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The River Cruise Lady

River cruising and small ship luxury cruising

AmaWaterways River Cruises

AmaMagna Gems of Southeast Europe river cruise

February 6, 2023 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

How would you like to sail on the most unique river cruise ship in Europe?

Then it’s time for you to sail on the stunning AmaMagna ship which is double the width of a regular river cruise but yet carries only 30 more passengers!  Enjoy your large balcony stateroom and variety of 4 restaurant choices as you sail along the exotic lower Danube from Romania to Budapest Hungary.

You will visit the medieval towns and grand cities along the Danube’s famed Iron Gates which are the showcase of eastern Europe. From fortress hikes to walking tours to bike rides, you will get to choose from the many excursions offered every day.

Nature lovers will enjoy the chance to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends. Wine connoisseurs will have a opportunity to taste history from the centuries­ old wine ­growing hills dating back to the Romans in one of the visited towns.

Grab some friends and let’s sail together!   Drop Linda an email to linda@therivercruiselady.com to ask about her special discounted rate.

AmaMagna

 

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Danube River, Europe, Featured Post, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising Tagged With: amamagna, AmaWaterways, Danube River, river cruise, river cruising, rivercruiselady, southeast europe

Renew your vows on a River Cruise

January 14, 2019 by River Cruise Lady Linda 6 Comments

Do you have an upcoming milestone Wedding Anniversary?  Whether its ten, twenty-five, thirty, forty, fifty years or something in between – how would you like to renew your vows with your loved one ?  If your wedding day was a long time ago and you would love to re-marry your spouse all over again but with a romantic European town in the background, I have an amazing ‘proposal’ for you ?

One of the river cruise companies that I partner with has a Renewal of Vows Package on their Danube River Cruise itinerary.

This romantic package includes:

  • Symbolic Renewal of Vows Ceremony led by a designated official
  • Two 1-hour massages PLUS one manicure/pedicure or hair salon service
  • Bottle of champagne
  • Romantic turn-down service with rose petals
  • Special custom-made dessert by the onboard chef
  • Sundowner excursion with champagne

The cost of this package is $500usd or $599cad but if you bring 2 other couples to go with you, I will pay the cost for you!  If you bring 5 other couples with you, one of you will sail for free!  Know a group of people? if you bring 10 other couples, you both sail for free!

Here is the Romantic Danube itinerary and the river cruise pricing starts at $5820usd/$6820cad per person for a French Balcony category (based on May/June 2019 dates) Extra nights in Budapest, Prague or Munich can be added on for a longer stay.

I look forward to helping you and your partner celebrate your Anniversary just the way you deserve!

River Cruise Lady Linda's Romantic Danube River Cruise Itinerary

Perhaps you could write your special date on a lock and add your own Love Lock to one of the bridges you’ll visit!

Love Locks on a Bridge
Love Locks on a Bridge

Filed Under: Cruises, Danube River, Europe, Featured Post, Quaint Villages, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Vow Renewal Tagged With: Danube River, river cruise, River Cruise Lady, river cruising

Rhine River must watch video

July 22, 2018 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

If you are contemplating a Rhine River cruise soon, this video which was created by Ama Waterways on their brand new ship, the AmaKristina, is a fantastic look on what you will be seeing, life onboard and so much more! Hope you enjoy and feel free to leave a comment once you’ve watched it. Thanks, Linda

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Rhine River, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Virtuoso Tagged With: AmaWaterways, amsterdam, rhine river, river cruise, river cruise bike excursions, River Cruise Lady, river cruising

Viking River vs AmaWaterways vs Tauck River Cruises

August 31, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda 36 Comments

Without a doubt, the most asked question I get is “which company should I book my river cruise with ?”

So I thought I would pick out three companies and do a comparison (there are many river cruise lines out there but to keep this article from going overboard in length, keeping it at three)
They are Viking River Cruises, Ama Waterways and Tauck River Cruises.

