aldukenew

Just curious, what was your reason for talking to guest services about this? Were your discounts not showing when you signed up?

The free coupons were listsed on the sheet that was in my cabin, but I could not remember how to set it up a few days later when I wanted to use one of them, so I went to Guest Services for assistance. That's when they told me I had to pay, even after I told them of the information on the sheet. If I had remembered to just open a browser, I would have seen the options available to me - "free with coupon", but I had not remembered that. The next person I met with was very helpful.

Allyson

We're were on Freedom this same week and were able to get it and someone saw this posting and asked during the CC meet & mingle and we were told this rad not true. I'm going to ask a friend that's on this week.

 

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I just got off the Anthem yesterday. I am Diamond Plus and was told by Guest Services that I had to buy a discounted package in order to use the Internet. I went up to the Concierge Lounge and the Concierge said it was not true. He called down to Guest Services and said for them to stop telling people this. Apparentlly, there was a communication to staff about this new policy, but, at least for now, they have backed off. I received my free two 24-hour access.

Allyson

We will be on the May 1 AMALea, very excited would love to hear your review on the ship. One question, do they allow you to bring wine on from the ports we visit?

We just booked our 4th AmaWaterways cruise - our first was the Tulip Time in 2013. It was spectacular and that's why we have returned mulitple times. You can bring whatever you want on board at any time. No restrictions - as long as it's legal!

Allyson

Hi, I can only speak for AMA since I have only cruised with them.......I LOVED IT and highly recommend them.:D

Ditto!

Allyson

I will mention something here which other posters have not. We have done two Viking River cruises and one AMA. The big difference to us was AMA had a small fitness room, which we used. They also offered two biking excursions on a seven night cruise. Viking had neither of these options, thus we feel AMA is more directed towards "active" cruisers. This is NOT a criticism, it is just our preference. I emailed Viking after they came out with their new "longboats" and asked why they did not add a small fitness room and active (biking and hiking) excursions and their reply was "that is not the demographic we are aiming for".

On our last Ama cruise in September, they rolled out their new wellness program, with daily classes, including stretching, yoga, runs, etc. On past cruises, the bike tours were excellent. You can also sign out a bike and go out on your own. We hope to sail on our 4th Ama cruise next year!

Allyson

Can anyone tell me what type of internet connectivity is available on AMA ships? I understand we'll have a connection in our cabin, but what exactly is it? Use of a laptop? Are we able to navigate the web and check email? Thanks.

 

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On our recent cruise in September on the AmaLyra, there was an Apple monitor (iMac?) and keyboard. You can do whatever you want. Wifi was available throughout the ship. However, I did not get a chance to try it on the sun deck, as it was rainy.

We have done 16 river cruises and our hands down favorite is the Rhone. We have done the itinerary twice, once with AMA and once with Uniworld. Enjoyed both but preferred AMA for food, service, excursion options and entertainment.

 

We did the Douro with AMA and while the scenery was stunning, it was not a favorite. Too much bus time for our liking, no docking overnight in interesting places that we could explore, ports themselves not our favorites, except for Porto. We will return to Portugal but on a land trip and we will focus on the Algarve.

 

We do enjoy the Rhine and liked the variety of cultures and countries. The Alsace was the highlight for us.

Thanks, Caviargirl. We will be sailing with Ama for sure and will continue to gather comments from those of you who are experts!

Allyson

I would venture to say that the Rhine ports are similar to the Danube but with more castles. The local cuisine is much more interesting in France than Germany/Netherlands. I would lean towards the Rhone unless you are consider the Rhine AND Moselle...Alsatian cuisine and wines are very interesting!

Great info. Thanks. I am making note of all comments!

Allyson

Also should have mentioned that the Rhine is a spectacular river with multiple castles along the Rhine Gorge. If the ports are most important to you I would choose the Rhine.

Cole

 

 

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Thanks, Cole. This is helpful.

Allyson

My friend and I have done 3 river cruises with AmaWaterways - Tulip Time, the Danube, and the Paris to Normandy. All have been spectacular. We want to book a 4th and several folks on our Seine cruise, including the Cruise Manager, raved about Lyon to Arles (the Rhone). We have never been to Portugal, so the Duoro is in the mix, as is the Rhine. Thoughts?

