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There’s so much to see and do along this route, as I was able to experience recently with AmaWaterways. The award-winning, family owned and operated cruise line is celebrating its 20th anniversary and offers highly immersive river cruises on many of the world’s most scenic waterways, including the Rhine. But what distinguishes AmaWaterways from the seemingly endless array of Rhine River cruises is its wellness program and active excursions. It’s no secret that river-cruise passengers tend to be older, but this company is a go-to for those who like to start the day with vigorous bike rides and cap it off with a vineyard-side wine tasting.
Day 8
Since then, another 19 river cruise ships in AmaWaterways’ European fleet have earned the Green Award certification. All ships are able to connect to shoreside electric power, which further reduces fuel consumption and noise levels while in port. AmaWaterways has lessened unnecessary food waste from large-scale buffets by serving a la carte lunches on board European ships. Our sailing offered a wealth of opportunities to be immersed in the history, culture, and landscapes of Europe. All 21 enriching excursions offered on our AmaLucia voyage were included in the cruise fare, and two to four tours were available in each port of call.
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The AmaWaterways team created fantastic camaraderie on our cruise, encouraging close interaction with staff members and other guests. Guests come together to share stories at mealtimes and get to know each other better on shore excursions. We had fun with new friends in the evenings, enjoying the entertainment and dancing the night away in the Main Lounge and at parties on the sun deck. This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation. Another fun perk of a fall river cruise in the South of France was the breathtaking autumn colors in the vineyards. We didn’t see grapes on the vines because the workers harvested them by October.
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Night Fly-Cruise
The spice blend includes rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram, parsley, tarragon, and other spices. One of the things to know about river cruising is that the river's water levels affect whether or not you can sail. Sometimes the water can be too high, making sailing impossible because the ship cannot pass under the low-clearance bridges along the route.
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That’s generally true of most cruises, whose cuisine needs to cater to a broad audience. The sun was shining, and the skies were blue as we pulled away from the port, turned away from the attractive Pont d’Universite bridge, and sailed south. The dining room on the ship is very nice, with booth seating and tables. The common spaces, including the lounge areas and a small library and bar, are great places to relax after a day in port or to enjoy entertainment like listening to the piano player. You'll sail to and visit lovely French cities and villages on this itinerary, including Lyon, Beaujolais, Vienne, Tournon and Hermitage, Avignon, and Arles. AmaLucia’s sun deck is another great place to watch the Rhine’s ever-changing landscapes.
Most AmaWaterways river cruise ships have a professionally trained Wellness Host on board who leads complimentary yoga, Zumba, and other fitness activities throughout the journey. Active shore excursions, including guided bike tours and hikes, are also offered in ports of call. Guests who prefer riding in their spare time rather than taking a biking excursion can use AmaLucia’s complimentary bicycles. AmaKristina was the first river cruise ship in the industry to receive the prestigious Green Award, which recognizes ships in Europe for their quality, safety and environmental performance.
After touring the castle, we had plenty of time on our own to explore the Old City with its countless shops and boutiques, stroll along the waterfront, and relax at an outdoor café while sampling German beers. You can sign up for a cruise sailing from Lyon to Avignon, north to south, or select the opposite direction from Avignon to Lyon, south to north. The only difference between them is the river cruise ship's direction and the order of the towns you visit; the itinerary and towns you stop at are the same. When choosing your river cruise ship, consider the amenities that would make your vacation more pleasurable. Europe’s summers are often hot, so spending time in the pool is appealing. AmaLucia’s sun deck features a lovely outdoor pool, and I was thrilled to kick back and cool down there during our cruise in July.
It also provides biodegradable Tetra Pak water containers for excursions. Additionally, luggage tags are made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottle material while the myAmaCruise app has virtually eliminated paper. Because of this, the guests hardly noticed an impending strike that could have very much affected the cruise. Luckily, AmaWaterways knew a lock workers strike would affect the fifth day of our cruise. Because they knew this beforehand, the captain, Cruise Director, and crew planned accordingly. The best is if you can find a French cheesemonger and ask about the cheeses, then decide what you want to purchase.
Day 13
During our October cruise, we sailed past hillside vineyards, castles, and gorgeous foliage turning from green to yellow. AmaLucia offers an environment of casual luxury, along with an incredibly welcoming staff. It was fantastic to spend time relaxing on board and enjoying the ship’s amenities, exceptional cuisine, personalized service, and vibrant onboard community. We did see plenty of souvenirs available with lavender motifs and scents, though!
But don’t be surprised if you encounter a lot of French tourists while you’re in ports during a Provence river cruise. The Rhone River is around 500 miles, but you only sail a portion of it during this AmaWaterways 7-night river cruise. Mile marker “0” (zero) on the Rhone River is at the Confluences in Lyon, which you sail past during the cruise. Some of the best moments of my AmaWaterways river cruise were spent on our ship, simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking scenery. It’s rare to have this kind of pleasurable downtime, and our floating luxury hotel provided front-row seats for the Rhine’s spectacular show.
Cruise through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting iconic landmarks and enjoying the majestic landscapes along the Rhine River. Dramatic rivers yielding to fairytale towns and iconic cities all come alive as you discover four countries along the storied Rhine and Moselle. Take in the architecture and artistry of castles such as Brussels’ Gaasbeek and Ghent’s Castle of the Counts before gliding past more than 40 fairytale castles in the Rhine Gorge on one immersive sailing! Enjoy your entire 14-night Grand River Cruise on board the same beautiful ship as you experience the best of Holland, Belgium, and the Rhine River.
Savor the storybook atmosphere of some of Europe’s most charming towns and along the way, get swept up in the many treasures just waiting to be discovered along the Rhine and Main rivers. While operating sustainable, environmentally friendly ships is fundamental to AmaWaterways, both Zambezi Queen and AmaMagna go above and beyond with eco-friendly features. Zambezi Queen, which explores the Chobe River in Africa, uses a five-stage water purification plant, employing river water in the showers and tap aboard. The ship’s water jet propulsion system replaces a conventional system, ensuring there is no damage to the riverbed. Throughout the night, the ship operates on battery power and only the low-emission generators run throughout the day. If you want to be sure you’ll see lavender fields during a summer vacation in Provence, extend your cruise with a land trip before or after the journey to venture into the countryside.
