AMA Christmas Cruise..What to pack/wear?

[ctteach5]

Hello everyone,

This will be our first river cruise. We are booked on AMA Prima December 8. We have booked the extra days in Prague and will end in Budapest. We have done Princess ocean cruises in the Mediterranean and British Isles, but I think the dress code for river cruises may be a bit different because of the weather. What do people wear on tours, and at dinnertime? For those of you who have gone on one of these cruises, what can you tell us to be sure to pack? Do many people hang out in the lounge, and will we be able to use the deck area on top? Any suggestions and information about expectations will be greatly appreciated. How are their tours? Which optional ones should we book, and which ones should we avoid? Anything else to know before we go? How about dining? What times for B, L, D., and does AMA have coffee or tea and cookies available in the afternoon, and or evening? How does the seating work?

Thanking all in advance.

Donna:o

[caviargal]

What do people wear on tours, and at dinnertime? For those of you who have gone on one of these cruises, what can you tell us to be sure to pack? Do many people hang out in the lounge, and will we be able to use the deck area on top? Any suggestions and information about expectations will be greatly appreciated. How are their tours? Which optional ones should we book, and which ones should we avoid? Anything else to know before we go? How about dining? What times for B, L, D., and does AMA have coffee or tea and cookies available in the afternoon, and or evening? How does the seating work?

Thanking all in advance.

Donna:o

 

- Pack in layers and be prepared for all kinds of weather. We always were our waterproof (and warm) boots on the plane, and pack an additional pair of walking shoes/boots, also warm and waterproof.

- For days we were jeans/cords with layers on top. We are partial to athletic wear. I wear a cami and a long sleeve half zip, DH wears a turtleneck and sleeveless vests most days.

- For dinner I wear nice slacks and a sweater/blouse. DH wears dress slacks and nice shirt.

- You will generally have a selection of tours in each port. We choose the active level tours and have also tried their culinary tours, something they started last year. They also offer bike tours. Sometimes you will need to sign up the day before but the CD will tell you all of that prior.

- We are DIY fans so do not book any options. My mom did the Salzburg tour last year for the 2nd time and really enjoyed it while we went to Salzburg on our own and spent a full day there.

-Breakfast is normally started at 7 in the MDR and the continental starts earlier. If we are arriving later into port, breakfast hours will be extended.

-Lunch is normally at expected times.

-Dinner can be 7 or 7:30 and it is open seating in the dining room.

- There is coffee available 24x7 in the main lounge and always cookies and fruit.

-The forward lounge is the social hub of the boat.

- We have been able to spend time on deck, including a NYE celebration in Vienna where we all on the top deck watching the amazing fireworks display.

 

Much of this information is covered in reviews and on existing threads so suggest you spend some time reading as these questions have been asked and answered dozens of times and lots of great info is posted.

 

We did that same itinerary last year on AmaCerto and it was just a fabulous trip all the way around.

[pacmom]

Welcome to the river cruise board. You are going to cruise at such a magical time. Like Caviar girl, we sailed with AMA last Dec. We had snow in Prague and Budapest and a bit of rain in Regensberg. Make sure you have hat, gloves and scarves. All meals are open seating, but dinner is served at a specific time and all are expected to be there at that time.

 

We really didn't spend time on the sundeck. Daylight ends about 4:30pm, so most everyone spent leisure time in the lounge.

 

We sailed during the "low water" last year. Port of Budapest was closed, so we were bused to a nearby town. Instead of the 1/2 day tour, a whole day was offered with 30 euros for lunch each. We and our friends had already spent 3 days in Budapest, so we staye don board. In Regensberg, we lost a bow thruster, repair was done after dinner and off we went to Nurnberg. So we didn't loose time at the wonderful market we got off at a lock area and were bused about 20 min to Nurnberg. At all times we were aware of changes to the schedule.

 

The evening entertainment on board was very good, some of the best we've had on river cruises.

 

Enjoy your trip, but beware river cruising can become addicting--we are going on #16 in June. Pat

[RichardandMark]

...we are also doing our first River Cruise in December. Luftner, aboard The Brilliant. We begin in Wurzburg, then Rothenburg and then board the ship in Nuremburg and then 6days to Vienna,,,we cant wait! Reading all of these posts, on these River Cruise threads has been wonderful and a wealth of info. Thanks to all willing to share.