What do more than 210,000 British travellers do that has been growing by 20% a year in recent times? Take a cruise down Europe’s rivers and waterways.
In response, AmaWaterways has risen to the challenge of creating ever-more gorgeous ships from which to enjoy Europe’s most scenic rivers and cities. And 2019 has seen the arrival of a new ship on the Danube that resets all the luxury dials: AmaMagna.
Twice as nice
At twice the width of traditional ships, all the positives of river cruising seem magnified aboard AmaMagna. Her 72 foot beam delivers more space, more privacy and more dining, wellness and activity options than ever before. The top-deck offers a walking track, a heated pool and hot tub, a pop-up sky bar (and pop-up lift to reach it too), an alfresco restaurant and a Health & Wellness complex.
All the extra space created by the doubled width is used to the full – and not by packing in twice as many passengers. It’s invested instead in the personal space of the 196 passengers on board – just 40 more than Ama’s existing ships – who are tended by a crew of 70.
Suite dreams
AmaMagna offers the most spacious and comfortable accommodation on the Danube with 53 suites – ranging from an impressive 355 sq. ft. to a humungous 710 sq. ft. – all with full-width step-out balconies. Each suite features a sizable marble bathroom, many with double sinks as well as a walk-in multi-jet shower and separate bath.
A further 34 slightly smaller staterooms offer full balconies while 11 entry-level staterooms come with large fixed windows.
New on the waterline
Brand new is a watersports platform – a first for river cruising – that pops out from the stern of the ship. Complete with a Sundowner 14-seater boat offering complimentary evening river trips, this platform also makes the perfect leisure lookout for enjoying the river from the waterline.
Dining Matters
Dining as the world drifts by is one the many joys of river cruising and aboard AmaMagna there’s more dining choice than ever. Because as well as the established main restaurant and ‘Chef’s Table’ speciality dining option, the new ship offers two additional choices at no extra charge:
‘Al Fresco’ gives its 35 guests a grandstand view from the front of the ship, where retractable windows make outdoor eating in the warmth of a summer night a tempting option – especially for those of us used to eating inside most of the year at home.
In contrast, ‘Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant’, named after Jimmy Murphy – one of AmaWaterways’ late co-founders – offers a special space where 65 guests can pair delicious cuisine with complimentary fine wines at high-top tables and in private wine rooms.
As aboard all Ama ships, wine, beer and soft drinks are served at lunch and dinner, and are included in the fare.
Wellness included, on board and ashore
Also included are a spectrum of excursions ashore, including hiking and biking. Ama was the first company to carry bicycles to make exploring right from the gangway an easy option for active travellers, aided by the Wellness Hosts who were recently introduced onto several of Ama’s ships. AmaMagna continues this theme with a large space allocated to health and well-being.
The ‘Zen Wellness studio’, a new multi-functional Health & Wellness Studio on the top deck, comes complete with a Juice bar and retractable windows, making group classes focussed on stretching, cardio and circuit training feel more of an outdoor experience – and all at no extra charge.
More space has also been made available for salon services. AmaMagna offers two massage rooms and as well as hair styling guests can sign up for manicures, pedicures and other beauty treatments.
Setting sail
AmaMagna’s much-anticipated 2019 inaugural season sees the ship sailing the Romantic Danube 7-night itinerary from Vilshofen to Budapest, or alternatively, the Melodies of the Danube itinerary in the other direction. Both offer insights into three magnificent capitals: Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, while the hills come alive with the sounds of music in Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District. There are also festive Christmas Markets sailings from November until December.
Magnifying the river cruise experience is what AmaMagna’s magnificent new design is all about, doubling the dimensions of luxury afloat on the Danube.
For more information about AmaWaterways or to book go to www.amawaterways.co.uk, call 0800 320 2337 or visit your local travel agent.
