Karen Carlson nearly missed the boat, literally, when she was uncertain about sailing aboard AmaWaterway’s AmaDolce — one of 19 custom-designed ships, each with fine-tuned itineraries, leisurely exploring the Rhine and Douro Rivers.
When Carlson’s friend cancelled less than a month before their departure date, fate stepped in and navigated her away from jumping ship, even before she boarded. After a 29-year career as a film producer, Carlson wanted a break. What she experienced was an expertly designed schedule, which any passenger can tweak to reflect their lifestyle. The AmaDolce has 75 staterooms, accommodating 146 passengers with a crew of 44.
“You can get lost aboard the AmaDolce, with everything from a walking track and sundeck to The Chef’s Table restaurant, seating 16 passengers, separated from the main dining room. It was a quick, yet smart, travel decision, since the cruise turned out to be a mix of day tours, lectures and unexpected opportunities to truly relax onboard without having to deal with the crowds you encounter on mega-cruise ships that have several thousand passengers to keep happy,” Carlson said. And there is more to lure the well-traveled.
AmaWaterways has a menu of themed cruises available with several focused on wine, including one to the Douro River in Portugal, and others on the Rhine, Rhone and Seine rivers. Wienerschnitzel and Sacher Torte aside, the dining aboard AmaWaterways is inspired by the itinerary and honors an essential travel ingredient, creating a sense of place. There is also an afternoon tea from 4-5 p.m. Daily briefings on ports of call keep the journey sailing smooth.
Other AmaWaterways themed cruises include Christmas Markets Cruises, a Champagne Cruise and, this year, a Knitting New Year’s Cruise, featuring textile expert and author Barry Klein — a first for AmaWaterways.
Last year, Helen Varon of Rancho Mirage, Calif. and her daughter-in-law signed up for an AmaWaterways seven-night Jewish Heritage Cruise, with visits to Vienna’s Jewish Museum, the home of Holocaust hero Oscar Schindler and the Nuremberg Palace of Justice.
“The walking tours were educational and insightful, giving passengers an opportunity to delve into history without rushing through the real story,” Varon said.
These well-organized shore excursions have had an impact in the cruise world. AmaWaterway’s poetic fleet is now making more than a splash cruising the rivers of Europe, with ships named AmaViola, AmaSerena, AmaCerto, AmaBella and more.
Moving forward, AmaWaterway’s vision is making waves for cruise fans with the goal of expanding eco-tourism. Searching for a cruise to South Africa? Chic 28-passenger ship, the Zambezi Queen — designed exclusively for up-close wildlife viewing along Africa’s Chobe River — captures the essence of this region with luxurious touches, such as a balcony for each stateroom.
The trips also include overnight stays at five legendary game lodges in South Africa and East Africa. There are five departures between now and Nov. 8. Don’t miss the boat! For more information, visit AmaWaterways.com.
Follow Pam Price at Forbes.com/sites/PamPrice.
