Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Nur...t, Romania
Nur...t, Romania
With itineraries focused on the most popular section of the Danube River traveling through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, AmaWaterways’ 162-passenger AmaSonata delivers the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers” in relaxed style for upscale couples. Family-owned by a US-based trio that helped develop and refine Europe’s river cruise industry as far back as the 1990s, AmaWaterways launched in 2006. The line elevated the quality of cuisine and wine offered on river ships, spending more on food than most of the competition. It was among the first to introduce a second dining option on its ships. AmaWaterways also introduced a now-signature “twin balcony” design for many of the cabins — that is, a balcony just large enough for two to sit lining one half of the cabin, with a French balcony for the other half.Read More
Serving a predominantly North American clientele, AmaSonata lures a somewhat more active crowd than some river cruise operators, and features a fleet of bikes that guests can take out on guided trips or for their own independent explorations (cycle tour operator Backroads utilizes AmaWaterways ships for its groups, although it brings its own upgraded bikes). A wellness host conducts daily activities including core strengthening, yoga, resistance band workouts, Pilates, and stretching. In each port, multiple off-ship offerings are provided, including coach tours, guided walks, cycling — all included in the cruise fare. A pianist is aboard most evenings, and special performances might include a Hungarian folklore show or opera singers; guest lecturers provide insight into local culture and history.
AmaSonata operates a series of themed cruises throughout the year. In addition to end-of-year Christmas market itineraries, of particular note are the cruises keyed to music inspired by the river, from Strauss’s The Blue Danube to Mozart’s Linz Symphony.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
The majority of AmaSonata’s 81 cabins are found on the Cello and Violin decks, the second and third levels of the ship, and offer AmaWaterways’ signature “twin balcony” design — a balcony lining one half of the cabin and a French balcony for the other half, allowing floor-to-ceiling sunlight and a sliding door that opens to the breeze. These cabins range 210 to 235 square feet. Four larger cabins offer a similar layout, at 290-300 square feet.
Less expensive are the 16 cabins with a French balcony only, found at the rear of the Cello and Violin decks. Offering a more traditional cruise cabin layout, these measure 170 square feet, a size comparable to typical cabins without a balcony on most seagoing cruise ships, and thus quite agreeable.
Cheapest option is 16 cabins found on the lowest deck, Piano. Measuring 160 square feet, the cabins are perfectly comfortable for two. If they feel a bit constricted it’s because the sole windows are at shoulder level (the water level outside is at waist level).
Amenities throughout include double or king-size bed with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet, a full bathroom with multi-jet showerhead and hair dryer, wardrobe and full-length mirror, cotton bathrobes and slippers, and flat-screen TV with entertainment on demand, including movies, a music library and English-language TV stations. There’s a desk and chair, and bottled water is refreshed daily.
Wheelchair accessibility is very limited onboard AmaSonata. There is an elevator that stops at the two main decks, but it does not reach the Sun Deck or Piano Deck (the ship’s uppermost and lowest decks). Cabins are not laid out for wheelchair access, so guests must be able to move about independently. Traveling on and off ship is generally not possible in a wheelchair, due to narrow, sometimes steep gangways; additionally, many of Europe’s cities require navigating cobblestone or uneven paths. Motor coaches used for transport on tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Food & Drink
The main restaurant, located on the Cello Deck forward, serves all meals. Breakfast is served over a two-hour period each morning, but lunch and dinner are offered at a single seating time; table reservations are not accepted. The multi-course menus offer both regionally inspired and Western cuisine, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
The morning menu offers eggs and omelets, breakfast bowls, smoothies, waffles and pancakes, yogurt, fruit and cereals, bagels with salmon, and various breads; a bottle of sparkling wine is available along with juices, coffee and tea. The lunch selection changes daily, and starts with a shared plate of appetizers, such as paprika sausage, Asian duck breast salad, smoked trout mousse, asparagus salad, etc. The menu offers a soup, salad and sandwich of the day, along with entrées such as beer battered fish and chips, spinach ricotta ravioli, roasted paprika chicken, and Hungarian beef goulash.
