as it’s the perfect introduction to a cruise-y holiday and tons of GenX’s are jumping on board now.
There are a multitude of fantastic river cruise options for Australians so I was naturally eager to try AmaWaterways on their Munich to Budapest Danube sailing.
Formerly represented by APT here in Australia, AmaWaterways opened a dedicated office Down Under in May this year, elevating their commitment to the Australian and New Zealand travel trade, which is a great reflection on how popular river cruising has become for this market.
The AmaMagna is the largest river ship in Europe and stands out as one of the most exceptional cruise vessels in the world. Twice the width of traditional river ships, I cannot wait to check her out.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
After a very efficient pick-up service from Munich airport, we arrived at the port of Vilshofen. I am gobsmacked at the first sight of my floating home for the next week- its enormous! They say size doesn’t count but I beg to differ.
I am sharing a cabin with one of my best girlfriends and to put it politely we are not in the bloom of youth (GOGS, if u will…slightly grumpy old gals!) so a little space goes a long way and one of AmaMagna’s most significant advantages is its suite sizes.
The ship’s extra width allows for spacious accommodation with most suites ranging from 32- to 65-square-metres. These staterooms are more than just larger; they are thoughtfully designed with full balconies, luxurious bathrooms and ample storage, creating a true home-away-from-home feeling.
I am also delighted to see our stateroom has an apple mac computer, large monitor, keyboard and mouse. We can access the internet (free of charge), watch complimentary movies, satellite TV stations and the ship’s webcam.
The super-friendly crew deliver us and our bags to our room, and we are quickly swept up in the welcome drinks with the captain, a very dishy young 35-year-old with a killer sense of humour and wait…what’s this? Am I on an episode of The Bachelor? He is proffering red roses to all the laydeeees!
In a nod to the company name AMA (Latin for love), this rose ceremony has become a beautiful AmaWaterways tradition. On a first date if you are given a red rose that’s got to be a winner, right?
FOOD AND DRINK
With four dining venues, the ship offers more variety than any other river cruise ship (and even the smaller ocean cruise ships for that matter).
The main restaurant, The Main Dining Room, serves exquisite multi-course meals with a focus on local cuisine and international favourites. It seats up to 140 people and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with a daily live cooking station serving popular choices like Vietnamese pho and pasta creations, while dinner is a sit-down event.
For a more intimate experience, the menu at The Chef’s Table is a long, lovely, lingering affair with an amuse-bouche, appetizer, salad, fish course and meat course.
Plating is inventive and a feast for the eyes and tummy! You can actually watch the chefs make your meal, thanks to an open-kitchen concept.
Al Fresco Restaurant provides a casual, open-air setting with light, healthy meals and great views. Jimmy’s Wine Bar & Restaurant features a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying tapas-style share plate dishes paired with an extensive wine list.
Whether dining indoors or outdoors, AmaMagna delivers a gourmet experience featuring fresh ingredients, regional flavours and world-class service.
There is a great selection of alcoholic beverages, including complimentary fine wines, local beers and handcrafted cocktails available during meals and at the ship’s bars making every meal a memorable part of the journey.
EXCURSIONS
Excursions are exciting….and excitingly FREE on this river cruise.
They are designed to immerse you into the rich cultural tapestry and scenic beauty of Central Europe. Each port of call offers carefully curated experiences that cater to a variety of interests, from history buffs to nature lovers.
This cruise includes must-see cities like Vienna, with its grand palaces and vibrant arts scene, Budapest with its incredible architecture and the grandeur of the Parliament Building.
In smaller towns like Dürnstein and Melk, excursions highlight charming medieval streets, historic abbeys and picturesque vineyards.
This Danube itinerary flows through the heart of Europe, combining the charms of these incredible European hotspots and is one of the favourites of AmaWaterways co-founder and president Rudi Schreiner, and I can completely understand why.
The guides are extremely knowledgeable and it’s worth noting that AmaWaterways grade all the excursions as either “gentle” or “active”, making it much easier for those who are not as mobile as others.
If, like me, you want to stay active, the AmaMagna offers guided biking tours along the Danube’s scenic paths and hiking in the Wachau Valley that allow for a closer connection with the river’s landscapes.
These excursions are thoughtfully designed to provide enriching, authentic experiences and the almost daily cycling tours are fantastic and assist with managing the delicious over-indulgence of the incredible on-board hospitality.
WELLNESS
There is no excuse to pile on the cruise pounds on this trip.
As well as the almost daily bike tours there are spin bikes on the sun deck and a well-equipped gym with modern fitness machines, free weights and space for group exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates and core strengthening.
There is even a dedicated wellness coach who loved to put us through our paces. With temps in the mid-thirties, the circuit classes on the sun deck were positively “bikram-like”.
The Zen Wellness Studio, complete with juice bar and massage room, provided some wonderful relaxation and the spacious sundeck, with its pool, whirlpool and plentiful lounging space, was the best spot to watch the world go by or to view the scenery (glass in hand) as we entered each port.
CONCLUSION
The AmaMagna’s combination of luxury, space, dining options, wellness facilities and personalised service makes it one of the best river cruise ships for those seeking an extraordinary experience on the water.
Its innovative design and commitment to guest satisfaction ensure that every journey is not just a cruise, but an unforgettable adventure redefining luxury and comfort on the waters.