I am going to use the analogy of an airplane going overseas that has three classes of service – economy, premium economy and business class. All three sections are going to the same destination but as you move up, you’ll get a bigger seat, better amenities and more inclusions (and a higher price of course)

I will be comparing a similar seven night Danube River itinerary in Europe for July 2016 departing from Budapest in a French Balcony category cabin (they all offer lower window categories and higher suite categories but will just be comparing the French Balcony)

On an airplane, economy class has the most seats for passengers then fewer in premium and even less in business.

For the river cruise ships, have listed the number of ships each company operates in Europe, the number of guests each ship carries and lastly, the square footage of their French balcony cabin category.

Viking has 58 ships
Ama has 16 ships
Tauck has 9 ships

Viking carries 190 guests*
Ama carries 164 guests**
Tauck carries 130 guests***

Viking cabin is 135 sq feet
Ama cabin is 170 sq feet
Tauck cabin is 225 sq feet

Just like what is included in each section of the airplane, each of the cruise companies offer more inclusions as the price increases.

Viking provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, using the same wine throughout the cruise. They include most excursions with four optional tours (excursion group size is up to 20 guests) Gratuities and transfers are extra.

Viking River Cruise Ship Atla

Viking Atla

Ama Waterways also provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner but they use different wines from each of the regions they are travelling through. They include almost all excursions with two optional tours. (excursion group size is up to 12 guests) Some of their excursions are divided into Gentle Walkers, Active Walkers and even a Late Starter group for those who prefer to sleep in. They also offer bicycles onboard that you can do a tour with or sign out on your own. Gratuities and transfers are extra.

AmaSerena

Ama Serena

Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. They often have private exclusive shore excursions such as an evening in Vienna inclusive of dinner and a private performance in a palace. They also have bicycles onboard and include airport transfers to and from the ship (even when you don’t book your flight with them)

TauckSavor

Tauck Savor

For the compared itinerary, here is the per person price (based on two sharing) that each company has:
 Viking River         $3655usd
 Ama Waterways $4198usd
 Tauck River         $5440usd

Just like many travelers who are unable to splurge on the luxury of business class, the higher price of the Tauck River cruise puts it out of reach for many but once you factor in their larger size cabins, fewer people onboard and everything that is included, you can understand why they are at the top of the market.

Although Viking has the lowest price, you will still have a enjoyable experience with them. Their new Longships feature a very contemporary Scandinavian design with several dining venues including the Aquavit Terrace which functions as an indoor/outdoor restaurant for Alfresco dining. They also purchased quite a few of their own docks in Europe so receive priority docking in some places.
Instead of building just one new ship a year like most companies, they went on a building frenzy recently which provided them with a lot of buying power plus they can keep costs lower since they have more people on each ship. They are the largest and most well-known because of their huge advertising budget with ads on shows like Downton Abbey, plus have a very aggressive print campaign (if you ever get on their mailing list, I swear you receive a brochure a week!)

Due to their middle of the market price range, Ama Waterways has been gaining popularity and fast becoming a guest favorite. Since they are family owned, it creates a very friendly atmosphere that resonates throughout the ship when you’re onboard. They have also introduced a new dining concept onboard with an intimate chef’s table restaurant that features a tasting menu.

So back to the question of “which company should I book my river cruise with?” As you see, just like when you are offered choices of where to sit on an airplane, there are many choices for river cruising too. All you have to decide is how much you want to have included within your budget, pick the best one for you and then relax with the comfort of realizing that all of the choices will have you floating past spectacular the scenery!

 

 

*Viking Atla July 10th sailing/ **AmaSerena July 10th sailing/ ***Tauck Savor July 9th (all three ships compared are 445 feet long and 38 feet wide)

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Danube River, Europe, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Tauck River Cruises, Viking River Cruises Tagged With: AmaWaterways, Danube River, river cruise, river cruising, Tauck River Cruises, Viking River Cruises

Top Ten Travel Tips

March 4, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda 2 Comments

1) As you begin your travel plans, check your passport expiry date. I’ve had many clients who didn’t check until right before they left and had to pay huge rush fees to get a new one.

