I just did a Rhine river cruise (it started in Vienna on the Danube, and ended in Amsterdam on the Amstel river) and no one needed a balcony. The highlight of the trip was the all-day cruise through the Rhine valley. We all stood or sat on the sundeck and had a marvelous running commentary on all the castles. Additionally, some things to see were on the left, some on the right, so watching from the sundeck was better than being in your room on one side of the ship and missing some of the sights. The cruise line was Grand Circle, and I know they're not as luxurious as some of the other lines, but as a single traveler, they suit me just fine.

Couldn't agree more with your assessment of AMA Waterways--their products, service and accommodations are all terrific! We have traveled with them 3 times now and continue to be impressed by their ships, their itineraries, food and service. One aspect that we appreciated (and that you briefly pointed out) is that for the excursions they run different caliber groups depending upon skills/abilities. We loved having a "Fast Walker" option as it did weed out individuals who had certain mobility limitations, while providing "Gentle Walker" options for those who might require it. The Captain's Table dinner is also a huge treat for guests that can be accessed once during one's voyage. All in all, a GREAT experience.

I’ve been on two AMA cruises. The best, and no complaints. Fabulous time. Can’t wait to do it again.

I was just on an AMA Rhine river cruise. On day 3 my wife and I both tested positive for Covid (we may have picked it up in Amsterdam before embarking the ship). I advised the Cruise Manager of our test results. While attempting to be courteous, the Cruise Manager advised us to "depart the ship immediately" and within an hour we were escorted off the ship with no plan on what to do next. AMA called for a taxi and made a reservation for a hotel in Mannheim, Germany. We were sick (and old) with no plan how to get back to Seattle. We thought AMA could have been more helpful. We're likely NOT to travel with them again. AMA is advertised to be "a cut above" other cruise operators. Frankly, we didn't see it.

I was recently contracted by NCL as a Sous Chef and I have been watching many of your videos prior to beginning my first contract. I just wanted to thank you for being so inspiring! I rarely get to interact with guests, as I am in back in the kitchen. So it is lovely to connect a real guest, and hear what they expect and appreciate, to my new position. I can't wait to start this new adventure!

THANKS, I’ve been on two Ama cruises-this is a phenomenal upscale operation, I would NEVER book another River Cruise company. Great value for your money. Today I booked an Eastern trip on the AMAMAGNA for July 2021 Hopefully virus restrictions will be lifted by then.

I love your videos, I look forward to them each week, very informative, never boring. I hate having to wait a WHOLE week before the next one. Thank- You.

Just finishing 7 day cruise on Douro river in Portugal. Very nice. Had a good time. One thing that really spoiled the trip was having a cabin on the starboard side. Going up the river we also docked either against the wall or another ship. Using our balcony was not possible. On the way back down the river they still chose to dock to starboard because of the current. I would highly recommend to future travelers on the Douro river to book cabin on the port side. Cruise director said they dont have any control over which side of the boat they dock to but dont accept that. I know from owning a boat myself that you usually dock the boat into the current.

We have traveled twice on Avalon but have tied up to Amawaterways each time. When we have passed through we have been very jealous to see the splendor of the Amawaterways. I really like the double balcony idea, Avalon eliminates the balcony, which gives you more room and then the windows open fully so you still get the view and a balcony feeling. I'll have to get Amawaterway information for our next cruise and make a comparison on prices. Thanks for this great videos.

After seeing this video I asked my AAA travel agent her opinion of cruise lines and she absolutely recommended Ama. It was wonderful!

Great video and tips! We’ve booked our 50 th wedding anniversary cruise for September 2019 on AMA Waterways on the AMA Sonata! Looking forward to our Danube River Cruise 🚢

My right ear loved this

Went on AmaWaterways on the Danube from Budapest to Nuremberg with my mom and my brother and his wife some years ago. Loved it. Would do it again.

We have just returned to Australia following an AmaWaterways cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. I totally agree with all your comments Gary. Every aspect of the cruise was exceptional and I can't recommend them highly enough for their attention to every detail. Interestingly, on our cruise, the water levels were very high, preventing many cruise ships from passing under low bridges at the time. We heard that some smaller companies had to bus and hotel passengers for the remainder of their trip, unfortunately. AmaWaterways arranged to transfer all passengers and luggage via bus to a sister ship where the river levels were not a problem. This only took a short time with very little inconvenience to the itinerary. Would definitely choose AmaWaterways for any future cruising trips. Many thanks for your reviews.

Thank you for the information this looks like the perfect river cruise for me, and my wife ... I'm a baby boomer I'm going to look into one of those central Europe cruises.... The ships look to have a larger variety of places to go on the ship.... I like the idea of having a balcony and the ships look more classy in the interior....

We have done 3 Ama cruises. The Douro, the Rhine & Moselle and the Rhone. Outstanding all.

Great video, as are all of yours that I've seen. I love ama ❤️. Am going on the Rhine Christmas Markets Cruise in a few weeks.

Thx, your reviews are always insightful and helpful. I'm doing my first river cruise (Danube) in June on AmaWaterways.

Gary, thank you for your posts. I enjoy them immensely and I feel comfortable when make a decision on where and on what line to go on a cruise.

Thanks for the review! We're in the process of booking a family reunion next summer and your video has been very helpful.

Ama are great they look after you, foods brilliant, staff very professional & excursions hav different levels for different fitness levels gentle walks to hiking walks

Another great review for sure. We went on ?Grand Circle cruise line a few years back. We will look into this cruise line a check them out. Thanks for a great look at them.