Allyson

HI all you AMALyra travelers.... I am thinking of doing the Paris to Normandy ad staying in category B (French balcony) I can either get cabin 224 on Cello deck or 325 or 326 on the Violin Deck. All of them in the back, is there any advantage or disadvantage to any of these? Thanks

Deck 3 (Violin) is the highest deck. On our first Ama cruise, we had a cabin on the Violin deck (AmaCerto). On the second 2, we had a cabin on the Cello deck, with French balcony (both times). I could not really see a big difference. Higher is usually considered better (more expensive), but I couldn't really tell the difference.

Allyson

Now that we are just a day out from our flight, I am removing items from my luggage. I will save my dress and bathing suit for a cruise out of Florida this winter, and even have removed a couple of sweaters to save space. I am learning not to care about repeatedly wearing the same things, and am getting attached to black pants and multiple scarves and shawls. I am glad that AMA is generally pretty casual. The line and itinerary we sailed on last year required some dress clothes for off-ship events, and while it was a fantastic cruise, I am looking forward to a more relaxed atmosphere this year.

I have gotten great feedback from so many happy AMA travelers; my anticipation is high, and I am more than ready to get on with our adventure.

A nice touch: Ama gives each lady a beautiful scarf at the beginning of the cruise. That's one less scarf for you to take!

Allyson

Thank you, Allyson. It is not too late for my packing, and I am happy to hear from several women that a dress is not necessary. We leave for Europe on Tuesday, but will spend 9 days in Ireland and Paris before embarking on the Lyra on Sept. 28. I am planning for cool weather everywhere, and will bring rain gear, but hope we don't have too much rain. Our Danube cruise last year at the same time was very rainy. We never saw the sun deck on that trip except for embarkation day.

Both excursions sound excellent; I always want to do everything that is offered and hate to have to make choices, but it is wonderful that the choices exist. We are definitely looking forward to trying AMA after all the excellent comments.I am sorry that the captain will be on vacation; it sounds as if his replacement will have a lot to live up to.

One silly question if anyone remembers: does the boat have decaf tea among its offerings? Not a big deal, but it might save me a smidgeon of space if I don't have to bring a box.

Captain Masson should be back by then, but you never know what ship he will be on. He is from Avignon, so France is a strong possibility. I am sorry to say I am not a tea drinker, so I don't know about the decaf tea. The crew bent over backwards to please. I hope you have a wonderful time! I am still wishing I were still on the ship!

Allyson

My reply is probably too late for your packing, but I just returned yesterday from the AmaLyra Paris to Normandy cruise and it was spectacular! I will say it was rainy and cold most of the time, so sitting on the sun deck was not an option. We took the Honfleur excursion (beautiful), as well as the trip to Van Gogh's last residence (wonderful). We did not dress up for the Chef's Table - just a nicer top for the ladies. Everything about this trip was fabulous. Sat at the Captain's table with the adorable Captain Geoffrey Masson - he is on a 2-week break now.

Allyson

Thanks for the review:)........I sailed AMA for the first time last year (TULIP TIME). It was my first river cruise and I LOVED IT. I keep looking at this Paris cruise........it keeps calling out to me......maybe I need to book it for next spring;)

Leaving in 9 days for Paris for the Normandy cruise. This will be our 3rd on Ama after Tulip Time and Romantic Danube. Can't wait!

Allyson

On our AMA cruise, the Captain's Welcome was not a dinner. As we entered the lounge before dinner, each lady was handed a rose by the captain and all guests were offered a glass of champagne. Do not recall if this was the first or second night. No sorcial dress required.

Agreed. It was a welcome reception, then dinner was held. Champagne and roses!

LOL - I am getting just as conflicting info on this thread.:D I will just plan to go prepared! :)

 

 

 

I am shooting for the night before the last day, too!

 

In at least one of the reviews that I read, and on a video, it clearly stated "Captain's Welcome." Maybe it's just a welcome by the CD. Or maybe it is a "welcome" by the Captain at the beginning of this dinner (that the booklet says to dress for) that may or may not happen. Who knows!

 

 

 

My itinerary booklet makes no mention of a Welcome Dinner. Only Oktoberfest. ;)

 

Thanks all!

Don't worry about it....it's all good!

