If you have never seen the Christmas Markets during the winter in Europe, you should put it on your bucket list. We took an AmaWaterways River cruise on the Danube during late November and early December. It started in Budapest, stopping in Melk, Vienna, and Salzberg, in Austria, and then Linz, Passau, Regensburg, and Nurnberg in Germany. After Nurnberg, we boarded a shuttle bus to Prague in the Czech Republic.
River cruising is one of the best ways to see Europe
One reason I love a river cruise is that it’s an intimate experience. There were only 149 passengers on the ship with 49 crew members. Once you’re aboard, you never have to unpack, schlep luggage, or worry about transportation. The ship drops you off in historic city centers that have had small ports on the river for centuries. Our daily tours were arranged so that we would have dinner, and sometimes lunch aboard the ship.
This allowed us to socialize with the other passengers. The ship also provided fun activities while we were en route to our next destination, which included a beer and sausage party, a strudel demonstration, and live musical performances.
Our cruise director Monika was exemplary. It blew my mind how organized she and the entire crew were in coordinating tours and schedules. She would show up at exactly the right time and everyone made it back on the ship when they were supposed to.
The food onboard was gourmet and delightful
Our regular dining experience was excellent but the Amacerto also has a specialty restaurant that you can choose to eat in for an even more luxurious experience. All of our meals were elegantly presented and the service was superb.
Maneuevering the locks
A river cruise is smooth as silk, unlike an ocean vessel that must navigate through rough seas. If you get seasick, there is no need to worry. It’s rare to ever experience a bump or jolt and, except for the gorgeous scenery, you almost forget that you’re on the water.
Our ship had to slide through 21 locks on the Danube. This usually happened while we were on a land tour or in the middle of the night. Navigating the locks is an fascinating experience, although it could be unnerving to the claustrophobic.
It was chilly outside so we couldn’t to take advantage of the pool area on the top deck but otherwise, the weather was pleasant. he ship was festooned in all its holiday glory and there was always an abundance of gourmet coffee, festive desserts, and delectable appetizers.
See more photos from the stops we made on our AmaWaterways Cruise of the Danube by clicking on the links below.
Enjoy this photo gallery from aboard our AmaWaterways ship
Click on the images to view them FULL SIZE in a gallery.
I can’t wait to go on another river cruise and hope it will be soon!
The pictures are amazing. Can only imagine how wonderful it must be! I would love to take a cruise someday!
Thank you Corinne. I hope you will have a chance to do a river cruise. They’re the best.