Hi everyone, Hannah here (again!) This week I am on my first AmaWaterways River Cruise and I want to bring you all along for the journey.
AmaWaterways are a luxury River Cruise Line that provides all-encompassing river cruise vacations along the most breathtaking waterways of Europe, Africa and Asia.
This week I am sailing on the beautiful AmaKristina, doing the ‘Colors of Provence at Christmas’ Itinerary, from Arles to Lyon.
Today started with a very early wake up call for my 6am flight with KLM from Newcastle to Marseille Via Amsterdam. This is the first time I have flown with KLM and they were absolutely brilliant, both flights were on time and the staff at Amsterdam airport helped get me through passport control quickly for my second flight.
At Marseille Airport there was a private transfer waiting for us to take us to Arles, which took us about 1 hour and 5 minutes. When we arrived at the port, check in was quick and efficient and only took a matter of minutes, then we enjoyed lunch in the lounge.
For lunch you have the option to dine in the lounge, where you can expect sandwiches, soups and the main dish from the restaurant, which today was Penne Pasta with Mushroom Sauce, Rucola and Parmesan and was simply delicious.
After lunch I had a little look around the ship and I was amazed by how gorgeous this ship is. The décor is simply breath-taking. With it being the beginning of the Christmas period, it is so lovely to see all the Christmas decorations that are all around the ship and how well thought out they are.
I am staying in one of the French Veranda Stateroom’s, which are absolutely gorgeous. The size of the CA French Veranda Cabin that I am staying in is 170 ft2 and has the capacity to be a twin or double bed. The room is beautifully decorated with a spacious bathroom and two chairs with a small coffee table. The French Style Balcony is perfect for fresh air, however we are currently docked right next to another River Cruise Ship so we currently don’t have a view, until we leave for Avignon tomorrow. I have posted a video of my stateroom at the bottom of the vlog so make sure you have a look!
This afternoon, Afternoon Tea was served between 3-5pm, however I didn’t go today but I will certainly be trying it at some point this week. Before our evening meal, there was a ‘Sip and Sail Cocktail Hour,’ where you can go and get free drinks such as cocktails, sparkling wine, spirits, soft drinks which they were very generous with. As today is the first night, all of the staff were introduced in a lovely ceremony, which you wouldn’t traditionally find on Ocean Cruising.
After several glasses of Sparkling Wine at Sip and Sail, we then headed to the restaurant for our main meal. This again, was absolutely amazing. This is an A le Carte menu. Tonight I had Crab Cake for my starter, followed by Potato Soup, then Beef Striploin for my main course. For desert I had Poppy Seed Raspberry Parfait, washed down with wine pairings.
Whilst on board an AmaWaterways River Cruise, although you don’t have drinks included all day, you do have all your drinks included at time of dining and within the very generous sip and sail hour. Prices of drinks are very reasonable (I will include some prices later in the week).
The night finished with some local entertainment, which tonight was a Gypsy show called ‘Les Guitares de Camarque,’ which was brilliant. Ama like to use a lot of local entertainment, so I am looking forward to seeing how the entertainment varies the further we head North to Lyon.
After my first fun-filled day I have finally headed to bed to write this before I set my 7am alarm for the Van Gogh tour I am on in the morning.
Au revoir! I will update you all about Day 2 tomorrow
Want to know more about AmaWaterways? Contact one of your Cruise Specialists on 01388 767 222 for more information.
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