SCHappilyRetired

26 minutes ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

Here comes Part II of my review: the Cruise

 

Taste of Bordeaux Wine Cruise AmaWaterways

7 days

Amadolce

 

Ship: Amadolce, max passengers 140, actual passengers on our cruise 110. Beautiful ship.

Cabin: 302, Category A+. We chose this cabin because the pictures online showed a larger bathroom arrangement than the rest of the categories. When we cruise on Scenic last year in their lowest level cabin, we had to open the bathroom door to turn around, so bathroom size is now a priority. Unfortunately, the layout was not as shown on the deck plan, but was the same as all other cabins. Wouldn’t have paid the extra for this suite if we had known that! Good news was that the actual layout was manageable for us. Negatives about the cabin were lack of counter space as well as no drawer space.  Found a pull out bin under one of the twin beds, which unfortunately was unusable in the twin bed configuration (provided feedback on cruise survey at end, since it would have been usable if placed under the other bed). Plenty of hangers though! No difference between a suite and A+ other than Suite has a bathtub. As typical in Europe, the beds have a duvet instead of a top sheet and blanket.  Easily changed if you let reception know.

Staff: Never met our room hostess, but our room was made up twice a day as expected, so think she did a great job. Only saw her picture on the t.v. As previous mentioned, our Cruise Manager Marianna was excellent. Everything well organized. Presentations each night about upcoming day during Sip and Sail hour. Captain and ship crew were visible everywhere, doing everything when they weren’t “driving” the boat. Bar staff were great. There were 3 people in the lounge serving drinks and food in the lounge and they were very responsive to any requests or questions. Reception staff was knowledgeable and helpful. Most crew seemed to be from Serbia and Romania, and this was the first cruise of the season, so some were brand new. Training was obviously going on, but pretty much transparent to passengers.

 

Dining: Three meals served in the dining room each day in the dining room, as well as light lunch and dinner options in the lounge and one night per passenger at the chef’s table at the back of the ship. Breakfast had a small buffet option (bacon/sausage, eggs, bread, pastries, yogurt, granola), a cook to order omelet option, and a breakfast menu with a daily special. Hours are announced on the cruise schedule daily, depending on the sailing/touring schedule. Wine and sodas are free at lunch, and during Sip and Sail hour, and at dinner. Otherwise they can be charged to your account. They were fine if we brought our own wine anytime (after all, it was a wine cruise!). All the food was very good. There is always a Chef’s Suggested menu, as well as two or three other options for each course. Menus reflected the area we were sailing in. Wines offered were mostly (appropriately) Bordeaux regional wines, both red, white, and pink, as well as champagne, and the quality was good. You could ask for a different wine than what was offered both in the dining room and in the lounge. Ice cream is made onboard, so try it!

 

Tours: I found all the tours to be very good. As mentioned in a previous post, “Gentle Walker” option was offered for everything with their own guide. There is lots of bus time when visiting vineyards and other sites outside the actual town. Buses were never full. There was also a bike option led by the fitness director for many tours, which my fellow passengers really enjoyed. Tour descriptions were accurate.  The Cruise Manager Marianna went on the tours, rotating between the groups. Quiet Vox was used on the tours and provided for each passenger, with each group using a different channel. This is something I’ve experienced on all river cruises, and just wish ocean cruises would follow suit! Feel free to ask about any specific tours.

Wine Theme: This was billed as a wine cruise, so many (but not all) activities had a wine component to them. We had Mike and Melissa, the owners of Crystal Basin Winery in California were the wine hosts for the cruise. This cruise had originally been scheduled for the Rhone river in 2020, so Mike had shipped their wines pre-Covid with the Rhone in mind. Here we are 3 years later in Bordeaux! We tasted the wines and enjoyed them, and learned about Bordeaux, Provence, and the Sierra Foothills in California. Mike was a great and humorous presenter. Never pushed their wines, as I have read in other reviews of wine cruises with hosts. It was a delight to have Mike and Melissa as fellow passengers.

