In April 2016, I was assigned to review the “Tulip Time” spring cruise onboard AmaWaterways’ AmaSerena, detailing its interiors, food and land tours with sites of interest to travelers interested in Jewish history. Days before the trip, however, terrorist attacks at the Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek metro station in Belgium seemed to make cancellation imminent. The AmaWaterways representative in charge of my travel arrangements, nevertheless, assured me the trip would be modified rather than canceled.
What made that AmaWaterways sailing experience memorable was observing the graceful, purposeful way in which the AmaSerena’s crew handled the crisis and ensured that passengers had a stimulating, luxurious journey. Off-the-beaten-path Netherlands stops filled the Belgium voids (like university town Middelburg, in the country’s southwest), and were so well-received by passengers that they were later added to future itineraries.
Five years later, experiencing the new, sustainably powered, 156-passenger AmaSiena on its maiden outing delivered the fairy-tale vistas of castles and historic architectural marvels promised in the “Captivating Rhine” itinerary (Amsterdam to Basel, with stops in Germany and France). What was equally impressive, however, was seeing how smoothly AmaWaterways’ management and crew members ushered in COVID-19-prompted changes that may ultimately enhance and update cruising for years to come.
AmaWaterways’ Health and Safety Protocols
“We put into practice the safety and health protocols onboard the AmaSiena several months ago, when we operated last year at a smaller capacity serving European travelers while Americans could not travel abroad,” Kristin Karst, co-owner and executive vice president of AmaWaterways, explained over coffee in the ship’s library the day after its formal christening.
“We did this for four months, and we had no cases of COVID-19. We then took those successful protocols and implemented them once American travelers were allowed to return to Europe,” she added. “This is what we plan to do throughout the fleet, and the new measures validate we have done things right and are fully prepared for the [remainder of] 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons.”
Cruise manager Martina Valachova and her colleagues used warmth and humor to set the tone when enforcing the stringent new standards in public and private areas. Valachova’s PA announcements made the necessities of masking up, pre-meal temperature checks and pre-departure COVID-19 tests simply feel like extensions of existing “before times” safety protocols. The service in the lounge, restaurants and staterooms, meanwhile, was excellent and consistent throughout the sailing. Keeping the bottom deck of staterooms closed to passengers to limit the onboard numbers was also well-received.
Dining Onboard AmaSiena
Another improvement rolled out onboard AmaSiena is a revitalized food and beverage program. AmaWaterways’ hallmark Chef’s Table and Chaine des Rotisseurs dinners are still in place, but what’s coming out of the kitchen for cruisers with special diets sets a much higher bar, benefiting everyone onboard. In his brief christening appearance, the line’s co-owner and president, Rudi Schreiner, detailed how the pandemic shutdown afforded him the perfect opportunity to replace buffet-style service with a fine-dining experience featuring “actual menus,” attentive waiters and fresh ingredients sourced along the cruise route.
/FalafelPlate_PHOTO2.jpg?tr=w-768%2Ch-432%2Cfo-auto "FalafelPlate_PHOTO2")
A vegetarian falafel plate was served onboard AmaSiena when sailing out of Amsterdam.
Credit: 2021 Elyse GlickmanBehind the scenes, culinary director Robert Kellerhals not only brought Schreiner’s vision to life, but made sure everything offered for vegetarian and vegan clients could appeal to all guests, and was in alignment with AmaWaterways’ new emphasis on health and wellness.
The best things to come out of the kitchen on this cruise included perfectly executed vegetable soups, fresh fish main courses and eclectic starters matching up with the food culture of each port-of-call. A vegetarian falafel plate served at lunch when sailing out of Amsterdam (vegan with the omission of a honey-mustard drizzle) was one of the cruise’s culinary standouts.
Excursions, Activities and the AmaWaterways App
Wellness host Teodor Leta (in his newly created role) deftly worked in safety protocol messaging through his bouncy repartee. His daily onboard fitness classes, limited to six guests, were on the easier side. However, he also turned up to provide guidance on the more difficult hiking and biking land excursions for the younger and more active passengers.
Another nifty new addition from AmaWaterways’ long-term plan for modernized, sustainable cruising is its MyAmaCruise app. While it helps cut down stateroom clutter, it also makes the entire itinerary and daily activities accessible with a few quick swipes.
The app’s GPS feature proves to be useful offshore, as well. While free postcards and postage are still offered to guests, the app shifts that idea into the e-postcard/social media world. A “Share My Cruise” feature enables passengers to reach out to friends and family to confirm they’re safe and share photos of the majestic views along their trip.
Even with all of the effort, there are a few things that could be improved, such as non-functioning fitness machines and stateroom layouts that are too small for two people (which could be remedied with more drawers and luggage storage space under the beds). But the overall improvements showcased during the christening cruise — as well as the relaxed-but-sophisticated decor fusing art deco, mid-century modern and Scandinavian influences — prove that AmaWaterways is poised to transition its appeal toward Generation X and older millennials while still providing a welcoming environment for the traditional Baby Boomer cruiser.
The Details
AmaWaterways