At dinner, look forward to appetizers such as herb marinated tiger prawns served with lime risotto, horseradish panna cotta, or Tuscan bread salad, along with a revolving selection of soups, such as cream of saffron and smoked river trout, beef consommé, and cream of porcini mushroom. Main courses include such fare as pan-fried sea bream filet, beef Rossini style, mustard-crusted lamb leg, and a vegetable tart Provencal (vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available). The nightly selection of wines is predominantly sourced from Austria and California.
A second dining venue, the Chef’s Table, serves a set seven-course menu nightly, and all guests have the opportunity to make a reservation during embarkation (the venue seats 28 guests). Typical appetizers include lemon grass soup and beet-marinated salmon, and entrees include skin grilled pike perch and tenderloin of prime beef.
Drink service is available at the two restaurants and there is one main lounge and bar on the ship, on the Violin Deck. A full cocktail menu is offered in the lounge, at prevailing prices (most cocktails under $10). A “Sip & Sail” happy hour each evening starts one hour before dinner, when selected drinks are complimentary. Afternoon tea is served around 4 p.m. (depending on the tour schedule) and late night snacks are served on some evenings in the lounge.
Unlimited wine, beer, juices and soft drinks are included with meals.
Entertainment
Entertainment is brought onboard at various ports. In addition to a pianist playing in the Lounge most evenings, after dinner look guests forward to a jazz band, opera singers, a Hungarian folklore performance, and even a Broadway-style musical show.
Spa & Fitness
A small fitness room provides treadmills and weights for a workout. A Wellness Host offers a daily program of activities — usually early morning and late afternoon — including stretching, yoga, Pilates, resistance bands, core strengthening, along with some games, such as corn hole. A heated pool is available on the Sun Deck.
A selection of beauty and hair treatments as well as massages are available onboard. Wash, haircut and blow dry for women is priced between $47-$54, and a men’s haircut is $25.
Massages average $32 for a 30-minute treatment, $64 for 60 minutes. There’s no nail care service or facial treatments offered on board the ship.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
As with most river ships, there are no medical facilities onboard AmaSonata. Shore-based medical services can be summoned while aboard. The hotel manager is expected to have basic CPR training.
Wheelchair accessibility is very limited onboard AmaSonata. There is an elevator that stops at the two main decks, but it does not reach the Sun Deck or Piano Deck (the ship’s uppermost and lowest decks). Cabins are not laid out for wheelchair access, so guests must be able to move about independently. Traveling on and off ship is generally not possible in a wheelchair, due to narrow, sometimes steep gangways; additionally, many of Europe’s cities require navigating cobblestone or uneven paths. Motor coaches used for transport on tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Smoking is not permitted in any indoor areas of the ship; smoking is allowed only on the aft portion of the Sun Deck.
Dress Code
For daytime excursions, AmaWaterways recommends comfortable, layered clothing adaptable to changing weather conditions; comfortable shoes for excursions are essential. Onboard, “casually elegant” attire is recommended, and something dressier is welcomed, but not required, on the final night of the cruise for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
There is no laundry facility on the ship, though limited laundry services (no dry cleaning) are available for a fee.
Junior Cruisers
AmaWaterways does not cater to children. There are no children’s facilities or attendants, the cruises are not recommended for children under age 8, and children under 4 years of age are not permitted.
Service
With a crew member for every 1.5 passengers, AmaSonata maintains a relatively high ratio of crew to passengers. This results in attentive service, with a crew that gets to know guest preferences quickly, creating a relaxed yet professional environment. Crew is predominantly sourced from Europe and Asia, and English is the official language onboard; all guest-facing crew members speak fluent English (along with other languages).
Tipping
AmaWaterways recommends a tip of $100 per passenger on a seven-night cruise; crew members share tips.