Crystal River Cruises

March 2019

Crystal River Cruises invited our group to have dinner and experience their river ships while we were in Vienna, Austria. It was definitely an exciting evening that we were all looking forward to!

The Ravel gliding past my balcony today

Tying up to the Mozart

The Crystal Mahler, sister to Ravel, is to the right. Three beauties!

Tonight we had to go through the Mozart to get to the Ravel. Half of our group went to the Mahler, with pretty much the exact experience as the ship is a sister ship.

A welcome cocktail by friendly bartenders is always nice.

They enjoyed showing off for us too!

We were welcomed into the lounge with cocktails and canapés and piano music, the atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable.

It was a nice time and everyone was excited for dinner.

The Bistro

The Vintage Room

This suite can connect with others for families traveling together.

More pictures of the beautiful Crystal Ravel

Welcome to dinner at Waterside on the Crystal Ravel!

Great dinner companions in Waterside

Tonight’s Dinner Menu

Tonight’s Paired Wines

Cheers….or Prost!

After this amazing dinner, we went over to the Crystal Mozart to explore the ship. Different than the Ravel or Mahler and much wider.

Notice how much wider the ship is as you look to the other side

Connoisseurs Club was very comfortable!

AmaMagna

March 2019

We were treated to a real surprise when we arrived early morning in Linz, Austria! AMA Waterways brought their brand new not even finished ship, the AmaMagna, into port next to us! We tied up to it were given a tour of this beautiful new ship! we just weren’t allowed to take pictures onboard, just the pics from our ship of the outside with the name.

It’s still under construction but we were able to get a feeling for the size and differences in this ship from the one we were on. We were like little kids, excited about each new area we saw. You could really see how beautiful and comfortable this ship will be. It’s twice as wide as their other ships, but will only hold 20% more passengers-so you will have even more space. This is definitely a game changer in river cruising and I am excited to see the AmaMagna when finished!

We saw this when we went to the reception area of our ship and were so excited!

Below is information from AMA Waterways website about the new ship:

COMING MAY 2019

An evolution of AmaWaterways’ award-winning European river fleet, AmaMagna is twice the width of traditional river ships with ocean-worthy amenities and the intimacy and beauty only the Danube River provides. With more personal space and more opportunities for dining and leisure, AmaWaterways’ latest innovation is the floating oasis of your dreams – redefining river cruising as we know it!

AmaMagna’s expansive breadth is a welcome bonus for discerning travelers and frequent ocean cruisers who appreciate the added luxury afforded by generous personal space. In fact, most of her accommodations are ultra-spacious suites measuring 355-710 sq. ft. and featuring full balconies, so you can stretch your legs while taking in the ever-changing scenery. AmaMagna also has sizable bathrooms, many boasting double sinks and a deluxe walk-in shower, allowing you to rejuvenate without limitations.

As a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the exclusive international culinary society, AmaWaterways will treat you to our trademark exquisite, locally inspired cuisine on board AmaMagna—but now there’s even more to whet your appetite. In addition to AmaMagna’s Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant—where the kitchen, usually hidden, becomes part of the entertainment—you’ll savor fresh, masterfully prepared cuisine within the new Al Fresco Restaurant, featuring retractable windows, as well as Jimmy’s, a family-style bar and restaurant named for AmaWaterways’ beloved late co-owner, Jimmy Murphy. All of this is available to you at no additional cost. So, go ahead—indulge!

From swimming in the sun-deck pool to relaxing in the whirlpool to exercising in the Zen Wellness Studio, AmaMagna offers a variety of activities to accommodate everyone’s tastes. Plus, you can participate in a new river-bound activity exclusive to AmaMagna. Board a Sundowner boat accommodating just 14 guests for an intimate excursion departing from AmaMagna’s groundbreaking Water Sports Platform. On select sailings you can participate in an exclusive Concierge Golf Program to keep up with—or even improve—your game. You can also visit the hair salon, stop in one of two spas, or get a manicure and pedicure.

Vienna 2019

Austria

March 17/18, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

Vienna with all the Imperial History, Hapsburgs rule, grand Palaces, museums and music make it a cultural delight! It has always been one of my favorite cities in Europe and I love coming back over and over again.

St. Stephansdom or St. Steven’s Cathedral is an iconic landmark in the city. It’s my favorite out of the many church’s in Vienna. The sheer size, architecture and history are intriguing.

The inside is cavernous and ornate, and there was an art installation with pink colored paper objects hanging in the center, it was pretty.

Taking the 343 stairs up to the top of the taller south tower. Great way to work off the Weidner Schnitzel! The stairs are narrow, worn and smooth so not so easy to navigate, plus if someone is coming down at the same time you have to both squeeze by each other. It took about 10 minutes to get to the top and the views are worth it.

I love the colored tiles on the roof and the patterns, looks great close up and from afar

I really enjoyed doing this alone so I could spend time looking at Vienna from above in all directions

See how beautiful the tiled roof is!

Please look at this collection of pictures, zoom in on each photo to see what the cathedral looked like after it was bombed in WWII. You can’t imagine how it was able to come back to its current glory.

The girls having fun in Vienna

One of my favorite spots to take pictures in Vienna! Plus there’s always a horse and buggy to go by!

We all need to get a picture here!

Ready for a traditional Viennese Heuriger lunch experience.

Oh yeah, the best comfort food in Bavaria is Kasespatzle!

Traditional and crunchy Weiner Schnitzel with lemon! Tender veal pounded thin, breaded and fried til crisp! You have to try it at least once in Vienna, it’s their signature dish. Wein means Vienna in German, so Weiner means it’s from Vienna-so Weiner Schnitzel is a Schnitzel variety from Vienna!

