Divine River Rhine
We find dining, wine, and a divine line’s prime time aboard AmaPrima
The dominant narrative of river cruising consistently touches on the all-inclusive nature of the experience. The intimate camaraderie, complimentary excursions, fascinating villages, and delicious cuisine all make the case for almost any itinerary, but what makes the AmaWaterways adventure on the gorgeous AmaPrima so special is the selection of captivating destinations encountered on her 10-day Rhine and Moselle Delights itinerary.
THE RAINBOW- COLORED FAIRYTALE BUILDINGS THAT LINE THE COBBLESTONE STREETS BURN THROUGH EVERY CAMERA’S DIGITAL MEMORY.
Swiss Sensibility
The embarkation city of Basel, Switzerland, sets the stage for days of cruising on the iconic Rhine River. Modern-day engineering has tamed this waterway’s legendary wild image with an ingenious series of locks, making the transit of this 443-foot luxury vessel a riveting spectacle for guests.
Although the river’s calm current creates a sense of solitude in the midst of the characteristic sights of Europe, it would be a mistake to correlate the river’s serenity with boredom. This voyage is full of life. Its complimentary excursion program is robust, engaging, and absolutely brimming with scenic pageantry.
Days begin with a high-powered buffet breakfast, fueling the well-rested body’s engine for the day’s activities ashore. The first morning finds the vessel docked in Breisach, Germany, a stone’s throw across the river from neighboring France. A short drive through the wine country of France’s Alsace region delivers guests to the medieval village of Riquewihr. The rainbow-colored fairytale buildings that line the cobblestone streets burn through every camera’s digital memory.
Revelations Aboard
As guests return from the morning’s outing, themed midday feasts are served in a hybrid buffet style featuring salads, soups, cheeses, and the chef ’s special entree station, supplemented by full-service main-course options. Following lunch, afternoons aboard offer the opportunity to witness lock transits, attend port briefings, or enjoy AmaPrima’s upper deck swimming pool, complete with a swim-up bar, a surprising design element for a river vessel.
Bright, immaculate balconied suites come stocked to the brim with cruise-comfort essentials. Decked out with fashionable furnishings, these elegantly appointed sanctuaries reflect a devotion to detail. Not only do the balconies provide a virtual window on the world, but even the spacious indoor sitting area affords a double-panel, floor-to-ceiling view. A spacious bathroom sports a glam look, with wall-to-wall designer tile and a luxurious rain shower. All accommodations offer an on-demand entertainment system. Complimentary Wi-Fi satisfies the urge to share the river’s captivating panoramas with friends back home.
Free-flowing regional wines and gourmet dining are hallmarks of an AmaWaterways cruise, with emphases on presentation and top-quality ingredients dispelling any misguided notion that river cruise cuisine might hover around “average.” The main dining room consists of a combination of large and medium-sized tables surrounding a central section of large-cushioned booths. The more intimate Chef ’s Table venue, at the aft of the vessel, serves up a to-die-for tasting menu that features Michelin-style service and expertly prepared dishes with perfectly paired wines. This option is complimentary, flying in the face of the trend towards added-cost alternative dining.
The company’s acclaimed spa offers a complete menu of revitalizing treatments. Remaining in ship-shape is the well-intended goal of the onboard wellness program, implemented by a dedicated host offering health and lifestyle enhancement. Guided bicycle outings, extensive hiking excursions, and a reasonably sized gym provide an outlet for those with an appreciation for invigorating activity.
Old World Reimagined
Venturing down the Rhine unveils postcard-perfect Strasbourg, a French city that provides aspiring social-media-star visitors with a full day of utopian Instagram venues. A journey to Heidelberg Castle, followed by the picturesque village of Rudesheim, reveals strokes of rural Germany, a secluded region that nevertheless possesses a quintessential charm.
At the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, the vessel makes a hard turn to port, allocating a bonus 3- day diversion into the extraordinary scenery afforded by the Moselle. The vessel slices through the vertical terrain of vineyards climbing skyward on terraced cliffs, interspersed with quaint villages lining the banks. The winegrowing village of Bernkastel and the city of Trier, Germany’s “Rome Of The North,” offer captivating insight into the country’s diverse historical influences.
After the delightful, unexpected detour, the vessel eventually returns to the Rhine, setting its sights on Cologne, Germany, with a treasure trove of architectural gems including its crown jewel, the magnificent, Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Ultimately, the grand-finale visit to kinetic Amsterdam arrives — a fitting end to the 10-day exploration of Old Europe.
The Numbers Add Up
It’s easy to do the math. Two storybook rivers, four countries, and 12 fairytale cities in 10 glorious days aboard one stunning riverboat all add up to indelible memories plus countless stories for a lifetime. With 22 vessels plying the rivers of Europe, China, Africa, and Southeast Asia, choosing an innovative itinerary for a river-cruise holiday with AmaWaterways is effortless.
THE GRAND- FINALE VISIT TO KINETIC AMSTERDAM ARRIVES — A FITTING END TO THE 10- DAY EXPLORATION OF OLD EUROPE.