AmaWaterways inaugurated the AmaSiena, celebrating the long-awaited return to the rivers.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 58 – September 2021
AmaWaterways, which recently celebrated its 19th anniversary of river cruising, was founded in 2002 by three families. From the outset, their goal was to create a river cruise company based on the owners' personal tastes. This means excellent cuisine, top-quality wines, elegantly decorated ships with cabins offering the best views of the scenery, and a crew that treats every guest like family.
With this in mind, and for 19 years, they have been building unique ships with innovative designs, from their signature twin balconies and the Chef's Table restaurant to the impressive AmaMagna. Although 2021 has been a challenging year for travel in general, the company has demonstrated its financial strength, and its fleet and crew are now exceptionally well-prepared to welcome guests back to river cruises. AmaWaterways currently requires proof of vaccination, social distancing, and mask-wearing. They have also modified some operations and eliminated the buffet to ensure a peaceful, safe, and modern vacation experience.
This company has received countless accolades and awards from the tourism industry, and it's easy to see why.
AmaSiena
Ama celebrated the christening of its new ship, the AmaSiena, with an intimate ceremony in Lahnstein, Germany, on August 29.
President Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst joined godmother Debbie Fiorino during a day filled with celebrations that officially marked the arrival of one of their two latest additions to the fleet of a total of 26 riverboats.
AmaSiena is the company's new ship that will sail on the Rhine and Moselle.
In the words of Kristin Karst, “We continue to be inspired by the resilience, passion, and commitment of the travel agent community, and we are very proud to share this christening with the media, travel agents, and special guests who have joined us for this important event, as well as with our beloved crew members who help create unforgettable holiday memories.”
The AmaSiena continues AmaWaterways' trend of building modern, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed ships. For passengers who have sailed with the company before, the AmaSiena doesn't seem very different from its predecessors, which is a good thing. With the exception of the larger AmaMagna, AmaWaterways has been refining its riverboat designs in recent years and sees no reason to alter its winning formula.
The AmaSiena offers nine different accommodation categories, from cozy cabins with views to rooms featuring AmaWaterways' signature twin balconies—a French balcony and a full balcony with access to the outside, all located within the same room. Cabins range from 48 square meters to four suites of over 100 square meters, and most cabins have one or two balconies, allowing guests to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the riverbank while cruising.
A unique feature of AmaSiena is the six pairs of cabins that can connect, allowing groups of friends or families to travel together.
The ship's main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you can also book the "Chef's Table" restaurant, located at the rear of the Violin Deck.
The cuisine is a fusion of European and North American dishes, offered à la carte because the buffet has been eliminated, although alternatives are also offered with some classic dishes "always available".
In the lounge you can enjoy tapas and snacks throughout the day except during the restaurant's regular service hours.
AmaWaterways and Chairman Rudi Schreiner are members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a prestigious international gastronomic society dedicated to fine cuisine. Membership is by invitation only and extends to those who share a passion for the culinary arts within a framework of fraternity, friendship, and camaraderie. All of the company's ships in Europe are members of this gastronomic society, the oldest in the world.
At Chef's Table, the cuisine becomes part of the entertainment. The chef prepares a special multi-course tasting menu paired with wines specially selected for perfect harmony. The restaurant also offers breathtaking views through its large windows. Although included in the cruise fare, advance reservations are required at this restaurant, as it has a capacity of only 28 guests.
Amawaterways is a company based on the tastes of its owners: good food, high-quality wines, and elegant boats with great views.
After dinner, you can enjoy attractive evening entertainment with different performances each night in the “Lounge bar”.
This bright and versatile space houses the bar, a dance floor, a piano and plenty of room to relax at any time of day while enjoying a cocktail, coffee, tea or tapas and taking in the spectacular views of centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery while sailing.
The ship features a heated outdoor pool and a walking track on the Sun Deck. It also has a gym and a fleet of bicycles available for free use or on one of the many guided tours offered at each port of call.
In most European destinations, passengers can choose between guided bike tours or hiking excursions along picturesque riverbanks or visit some of the impressive castles encountered along the way.
Professionally trained fitness instructors lead a variety of onboard fitness classes, including yoga, strength training, stretching, and circuit training. This program is free and suitable for all fitness levels.
Destinations
As for destinations, the AmaSiena offers week-long European itineraries along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, from Amsterdam to Basel, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg or from Luxembourg to Nuremberg, stopping in such emblematic places as Cologne, Strasbourg, Heidelberg or Freiburg.
To give an example, imagine a 64-kilometer stretch of verdant landscape, dotted with grand castles and hilltop fortresses and marked by deep gorges that plunge to incredible depths. This is the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs from Rüdesheim to Koblenz and has connected the northern and southern halves of the continent since prehistoric times.
While aboard one of the boats sailing along the Rhine River, you can admire the stunning scenery from the deck, sunbathe, or enjoy a personal moment from your suite.
Amawaterways has also launched the AmaDahlia for sailing on the Nile.
Excursions are included, and the personalized service, both on land and on board, is always noteworthy. Passengers are divided into small groups, offering a variety of options at every destination. Local guides are available at each port of call, and a group is always offered for leisurely walks for those who wish to explore at a more relaxed pace. Whenever possible, a more active option is available for those interested in a more intense experience, and later departures are always offered for those who don't want to get up early but still want to see the destination.
AmaWaterways has also launched its first Nile River voyage with the AmaDahlia, and the next christening will be that of the AmaLucia, which was built in 2021 but will be christened in 2022. The company also recently announced that it will sail the Magdalena River in Colombia starting in 2023.