Passport Picture

Passport Picture

2) Buy travel insurance (both cancellation and out of country medical) It may seem like an extra cost that you don’t need but it sure pays for itself tenfold if you have to make a claim. You never think you’ll have a house fire or a break-in but most people buy home insurance every year.

3) Call your credit card company to advise them you will be travelling out of the country so they won’t be suspicious of any charges and possibly freeze your card.

4) Check the voltage and plug types for the country you’ll be visiting and make sure you have the appropriate adapter. (When my husband & I travel together, I even take a small surge protector power bar since we have so many devices between the two of us!) Plus don’t forget to pack your power cords in your carry-on bag as you never know if you’ll be delayed and need them.

5) If travelling somewhere that immunizations or preventative medication is recommended, make sure you start taking well enough in advance (For instance, the Twinrix Hepatitis A&B combo shot is 3 doses that takes six months to complete)

6) Tie a ribbon, bandana or something unique to your bags so they stand out at the luggage carousel and make it less likely that someone will take yours by accident. Also, make sure your bags are tagged with identification (and not just on the outside as those tags can get torn off, you should also put your contact information inside your suitcase as may help if it gets lost.)

7) Speaking of lost luggage, if you’ve ever been waiting and waiting for your bag only to realize that everyone else has left, then that sickening feeling hits you as you finally come to terms that your bag did not arrive, you’ll love this tip – before you leave home, take a picture of your bag with your camera or smartphone so when the agent asks you to fill out all the paperwork with the color, type etc, you have the info at your fingertips. I also take a picture of what I’ve packed inside because if the bag never shows up, it helps jog your memory on what to claim. (I could probably do an entire list just on luggage tips as I’ve lost many bags!)

8) Before leaving on your trip, find out what the luggage allowance is for ALL your flights – if you are changing to a smaller aircraft from an overseas flight, they can be vastly different. You don’t want to get caught with overweight luggage and huge excess charges at check in. In your documentation, make sure you have your booking reference numbers for each airline as they too can be different.

9) If making a few airplane changes which means going through many airport security check points, keep your outfit simple – wear shoes that are easy to take on and off, don’t wear bangles or other jewelry (or coins in your pocket) that might set off the machines. Have your laptop and see through bag of liquids (under 100ml or 3 oz) handy at the top of your carry-on bag.

10) The most important tip of all is to pack your patience!
Your flight might get delayed, your hotel room may not be ready when you arrive, your transfer might not show up, you may get lost, your cruise cabin might be under the gym (this one happened to me once and the cabin shook when one particular guy ran on the treadmill at top speed) and many other mishaps but travel is all about the journey, the destination and the troubles that turn into stories once you get home. Embrace them and be thankful that you’re able to be out experiencing the wonder of our world.

Filed Under: Cruises, packing a suitcase, River Cruises, River Cruising, travel tip Tagged With: luggage tips, packing tips, river cruise, river cruising, travel tips

