My Amazing Week Onboard the AmaMagna
I had the most wonderful time traveling through Europe on AmaWaterways newest and largest vessel, the AmaMagna. I’m so excited to share all about this ship and my lovely onboard experience. I stepped onto the AmaMagna in Germany two days after its christening. I’ve enjoyed many open ocean cruise ships and a few privately chartered yachts, but river cruising was completely new to me.
The AmaMagna joins AmaWaterways quickly growing fleet of 20+ ships, and it makes an impressive addition to the Danube River cruising scene at nearly twice the width of traditional European river cruise ships. I was instantly struck by the elegance of the onboard entry area designed with two towering trees and matching wrap around staircases.
My room for the week was cabin #109, I have always stayed in balcony and suite rooms on cruise ships, so this was my first experience traveling in a state room without a private balcony…and I was pleasantly surprised. My cabin category was the smallest on the ship, coming in at 205 sq. ft., but it was well designed and quite comfortable for the week. From the pillows and bedding to the plush robe and slippers, it was clear a certain attention to detail was put into creating a welcoming space. I also loved the smart room control pad for lighting, room temperature, entertainment etc.
My cabin offered two large windows. I enjoyed a unique perspective of viewing things straight on from “water level,” which was quite beautiful as you can see from the picture below. It was taken from my room when we sailed directly in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.
The real treat was my bathroom! In my cruising experience it’s rare to find a comfortable and spacious shower without upgrading to specific room categories/suites etc. My shower was easily twice the size of many I’ve had onboard cruise ships in the past. Duel shower heads including a ceiling waterfall encouraged me to take my time and enjoy getting ready each day. I can only imagine how nice the bathrooms are as the room categories go up on this ship...I’ve heard many have lovely soaking tubs as well (sign me up for that next time 😉)! The only slight drawback for this US girl was a complete lack of US outlets (all outlets on the ship are Euro)…but I brought my international converter and adapter which I used everyday, and it worked just fine.
The food and dining options were first rate. From 6:30am until midnight, I found myself surrounded by fresh locally sourced cuisine (paired with fine wines at lunch and dinner). I could enjoy continental breakfast with a view at Al Fresco or order from the menu at the Main Restaurant. There were afternoon sandwiches and cakes, along with signature cocktails daily. Dinner offered many options…Al Fresco had light dining delicacies, and there was fine dining at the Main Restaurant. Jimmy’s offered wonderful family style dining (it was my personal favorite dining spot on the ship), and a unique tasting menu was available at the Chef‘s Table.
If by some miracle you didn’t step away from dinner absolutely stuffed for the evening, you could enjoy a snack at Al Fresco, or wine and tapas at Jimmy’s until midnight. The self service coffee bar was a big hit as well…when I couldn’t pick between tea, cappuccino, or hot chocolate, I could just indulge in all three of them! 😉 All the food on board was delicious, and the service was just as stellar. Servers Kristian and Milos made such a positive impression…I felt like I was being welcomed into my favorite local restaurant everyday.
During our sailing, I enjoyed relaxing quietly by the fireplace in the library, and I always found open seating to enjoy local entertainment in the Main Lounge. There’s a workout center with a great view, and exercise bikes that overlook the waters edge. The AmaMagna has a cozy onboard cinema that showed nightly movies. Some of the other onboard amenities included laundry facilities, a hair salon, and a spa for wonderful massages.
I loved the stunning views from the sundeck as we sailed through the many locks. We got so close to a few bridges you could actually touch them!…see my Ama IG stories highlight for more on that. The sundeck boasts plenty of comfortable seating, and the swimming pool/hot tub are a real ship highlight! With a rooftop bar directly in front of the pool, one can enjoy a cocktail and a cool dip anytime.
Every day the AmaMagna welcomes aboard local guides, and cruise guests have the option of taking multiple sightseeing tours: “gentle tours” for the less active, hikes and multi-location tours for the active guests, and even some pretty intense bike tours for the most adventurous. With all the included excursion options, it’s easy to see why AmaWaterways was awarded the 2018 Cruise Critic Editors Pick for Best River Cruise Line for Active Guests.
I love that I was introduced to each city by a qualified English-speaking guide who shared important information, including local history and points of interest. I also had plenty of free time to explore on my own as well. If you’re an adventurer like me, this offers the best of both worlds by giving initial direction and also the freedom to discover and explore.
Our Captain was wonderful, and I think every guest felt personally welcomed by him. The daily ship check-in process (after our excursions) was seamless thanks to Christian, who was so kind and skilled. By the end of the first day he was greeting me by name and continued to do so for our entire journey. Our receptionist and daily gift shop greeter, Jelena, was so personable and friendly. She made me fall in love with AmaWaterways even more as she always welcomed me with a warm and friendly smile, eager to assist in anyway possible.
I loved every location we visited on our cruise itinerary (and I can’t wait to share all our ports of call in an upcoming post). From the people to the tours to the local cuisine, it’s clear AmaWaterways takes great pride in sharing their love for river cruising with each guest. I left with a new found love for river cruising and our amazing ship, the AmaMagna.
