It’s a remarkable feat as the captain eases AmaMagna gently and precisely into a lock on the Danube. There doesn’t seem to be more than a couple inches of clearance on either side of this new ultra-wide ship in a lock that would normally handle two river ships side by side.
The unique ship that maxes the space possible on a European river cruise has just been named one of the World’s Greatest Places by Time Magazine for its quality, innovation, sustainability and influence.
It really is a destination in itself. But we’re also sailing on the incredibly romantic Danube River. When you’re experiencing it on AmaWaterways’ new AmaMagna, there’s a lot more to love. Here are features that set the new ship apart:
Romance is always in the air
Whether you’re enjoying the scene from your private balcony, on a deck lounge chair or at the bow, the scenery is the inspiration to write a waltz. The ultra-green rolling hills on the banks of the Danube frame views of Baroque steeples in fairy tale towns. Kids smile and wave as we sail close to the stony shores where swans bob in the swift-moving current.
The stops along the way are also classics. We start from a dock alongside the elegant Chain Bridge in Budapest and sail out past the city’s impossibly ornate skyline. Next comes exploring the streets of beautiful Bratislava, a day in graceful Vienna and days tying up in picturesque towns in the wine district of Austria and Germany that inspired generations of artists and musicians. And we end up at Vilshofen, Germany, where there’s an Oktoberfest awaiting us no matter what month it is.
The luxury of sheer size
Because the locks on the Danube are wider than on other rivers in Europe, Rudi Schreiner AmaWaterways’ co-founder and president started thinking, why not build a dedicated ship for the Danube that’s double-wide to create the luxury of twice as much space inside?
All the extra width means lots more additional space for guests. The ship doesn’t carry many more passengers than a standard-sized ship half its width. That means the suites can be the largest of any on Europe’s rivers.
Even the smallest accommodations on this ship are larger and priced only slightly more than the equivalent window or outside cabins on other AmaWaterways ships. More than half of the suites are premium priced and measure 350 square feet, more spacious than you’ll find on any other European river ship. And there are six remarkable grand suites that measure in at 474 square feet that are as roomy as the most spacious suites any ocean-going ships.
The décor is sophisticated, predominated by dark woods and lavish fabrics in golds and rich colors. All the suites have an entrance hall, a wall of closets, a bathroom with a separate toilet compartment, double sinks, roomy shower stalls with both rain-forest and hand-held, multi-jet shower heads. In the grand suites, there are elegant stand-alone tubs as well. Amenities include plush bath robes, Hydro and Elemis amenities and a lighted magnifying mirror.
The layout also includes more options for families and groups. AmaMagna has connecting staterooms on two decks that can become adjoining with triple and quad occupancy.
More options for relaxed dining
Unlike many traditional river ships, where everyone tends to rush to stake out a table in the dining room after the evening social gathering in the lounge, there’s less time pressure here. With four venues, there are always fewer diners in the main dining room and you can linger over cocktails and good conversation in a lounge and arrive fashionably late and still find a table.
There are enough seats to offer more tables pour deux, but also options to dine with as many friends as you wish. The most innovative space is Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, which has big communal tables, long enough to share with up to a dozen friends or family if you wish.
The dinner courses—from a menu featuring the same daily specials as those served in the main dining room–are presented family-style and everyone at the table can help themselves to as much or as little as they want, (and you can always ask for more). The restaurant is extremely popular, and as its wine bar title suggests, the complimentary wine and beer keeps flowing with dinner
Another attractive innovation is the casual Al Fresco Restaurant, at the bow of the ship with a view through picture windows and seating outdoors. Through the day it transforms from a very extensive breakfast buffet to a luncheon buffet. For afternoon munchies, you can order from a menu of tapas to enjoy along with a cool drink. But then in the evening, with a reservation, you can watch the sunset on the river along with a specialty dinner.
One more must-do is the famed Chef’s Table, which is more spacious room on board AmaMagna than on other AmaWaterways ships. The extra space lets the chef really become the center of attention, preparing dishes on a table in the middle of the room. He’s there to explain the preparation and answer any questions you have during a seven-course extravaganza.
And not to be missed is the La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gala dinner on each cruise. AmaWaterways is part of this prestige international gourmet association as the first cruise line to ever be invited to membership. The signature dinner is a six-course extravaganza, but the quality of food throughout the cruise shows that Ama lives up to its gourmet status.
Is there something special you want to do or celebrate? You can customize the experience. “How can I be of assistance?” or “Of course, I can get that for you,” are the invariable responses of the staff of 70, many of whom have experience on other AmaWaterways ships and have moved up to the new double wide flagship and they always provide impeccable service.
Shake it up in a real show lounge
Another bonus of double width is that the lounge located amidships has a real show room shape as opposed to the long and slender lounges that have to be fitted on the narrower ships that ply Europe’s rivers. The lounge and its two side rooms that feature crackling fireplaces, are furnished with a range of comfy and beautifully upholstered arm chairs and sofas. Conversations always flow freely thanks to another AmaWaterways innovation, a happy hour that offers complimentary drinks before dinner, which always comes with free-flowing wines and beer.
After dinner, there are generally local entertainers brought on board for shows and after that, you can call the tune from a talented musician and DJ who somehow seems to be able to conjure up just about any kind of music you can think of. Three generations of a family on board couldn’t stump him, calling out their favorites as they all got up and danced.
Unique tour options
Every day includes walking tours of cities and towns visited with a variety of activities, from strenuous to gentle walks to bus tours. But the average AmaWaterways guest is younger and more active than on many river cruises and the ship has a huge corral of bicycles on deck to take out on guided or unguided spins along the river.
Most of the tours are included in the fare. A wonderful outing on this cruise was the Tastes of Bratislava, a very small group that walked to many of the same attractions as other tours on offer, but ended in a brew pub where the barkeep kept the brews and snacks coming.
With so much more to love, AmaMagna really is a destination in itself. You’ll have to experience it to fully appreciate it.
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