Amawaterways Rhine River Cruise

Lion Statue Lucerne Switzerland

I recently returned from an AmaWaterways Rhine River cruise, and after more than 20 years in the travel industry, I still love experiencing destinations and cruise products firsthand. This particular sailing also gave me something especially valuable as a travel advisor: the opportunity to see how AmaWaterways handles the unexpected.

We experienced low water levels on the Rhine, which meant our original itinerary had to be modified. While itinerary changes can initially be disappointing, some of the unexpected destinations ended up being highlights of my entire trip—including Antwerp, which I absolutely loved.Starting Our Journey in BaselOur trip began in Basel, Switzerland. We arrived early enough to explore Basel that evening before beginning our Rhine journey.

The following day, we took the train from Basel to Lucerne for a day trip. Lucerne was absolutely worth the visit. We took a cruise on beautiful Lake Lucerne, saw the famous Lion Monument, walked across the historic covered Chapel Bridge, and enjoyed lunch before taking the train back to Basel.

It was an easy way to add another Swiss destination to our trip, and I would absolutely recommend arriving early enough to explore beyond Basel if your schedule allows.Breisach and Beautiful ColmarFrom Basel, we traveled to Breisach, Germany, which served as our gateway to France's Alsace region. We spent the day visiting Colmar, one of those European towns that almost doesn't look real. Colorful buildings, canals, cobblestone streets, flowers, cafés, and centuries-old architecture make it an incredibly charming place to explore.One of the things I love about river cruising is being able to experience destinations like Colmar without packing and unpacking or changing hotels every night.Strasbourg — What a Location!

Next came Strasbourg, where we stayed overnight. This was one of my favorite stops.We explored both the German influences of the region and Strasbourg's beautiful historic center, including Petite France. With its canals and half-timbered buildings, this is exactly what many travelers picture when they dream about visiting Europe. We also visited Strasbourg's magnificent Gothic cathedral and saw its famous astronomical clock. Having the overnight gave us more time to experience the city rather than simply rushing through for a few hours.

When low water changed our Rhine cruise: low water conditions meant AmaWaterways needed to modify our original itinerary. River cruising is unique because water levels can occasionally affect where ships are able to sail, and this trip was a perfect example. AmaWaterways adjusted our journey, and we traveled by bus through Luxembourg before continuing to Antwerp, Belgium.

And then came the biggest surprise of the trip. I LOVED Antwerp!

Antwerp wasn't even on our original itinerary—and I absolutely loved it. Sometimes an unexpected change introduces you to a destination you might never have chosen on your own. Antwerp was that destination for me.The architecture, historic squares, restaurants, cafés and overall atmosphere made it a place I would happily return to. What initially felt like an itinerary compromise became one of my favorite experiences of the entire vacation. From Antwerp, our journey continued through Belgium with a visit to Ghent before heading to Dordrecht in the Netherlands and ultimately ending our trip in Amsterdam.Our AmaWaterways StateroomWe stayed in one of AmaWaterways' signature twin-balcony staterooms, which gave us both a French balcony and a full outside balcony. I loved having both.The French balcony allows you to open your room to the scenery and fresh air, while the outside balcony gives you your own private space to sit and watch Europe pass by.

On a river cruise, where the scenery is such an important part of the experience, I think having a balcony can add tremendously to the trip.

What I Learned From This AmaWaterways Cruise:

This trip reinforced something I tell my clients all the time: travel doesn't always go exactly according to plan. Weather, water levels, transportation and other circumstances can change an itinerary. What matters is how those changes are handled—and sometimes the unexpected becomes one of your favorite memories. Our Rhine cruise didn't follow the itinerary we originally booked, but we still experienced Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands, along with some wonderful surprises along the way.

And now, when a client asks me what it's really like to sail the Rhine with AmaWaterways—or what happens if low water affects their river cruise—I don't have to read the answer in a brochure. I've actually experienced it. That firsthand knowledge is one of the reasons I believe working with an experienced travel advisor matters. I can help you choose the right river cruise, the right itinerary and the right stateroom—and prepare you for the things you might not think to ask before you go.