Travel Weekly was the first UK trade publication to sail on AmaWaterways’ double-width ship, the largest river vessel in Europe. Jane Archer and Kelly Ranson report.
AmaWaterways founder and co-owner Rudi Schreiner has never been one for following the pack.
His was the first river cruise line to carry bicycles and all his vessels feature cabins with twin balconies to give passengers both outside and inside seating areas.
With the launch of AmaMagna, Schreiner has realised a long-held dream of building a double-width vessel with the trappings of a small luxury ocean ship.
At 22 metres wide, it can cruise only on the Danube, where the locks are 24 metres wide, but that still leaves plenty of scope for cruises all the way from Vilshofen in Germany to Romania on the Black Sea. “It’s been in my mind for years but it started to come to life about six years ago,” Schreiner said.
‘People want space’
AmaMagna is not the first double-width river ship – that honour goes to Crystal Mozart, which was built in 1987 and is soon to move from Crystal Cruises’ fleet to its parent company Genting – but Schreiner has developed the concept to meet the expectations of today’s cruisers.
AmaMagna holds 196 passengers, which is just 40 more than AmaWaterways’ other river ships and almost the same number as on some river ships.
“People these days want space, balconies and a choice of places to eat,” Schreiner said. Consequently there are four complimentary restaurants, lead-in cabins are 25% bigger than on other river ships and the 53 suites range in size from 350 to a massive 710 square feet. Most have private balconies.
Designing a prototype is not without its challenges. “The passenger and crew flow is important,” Schreiner said. He points out that on AmaMagna the crew can get to all four restaurants direct from the galley.”
He took a lead role in deciding food concepts, room layouts and furnishings. “For Al Fresco we went from burgers to seafood and finally decided on vegetarian-style food,” he said. “In the main restaurant I wanted seating booths to make it look cosier
For the lounge, we needed an open area where guests can focus on speakers and entertainers.”
On July’s christening cruise, Schreiner went around the ship with a critical eye noting what did and didn’t work. Among easy changes were furnishings he didn’t like – “colours look different in real light” – and more seating was needed in the lounge.
There was also one rather big mistake. “I forgot the public toilets,” Schreiner admitted with a smile. Luckily, he has found space for some either side of the cinema on deck three. They will be added this winter.
Vessel’s style ‘rivals best boutique hotels on land’
AmaWaterways’ new double-width river ship AmaMagna has brought new levels of luxury to the Danube, with decor and space to rival some of the best boutique hotels on land.
Lower-deck cabins are spacious, but the suites are stunning – larger than the top-end accommodation on some oceangoing ships and beautifully designed. My ‘standard’ suite (nothing standard about it) had loads of storage space, balconies and large glass-enclosed rain showers.
The Owner’s Suite comes with a separate bedroom and living area, as well as a dining table, bar and butler.
Dining-wise, there’s an emphasis on vegetarian in Al Fresco, which is also open for breakfast and lunch, and family-style dining in Jimmy’s Wine Bar, where we were seated at random at long tables and helped ourselves as various dishes are served at the same time – great for making new friends.
Chef’s Table serves a seven-course fine-dining extravaganza. The main restaurant is open for self-service breakfast and lunch, and waiter-service dinner. All restaurants are complimentary.
There’s no excuse for lazing, with free keep-fit classes each day on the sundeck or in the Zen Wellness Centre – think early-morning stretching, yoga, line dancing and more.
For the do-nothing brigade, the pool and bar, cinema, and spa and hair salon are the places to be.
Unusually on a river ship, the lift goes to the sun deck – a godsend for clients with mobility issues.
Agents’ verdict
Margaret McCorriston, Planet Cruise
“The size of the ship is fabulous and it almost feels as if you’re on a luxury ocean ship. Considering it only carries 20% more passengers than other Ama ships, the amount of space is amazing. There are always quiet spaces and interesting features, such as the cinema and Zen Wellness Studio.”
Jane Gibson, director, Northumbria Travel
“The service on board has been phenomenal. The ‘sip and sail’ cocktail hour is the perfect time for everyone to get together for drinks before dinner. Having four dining venues on a river ship is a key seller too. Unlike some ships, AmaMagna doesn’t charge for the speciality restaurants and ensures every guest is guaranteed a reservation in each one at least once.”
Grant Holmes, Asmallworld Travel
“There’s a lot to do, no matter age or physical ability, such as hiking, bike rides and general excursions. Everybody is out there doing something. AmaMagna is doing wellness really well – the daily programme is full of different classes throughout the day.”
More: Gallery: AmaMagna