We went on a Danube River cruise from Vilosfen to Budapest and it was fabulous. However, as Australians we were not able to book directly via the American site. They directed us to APT in Australia who only offered the west to east cruise at a rate $2,000 more that what was advertised for other countries. I can only assume this is because they have to charter the boats and crew to do the upriver route. That didn't suit our itinerary so we were forced to try other options through agents etc to get the route and dates we wanted. Unnecessary hassle but the cruise was memorable

In my experience. all of these river cruise companies offer mostly the same trip and level of comfort and service. Some ships have dedicated secondary restaurants (a waste of valuable real estate IMO), fitness rooms or not, and other extras. They are all well-staffed, wine with evening meals, etc. Always a value-packed experience. Danube water levels may be a problem at the end of a dry summer, but the tour operator will get you there by land if need be.

Thanks Gary! My audio was fine, by the way.

Thanks very much, you provide a GREAT service and a comprehensive thorough presentation 👍

I am/was a photographer from Los Angeles and had the pleasure of photographing the owner's wedding. Then many company functions as well. What I can say about AMA Waterways is "what a fabulous company". Wonderful people from top to bottom. I moved away and lost contact but have nothing but fond memories of working with such thoughtful, caring and fun loving people. Happy touring.

My wife and I are taking AMA on the Rhine in April of ‘19. You mentioned gratuities are not included, how does tipping/ gratuities work on a river cruise then? Do you tip each individual at the time of service or is it a bundled tip at the end of the cruise? Thanks in advance for your guidance! BTW, love your videos!

I’m so excited for our Danube Cruise 2021!! Looking forward to all of it!!

You have convinced me. I am going to investigate their offerings.

Note... I only hear the right channel... no biggie

Very informative - just the info I need - btw, there is sound only on the right channel :)

AmaWaterways is by far the best river cruise, it has won the title multiple years, best food too. My wife and I did the Budapest to Nuremburg (plus onto Prague) cruise and it was amazing. During the summers you will be seeing a lot more families on board as Disney has partnered with Ama for their Adventures by Disney.

another great video, thank you

Very helpful..... Thank you!

9:31. The chess set is set up wrong. The white corner square should be on your right.

G'day Gary, Love your videos, the information is invaluable. I was wondering if you have tried Crystal River Cruises yet? We are strong Crystal supporters and considering our first river cruise mid 2021.

We are looking at an AMA Netherlands cruise next spring. We took a Danube cruise 20 years ago, so we are acquainted with river cruising. What is the expected tipping amount for onboard staff? The fare says tips for guides and drivers is included.

As this video is five years old, could you do an update about AMA and Viking river cruises? I’m sure there are some changes post-COVID.

Fantastic video congratulations dear Friend love it. Really enjoyed. Thumbs up. Wishing you good health and beautiful Time. God bless you

Thanks!

That should be "high crew to passenger ratio," I think.

Thoughts on tipping? both for individual staff onboard (or is it intended to be a one-tip-for-all situation?) - and also is it expected to tip local tour guides, etc.? Thanks in advance for input

Do you use booking agents for river cruises? If so can you provide recommendations for companies? Thank you

in other words would you rather visit dresden or prague by elbe river cruise or land bus tour; seville granada cordoba by guadalquivir river , bus train tour or ocean cruise?

I just wanted to let you know Adventures by Disney uses this cruise line for their family guided tours.

I'm curios if you are allowed to bring your own alcohol on board, like locally purchased wine, and drink it in your cabin? I know ocean cruise lines don't allow it and will hold alcohol purchases until the end of the cruise.

which lines sail guadalquivir, Loire, Elbe, Main, most if not all lines seem to offer danube rhine; how is seine, douro, rhone saone? which places are better by river cruise vs land bus train tour packages or rental car?

I always wanted to River Cruise since I was 25 years old. I guess I was a boomer at heart...lol. Too expensive for me at the time. I'm 45 now, but lived in Germany for 4 years, so I pretty much visited all the towns on the cruise route....but by car...lol. Still have the river cruise on my bucket list.

Very interesting. I am currently limited in mobility and noticed that many of the areas shown would not accommodate either walker or wheelchair, so I would probably not use this particular line. Having said that, the ships do look lovely and were it not for the paraphernalia I need, I would probably have a very good time on one of their cruises. :)

Thank you for this description which gives a good insight into key aspects of the AMA offering.(Unusually, the stereosound is weaker on the left chanel.)

Do river cruise excursion include art galleries tickets , palaces admission or ancient ruins? or museum tickets?

Always a great video. Having following you for some time now. Always done ocean cruises but what do you think of APT river cruises - have one booked for next year? Regards and keep up the advise! Roger

Gary, is there a slight reduction in fare if a couple absolutely does not drink wine, beer, and sodas?

Thanks Gary bring U.K. based thinking of a European river cruise next year. AMA look lovely particularly food and casual attire! Do they let you take booze on board? My husband likes a whisky at bedtime.

I need this. Going on AMA cruise the second week in November. Most curious is what to wear, knowing that I'll overpack. Are tours ever canceled due to weather?

Sounds similar to Viking we did.

do you know any river cruises which visit Leipzig Bergamo Madrid Zwickau Eisenach Pesaro Siena Padova Ravenna Orvieto Halle

What about how river cruises manage safety onboard, evacuations etc.

Can you suggest some european tours that allow for children ?

How mooch?

are there chances for free exploring on your own, given river cruises are much nearer, closer to destinations than ocean cruises? just going on your own, knowing departure time, and mastering public transport, which are the must see, visit sights?

I wonder if their are any fares that do not include accommodation.

I just did an Avalon Waterways cruise... Which would you prefer, Avalon or AmaWaterways? I originally wanted AMA but the group I was with chose Avalon...

7:25 What is that building and where is it?

my audio seems to not be there. KZfaq rendering problem?

not worth it to go ,did the Rhine cruise last month ...

Poor sound quality

Yes children. No me. Too small a vessel to have children. Sorry.