AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise Review

AmaWaterways is an approachable cruise line offering several opportunities to cruise the Danube River; read this review to learn what makes sailing this river so special.

The author – and photographer – had the opportunity to travel the Danube on AmaWaterways’ Romantic Danube itinerary onboard the AmaMora during the last week in October. Read on to learn what you could see, what you should pack, and how you can approach your AmaWaterways Danube River cruise experience. 

What’s the Danube All About, Anyway? 

The Danube is one the major rivers in Europe. Once an important trade route for several kingdoms and empires trading in salt, beer, wine and other important goods, today it’s one of the world’s major river cruise routes, with all the major players carrying passengers both up and down the river. 

Humanity has settled along rivers for millennia, so it’s no wonder that many of the cities and towns located along the river are old—like, Roman Era ancient. Vienna, Salzburg, Bratislava and Budapest, all major destinations along the Danube, were first built by the Romans in the ancient world.

On AmaWaterways’ Romantic Danube itinerary, you can spend a few days in Munich on AmaWaterways’ land package before the AmaWaterways Danube River cruise head to Vilshofen, and from there, sailed to Passau, Salzburg, the Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.

The Danube Destination Spotlight

From Bavaria, where beer is considered a food, to Budapest, which is currently undergoing a transformation into the next major European destination, there’s a lot to see when sailing along the Danube. 

The last week of October is in the window for the best time of year for leaf peepers heading to the Danube. Everything was brilliantly colored on this scenic sailing through Austria’s Wachau Valley, the grape vines were bright yellow, shining brightly in the sunlight.

Here are some highlights from each destination on this AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise:

Munich, Germany: The glittering capital of Bavaria, Munich is a beer and pork-lover’s dream. Its historic quarter is home to numerous luxury stores, several museums (including the Residenz Palace, which I highly recommend to learn about the history of Bavaria as a kingdom) and a lively Bavarian culture with plenty of good food.

The Viktualienmarkt, a traditional open-air outdoor market that offers everything from live plants (which, sadly, we can’t take with us) to a delicious wiener schnitzel on a roll, is well worth a stop. For a nature-based activity, take a long wander through the Englischer Garten—you might just see locals surfing in the middle of the city. For dinner or lunch, try the Augustiner Klosterwirk, a traditional Bavarian restaurant that’s so good, you might just find yourself seated next to Munich residents! 

Vilshofen, Germany: Vilshofen is a small, charming German city, with pastel-painted buildings and a medieval history. 

One of AmaWaterways’ signature experiences happens in Vilshofen: its exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. Held at the start of every cruise, the celebration comes with a local band, complete with pretzels and the locally made pilsner. Travelers can experience a bit of German culture by learning traditional Polka songs, dancing and enjoying some lively bar games. 

Passau, Germany: Passau is a fascinating place, located where three rivers meet. There is a fortress dating back to medieval times, and plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy, including one selling traditionally made cuckoo clocks.

The Passau walking tour is a lovely introduction to the town, which you can then leave to wander off down the narrow cobblestone streets. The church is gorgeous, and if you go up to the fortress, you’ll get the best view of the town, the three rivers and the surrounding area. 

Salzburg, Austria: Salzburg is known as the filming location for some of “The Sound of Music,” as well as the birthplace of Mozart, a centuries-old history of salt trade and a thriving music and arts culture. The cruise line offers a scenic a two-hour bus ride into the Austrian Alps for a day trip to visit Salzburg.

Cafe Tomaselli is a gorgeous cafe that dates back to the early 1700s, and it might just be Europe’s oldest coffee house, so it’s definitely not to be missed. Beyond that, travelers can head up to the Fortress Hohensalzburg if they have the time. 

Wachau Valley, Austria: The next day of the cruise was a scenic sail through the Wachau Valley, Austria, with an afternoon option to visit a selection of different towns on tasting tours, bike rides or other experiences. One tour visits Dürnstein and the Melk Abbey, a giant architectural masterpiece that’s set to impress, especially if you love visiting churches and other religious sites.

Spending the morning on the top deck watching the scenery roll by is a great place for photographs, especially of you and your loved ones amidst the castles, ruins, scenic vineyards and more. Pick the tour you’d like, or go off on your own; just know that the towns might close early, since they’re small and rural, so don’t expect too much nightlife after dark. Whatever you do: try some apricots, and when the AmaWaterways dining crew asks you if you’d like a glass of the local white, say yes. You won’t regret it. 

