THE SHIP: The ‘double width’ AmaMagna has 98 staterooms and can take 196 passengers. The 114 guests on my cruise were a mix of nationalities, including 20 solo travellers who had booked with Welsh cruise company Passion for Cruises. Guests were a mix of ages and included couples and multigenerational extended families.
STATEROOM: I was in 231, a category AB suite (252 sq. ft.). Features include a balcony with two chairs, a super comfortable King bed, plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space – with clever under-the-bed storage for several pieces of luggage – a mounted television and an iPad (you can book excursions on this). The bathroom is spacious, with a shower, marble sink and Spa-quality toiletries.
RESTAURANTS: There are multiple venues, all offering a plated service – so no buffets and wasted food. Options include the main dining room, with both shared tables and private booths; the Chef’s Table, which serves up a memorable seven-course tasting menu paired with wines, and Al Fresco, a conservatory style restaurant at the front of the ship with views of the Danube.
Jimmy’s serves up a homestyle communal dining experience with bowls of food brought to a large table.
Where possible, the menus throughout the ship featured regionally inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line member of the invitation-only La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious international societies that brings together enthusiasts “who share the same values of quality, fine dining, encouragement of the culinary arts and the pleasures of the table”.
FACILITIES: There’s a Zen Wellness Spa with two massage rooms, a hair salon, a small gym and spin bikes. The top deck features a heated pool (with a swim-up bar), whirlpool, pickleball court, giant chess set and a cornhole board. Exercise classes included core strengthening, resistance band workouts and sunrise stretching.
There’s also cinema TV room, a ‘library’ and a lounge with sofas that provide a good spot for watching the river stream by.
AmaMagna carries a fleet of German-made Velo-de-Ville bikes, used for sightseeing excursions.
WHAT’S INCLUDED: All-inclusive cruising means all meals, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Before scheduled mealtimes there is a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, with ‘complimentary’ beer and wine – I was ‘pleased’ the lager was Bitburger and that an Austrian Gruner Veltiner white wine featured – spirits and soft drinks. At other times you can buy drinks, which are very reasonable priced at five euros a pint of beer or glass of wine.
Also included are those daily wellness and exercise classes and small group excursions featuring walking, hiking, biking and special interest tours.
In April 2024, AmaWaterways began offering flight-inclusive river cruise packages as the standard pricing format for UK guests.
FOR AGENTS: AmaWaterways new WhatsApp trade channel helps agents keep up to date with the latest news, offers and incentives.
The cruise line is currently running an agent incentive: agents who make 10 new bookings that depart by December 31, 2025, will earn a seven-night cruise on AmaMagna, valid for 2025 or 2026 departures on a choice of itineraries.
