We chose this cruise because we were looking for a more upper scale cruise line and a new and beautiful ship. We were not disappointed -- this was a very pleasant experience.

As an overview, Amawaterways was an outstanding, upper-tier line (akin to Celebrity or Holland America on ocean cruises and far nicer that Viking). Our ship (the Viola) was brand new and beautiful, and every aspect of the service was outstanding. The itinerary was very good and the staff was fabulous. It caters to North Americans, and everyone on the staff speaks good English.

Our cabin, while not large, was beautifully appointed and first rate. The furnishings were great. The lighting was very good and practical. The beds were very comfortable. The rooms contained every convenience you could ask for -- robes, slippers, a safe, etc. The bathroom was the nicest we have seen on a cruise ship. It was relatively large, had a great shower with two different streams and had plenty of room for personal items, including a cabinet under the sink. The towels were very nice. You can control the ventilation in the cabin, which was very important to us, because we like a cool temperature and we could make it as cool as we needed. The balcony was small, but a nice touch. Read more