AMA WATERWAYS EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

We arrived in Munich the day before our cruise from Denver non-stop  and checked into our hotel. Since we were early, they kindly took our luggage for us. We strolled over to Marienplatz, enjoyed lunch, and made plans to return for dinner later.

Our meal featured delicious schnitzel and sausages, and of course, I indulged in a large beer. The following morning, we headed to the train station to board our train to Vilshofen. Upon arrival, we exited on the neighborhood side rather than the business side and crossed under to catch a taxi to the ship. This marked the first trip for the Ama Verde post-Covid, so the crowd was intimate.

Once aboard, we settled into our stateroom. That evening, we took a short walk to a tent hosting a special Oktoberfest event just for us. They claim it's exclusive to Ama. We enjoyed some German snacks, having just dined on the ship, while sipping beer and listening to a band play our favorite oom papa tunes.

The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast without buffets. We placed our orders, and our server delivered them to us. After breakfast, we embarked on a walking tour of Passau. I found the gates to the city along the river particularly fascinating, designed to close when flooding is imminent. The views while dining on board and relaxing in the lounge after dinner were stunning, with a couple performing piano and vocals for our enjoyment.

We then sailed downstream to Linz, where most of the town was closed for a holiday. However, we still had a lovely time mingling with a few locals, and the tram ride added to the fun.

As we cruised through the breathtaking Strudengau and Wachau Valley, I couldn't help but capture moments on video, only to have our cruise director frequently interrupt with narration. For insights on cruise directors, I recommend Mark Twain’s “Innocents Abroad.”

In Vienna, we took a walking tour and observed the renowned Lipizzaner horses. After lunch, we visited the market and purchased some Hungarian paprika.

Next on our journey was Bratislava, where we explored the white castle on the hill, oddly devoid of furniture. It struck me as peculiar that royals would bring their own furnishings and alternate between summer and winter castles. Given that this was the first cruise after Covid, many storefronts were shuttered, and I hope they have reopened by now.

As always, Budapest was enchanting. We visited the Fisherman’s Bastion, which offered stunning views of the river from the impressive white fortress, and the cathedral was equally breathtaking.

The cruise itself was exceptional, featuring all sit-down meals with no buffets available. Cocktails were reasonably priced, and they even had a complimentary happy hour. The food was beautifully presented, and local wines were included during lunch and dinner.

Our cabin steward was a wonderful lady from Ukraine, and we offered her an extra tip in light of her circumstances.