My Favorite River Ship

(and all the reasons I love her)

I’ve sailed, inspected, and even just dined on river ships from many different lines, and I will encounter additional examples when I attend the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam in March 2024.

Every company has its own vibe and its own design ethos, and, generally speaking, they all meet a good standard. But there are differences, and some differences will matter more to one guest than another. The key is matching a client to the right cruise line and the right ship. As a travel advisor registered and certified with a variety of lines, I can book clients wherever we find the best fit. Truth be told, I definitely have my personal favorites, and those are the companies where you will see me hosting groups. 

But even among many lovely ships sailing the rivers of the world, there is one that has really stood out to me so far. I invite you to join me for a little visit to the AmaMagna.

Queen of the Danube

As evidenced by the aerial shot of the ship at the top of this newsletter, and the pickleball court shown here, the AmaMagna is wide. Very wide. Almost twice as wide as your standard river ship: 72 feet versus 38 feet. Generally speaking, most river ships are the same width and length, 38 by 443 feet, but each line divides that space differently. The locks on the Danube are wide enough to accommodate two standard ships side by side, but only one ship like the AmaMagna.

Yet even though it is nearly twice the size of the others, the AmaMagna only carries 21% more guests. Most AmaWaterways ships hold 162 passengers on that standard size I mentioned above (a few, such as those in Bordeaux, Vietnam, and Egypt are smaller and therefore have fewer guests). Now, imagine twice the usual space but there are only 34 more guests (196 in all). That’s what you call the luxury of more! 

And now think about this for a minute: Viking takes that same standard size ship and squeezes 190 people on it. How does that extra space on the AmaMagna sound now!?

You can see by the entry foyer pictured below how open and roomy this ship feels, and that feeling continues throughout the entire vessel.

Many Lounges for Relaxation

The first areas you may encounter as you board the AmaMagna (after the reception desk) are the multiple lounges. If you arrive early you will be welcome to enjoy a light lunch and a glass of wine if your stateroom isn’t ready yet.

In addition, the main lounge is the location for daily informational gatherings during Sip & Sail, a pre-dinner Happy Hour where the cruise manager will fill you in on everything coming up the next day.

There are also smaller lounges scattered around the ship, with libraries as well as a movie screening room.

Dining aboard the AmaMagna

Many river ships have only one dining option, and some others also include a second option (some companies charge for the “variant” dining rooms). The AmaMagna has four distinct gastronomic experiences to offer, and all four venues are included in your voyage fare. You will also find snacks in the main lounge at different times of the day.

The first is the elegant main dining room. You can eat all of your meals here if you like, and you will enjoy menu and table service at each meal (at breakfast there are also some buffet items for the diner in a hurry). Highlights here include the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, aka the French Dinner, and the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

The next is the intimate Chef’s Table, which every guest can enjoy at least once during their cruise. Your evening here will be shared with only 24 or so fellow passengers, and the six course tasting menu will be presented to you by the chef. 

In addition to these two, you may also dine at Jimmy’s Wine Bar, with convivial family style service, or Al Fresco, which offers lighter Mediterranean-inspired fare and stupendous views through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view of each dining venue.

Fitness and Wellness

The healthy attitude starts in the dining room. While the cuisine can be indulgent, and you might enjoy many courses at every meal, the food is also wonderfully fresh and healthfully prepared. The only thing the freezer accommodates is their homemade ice cream!

Onboard the AmaMagna, like every AmaWaterways ship, you will enjoy the services and company (if you choose) of a Wellness Host. Each day this crew member will offer multiple classes and activities both on and off the ship. The Wellness Host accompanies the local bike tour guide for all of those tours as well as some of the hikes. In addition you may have the opportunity to join an after-meal active walk, or check out one of many different classes on the ship starting early every morning and spaced throughout the day, from “champagne” yoga in the morning to resistance work, cardio, strength training, and Zumba. 

The Zen Wellness Studio includes a nicely-equipped gym and massage rooms, but my favorite equipment is definitely the spin bikes on the aft deck (what a view!). Next to the onboard gym you will also find a juice bar with refreshing and healthy snacks to sustain and refresh you after your workout.

On the vast sun deck, there is a pool, a walking track, and that fulI-size pickleball court. Of course, you ARE on vacation, so you can be a complete layabout if you like, relaxing indoors or out—on your private balcony, on the sun deck, or in any of the many lounges.

Your Well-Appointed Stateroom

Naturally, the cabins aboard the AmaMagna also assure the luxury of more. While a cabin of 200 square feet on most river ships might be designated one of the highest categories, on this ship the smallest stateroom is a generous 205 square feet. 

The photos below illustrate an SB cabin, which is a midsize accommodation on the AmaMagna. It is a 355 square foot suite with a huge bathroom and oodles of storage. But even the entry category cabins on this ship are extremely well-designed to be efficient and comfortable. There is terrific closet and cabinet space, plenty of electrical and USB outlets, and many other amenities sure to make your trip is perfect.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, why not splurge on an even more fabulous Grand Suite?

Always Leave Them Wanting More

Every time I disembark, I'm already thinking about the next one. But I’ll tell you a little secret at this point. My husband was not really that excited about going on his first river cruise, and I really had to twist his arm to join me on the AmaMagna. However, just as I expected, he was blown away by his experience sailing the Upper Danube on the AmaMagna and can’t wait until his next river cruise. (He will be traveling to the Loire Valley and Bordeaux with me in October, aboard the Uniworld SS Bon Voyage.) 

By the end of this year, I will have completed my third Upper Danube sailing with AmaWaterways, discovering new delights each time, thanks to the wide variety of included excursion options.

But I thought it was about time to explore the countries along the Lower Danube, so I have just signed a group contract for the Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary on June 22, 2025. I will have my custom AmaWaterways flyer available for distribution in the next month or so, and booking can begin in earnest at that time. 

If you reserve your stateroom by the end of this year you can take advantage of a 10% early booking discount--AND for the first three people who book, I will have an additional 5% discount for you. Let me know if you’d like me to follow up with that information when it is ready. Staterooms will start at approximately $3959 per person, double occupancy, during the time the 10% promotion is applied.

In the meantime, you can peruse the itinerary here.

The latest updates for 2023 and 2024 (click each trip for details):

Luxe Loire and Brilliant Bordeaux (late October 2023): Please inquire regarding last-minute availability for this fabulous French adventure.

Celebration of Classical Music on the Danube (mid-November 2023): Space is available; please inquire as to whether promotional pricing has been extended.

Vietnam and Cambodia (January 2024): Sold out; wait list only. 

Alluring Amsterdam (March 2024): This trip is now confirmed, having reached the minimum number of guests. Please inquire for current availability.

Incomparable Istanbul (May 2024): This trip is almost sold out. There is one spot remaining for a solo traveler only (own room).

Québec City (June 2024) and Greece (September 2024) info will be coming very soon. If you would like to be on the first dibs list for either of these trips, please reply to this email indicating your interest.

And of course, let me know if you would like to reserve your stateroom on the AmaMagna for our trip in 2025–or for any upcoming dates you would like to experience the luxury of more with your significant other, friends, or family!

Á la prochaine,