Thirty-year-old Amadeus Cruises by Luftner Cruises has launched the 180-passenger Amadeus Silver, one of the largest and most luxurious river ships ever for the Austria-owned and operated cruise operator. Reflecting the increasingly upscale direction of the growing cruising niche, the 443-foot Silver offers first-class interior furnishings, luxurious accommodations, authentic Austrian programming and an environmentally friendly design.
Throughout its maiden season, Amadeus Silver will travel along the Rhine, the Main and the Danube rivers, as well as Belgium and Holland, on four- to 15-day cruises. The ship’s schedule for 2014, which will be available later this spring, includes 30 scheduled departures across seven itineraries.
Amadeus Silver decks are named Mozart, Strauss and Haydn. Passenger cabins (172 square feet) on the Mozart and Strauss decks have French balconies with drop-down windows affording panoramic views. The 12 Amadeus suites (258 square feet) have walkout exterior balconies with seating areas.
Among the ship’s features are Cafe Vienna, a traditional Austrian coffee shop serving Sachertorte specialties, and the River Terrace, an open-air lounge located in the ship’s bow that features special glazing to protect passengers from the occasional windy or rainy day while they enjoy unobstructed views of riverside scenery. Other public space highlights include a two-story fitness studio, two restaurants, a sundeck with a golf putting green, the Amadeus Salon private dining room and Panorama restaurant, which serves the red and white wines from the great winemaking regions of Europe.
Onboard activities include folklore shows, lectures on the history of the Rhine-Main-Danube canal, and Bavarian evenings with live music. Dozens of city excursions showcase the region’s rich cultural diversity, with highlights including concerts in Vienna, wine tastings in Wuerzburg, and castle tours. Complimentary bicycle rentals allow passengers to explore some of Europe’s most charming riverfront cities on solo shore side outings.
The Details
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