Passengers: Due to the nature of the cruise, most passengers were fellow wine drinkers. A large group from the Crystal Basin wine club, and another fairly big group from Toronto. The rest of us were a mix from all over the world (Canada, U.S., Panama, Brazil, Sweden, Scotland, etc.) Everyone was well traveled and enjoyed discussing a variety of things. Even though some groups were onboard, everyone blended beautifully. Great mixing of passengers in the dining room, since no assigned tables.

Miscellaneous: AmaWaterways App was great! It had the daily schedule, all tours, access to your Guest Booklet which had your personal schedule which for us included pre-cruise, cruise, and post-cruise. You could see at any given time where on the river you were sailing. Never had a problem with the app.  Internet is included, and very reliable. Never had a problem with it.  Fitness classes are offered several times each day, stretch, pilates, yoga are some that I saw. Bikes are available to ride in each port. Free time was plentiful in each port, and you could always opt to do your own thing rather than take a tour. Weather this time of year (late March) was cool to cold, with rain on a few days. Just one day (in Blaye) was blustery enough to keep many people onboard. River currents can be strong.

 

Conclusion: Would I recommend this cruise line and itinerary? YES! I had heard that these rivers aren’t as beautiful as the Rhine for instance, so was thinking I would be underwhelmed by the scenery. To my surprise I was not! Most of what you see is the French countryside with houses and buildings that looked as charming as I always imagined France would be. (Pre and post cruise tours are described in other posts in this thread.) Also a great evening cruise on the last night in Bordeaux.

Thank you for your review!  We are so looking forward to this pre/post and cruise come August.

Thanks, everyone!  Looking forward to this trip.  Alaskabound, safe travels, and looking forward to your review when you return!

We went with AMA Waterways.  Did a pre-cruise with AMA starting in Lisbon and did a couple of extra days on our own in Porto which I would HIGHLY recommend.  Stayed at a b and b on the river opposite where the ships dock.  The food was unbelievable!  My mission was to purchase something made out of cork.  I found this unique pocketbook that I always get compliments on.  Enjoy!

On 2/24/2023 at 8:02 AM, Glassishalffull said:

Debbie from KY signing in.  Anyone out here have any tips for must see or must do?  This is my first river cruise and I have sailed many times on the larger ships but making memories on the Seine this time.  Any thoughts or input would be great.

Since we have done Normandy on an ocean cruise, we decided to skip this river cruise and branch out to areas we have not been to so I can't help you on that end.  I CAN highly recommend AMA Waterways.  We have never been disappointed.

On 2/28/2023 at 9:38 AM, gam888 said:

We have been on many ocean cruises with various lines, but have never been on a river cruise before. We are particularly interested in visiting Budapest, Prague, Passau, Vienna. Trying to decide between a coach tour and a river cruise. We feel that a river cruise is more convenient because at least we don't have to pack and unpack every few days. We are from Canada, and we have to work out the logistics of getting to the cruise port a couple of days before the cruise. Since all these river cruises depart from small ports, we would have to fly into a major city in Europe, then either take a train or a regional flight to get to the port. We plan to spend about 7 to 9 days on the river cruise, and maybe stay in a hotel before and after for 2 couple of days. We would like to select a cruise line that is reasonable, not necessary luxurious, since we have a limited budget. Ideally, if there is a small lounge one can do a bit of dancing after dinner, would be a bonus. Could anyone please suggest which cruise line we should start to look at? We looked at some itineraries that sail on the Danube, we can recognize some of the town's names, but a lot of them we have no knowledge of. We are thinking of July and August. Is the water level on the Danube going to be a problem? Any information on the most scenic destinations,  cruise line suggestions, where are the most convenient towns to pick as a departure or ending points, would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

We have been on 6 rivers with AMA Waterways and would highly recommend them.  They never disappointed.

On 3/5/2023 at 7:33 AM, pontac said:

Bilbao and Bordeaux have more in common than just both commencing with the letter B

 

They're both on a river and both were the port for the export of local wines that gained worldwide fame. Plus Bilbao's wine came from the nearby Rioja wine region that became the new home of Bordeaux winemakers after Phylloxera devastated the vineyards of Bordeaux. 

 

In Bilbao you'll probably want to visit the Guggenheim art museum, which is close to the river. There's a big collection of stuff by Jeff Koons.

 

Regarding the river cruise, I've been twice,once with Viking and once with Scenic. Bordeaux is famous for its wines and all river cruise companies tend to stop at the same places, only the wineries visited differ.

