AmaReina (APT) Activities

Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Entertainment
Carolyn Spencer Brown
Contributor

Entertainment & Activities

If you want to learn more about the ports you're visiting on an AmaReina cruise, it generally won't happen onboard the ship. There's little programming -- such as lectures or food demonstrations -- beyond a handful of folk-style performances. The library, which is rather small, doesn't stock a great collection of guides or other informational tomes, either.

Where you will pick up excellent insights is on tour; APT's shore excursions, most of which are included in cruise fares, stray beyond the usual staple of guided city tours. Particularly intriguing on our trip was a culinary tour of Vienna, a communist-era look at Bratislava and a trip to Austria's lake district. Using the ship's fleet of bicycles, there were numerous opportunities to tour ports like Durnstein and Linz on two wheels. Walking tours were offered at a variety of paces. Wireless transmitters, so passengers can hear guides without being right on top of them, are provided. Worth noting: Because of the good variety of offerings, tours rarely were too crowded.

Onboard, a pianist plays a variety of music before and after dinner, and quite a few passengers on our sailing had enough energy later to dance. On some nights, local entertainment plays in the lounge.

The cruise director's nightly talks, mostly focusing on the events of the following day, are humorous and enjoyable, as well as informative.

Public Rooms

Like most riverboats, the hub of onboard life on AmaReina is the sprawling lounge. There's a semicircular bar, a handful of tables at perfect height for writing letters or checking email, and a vast array of deep and comfortable couches and armchairs. There's also a closet-sized gift shop.

The beautiful lobby area, which spans two decks, is home to the cruise director's desk (he arranges onboard and in-port activities), a reception desk and an elevator that travels between the restaurant and the lounge decks. Because of marine regulations, elevators can't travel below the water line or to the sun deck. (That means cabins on the lowest deck, Piano Deck, are only accessible via the stairs.)

On riverboats, the top-most level -- the sun deck -- is, essentially, an extension of its lounge area, and AmaReina's Sun Deck is one of the most beautiful and comfortable in the industry. There are plenty of tables and chairs for playing games, writing postcards and eating, and there's a gorgeous sitting area with deep wicker-like sofas just forward of the bridge. The Sun Deck also has canopied areas for shade, with plenty of mesh-covered loungers.

Spa & Fitness

AmaReina's gym, with a handful of machines (treadmill, Technogym weight machine and two stationary bikes), is thoughtfully equipped, complete with television screens for entertainment. Water is provided. The ship also offers services like massages and hairstyling in a cabin that has been turned into a salon.

There's also a walking track on the Sun Deck.

One of AmaReina's highlights is its fleet of two dozen bicycles. These are free to use in port; towpaths run alongside the rivers, offering generally flat terrain.

One of the ship's most notable features is its small, heated pool; it's not big enough for "real" swimming, but it's a lovely place to relax.

For Kids

AmaReina has no special facilities for children, and kids younger than 12 aren't allowed to sail.

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