Potato dumplings stuffed with meat, sauerkraut with speck and herbs.

Not sure I we can eat anymore!

Spring is in bloom in Vienna! I loved seeing all the spring bulbs and plant I don’t see in California.

I could not wait to shop for Austrian Crystal at J & L Lobmeyr on Kärntnerstraße!

Just look at the inside of the shop, it was spectacular, glittery and shimmering!! The middle chandeliers are the same as the ones they made when they were commissioned to make them for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York!

Speaking of an Opera House, the Vienna Staatsoper is so beautiful and opulent inside with its red velvets and gold. Definitely take a tour inside, it’s fascinating.

Jamie and I ready to go into the infamous Hotel Sacher right next to the Opera House on Kärntnerstraße.

The hotel is opulent and beautiful!

The infamous Sacher Torte is only genuine if made here! Have it mit obers and an einspänner

Here is a good view of the double balcony from the outside. Sunken in with the chairs is the traditional balcony and right next to it is the French balcony which is pushed out flush with the outside of the ship.

This window is inside the bathroom and it works with a switch to make it clear or frosted for privacy. I thought it was a bit strange but than realized it made the bathroom feel more spacious when open and gave better lighting.

Ready for another gourmet dinner!

Tonight’s Menu

Dinner was sublime as usual, I loved the salmon trout, it was perfectly cooked.

We had a fun evening at the Kursalon. A classical music concert with Strauss and Mozart favorites. Everyone was dressed up, champagne was flowing and and waltzes being played. I’ve seen a similar concert like this in Shönbrunn Palace before and loved it so I was excited to go again and it didn’t disappoint!

Schönbrunn Palace is a favorite!

Tonight a Viking ship was tied up to us, close your blinds!

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Bratislava, Slovakia

March 17, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

We arrived in Bratislava which is the capital of Slovakia, a former part of Czechoslovakia. It was a chilly and sunny day to explore this little gem.

Kristin and Diane patting Cumil for luck!

The Castle up on the hill

Sunday mornings are quiet and peaceful!

The main square and theater

The American Embassy, the only one with a security wall around it!

St. Michael’s Gate is a beautiful landmark

Pretty manhole covers

Beer tasting in Bratislava

And platters of cured meats and cheeses

Definitely a fun experience!

Now for the Slovak National Dish…

Bryndzové halušky – potato dumplings with sheep cheese and roasted bacon

Sailing away from Bratislava and watching the Castle from the sundeck

Such a nice way to visit a city on a river cruise

This is the French Balcony

All the doors open in the cabin with the warm breeze in the cabin or deck

The top deck is so relaxing!

The heart is a memorial made of the barbed wire that used to be part of the Iron Curtain. This area of the Danube between Slovakia and Austria was called the Iron Gate because it was an area that was block and no one could go in or out of this “Iron Curtain” of Communism.

Part of the area where the Nazis were stationed, in that ugly building that they keep there as a remembrance of what happened.

The freedom gate is a memorial to those who were killed trying to escape

Calming and serene view from my balcony

Enjoying the sun setting on the Danube while enjoying the top de k of the AMA river cruise ship

St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Slovakia

Going through the locks was fun!

St. Patrick’s Day fun onboard in the lounge with cruise line owner Kristin Karst and Diane Horan, my AMA support-both amazing women.

Such an amazing experience to have dinner onboard with the owner of AMA Waterways Kristin Karst!

Tonight’s Menu

Confrerie de la Chaine de Rotisseurs dinner was memorable! It is a prestigious honor to be inducted into this culinary society, AMA Waterways is the only river cruise line to be part of this esteemed society.

Happy Birthday Wendy!!! 🍀

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Budapest, Hungary

March 14-16, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

I arrived in Budapest the evening before the river cruise started. I stayed at the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge right on the river and it had spectacular views across the river to Buda.

Breakfast in the club lounge with beautiful views.

Views from my room

The Szechneyi Baths were perfect after traveling. It was a chilly and breezy high 40’s but the mineral baths were hot!

Faust Wine Cellar is in one of Budapest’s underground caves. It was cool and very atmospheric!

St. Matthias Church is up on Castle Hill.

The Hungarian Parliament is an iconic building on the Danube. It’s the picture you see whenever you hear about Budapest or river cruises.

Fisherman’s Bastion is right near the church and has great idea over the city and river.

Parliament

Shoes on the Danube is a memorial to those lost here during the Holocaust.

Sooo excited to board our river cruise today! This is our 8 day itinerary.

The beautiful AMALea by AMA Waterways

Pictures and floor plan for our balcony cabin.

She looks just as pretty in person!

Some pictures of the ship.

They are flying our flag!!

The dinner Menu our first night.

Dinner was amazing! AMA is known for its fine dining.

After dinner we went up to the sundeck and the ship sails along the Danube and all the buildings are illuminated, it’s so beautiful!

Some brave swimmers in the warm water but for me it was way too cold! It was bitterly cold and raining, almost felt like sleet but it didn’t stop us. They were coming around with glasses of schnapps to keep us warm.

The beautiful Chain Bridge

The Central Market Hall or Nagyvásárcsarnokis a great place to wander, shop and eat!

Lunch at a local cafe for some traditional Hungarian fare.

Not sure how I will eat dinner tonight! I was only able to eat about 1/3 of this massive plate.

Tonight’s Menu

Tonight we are leaving Budapest and sail towards Slovakia. While I enjoyed the few days in Budapest, I am looking forward to Bratislava.

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp