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The ship’s pool is heated, so it can still be wonderful to enjoy in the spring and fall. The Rhine River is the setting for one of Europe’s most popular river cruise itineraries. Typically sailing the length of the river between Amsterdam and Basel, these enchanting Rhine River cruises visit the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. This memorable journey of discovery is a rich cocktail of delights perfectly suited for those who love spectacular scenery, history, culture, wine, and outstanding cuisine. AmaWaterways is taking significant steps towards a greener, more sustainable future for river cruising, the environment and the communities visited.
Rhine & Moselle Fairytales
To that end, each ship has an onboard wellness instructor who organizes daily activities, including yoga, cardio workouts, and dance classes. AmaWaterways also offers shore excursions, ranging from a gentle cable car ride over vineyards to a Black Forest hike. I’m sailing from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, on the 156- passenger AmaLucia, which was christened in 2022.
Europe’s Rivers & Castles
AmaWaterways invited me to be their guest to sail their 7-night Captivating Rhine itinerary from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, on their newest ship, AmaLucia. This floating luxury boutique hotel is filled with amenities, including a panoramic lounge, an expansive sun deck with a pool and walking track, complimentary bicycles, and daily wellness activities. All accommodations are spacious outside staterooms, and the majority have AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies. AmaLucia also offers multiple connecting cabins as well as triple and quad accommodations, which are ideal for families and multigenerational groups. Cruises along the legendary Rhine are filled with centuries-old castles, Gothic cathedrals, terraced vineyards, storybook villages, meandering canals, and culinary delights.
French Cheese
While only 4% of the country’s residents work in agriculture, France is the third largest wine producer in the world. Another favorite area of AmaKrisitna is the Sundeck, which has an outdoor pool and pool bar for when the weather is nice. The ship also has a fitness room with assorted workout equipment, including weights, and a track around part of the Sundeck. One of the most impactful visions of the ship is when you enter and see the circular elevator flanked by two winding staircases. When you sail the Colors of Provence itinerary with AmaWaterways, you travel on the Rhône River in the South of France. Shopping at boutiques along the Rue du Dôme, the Rue des Juifs, and in Petite France was a treat.
Nuclear power is the primary way most of the towns in Provence get power. The third largest wine region of the 14 in France is the Rhône area, which has 175K acres of vineyards. In addition, as we explain in more depth below, be sure to go on the Paul Bocuse Les Halles Market Food Tour in Lyon if you’re an epicurean or even the slightest bit interested in French food and drinks. It’s an included tour option on the AmaWaterways Colors of Provence cruise. There is a nice variety of cruise excursions you can choose from that focus on French food and wine. Onboard, you’ll find French wine and some French-inspired food options here and there.
Colorful canals and glistening lakes, hilltop towns and majestic alps, mighty fortresses and storied castles, and hearty beer and delicate wines can all be experienced on this fairytale journey through time. Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine captivates. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee and Kölsch beer—and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
I fell in love with this “Gem of the Alsace,” a historic city that blends both French and German cultures. Strasbourg’s Grande-Île, an urban island created by a tributary of the Rhine and a canal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with cobblestone streets, enticing shops, and sidewalk cafes. Amawaterways’ Captivating Rhine itinerary takes cruisers through several exciting destinations including Cologne, Germany, which is known for its UNESCO-protected cathedral. With a wealth of fascinating destinations to visit along the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers, we have specially curated a variety of unique 7-to-14-night itineraries for you to choose from in every delightful season. To reduce the use of plastics, AmaWaterways uses paper straws, refillable glass water bottles and refillable Pure Herbs soap and shampoo dispensers in all staterooms.
Experience More
All this and more awaits you as you experience the many medieval treasures of Europe. Our experience on AmaKristina during this time of year was incredibly memorable. The temperatures were perfect, and we lucked out with sunshine almost daily. The crew and our Cruise Director were outstanding at pivoting and adjusting the cruise schedule accordingly to minimize the strike's impact.
You are allowed to bring the cheese onboard, and there is a refrigerator in each cabin. During our cruise, we learned that the French consume over 50 pounds of cheese per person per year. They eat a lot of bread and pastries too, but they remain a “slim” nation with a relatively low obesity rate. France is the only country in Europe that is self-sufficient in basic food production.
Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Rhine. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents. The video showcases the brand’s current initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics, minimize food waste and contribute to the preservation of the planet’s water resources. It was most affordable at grocery shops in the bigger cities where we could find them and packaged in nice bottles, good enough gift. We loved going to the Carrefour grocery store whenever we could, like in Lyon.
Sailing through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, a roughly 40-mile stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, was an unforgettable highlight of my Rhine river cruise. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with historic castles, palaces, fortresses, and legends. Walk through thousands of years of history in the medieval towns of Rothenburg, Bamberg and Miltenberg. Revel in the architectural gems on display and discover the Alsatian capital of France, Strasbourg and savor local flavors like rich Rüdesheimer coffee and hearty Bamberg smoked beer.
AmaWaterways to Include Free Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Tours - Travel Market Report
AmaWaterways to Include Free Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Tours.
Posted: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
While we have always had positive experiences with French people, including Parisians, you may have heard “rumors” that French people are rude. Sightseeing guides show you the top attractions and share their knowledge of local history and culture. Plus, these trips provide great value as so much is included in the upfront price -- accommodations, meals and beverages on board, enriching entertainment and sightseeing excursions. Guests can soar above the vineyards on a gondola ride to the hilltop Niederwald Monument, join a wine tasting, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet museum, and take a guided biking or hiking tour.
The official language in France is French, though most people speak English in the country, particularly if they’re in a tourism-related industry. Expand your imagination in fairytale villages with medeival Market Squares and half-timbered houses where folklore and history come alive in every street. Blend German heritage with Italian in Trier, with its Roman Imperial Baths and the Porta Nigra; and with French heritage in Strasbourg, and you have the most splendid journey.
For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. In honor of Earth Day, AmaWaterways shared a video showcasing its sustainable efforts towards responsible tourism, according to a company statement. They hope to help deepen your passion for and understanding of cruising and the world’s waterways. Sometimes Sailing is a cruise-focused website by Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, a couple passionate about cruising. We took a 45-minute bus ride to reach the ship, which was nothing compared to what could have happened had the ship been unable to navigate two locks before the strike.
