hoosier2017

Just a suggestion to bring some of those disposable hand warmers with you.  We brought them for our cruise which was in November and it was nice to put them in our gloves or pockets to take the chill away on a morning excursion!  

We are scheduled for the Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel) in November on the AmaSerena.  We were on the same ship a few years ago down the Danube.  Some evenings there is music in the lounge, but we never saw any dancing.  Only for the chefs table did we dress up a bit.  Our farewell dinner was on a boat cruise in Budapest due to low river levels and we were put up in a beautiful hotel for our last night.   Hope this helps and that you enjoy your trip! 

With the wine cruise they bring in an owner of a vineyard.  (The cruise we went on had an owner from Northern California) He did a wine talk/tasting one evening and I believe his wines were served at dinner that night.  Personally, I’d go with the dates that work best for you.  I didn’t feel the presentation added anything to the cruise, but we still had a wonderful time.  Hope this helps!

There are certainly days you can go from shore to dining room.  When we ate at The Chefs Table specialty restaurant we dressed up (black dress pants and blouse) some men had jackets and ties, some did not.  The main dining room was casual, leggings, jeans, sweaters, etc.  Depending upon the time you return to the board, there is a Sip And Sail Happy hour and then straight into the dining room. Hope this helps.  Hope you have as wonderful of a trip as we did on AMA.   Scheduled for our second trip with them in the fall.

We are booked to travel in early November down the Rhine.  Fingers crossed that we get to go.  I’m sure it will be different from our last cruise, but I’m fine with new protocols and procedures to get back out into the world.  Must keep a positive outlook to get through this and have something to look forward to.  

The pictures on the AMA website (and you can look at your actual ship) are exactly what you get.  There was also a fridge in the room.  Bathroom was compact but fine for us wIth storage in the medicine cabinet.  The room is “cozy” but we didn’t have a problem with the size.  One morning while sailing we sat at the back of the ship (in the evening the room is used as the chef’s table dining room, another afternoon we were up on deck soaking in the sun (a beautiful warm November day), the lounge is always open with plenty of seating.  The staff is incredible, friendly and will do everything to make you happy.  Enjoy your trip.  

Hi Annie11455. We were in one of the smallest cabins in 2018.  There are pictures(I recall) on tha AMA website and in their brochure. We found the cabin  sufficient for us. Just two windows just above the water.  Our luggage fit under the bed and there was plenty of closet space, shelf space and night stands with a drawer on each side.   Our ship sometimes tendered to other ships so those with balconies had a “view” of someone else’s room.   We spent very little time in the room since we were put all day on excursions or in the dining room or lounge. We booked again in 2021 and took the same room.

Hi AF-1.  We sailed in November of 2018.  We usually changed for dinner but not necessarily dressy (leggings, a sweater or blouse) but we did dress for the dinner at The Chef’s Table.  Most men had jackets, ladies were black pants and blouses.  Few were in dresses.  For the most part it is very casual in the dining room but most people we never were told any dress code as in.no jeans. I’m sure there were nights my husband wore a pair of jeans to dinner.  

Hi Katmu

we loved cruising in early November.  The weather was very good, holiday decorations just coming out in certain cities, a low crowds.  Off season, in my opinion, is the way to go.  We just booked for November of 2021 and I’m already counting the days (ok, months.....).

We were on an AMA cruise just over a year ago.  There were a few singles on the cruise. We invited one gentleman to each lunch with us and often saw him dining with other couples as well and joining in with different groups of people on excursions.   The staff on board goes above and beyond, so although we went as a couple, I’m sure they strive to make solo travelers comfortable.

As for the water levels, we did our Danube cruise in November.  Water levels were fine until the end and we were bussed to Budapest.  In the thread leading up to the cruise some trips in the summer and autumn were a real problem due to very low levels.  That said, you never know depending upon snow and rain fall in the winter.   When we were bussed to Budapest, we were put up in a five star hotel for the evening and although we had to pack everything to leave the boat a few days early and certainly missed the staff, AMA did everything possible to make the rest of the trip wonderful.  

Hello fellow Danube river cruisers.  Just finished up on the AMA SERENA. Left vilshofen last Friday.  All was great until Wednesday night.  Bused Thursday from Bratislava to Budapest instead of sailing from Vienna to Budapest.  Overnight hotel stay.  AMA did what they could including a group lunch, lovely hotel, and dinner cruise on the Danube (illuminations cruise).  We certainly missed the amazing staff and quality of food we had to leave behind due to the water levels.  Weather for the week was fantastic, but that comes with a price of the water levels continuing to go down in certain areas.  

Can I pay my gratuities by using part of my on board credit?

Try page 16 of this thread.

Thanks! Hope you had a great time!

Has anyone heard of any scheduling changes for AMA Danube river cruises due to water levels? We have approximately a month to go before we leave. I know so much can change in that time frame. Just wondering what (if anything) AMA did to change itineraries. Hoping for lots and lots of rain for the next few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who responded! I really appreciate the information.

Can anyone tell me how people dress for excursions and meals. My husband saw an advertisement for a different river cruise line and people seemed dressed to the nines for both. Is there time to change when you return from an excursion for dinner?

I'm recently back from the AMA Viola Melodies of the Danube. I do have all the daily programs. The file is too large to post to this thread, but if anyone wants to see them, I'd be happy to email them to you. Barbara

Hi Barbara

Could I trouble you to email them to me please

Shonemanfamily@comcast.net

Thanks so much

Can’t wait to go

Meryl

Beachbumsns and seniormom thanks for the information. Sounds like such a nice way to mix and mingle with other guests. Beachbumsns looking forward to your review and hope you had an amazing trip.

Has anyone who has cruised recently taken part in the Sip and Sail? If so could you share some details? Was this before dinner? Thanks!!

Thanks Carole Lee. Every single thing I have read concerning AMA notes that exceptional service. I can’t wait to experience the same and know we won’t be disappointed. Our cruise isn’t for months and I already find myself looking at the other itineraries AMA offers for another cruise the following year.

I see so many Viking threads but not many AMA threads. Doesn’t matter to me except I crave information and details prior to traveling. Everyone on this thread has been terrific.

Do not fret. Last July our flight was early (tailwinds). We cleared CDG @ 6:45am.AMA was waiting for us. The transfer rep stated that she had monitored the flight & knew we would be very early. When we arrived at AMALYRA the experience was repeated. Reception checked us in and then said as they knew we would be early our cabin was ready(VERY NEAT & CLEAN) & waiting for us,oh and please go the the dinning room and have (a full) breakfast. AMA goes an extra way to make you feel special without being smothering or charging you for every little thing. Just booked AMA #3

Enjoy

Carole

Thank you Carole. Can’t wait! I appreciate the information. I’m sure after our first AMA in November there will be another one in the future.

We had the full afternoon and early evening to ourselves in Budapest. At 8:00 pm we left for the Illuminations Cruise, which was amazing. Having said this our cruise was in April so may have gotten darker earlier than your cruise.

Thanks! I think we will be able to get to a few things in that time frame. Whatever we can see will be great and the things we miss will be a terrific excuse to return one day.

Can anyone tell me if there is free time in the afternoon in Budapest? The activities list a morning tour of 4hours in duration. I’m hoping to see Great (grand) market hall and possibly another site in the afternoon. Not able to extend a few days at the end of the cruise. Thanks to everyone for posting here. The information is so helpful.

Great question. I’d love to know the same in regard to the Danube cruise.