General Information
The Ama Viola was built in 2016 in the Netherlands. She is 443 feet in length and 38 feet wide with a crew of 51. There are 78 staterooms which hold 156 passengers. The ship is registered in Switzerland. Ama Waterways Headquarters phone number is 1-800-626-0126. The Headquarters in the US are open Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST. On Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This ship and the staff are English speaking. The website is www.amawaterways.com.
YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT WHICH IS GOOD FOR SIX MONTHS IN ORDER TO TAKE THIS RIVER CRUISE.
I sailed on the 25 August 2019 a 14 night Magnificent Europe. I asked tons of questions about this river cruise from Ama Waterways Headquarters. Here are some of the answers and information I found out.
Tipping on the ship is $272.00 per person in USD if paid in advance or it’s 15.00 Euros a day per person which can be billed to your on-board account and can be added to your final bill. Additional tips of 1 to 2 Euros for local tour guides and motor coach drivers up to 2 Euros per guest are suggested. The tips for local guides and motor coach drivers are given at the time of service.
Tips for the Cruise Manager is separate. Figure 100 Euros per week per passenger. For two weeks it is 200 Euros per passenger or 400 Euros per couple. This can be added to your final bill. You also need to factor any additional services the Cruise Manager provided to you. You might also like to give your cabin steward, a special bartender, or waiter additional tips. This can be done at the end of the cruise. Envelopes will be provided.
Wine purchased on land may be brought onto the ship at no charge. The staff will chill it, open it when your ready, provide glasses and serve it. We purchased a number of bottles and had them on the lower deck as we sailed along.
Lobby and Cruise Manager
If you require a VPN connection you will see the Cruise Manager as you board the ship and he or she will be happy to set you up with your VPN. You will find the Cruise Manager at a desk in the upper level of the lobby. The Reception Desk is open 24 hours a days and 7 days a week. You may dial 9 from your cabin to reach this desk. Tours will generally leave from this desk. You will have an opportunity to choose your tours before you leave home should you desire. There is no charge for most tours. There is a wide selection of tours from gentle walkers to bike tours. There is a tour available for everyone. In most ports there will be a lecture given by the Cruise Manager who is the same on land or the river. There are audio headsets provided for most of the tours providing verbiage on what you are seeing. You will be connected via the headset to your guide. There are also walking sticks provided along with umbrellas as you leave the lobby. Water bottles will also be passed out along with maps. On the map you will find the dock location and the phone number of the ship and Cruise Manager. When you return you will have a wet wash cold and a cold beverage waiting for you.
There is no ATM on board but there are lots of banks along the way to purchase Euros, etc. Credit cards in Europe require a chip to be accepted. Your cruise account will be in Euros and billed to your Credit Card.
Chef’s Table
Once you board the ship check with your Cruise Manager and book a Chef’s Table. You can usually book one Chef’s Table for every 7 days on board. This special restaurant serves a very fine dinner with wine paring and has a wonderful view as you sail along. Sometimes all the tables are grouped together and some times they are separate. I am alergic to fish and seafood and a special meal was prepared for me.
Laundry Service is available on board for a small fee. Because I have been travelling Europe for a little over a week I sent my laundry out immediately. I also made sure that I left the ship in Amsterdam with a clean suitcase. I would be travelling for another 3 weeks before I got home.
Cabin 308
This cabin is on the Violin Deck and just a few feet from the Cruise Manager’s Desk. The square footage is 255 sq. feet. This cabin has no tub and no couch. It does have a French Balcony and an Outside Balcony with two chairs and table.
There is an in-room temperature control, deluxe bedding Egyptian, down pillows and a duvet. The bathroom has a walk in shower, toilet, and a sink with a mirror and hairdryer.
The main cabin has a large wardrobe, full length mirror, safe, direct dial telephone, flat screen TV which is also a computer, entertainment system which works on demand as a computer, television, movies, and music library. Bottled water is repenished daily. There is a desk and chair, the bed overlooks the balcony and you can see the river. The bed is a queen size and very comfortable.
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Sun Deck
The Sun Deck has the Lower Sun Deck with chairs and tables which is perfect for sailing along watching the river view with that glass of wine; Navigation Bridge which allows your Captain a great view of the river or can be lowered when passing under low bridges; comfortable couch seating with coffee tables as you cruise (warm blankets can be found in the bins for cooler weather); Bicycle Storage Area; Heated Pool which was too warm in the 105 degree outside temperatures in Budapest; Sun Deck with comfortable chairs some within the shade covered area; and a Jogging Track where exercise classes are held after the warm-up walk or jog.
Note: There are sections of the river where the bridges are not high enough to pass under. Ama Viola ropes off the front seating section and lowers the Bridge. The passengers on the Sun Deck must remain seated when passing under a low bridge.
Violin Deck
Al Fresco Terrace
On the front of this deck is the Al Fresco Terrace which has comfortable chairs and is a shaded area. A small food lunch, breakfast or snack maybe brought outside to enjoy the river and the air as you sail along. Drinks may also be taken into this area.
Observation Lounge, Main Lounge and Bar Area
The Observation Lounge is part of the Main Lounge and Bar Area. You will find all kinds of comfortable couches, chairs, and tables in this Lounge. In the morning there is a coffee and tea service stand and small bites and juices are set out for an early risers breakfast. A smaller lunch is set out at lunch time for those who do not wish to go to the Main Restaurant. Of course beer and wine is served during lunch time. Afternoon Tea is served once a day. Lectures are given by the Cruise Manager on your next port of call and on-board entertainment is provided in the evenings. A Sip and Sail is provided each day along with the Drink of the Day which lasts about an hour. Should you prefer there is a complimentary menu with a list of drinks included in the Sip and Sail. Of course there is no charge for your Sip and Sail Cocktails. In the evening after your dinner this Lounge has entertainment. Sometimes it is a local band, dancers or wine tastings. It is a fun time for all.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is located right next to the Lobby Reception Desk. Shopping is very easy. Pick out what you want to purchase and see the Lobby Reception Desk. They will be happy to package it up and make it your own.
Piano Deck
The Piano Deck is below the Cello Deck and contains the Fitness Room, Massage and Hair Salon
Cello Deck
Main Restaurant
The Cello Deck is the floor with the Main Restaurant. There is an elevator which connects three floors but does not reach the Sun Deck. The Main Restaurant serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast is partially buffet but there are choices which can be ordered from the waiter. The buffet has a bread, egg, fruit, cheese and meat, cereal, and the hot breakfast food of the day. Coffee, Tea, and juices are served to your table. The Breakfast Buffet is extensive.
Lunch is served as part buffet and part order from the menu. The menu changes daily depending upon what country you are in. Of course beer and wine are served with your lunch.
The Main Event is Dinner. The menu will be displayed at the front entrance to the Main Restaurant along with a wine display of this evenings wine choices. Of course for all meals you choose your own seating. Your waiter and wine steward will see to your every need. Relax and enjoy!
