Behind the scenes: Cruising on-board AmaWaterways’ AmaPrima

The perfect way to find out whether river cruising is for you is to take a look behind the scenes.

Connell Green, our Supplier Relations Executive, recently stepped on-board AmaWaterways’ elegant ship, AmaPrima, to experience this vessel’s offering first hand. Here is what he thought.

First impressions

The level of service on-board AmaPrima was apparent before I even stepped on-board. The embarkation process was incredibly smooth, and within five minutes we were enjoying canapes and a welcome drink on the ship.

Décor and accommodation

No need for a refurb here – AmaPrima was elegantly modern, without being too in your face.

I stayed in a category AA++ stateroom on the Violin deck. It was lovely and spacious, with a large shower and plenty of room to lounge in the seating area. The facilities didn’t disappoint, either: I was treated to a fridge filled with complimentary bottles of water, and a bathroom stocked with amenities. My stateroom also had a safe, and I was very impressed to find a Mac that doubled up as a television!

One of the best parts about this stateroom was the glass-fronted balcony. With ample room for two guests, it was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the stunning views.

Food and drink

Coffee (including speciality coffees) and tea were available free of charge throughout the day on-board AmaPrima, including during meals. Complimentary bottled water was also replenished daily.

Where dining was concerned, AmaWaterways offered two options: Main Dining and Chef’s Table. While the dining at both of these restaurants was fairly formal, the dress code itself was relatively relaxed.

The themes of the food were varied and fairly contemporary, and the meals were absolutely delicious. What’s more, local wines, soft drinks and beer were available on a complimentary basis during lunch and dinner.

The thing that really stood out about the dining on-board AmaPrima, however, was the fact that Ama cruises strives to accommodate every guest. All passengers need to do is make staff aware of any dietary requirements before sailing.

Final verdict

Over the two nights I was on-board with AmaWaterways, I was very impressed with what I experienced. With very low hulls, these unique ships aren’t affected in low water, meaning they can reach a whole new range of ports.

My Ama cruise stopped in Hoorn, in the Netherlands, which was a lovely port. During my time here I went on a bike ride excursion covering around 13 miles. It was a fantastic way to get into the countryside and see genuine communities away from the port. We also visited a little restaurant where we sampled local produce including cheese, fish and a local brandy drink. Delicious!

Overall, the service on-board AmaPrima was excellent. For a small crew, the Ama river cruises team made the ship feel very welcoming. Over the two days, I couldn’t fault anything. The atmosphere was relaxed and the ship was almost full, with the majority of passengers falling into the 50 – 70 year age bracket. I wouldn’t recommend this ship for families, but for older passengers, couples and even solo travellers, it is an ideal vessel.

Would you like to experience the serene rivers of the Netherlands on AmaPrima? Call 0800 197 0854 to speak to a member of our friendly Cruise Concierge team, and to find out more about what this special ship has to offer.