 

Bordeaux cruise is unlike the other Europen river cruises in the it only travels a short distance, starts and ends at the same place and the riverside views are nothing special, apart from the giant castle at Blaye where no doubt you'll moor and tour.

 

Is there something specific you want to know?

After researching where we wanted to cruise next I did see that this river is nothing in particular and that's ok.  We are interested in the wines.  Guggenheim is on an excursion with AMA. Wondering how that compares to the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum?  I was just wondering what the "must see" would be.  Thank you for your info!

On 3/4/2023 at 7:29 AM, tulok said:

Please report back on your cruise. We are taking our first AMA in August, but 5th river cruise. I wanted to do Bordeaux but my husband thought it would be just like the southern France one we took from Lyon. I am hoping next cruise we book, I can convince him differently. (We loved the Provdence cruise

will do.  Enjoy your time with AMA.  I don't think you'll be disappointed. Safe travels

!2012 Alaska Bound.... enjoy your trip and safe travels

We are taking AMA on the Bordeaux cruise in September.  We will be doing their pre-cruise in Bilbao and San Sebastian and post-cruise in France.  I don't seem to find too much on this topic.  If anyone has info they would like to share it would be much appreciated.  This is our 6th river traveling with AMA and have been very pleased with their product.  Thank you!

On 3/12/2021 at 11:55 AM, notamermaid said:

I have just realized that gnome12 gave you the locks on the Main Danube Canal and I gave you the ones on the Rhine, so the ones on the Main are missing. Here they are: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_(river)

 

If you would like some more info on the Main, here is the thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2670259-the-river-main-infos-and-river-cruising-experiences/

 

notamermaid

 

Thank you.  I have been off this board awhile since our cruise was rescheduled.  Time to get back in the loop!

On 2/9/2021 at 4:58 PM, notamermaid said:

Coming from Basel up to the confluence of the Main with the Rhine there are 10 locks to go through, from wikipedia Germany "Rheinschifffahrt": town and kilometre marker along the embankment

Kembs (F)179,10

Ottmarsheim (F)193,64

Fessenheim (F)210,51

Vogelgrün (F)224,54

Marckolsheim (F)239,88

Rhinau (F)256,15

Gerstheim (F)272,23

Straßburg (F)287,36

Gambsheim (F)308,83

Iffezheim (D)334,00

 

notamermaid

 

 

Thank you!

On 2/9/2021 at 4:11 PM, gnome12 said:

There are 6 locks between Bamberg and Nuremburg, and one at Nuremburg, so either 6 or 7 depending on which side of the lock the dock in Nuremburg is on.

 

 

Thank you!

• Hi everyone!  We rescheduled our Medieval Treasurers cruise from October 2020 to September 2021.  A bit bummed as we were to sail on the new AMALucia and are now on the AMACerto.  Not the end of the world considering what's been going on.  Joyful both of us received our first Moderna Covid 19 shots yesterday!  Anyway, staying positive, does anyone know how many locks we will go through starting in Basal and ending in Nuremberg?  Just curious.  We are brining friends of ours (their first rivercruise) and they are excited to get all the info they can.  Thank you!

We have our 4th cruise booked with AMA for October 2021.  We only have invested so far a deposit of $800.  We will wait and see before paying anything else.  Sounds like if you final pay, only FCC are given.  Doesn't sound like a company we want to do business with in the future if that's the case.  Too bad as we had no complaints with our prior cruise and they truly went out of there way to accommodate our every request.  We will wait and see.  AMA are you listening to your customers???

We have our cruise on AMLucia September 2021.  Holding our  breath!  

41 minutes ago, JohninAult said:

Sue, did you do the post-cruise package in Lucerne & Zurich.  We're trying to decide whether to do that or arrange our own thing.  Most concerned about the hotels.  Thanks.

We have been on 5 rivers with AMA and never disappointed in their hotels.  We are planning Medieval Treasures fall 2021 and will use their hotels in Switzerland and Prague. Use to book our own but are happy with their selections.  You can go less $$ on your own but at this point in our lives just point me in the right direction and I'm there.   Enjoy your cruise!