And the booklet that we received even says "bring smart casual clothes and something a little dressier to wear to the Captain's Dinner or out to a concert." I have also read (seen videos) to dress nicer at the Chef's Table.

 

So dress aside... Is the Captain's Welcome the first night onboard?

Captain's Farewell or Captain's Dinner...when? And are they the same event?

 

 

 

Thanks! You too. We leave Thursday for Paris, then on to Prague and Vilshofen. Went to Normandy in May of 2016. ;)

The welcome dinner is not hosted my the captain, as I recall, but I could be wrong. There is a welcome reception with safety information before dinner on the first evening. Then dinner. I just read my journal from our previous trips. The Captain's dinner was the night before the last night on our first cruise. On the last one, we ate at the Chef's Table that night, so I am guessing it was that night.

The Captain's Farewell Dinner is really about saluting every staff and crew member. It is not a formal, or even 'dressier' affair for the passengers.

In our case, I think it was just the perception of the "Captain's dinner" that caused folks to dress differently. Also we sat with the captain, so we dolled up a little :D

Going on AMAViola 7 night Romantic Danube next week. I have been reading reviews and trying to figure out what to wear, and when. We like to dress CC casual, and dress slightly nicer for the Captains Dinner's/Formal/Chic Nights that we have on ocean cruise ships. But we do not dress formally anymore.

 

Could someone tell me if the Captain's Welcome would be the first evening that we are onboard...even being the same night as the OKTOBERFEST?

And when is the Captain's Farewell Dinner held? I have read that it's the last night, the night before last, and even 2 nights before disembarkation. :confused: And isn't this the dinner that's a little dressier? Thank you in advance!

We were on the AmaSonata for this same itinerary 2 years ago and, if my memory is correct, the attire for the first night (Oktoberfest and welcome) was casual. Most folks had traveled all day. The Captain's dinner was dressier, but not "formal" as on ocean cruises - maybe a nicer top for women and maybe (not required, I don't think) a jacket for men (no tie necessary).

Have fun! We loved that cruise and leave in 2 weeks for Paris to Normandy on the AmaLyra.

Allyson

I am glad to hear that. Maybe it isn't a big deal. It said curling irons.

From the AmaWaterways website: Curling Irons

For safety reasons, the use of your personal curling iron is restricted on board the ship. A limited number of curling irons are available at reception.

Hi

We are leaving on AMA Paris to Normandy on August 3rd. We are doing our pre stay at Relais St Germaine. We arrive July 30th. We have hired Paris By Michael for two walking tours before we board. We have booked the Westin Vendome for four days after. Looking forward to our third tour with AMA. We've done Danube and Vietnam / Cambodia.

Bookjjworm,

What did you think of the Viet Nam/Cambodia cruise? This will be our 3rd Ama cruise (Paris to Normandy on Sept 7th) after Tulip Time and the Danube. We might book another on board and the Viet Nam one intrigues me.

Allyson

I wrote a long one last year:).........it is in the Member Reviews section if you want to read it. I had a FANTASTIC

time:D

Our 2013 Tulip Time cruise on the AmaCerto started our love of river cruising! Leaving Sept 4th on our 3rd with AmaWaterways from Paris to Normandy.

Pls post impressions, suggestions etc. Doing this itinerary in July

Thx & have GREAT trip

Carole

And we are on this trip in September!

Allyson

You are welcome!

 

On both of our river cruises with AmaWaterways, the typical attire in the dining room was "business casual." (I think that is the best way to describe it.) For the ladies, I noticed casual dresses, sun dresses, skirts, or pants with a nice top. The men wore assorted short-sleeve dress shirts, polo shirts, long pants, etc.

 

At the Captain's Dinner (if I remember correctly, that's what it was called) some people got a little dressier (ladies added a little bling) but not gowns or suits.

 

Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. We really enjoyed the meals, wine and the company of others at our table.

 

On a side note... we enjoyed a tour of the wheelhouse with the captain. It was fascinating to hear about the ship, navigating the rivers and getting to hear about the locks, and other interesting stories. Just another example of how friendly and personable the crew are on AmaWaterways.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we have!

 

Bobbie

Final payment made for our 9/5 Paris to Normandy cruise on the AmaLyra. Can't wait! This will be our third AMA cruise. We are in Paris for 2 nights pre-cruise at the Renaissance Paris Republique.

Allyson