Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Alo...nd Germany
Bud...n, Germany
AmaMagna is the flagship of the AmaWaterways fleet of 29 ships, which travels around rivers all over the globe, from the Mekong in Asia, to the Chobe and Nile in Africa, to the Magdalena in South America, and throughout Europe along the Rhine, Seine, Douro, and more. Introduced in 2019, the ship is the brainchild of company co-founder and President Rudi Schreiner, whose plan was to introduce something singular to attract a new generation to an industry that tends to draw from an older crowd. AmaMagna is more than double the width of other ships on the Danube River, but carries only 20 percent more guests, because of much larger cabins and more open spaces, including two libraries, a screening room, multiple restaurants, a pickleball court, and a spa. As part of the company’s commitment to ecotourism, AmaMagna is the first river ship with a 10-engine, electric-diesel hybrid system, which translates to using less fuel and making less noise along the water.Read More
It remains to be seen if Mr. Schreiner’s vision will be fully realized, and though the company claims AmaMagna is the “perfect river cruise for families,” it doesn’t seem to cater much to anyone below the age of 55. But for the established crowd, it is a comfortable and innovative ride and feels more modern than most river cruises. The ship is successful enough that AmaWaterways announced a second AmaMagna will be delivered in 2027.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
There are eight categories of rooms, ranging from a 205-square-foot fixed-window room to a 710-square foot room, complete with sitting area, dining table, and soaking tub. Six of the eight types of rooms feature outdoor balconies, though guests were warned early on to beware of the bothersome gnat-type bugs that tend to flock to those spaces. The rooms are decorated in jewel-toned golds, rusts, and reds, along with dark wood finishes, while the bathrooms are surprisingly roomy with large sinks and a rain shower. The newness of the ship is on full display, with digital temperature control panels in each room, mood lighting choices (from “romance” to “dark” to “bright”), desktop computers, flat-screen TVs, and personal audio “Quietvox” devices for the daily excursions.
Though there are not dedicated accessible rooms on the ship, there is an elevator on board that goes all the way up to the sun deck so anyone unable to use the stairs can still move around the ship and enjoy the views.
Food & Drink
There are four dining options, though only two of them change the menu nightly. The Main Dining Room offers a diverse buffet and perfectly fine plated meals that don’t taste as elaborate or delicious as their descriptions sound. (“Beef Rossini Style” is “slow-roasted beef tenderloin, pate de canard, truffle jus, glazed vegetable, and pumpkin mash”.) Anyone unimpressed by the nightly offering can always order a margarita pizza, hamburger, or cheeseburger. Jimmy’s serves the same menu as the Main Restaurant, though family-style for those wanting to try all of the options alongside fellow cruisers. The Al Fresco Restaurant (described as “vegetable forward”) and the Chef’s Table (a multi-course tasting menu) do not change their respective dinner menus at all over the course of the week, perhaps to discourage repeat visitors. As is typical, reservations for restaurants other than the Main Dining Room must be done once on board the ship, and best to grab them early because they will fill up. Room service is available for breakfast, in case anyone wants their coffee and pastries in private.
There is one bar in the main gathering area of the ship, but since cocktails are not included in the cruise price, it’s often not very populated. There is a daily happy hour (“Sip and Sail”) when the bar is free for wine, beer, and the cocktail of the day. Other than that, booze goes on the tab. Another bar (the Sky Bar) is located by the pool and not-warm-enough whirlpool, but on at least one trip in 2024, remained unstaffed for the week and those bottles were merely decorative, filled with colored liquid as opposed to booze.
Entertainment
Nightly entertainment is hardly a highlight. Local musicians and comedic performers come on board a couple of times over the week, but, by and large, anyone wanting a show has to rely on the piano player and/or deejay working in the main lounge. The best entertainment is a makeshift Oktoberfest celebration in Vilshofen (either the first or last stop depending on where the cruise begins), with pretzels and beer galore, along with traditional dancers and games.
Spa & Fitness
Wellness is a priority on the AmaMagna and it shows. The ship has a gym, the Zen Wellness Studio, with well-kept yoga mats, weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, and a handful of weight machines. Just outside the gym are four outdoor spin bikes for those who prefer the fresh air, and up on the sun deck, guests can do laps on a walking track. For anyone wanting something more communal, a fitness director (shout-out to Tiago from a 2024 cruise) leads a spirited, if geriatrically paced, Zumba / line dancing class several times a week. The full-sized pickleball court at the other end of the sun deck is a popular spot (some guests bring their own paddles, but the front desk has plenty of loaners) because there’s nothing quite like volleying while floating past Medieval monasteries and castles.
The ship’s spa isn’t nearly as well thought-out. There are salon-services along with massages and manicures offered, though the area is often empty so anyone needing to schedule an appointment would be better off going to the 24-hour reception desk. The massage services on board are fine, if nothing special.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
As a company-wide policy, AmaWaterways does not require proof of Covid-19 vaccination to board ships. There are no medical facilities on board, but a concierge is available should medical assistance be required.
Dress Code
The company recommends “a balance between comfort and sophistication” which usually amounts to whatever your aunt or uncle wears to the local country club café: nothing too risqué, nothing too loud. Formal wear is recommended for the banquet on the final night, but there will be as many people in khakis and a button-down as there will be in floor-length sequins.
On tours, the only thing to remember are good walking shoes.
Junior Cruisers
Children are absolutely allowed, but, in light of the fact that river cruises attract an older crowd, they aren’t in abundance. AmaWaterways is clearly hoping this line attracts more families based on the smiling children on their website, but doesn’t offer the goods to keep kids of any age engaged. (Unless you count high-speed internet.)
Service
The Cruise Director gives nightly informational talks and is available at a desk in the reception area should anyone want to change around an excursion choice. The rest of the staff is formal and professional, though not overly friendly with the guests. The most warmth comes from the friendly cleaning staff who are often tidying up in the hallways and welcoming cruisers back from day trips.
Tipping
AmaMagna recommends 120 Euros per week per person for the crew for a 7-night cruise. And since they don’t count the Cruise Manager as a members of the crew, they recommend 25 Euros per week for them.