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rivercruiselady

A big thank you to @amawaterways for cohosting a f A big thank you to @amawaterways for cohosting a fun painting & product update night! I wasn’t as creative as others but I did manage to stay inside the lines😉😆 
We learned a third ship is coming to the Douro in Portugal - very exciting!
Plus a brand new itinerary in South America on the Magdalena River in Columbia so stay tuned for more info….
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruising #paintnight
Next May would be a perfect time to go on the beau Next May would be a perfect time to go on the beautiful AmaMagna river cruise ship as it sails the lower Danube through the Iron Gates to spectacular Budapest.
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruise #danube #amamagna #may2024
The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg & before hitting their Christmas market we went on a WW2 tour which included a walk on the plaza where the rallies were held, then got to visit courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials were held. 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket 
#rivercruise 
#amasonata
This star lined street leads the way to the 12th c This star lined street leads the way to the 12th century old stone bridge in Regensburg where right next to it you’ll find the famous historical "Wurstkuchl" (Sausage Kitchen)  which is the oldest one in the world!
Their Thurn und Taxis entrance fee Christmas market is ranked as one of the most romantic ones with its palace backdrop wonderland setting🎄 
Also found some smaller markets in town where many locals gathered & the apfelstrudel stall was calling out to me so just had to indulge 😋 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise #amasonata
Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to the Christmas market and watched them make our dessert 😋 with St Stephens Cathedral lit up in the background 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #amasonata #chimneycake
After we left Durnstein, we sailed through the pic After we left Durnstein, we sailed through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.  The Abbey lights up the town & loved the advent windows on one of the buildings. 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise  #amasonata #adventcalendar
It was active hike day for Durnstein & you can see It was active hike day for Durnstein & you can see from pic 1 where the castle ruins are way off in the distance up the hill. Certainly a good workout for the legs but a fantastic view of the Danube River from the top! We were rewarded with a wine tasting after we climbed back down 🍷 
#rivercruiselady 
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#winetasting 
#amasonata
After my earlier post of the daytime Vienna pictur After my earlier post of the daytime Vienna pictures, here are the nighttime ones 😍 It was very busy at their main Christmas Market but the lights & decorated stalls made it all worthwhile. If you zoom in on the full city hall one, you will find a band on top of the roof of one of the stalls! Then we had to walk back to St Stephens to see it all lit up plus the surrounding streets 
#rivercruiselady 
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I have to divide up my Vienna pictures into daytim I have to divide up my Vienna pictures into daytime and nighttime ones because both need to be seen! St Stephens Cathedral was sparkling in the sunshine & we could see the shapes of the lights that would be turned on later in the streets. We visited one of the smaller Christmas markets and had some Gluhwein (mulled wine) plus watched the chef in the window at Demel’s preparing their famous treat that everyone was lining up for 😋 
#rivercruiselady 
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#walkingtour 
#amasonata 
#rivercruise
We had a lovely day in Bratislava🌞Saw the nickn We had a lovely day in Bratislava🌞Saw the nicknamed UFO tower, climbed the stairs to the Hrad castle which gave us great views of St Martin’s Cathedral and the new buildings built behind the old city. The shop window had the best small business sign ❤️ and the famous Man At Work sculpture in the town square is well photographed. Busy at the Christmas market & then a nice stroll back to the #amasonata 
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Not sure if you want to sit inside or outside in y Not sure if you want to sit inside or outside in your river cruise cabin? On the #amasonata with @amawaterways you don’t have to decide when you have one of their twin balcony ones! 
#rivercruiselady 
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Before joining my @amawaterways Danube River cruis Before joining my @amawaterways Danube River cruise on the #amasonata its always enjoyable to go through the Great Market Hall in Budapest. 😍
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River Cruise Lady Linda

10 months ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
Mark your calendar for May 5th 2024 as that’s when I’d love for you to join me on the beautiful AmaMagna river cruise ship as we sail the lower Danube through the Iron Gates to spectacular Budapest.#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruise #danube #amamagna #savethedate #may2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

12 months ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg & before hitting their Christmas market we went on a WW2 tour which included a walk on the plaza where the rallies were held, then got to visit courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials were held. #rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise #amasonata ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

1 years ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
This star lined street leads the way to the 12th century old stone bridge in Regensburg where right next to it you’ll find the famous historical "Wurstkuchl" (Sausage Kitchen) which is the oldest one in the world!Their Thurn und Taxis entrance fee Christmas market is ranked as one of the most romantic ones with its palace backdrop wonderland setting🎄 Also found some smaller markets in town where many locals gathered & the apfelstrudel stall was calling out to me so just had to indulge 😋 ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

1 years ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to the Christmas market and watched them make our dessert 😋 with St Stephens Cathedral lit up in the background #rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #amasonata #chimneycake ... See MoreSee Less
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