A River Cruise is Like None Other

Relaxing in the Lounge

We arrived in Munich the day before our cruise and checked into our hotel. As we were early, they kindly took care of our luggage. We strolled to Marienplatz, enjoyed lunch, and decided to return for dinner later.For dinner, we savored schnitzel and sausages, and of course, I paired it with a large beer. The following morning, we made our way to the train station and boarded our train to Vilshofen. Upon arrival, we exited onto the residential side rather than the business side, crossed under, and took a taxi to the ship.

This marked the Ama Verde’s first voyage post-Covid, resulting in a smaller crowd.Once on board, we explored our stateroom. That evening, we walked a short distance to a tent hosting an Oktoberfest event exclusively for Ama guests. We nibbled on delectable German snacks, having just dined on the ship, enjoyed a beer, and listened to a band play familiar tunes.The next day, breakfast was served without the buffet experience; we placed our orders, and our server brought our meals. We then visited Passau for a walking tour. The most fascinating aspect for me was the city gates along the river, designed to close when flooding is imminent.

We relished stunning views while dining aboard and unwinding in the lounge post-dinner, where a couple entertained us with piano and song.We then set sail downstream to Linz. Although much of the town was shut down due to a holiday, we still had a wonderful time connecting with locals. The tram ride was quite enjoyable as well.Cruising downstream through the Strudengau and Wachau Valley was breathtaking. Every time I captured video, our cruise director felt compelled to narrate over the speaker. For thoughts on cruise directors, I recommend Mark Twain’s “Innocents Abroad.”

In Vienna, we took a walking tour and saw the Lipizzaner horses. After lunch, we visited a market and bought some Hungarian paprika.Our next stop was Bratislava, where we visited the intriguing white castle on the hill that lacked furnishings. It seemed unusual to me; they explained that royals would bring their own furniture when moving between their summer and winter residences.

Since this was the first cruise after Covid, many storefronts were closed, but I hope they have since reopened.As always, Budapest was stunning. We visited Fisherman’s Bastion for panoramic views of the river; the white fortress offered remarkable vistas, and the cathedral was exceptionally beautiful.Overall, the cruise was superb.

Every meal was served as a sit-down, with no buffets available. Cocktails were reasonably priced, and there was a complimentary happy hour as well. The food presentation was exceptional, and we enjoyed local wines at lunch and dinner.Our cabin steward was a woman from Ukraine, and we gave her an additional tip due to the circumstances.