hoosier2017

We typically travel mid October to early November.  Crowds are low and temps can range from cool to delightful.  Agree with comments that castles on the Rhine are best viewed rom the top or front deck (with a cup of coffee or tea).  To me, this itinerary was a slower pace than a Danube cruise (which sometimes had one stop in the morning, lunch on board, and another stop in the afternoon.    We didn’t travel with Viking, so I can’t comment on their excursions.  
if you’ve never been to Amsterdam before, go a few days early if possible.  There is so much to see! Been there twice and still would love to return again.  
as others said, there are a lot of other river cruise lines to look into.  This forum has wonderful helpers so don’t be afraid to ask!.

also you say you are seasoned cruisers, river cruising is VERY different.  But to me different in the best ways.  Not thousands of people, not multiple restaurants, no casino, no shows.  But wonderful people (both staff and guests), excellent conversation, beautiful locations, amazing experiences.  

Hello! 
Scheduled for our third cruise with AMA in October on the Mekong! Very excited! Curious if there is a sip and sail cocktail hour on the Ama Dara like the prior European river cruises we took! 
We have enjoyed wonderful trips with AMA and can’t wait for the next adventure!

Thanks everyone. Appreciate all of the advice!

We had two days in Zurich and we loved it.   I wouldn’t skip Zurich, it’s walkable and easy to navigate. We stayed at the Walhalla hotel which was right near the train station.

On our first river cruise we experienced low water.  We had an aquarium class room and received the same suite hotel room at the Kempinski in Budapest that everyone else did.   No matter what size the room, the treatment we have received has been stellar.  Like others have said, it depends upon what is important to you.  

Thanks for the replies.  Powdered drink hydrating packets are on my list.  We usually travel with our own pharmacy!  Was there a specific cooling towel you’d recommend? 

Could anyone who has traveled on the Mekong chime in concerning vaccines/medications their doctor and/or cruise line recommended? Looking at CDC guidelines, malaria medication stands out to me.  Appreciate any advice someone has.   
 

We are booked for this cruise in October of 2023.   I believe the boat they use for ha long bay is Paradise Elegance.

Enjoying all of your posts.  Mekong trip booked with AMA in October of 2023.   Continued safe travels!

In our experiences, AMA has been a wonderful company to deal with.  Our first cruise down the Danube, we encountered low water. The final two days we were put in a five star hotel, and although the food fell short, AMA gave a generous credit which we used towards a second cruise.  Our second cruise was in 2021, Covid was declining in Europe.  There were only 20 passengers on the entire ship, but we had an amazing time.  Staff is wonderful, friendly, helpful, accommodating.  They know your drink orders by the end of the first day.  We have a third cruise booked with them in 2023.     

You can use the credit towards tips at the end of the week, and as others said, drinks, and the small shop, but that’s a large credit.  Even with a massage or two, and all of the above.  

We booked this trip with AMA for October of 2023 with pre land package and post package as well. I can’t comment on Scenic, and can only tell you that the AMA staff has always exceeded our expectations.  Best of luck with your search. You’ll find many opinions here, and they certainly vary. 

We stayed at The Passage at the end of our river cruise. Good location, nice clean rooms, good breakfast and short taxi to train station.

Completely agree with CastleCritic.  We also take aquarium class and had a Covid upgrade on one cruise.  It was nice, but honestly we never sat out there.  I wouldn’t pay for it.  Prefer to sit in the lounge or upfront to enjoy the view.  It’s a personal choice.

Great review! Thank you.  We are booked on a different line next year but similar itinerary.  How was Ha Long Bay? And we’re there specific sites in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City you would recommend? 

Is there a particular river you are looking at? If so, I would narrow it down to see what lines have dates that fit your schedule.   River cruising is very different from ocean cruising.  We have been on 2 AMA cruises and loved both.  But the Danube and the Rhine are very different.  We felt the Danube was more active, the Rhine slower paced.  Happy to help if you have questions as I’m sure others on this site will be. 

Hi there. Weather unpredictable if you go on your own or on a river cruise.  I agree spring and fall are the best times to go.  Low/high water always a possibility, which you wouldn’t be concerned with if you went via car/ train on your own.   Food wise, I can only speak for the line we have been on twice, AMA.  There were always options available such as chicken, steak, burgers.  And chefs have always been accommodating with requests.  River cruising is a great way to travel.  Good luck! 

Hand warmers are a great suggestion!  We took multiple packs with us and find that when your hands are warm it really helps! 

In November of 2018 we had an Amawaterways trip that also had low water issues the last couple of days.  The hotel in Budapest was incredible and we also received a generous credit for the disruption.  That said, if I had a cruise next week or so, knowing the water levels, I’m not sure what I would do.  

If you fly into Zurich it is very easy to take the train to Basel.  Our cruise ended in Basel last year and we spent an extra night there before taking the train to Zurich and spending a few days there before flying back.  

I was on that cruise in November and the Wi-Fi was great.  I didn’t upload photos, but FaceTime worked fine.  

Thanks!

Thanks very much for the info.  AMA is offering business class air for $3,999 a person which is very reasonable to say the least so that’s why I’d have them book the air.   We’ve done two other AMA cruises once in the smallest cabin and the second a French balcony cabin.   I feel we spend very little time in the cabin.  I know it will be very different then a Danube or Rhine itinerary, but excited for something different. 
can I ask what month you went and how was the weather?

Looking for any and all information people can provide concerning this itinerary.  Did anyone have AMA book their flights? If so, which airline were you booked on.  Cruise wise, I’d like to know about the excursions, food, weather, and if anyone did the land extensions.   Thanks in advance! 

Ritabob, we were on an AMA cruise in November.  All aquarium class passengers were upgraded.