Well that solves that problem.  Thanks for the PI work!!

My TA was good enough to call Princess and Holland and both said they still use this company.   I'll be patient and wait a bit and try back. Thanks everyone!

2 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I just tried the link for Cruise Line Formal Wear and got the same 'down for maintenance' message.  Did you try their e-mail?  custservice@cruiselineformal.com

 

No, not yet. Will try again tomorrow. If all else fails, I'll try the email.  Thanks!

3 hours ago, USCcruisecrazy said:

Depends where in SC you are but I know a guy that has a Formal Wear business and does specials for cruises...awesome stuff... he's in Myrtle Beach!

We are very close but really don't want to pack and lug it.  Thanks!

Hi everyone!  I have been trying for 3 days to order DH a tux for our NYE Princess Cruise on this site and it says "down for maintenance"  Decided to call them and after the recording, I keep getting disconnected.  Is this company still in business?  Any thoughts?  Thank you!!

On 9/4/2019 at 1:51 PM, gmaonboard4 said:

I did all that.  Check-in complete, cruise paid for............so I called AMA and gentleman said it would be around 60 days out before I could see them.  I am a bit confused, as this is our 4th trip with AMA, and I always thought we saw them earlier.  Oh well, guess I will wait.

 

Odd as all our AMA trips, once we paid in full, we were able to view everything.  Things changed?

37 minutes ago, musiclovingmom said:

This question is for people who have cruised on AMA before.  We are not cruising till next April, when we are doing Tulip Time. Does my husband need a suit? Any other tips or suggestions if you've done this particular cruise would also be appreciated. I've been reading through the 20 pages here. Thanks!

Definitely not a suit. If he wants to bring a sports jacket that would be suitable.  However, our Duoro cruise last year on Captains night a group of men from California wore shorts, tee shirts and flip flops that night.  Actually now that I think of it, they had the same attire each evening.  So, I guess AMA has relaxed on their dress code?  My husband did bring a jacket but only wore it on the Captains night.  Otherwise he wore a collared polo shirt and docker style slacks. Needless to say, neither of us were happy campers.  We did approach, along with many other guests, the dining manager, Igor, and he just shrugged his shoulders stating he did not want to "upset" those guests.  Guess he didn't care about the rest of the ship passengers.  I must say all our other cruises with AMA were not like that. Most men were in docker style pants, polo/dress shirt and jacket. Some with ties, some without. Sorry I can't help on other tips as Tulip Time is still on our bucket list.  Just not enough time to do them all!!  Enjoy!!

We took AMA in the beginning of October 2019 and the weather was perfect! I think 1 rainy day.  AMA has a new ship sailing this year on the Duoro along with AMAVida which we took.  All our other river cruises were taken in September/October with beautiful weather.

3 hours ago, 2islandhoppers said:

 

SuzCruise, we embark from Nuremberg on October 3.  We are actually taking the Medieval Treasures from Basel to Nuremberg on Sept26 on the Ama Dante, and then doing the back-to-back to Luxembourg.  We are taking the train and flying out of Frankfurt and from what I can find out, it will be easier to take the train from Wasserbillig than take a taxi into Luxembourg City. 

 

I find it interesting that you are able to see your shore excursions on the Ama website.  We've received the Ama documentation with the detailed itinerary for the Sept 26 cruise, but not for the second cruise.  Ama would like us to select our shore excursions for the first cruise  but we are reluctant to do that until we have a look at both cruises and can compare excursions.  There is some duplication of stops, but some of the excursions are different and we want to make sure we see what we were looking forward to.  We've contacted Ama and asked for the second set of detailed shore excursions so we can make comparisons, but were told we'd just have to wait until they send out the complete package.  Rather disappointed in Ama in this respect as we won't receive the second set of excursions until the cut-off for the earlier cruise.😕

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On all of our AMA cruises we found that once we paid in full, we were able to view and pick what we wanted online. We could change our excursions once onboard with no problems.  Actually, some passengers did not pick beforehand. However,  if your going on a "special limited excursion", I would secure that as soon as possible. I did a cooking class on our Rhone trip and that was limited to only 12 people.

Medieval Treasures will be our next cruise and I hope you post a review.  Enjoy your cruise!