vandy86

I have 2 questions.
1. Have any of you all traveled with either Emerald or Amras cruise lines. I have just recently gotten information from the and they appear to be kind of new .

2. Are cabins with verandas as opposed to french balconies a good value for the extra cost? I have no idea how much time one actually spends in your cabin so it's hard for us to decide on this as we select the type of cabin we want. If you spend too much time in your cabin ,it seems you would would miss half of the scenery since it's on the other side of the boat.
Thanks in advance. If anyone has suggestions on lines to use or anything that you all think would help a first time river cruiser ,I would appreciate hearing it. Thanks

Tocsin

I've not travelled with the lines you mention, so can't help there.

We spent little time in the cabin, though the french balcony was nice to have. Mostly did sightseeing from the sun deck, which unlike the big cruise ships is only a short walk from the cabin. Personally, I would choose more room in the cabin itself, or lower price.

A lot of the entertainment/ sightseeing is away from the boat - a good pair of walking shoes is recommended (though there are different options for older/ less agile passengers).

One thing to be aware of is that weather, leading to high or low water levels, can affect the itinerary (too low can't travel, too high can't get under bridges).

Lastly, there's a section on Cruise Critic (UK site) that may be useful: http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/river/index.cfm?sr=uk

Hope that helps!

cruisr

Ive been on 7 River Cruises and personally I wont go unless I have at least a French Balcony. I have also sailed with a balcony and I rarely used it. Its nice to sip a glass of wine before dinner but as you said, you are missing 1/2 the scenary. I don't feel the sit on balconies are worth the exra $$ as long as you have a French Balcony to give the cabin an open, airy, feeling. I sometimes just pull the chair over to the French Balcony, rest my feet on the rungs of the balcony and relax.

Travel K

I really like Ama Waterways, personally. Have you looked at them? They are a really great, small company and treat guests well.

wrp96

I'm going on Ama in June on the Danube. Any hints? This will be my first river cruise.

Travel K

Yes! They have a fleet of bicycles so you can ride along side the boat. If you are active at all, it is a great experience. It is a unique (as far as I know) feature to them.

cruisr

Which AMA riverboat are you on and which River? I have done every River in Europe that they cruise on.

There are organized bike sightseeing tours that you have to sign up for and have two escorts, one in the front and one in the back. Sometimes necessary as people who have not been on a bike in 20 years feel that they can bike 20 miles. As some go slower they are not left behind as there is an escort bringing up the rear. You are also able to sign out a bike on your own, You must wear a helmet and sign a waiver whether you go solo or with a group. You don't actually bike alongside the ship as the ship,is docked when the bikes come off. There is one case where you do get off in the AM, bike and meet the ship later in the day at a different port.

There are different levels of walking tours from the ship which are complimentary. There are active (normal) walking tours and then there are leisure (slow) walking tours. They use to have late riser walking tours but I have not been on in two years so they may have eliminated them.

Most tours (walking and motorcoach) are included, there are a few that you on extra for. One of these is Salzburg, which I recommend and another is Schonnbrun Palace in VIE. I find it easy to do that one on your own and spend more time there if you want.

The entertainment is local and is wonderful. New performers come on neatly every night.

Enjoy

wrp96

We are on AmaSerena from Prague to Budapest on the Danube, staying 3 days in Prague pre-cruise.

I probably will not avail myself of the bikes (as I know I'm not in the shape for that) although I'm sure my friends will, but will do the walking tours.

I've been to Salzburg several times, and love it but I think we have the option of going to Czesky Krumlov that day and I've never been there. Would you still recommend going to Salzburg over Czesky Krumlov?

cruisr

No, not if you have been there already. As I had been there I went to Czesky Krumlov. There use to be another tour that day that went into the countryside but not sure if they still have it. I really enjoyed Cesky Krumlov. It's a beautiful,drive there and back. town is cute, good shopping and cute cafes. You have a walking tour and then free time, I wandered off from the group as I like to explore on my own and just met the, back at the bus parking lot later.

AMA Serena is one of the new class ships and very nice.

wrp96

Thanks. Really getting excited.

wrp96

To follow up, everything was amazing. AmaSerena was absolutely beautiful, the crew completely anticipated needs and went above and beyond. Although I'm not sure they'll ever be the same after our group. We stayed up quite late every night drinking and dancing. They hadn't ever seen that many people out on the dance floor - maybe one or two couples at a time, not 20-30 people. But even then they accommodated us by playing music off our phones (and taking notes of what songs to add to their own play lists).

For tours, I loved that they had hikes and bike rides for my very active friends and very gentle tours for the days where my feet said no more. The cruise director was extremely helpful, even helping arrange private tours and dinner reservations for our post cruise stay.

Czesky Krumlov was probably my favorite stop on the cruise or maybe tied with Budapest, but every place was special.

cruisr

I'm so glad you liked Czesky Krumlov. glad I could help. I have been on 6 cruises on AMA and except for one when I had a group of friends with me the lounge was dead after the show/nightrtainment.

Who was your cruise manager?

wrp96

All I can remember is his first name was John. He's English but lives in Budapest.

cruisr

Thanks. Never sailed with him but all the CMs I have cruised with were just incredible. They work so hard and always smile. My favorites were Katie from England and Christian from Germany

wrp96

The day we were in Melk, he was helping those of us in the gentle group onto our minibus, when he was approached by one of the guides from another cruise line. Apparently she had run into a passenger from yet another line, that thought our buses were for her ship. Hers had left 30 minutes earlier - and her ship was leaving in 15 minutes. So he just put the lady in the van with us and we took her to her ship.


Our first night in Prague, he heard our group talking about wanting to do chef's table one night. We got to the ship and we had our invites for that evening.

His attention to every little detail was amazing.


We also got to walk through and tour ships from several lines and we were highly impressed with our ship versus others. I know many were jealous of of the swim up bar in the pool (well really giant hot tub).

Oh and I don't know if you know it, but Ama now offers hikes in some of the ports for active cruisers too. One was in Passau and one was to the abandoned fortress on the hillside above Durnstein.