In late February, Britton and I fly to Budapest to board AmaMagna. It’s the beautiful super-sized ship operated by AmaWaterways. Because AmaMagna is twice the width of a typical river cruiser, the ship can only operate on the Danube. Great, you say, but in February?
That’s right. We will be part of a press trip, courtesy of AmaWaterways. Our media contact tells us that temperatures can range from lows of 28° to highs of 59° so he advises that we pack layers, along with gloves and hats. We plan on doing just that.
Why go to Europe when it’s cold? AmaWaterways is having us and other travel writers over to preview the launch of river cruising in February. The company believes that off-season river cruising has a few plusses. Britton wrote about those in her story Brrrr: The Best Of The Danube With AmaWaterways … In February.
Our trip also gives us an opportunity to see the ship once again. AmaMagna is unique in that it is more spacious than the typical river cruiser. After attending the ship’s christening ceremony in 2019, I came back home to pen 6 Types Of Travelers Who Are Perfect For AmaMagna, Are You One Of Them? I know that I am. Where do you fit in?
- Small Luxury Ocean Ship Cruisers: AmaMagna offers spacious staterooms, multiple dining venues, and amenities comparable to small luxury ocean ships, providing a familiar experience for those accustomed to ocean cruising.
- Travelers Who Prefer Multiple Dining Options: With four distinct restaurants—Main Dining Room, Al Fresco, The Chef’s Table, and Jimmy’s—guests can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences.
- Groups: The ship features versatile spaces like two libraries and the Al Fresco restaurant, ideal for group gatherings and meetings.
- Families: Amenities such as a sundeck pool, whirlpool, spacious staterooms accommodating up to four people, and a dedicated cinema with movies and gaming consoles make it suitable for family vacations. See Is AmaMagna The Perfect River Cruise Ship For Families?
- Fitness Enthusiasts: AmaMagna boasts a large gym equipped with modern cardio machines, spin bikes overlooking the river, and offers daily wellness classes like Pilates, Yoga, and Circuit Training.
- Past AmaWaterways Guests: For those familiar with AmaWaterways, AmaMagna amplifies the experience with larger staterooms, more dining choices, and enhanced fitness and enrichment options.
I’m looking forward to being back on board for several reasons that relate to my “river cruising lifestyle preferences.”
- I like big staterooms and I cannot lie. It’s nice to have the extra space that AmaMagna’s double-width allows. Just look at that stateroom in the photo above. It looks like a stateroom on an ocean-going ship. It’s rare that you see a sofa in the stateroom of a river cruiser. The majority of AmaMagna’s staterooms measure 355 square feet, but there are also six Grand Suites at 474 square feet, and an capacious Owner’s Suite at 710 square feet. You can view AmaMagna’s staterooms here.
- I’m a fitness freak. Okay, make that enthusiast. Don’t get me wrong: I can sit at AmaMagna’s Pop-Up Bar for as long as you’d like, but I just feel better after a little activity in the gym or on the bike. AmaMagna’s fitness center is huge by river cruise standards. The ship’s Zen Wellness Studio features a state-of-the-art fitness center, two massage rooms, hair salon, nail salon, and a juice bar. Plus, there a-new full-size pickleball court on the ship’s Sun Deck. And last but not least, there are bikes on board for independent exploring or guided tours.
- I like variety in dining. On AmaWaterways’ “normal” river cruise ships there are two (and sometimes three) dining venues. Typically, you’ll have the main dining room, the reservations-only Chef’s Table, and the main lounge for breakfast, lunch and on some ships dinner. AmaMagna raises the culinary bar with four dining venues, The Al Fresco Restaurant, Jimmy’s (a fun family-style restaurant), The Chef’s Table and the main dining room.
- I like seeing old friends. I’m not sure who our cruise manager will be. Nor do I know who will be our captain or any other AmaMagna staff. But I’m sure to know someone.
- I’m coming home. Stepping on AmaMagna or any AmaWaterways’ ship is indeed a lot like coming home. That’s in part because the company’s co-founders have put their hearts and souls in their ships, and that sentiment has trickled down to the staff. The home concept is a hard feeling to describe but it’s as if you had walked into a local mom-and-pop restaurant in your hometown where you know all the staff and are warmly welcomed, versus going to a chain restaurant where you’re less likely to be known. Of think of the television series Cheers, set in a convivial Boston bar “where everybody knows your name.”
We step on board February 23. Please let us know if you have questions about the ship, our itinerary or even the weather. You can always reach us via the comments section below or by contacting us via email.
Our itinerary spans eight days, roundtrip Budapest. It’s one of several Danube river cruises that AmaMagna operates in 2025. See the full list of offerings on Ama’s website.
Our ‘Best Of the Danube’ Itinerary
Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – EMBARKATION
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship, perhaps exploring the city independently before the evening’s briefings, cocktail hour and dinner.
Day 2: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Take your time this morning as the ship cruises from Austria to Slovakia. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. If you prefer exploring the world through your tastebuds, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour to sample traditional flavors from the region, including local beer. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city, or journey further from the seat of your bike on a guided cycling tour.
Day 3: WACHAU VALLEY – MELK, AUSTRIA
Spend your morning reveling in the postcard-perfect landscapes of Austria’s picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wachau Valley. Later in the day, arrive in Melk. Located above the city on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, Melk Abbey is one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries and a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally founded in the 11th century, the magnificent abbey now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. During your tour you will see some of Melk’s musical manuscripts as well as frescoes painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger.
Day 4: LINZ, AUSTRIA
Arrive in Linz, where you’ll have multiple choices for excursions. In the morning, step off the ship into Linz, taking in its contemporary architecture as well as the old city center, the old market and past the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days. As another alternative, pedal through Linz on an exhilarating bike tour. If you would rather fulfill your travel wish list in Salzburg, join our tour through the historic center, lovely Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael where the wedding scene from The Sound of Music was filmed. Alternatively, join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes.
Day 5: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Enjoy a full morning of scenic cruising, taking some time to sit back, relax and delight in the ever-changing views. Sleep in late, participate in a complimentary wellness class, treat yourself to a massage and get to know fellow cruisers while exploring all the amenities on board. In the afternoon, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic city center as a traditionally costumed coachman regales you with fascinating stories along your route, offering a new perspective on this sophisticated city. Alternatively, take a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, traversing a bridge, cycling across a meadow and heading to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard.
Day 6: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Following your overnight in the “City of Waltzes,” visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. If you prefer to connect with nature, journey to the town of Cobenzl where you will embark on a hike through the famed Vienna Woods that inspired a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II. Later in the day, explore Vienna at your leisure.
Day 7: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Start your exploration of the city on the Buda side of the Danube, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admire the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. In the evening, head up to the Sun Deck or stroll around town, delighting in the way Budapest’s magnificent landmarks illuminate against the night sky.
Day 8: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – DISEMBARKATION
Bid farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home.
This article was originally posted at River Cruise Advisor.
