AMA River Cruise or Crystal Cruise
 

My husband and I are in our young 50's and we planning our 30th anniversery trip for summer 2010. We narrowed it down to an AMA riverboat cruise through the Danube, from Budapest to Prague, or a Crystal Cruise from Stockholm to Demark. We have been to Europe but not to any of the places each of these trips visit. I know we are comparing two very different cruise experiences and that is why we are having a hard time deciding. Have read reviews on both, but don't know anyone personally who has traveled on either of these lines. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Not in the United States/California. You should re-post this over on the Europe forum.

Oh - now I see you did post over there. . . . (however you flagged it "Greece" which really won't help much w/ the Danube or Scandinavia)

It is serendipity that you put this on the California board. My husband contributes to this board often and thought that my daughter and I should respond to it.
I was on a Crystal Cruise in May-on the Serenity but I'm certain that the level of service is the same. I have never been so pampered in my life! They claim they are ranked as a 6 star hotel. I shared a stateroom with my daughter.
We would leave in the morning for breakfast and find the room cleaned when we returned before lunch. Same in the afternoon and after dinner. Constant touch up from the stewardess.
There is something for everyone - speakers, library, fitness gear, yoga class, keyboard lessons, bridge lessons - all included in the room rate. Trainers and spa and other private lessons are extra.
Entertainment is great. (My daughter is one of the entertainers.) Two or three musical groups playing in the evening in various venues.
The dress code was strictly adhered to in the evenings. Everyone looked fabulous! I had to buy something formal.
The food was wonderful, but I think that probably can be said about many cruise lines.
My daughter has been on a cruise which hit the ports you are considering. She can put something on this board about the cities and the tours available there.
Crystal Cruises has a very loyal group of passengers that travel often. My daughter was greeting people by name that she had met on previous cruises. The staff is extremely helpful.
Hope this helps a little.
Barbara Durand

Thanks for your help.