I recently completed a bucket-list cruise to Eastern Europe on board AmaWaterways’ AmaCerto. The cruise is eight days and seven nights and covers five countries ­— Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. I booked a land extension on either side: two nights in Budapest and two nights in Bucharest to maximize my exposure to two of Eastern Europe’s most prized destinations.

Global Traveler recently announced winners for the 2017 Leisure Lifestyle Awards, and AmaWaterways won for Best River Cruise Line. This is well-deserved as AmaWaterways continues to provide innovation and set new standards in the industry. The cruise line offers some of the most spacious staterooms and suites on the rivers today. Interiors are a luscious blend of sophisticated elegance and contemporary décor, offering customized modern-day comforts.

AmaWaterways cruises include unlimited house-brand beverages; themed dinners; land tours and excursions; live cultural entertainment by local dancers and musicians; and daily enrichment lectures.

My ship for the southeastern Europe voyage was the 162-passenger AmaCerto. Built in the Netherlands in 2012, it offers 81 air-conditioned suites ranging from 226 square feet for the deluxe twin balcony suites to 452 square feet in each of the two spacious Owners Suites. All staterooms feature a French balcony window with an outside veranda; a private bathroom with a glass-door shower, an HD flat-panel TV, mini-fridge with bottled water replenished daily and a personal safe.

Public spaces on the AmaCerto include a gift shop; a library with a fireplace; and a main lounge, offering panoramic views of the river and countryside along with a bar, piano, dance floor and 24-hour coffee and tea station.

Meals are nothing short of culinary genius. As a member of international culinary society La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, AmaWaterways’ dishes are inspired by regional cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients, paired with fine wines and beer. The main dining room features daily specials along with traditional fare. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary night at The Chef’s Table (reservations are required and can be made on the ship). The 28-seat specialty restaurant features a tasting menu all about threes: three appetizers, three soups, three main courses and three desserts. Hand-selected regional wines are paired with each course.

Exercise buffs can keep up fitness regimes with a walking track and heated swimming pool on the Sun Deck, as well as a fitness room and onboard bicycles. Hikes are prominently featured at several destinations as well. Afterward, spruce up at the hair salon or get a massage.

Land excursions generally include active, regular, gentle and late-riser tour options along with complimentary headsets. Special tours focus on in-depth experiences, such as wine and local cuisine.

© Karin Leperi

My tours included a night-illumination cruise tour of Budapest; a Pécs excursion in Hungary; a Croatian wine tasting; a Novi Sad walking tour in Serbia; a Belgrade city tour; a Serbian Quburich Brandy tasting; a scenic cruise through the Iron Gates; a Belogradchik Fortress hike and Baba Vida Fortress visit in Bulgaria; and a full-day tour to Bulgaria’s Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi.

My pre-cruise itinerary in Budapest included a city tour and a full-day Puszta tour to see the Hungarian cowboys and their incredible horsemanship skills. For my post-extension in Romania, I did a tour of Bucharest and a full-day Transylvania excursion to Peleș Castle and Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle).

AmaWaterways
tel 800 626 0126