Onboard the Amadagio

Cruising the Mosel and Rhine Rivers with Amadeus Waterways

With the new, state-of-the-art ships in the Amadeus fleet, luxury European river cruises should become an easy sell for agents. Travel Agent got an inside look at the MS Amadagio, built in Holland in 2006. The ship offers a slew of contemporary conveniences (complimentary WiFi, multi-jet showers), which sets it apart.  But most importantly, the weak dollar means that a river cruise in Europe is a real bargain.  Not only will your clients see different destinations every day without the hassle of packing up the rental car and braving the autobahn, they will also relish the benefits of an all-inclusive vacation.  Everything from the shore excursions to the multi-course gourmet meals are included in the cruise price, so there is no need to worry about the plummeting dollar before a departure to Europe.

MS Amadagio cruises along the Rhine River.

Upon arrival at the Amadagio, guests are greeted by the friendly, English-speaking staff, many of whom are Bulgarian.  The lobby is elegant and adorned with colorful contemporary art.  With only 71 Staterooms (170 square feet) and four Junior Suites (255 square feet), the 360-foot-long Amadagio offers an intimacy not possible on vast ocean-liners, while still appointed with such facilities as a fitness center, sauna, glass elevator and beauty salon.  The ship usually docks directly in a city center, enabling your clients to step off the boat and discover the destination at their own leisure. The included shore excursions—led by English-speaking local guides with high-tech audio devices—provide excellent insights into the history and culture of each city.  There are even complimentary bikes onboard so that your clients can take a spin around town.

Luxury for the Eyes and Palate
From the spacious Panorama Lounge, your clients can watch the scenery glide by while sipping complimentary espresso or tea from the 24-hour coffee station.  The Sun Deck, equipped with lounge chairs and a whirlpool, also offers a good spot to check out the views. The cruise director likened cruising a fabled stretch of the Rhine River to watching a particularly heated tennis match: many heads swiveled back and forth to gape at the beautiful castles on opposite river banks and postcard-perfect villages nestled beneath cliffs.  Also on the Violin Deck, the smaller Aft Lounge is the perfect spot to organize group get-togethers, meetings, and cocktail hours.

Though there’s an open seating policy in the restaurant and no table reservations are accepted, there is nothing casual about the food. Breakfast is a lavish spread of fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants and pastries, cereal and hot regional specialties.  Lunch is no less sumptuous.  Your clients can help themselves to a variety of hot and cold appetizers, before ordering soup and a main course from a waiter.  Soups, like Spiced Duck Consommé with Ricotta Ravioli or Cream of Mushrooms and Crêpes with Basil Oil, are swoon-worthy.  “We’re not at all hungry for dinner, but we wouldn’t miss it for the world!” passengers remarked to Travel Agent.  (Plus, there’s always the option to hit the walking track on the Sun Deck or elliptical machine in the fitness room to work it off.)  Complimentary wines from local vintners are served with the multi-course dinners, and the waiters are generous with their pours.  Menus vary nightly and feature fresh fish and local produce.  For the Chef’s Dinner, we sank our teeth into mouth-watering dishes like Ceviche with Citrus Fruit and Grilled Black Angus Fillet Steak with Herb Vinaigrette and Sautéed Potato Pancake. Themed meals like the Bistro Dinner—with French specialties such as Pâté de Foie Gras, Coq au Vin (wine-marinated chicken), Lamb with Vegetable Chutney, Crepes Suzette—and the hearty Bavarian lunch were a lot of fun.  Light lunch, afternoon tea, and late-night snacks are served in the Lounge.  The Chef and culinary team are happy to accommodate any special dietary requests.

The temperatures were brisk during our Springtime cruise, and when we returned from shore excursions, we were greeted with hot towels in the Lobby and steaming soup in the Lounge at 11 a.m.  We also appreciated the Easter egg chocolates offered to guests to mark the holiday.

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