Vienna, Austria:  Vienna is also know as the Imperial City, ancestral home of the Hapsbourgs. One of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, this family ruled from Vienna, and it shows. Many of the city’s municipal, governmental and museum buildings were originally part of the imperial palace complex, now open for the delight and edification of travelers and residents alike. 

There’s a ton to see and do in Vienna. Definitely visit one of the many museums if you can, and also visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which is often crowded but lovely. If you’ll be spending a lot of your time in the Imperial complex area of the city, consider dining at Palmenhaus – a gorgeous restaurant set within an Imperial greenhouse – or grab a meal at a traditional coffee house. 

Bratislava, Slovakia: Bratislava is a great opportunity to try a Bratislava roll – the crescent-shaped, filled pastries are delicious. Also, if you have an hour or two, try one of the most unique experiences available as an excursion on this cruise: a New Age tea house nestled within a WWII-era bunker. It’s underground in the city center, so only the most observant travelers will be able to find it. Otherwise, the city itself is a great place to wander around. 

Budapest, Hungary:  Budapest is beautiful—both the Buda side and the Pest side. AmaWaterways offers a tour to both sides, giving a good introduction to the city. Since a lot of buildings that had fallen into disrepair or had been destroyed during WWII are now finally being rebuilt, there were a lot of restoration projects going on in the hopes Budapest will shine even brighter. 

Even if you’ve seen all the churches there were to visit on your trip before coming to Budapest, Matthias Church is unique and worth a visit. Also, the Hungarian people have a unique history unlike any other culture in Europe, and you’ll be missing out if you don’t learn at least a little bit. Lastly, try a chimney cake—they’re pastries roasted over a spit and dusted with cinnamon and sugar, or your desired toppings.

Important Considerations and River Cruise Travel Tips 

First thing’s first: river cruises typically aren’t physically accessible—and that was especially true with this one. While many of the tours include bus rides to landmarks or historic quarters, this trip requires a ton of walking.

AmaWaterways, like many cruise lines, provides an activity rating for each tour they offer, so you can understand what physical requirements each tour would ask of you. 

A lot of the ports we visited also required us to walk several miles each day, sometimes in wet weather, and often required several flights of stairs, even to use a restroom inside a restaurant. 

If you have limited mobility or have an injury that impacts your mobility, talk with your healthcare provider, your travel advisor and your travel companions, so you understand your options and any adaptations you might have to make, like scaling back how much you can see in each port, choosing less active trips, or choosing a different method of travel altogether. 

When traveling during late October, it can often be rainy. If you want to travel to Europe on a river cruise without worrying about packing a raincoat and your waterproof boots, visit during the summer instead. 

During the last week in October, fall colors were at their height; while the colors were amazing, there were also several rainy days. Packing a raincoat and good waterproof shoes helps a lot.

A note about pickpockets: while some tour guides warned us to watch out for pickpockets, especially in Vienna and in Bratislava, I didn’t notice any suspicious behavior. The time when we visited wasn’t the high tourist season, with less dense crowds where pickpockets are more likely to target unsuspecting individuals. 

Still, it’s important to be vigilant; be aware of your surroundings and who is around you.. Also make it a priority tp keep your valuables close and consider investing in a more secure purse or bag, or at the very least—

Finally, it is important to consider purchasing a travel insurance plan for any international trips you might take, including a river cruise. You will certainly want coverage for any medical needs (typically not covered by US-based medical insurance plans), as well as full or partial reimbursement for canceling a trip or cutting it short,

The Danube is Delightful

The Danube is a beautiful river, full of scenic cruising sights, insightful history and delicious food. Travelers wanting to experience a part of Central Europe might really enjoy seeing it via river cruise, where they’ll unpack once and still see several countries in the same trip—the only issue they’ll have is wanting to return again in the future to spend more time in one or more of the cities and towns along this journey.

AmaWaterways is a lovely cruise line, often attracting active, lively folks who love making new friends, experiencing new places and learning new things. The staff was helpful and fun, the food was delicious and my fellow cruisers were friendly. 

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to book your AmaWaterways Danube River cruise.