All Things Travel Podcast

Exploring the Danube River with AmaWaterways (Part 2)


Listen Later

In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie continue their discussion of Ryan's recent river cruise experience with AmaWaterways on the Romantic Danube itinerary. After covering the pre-cruise stay and initial impressions in the previous episode, they dive deeper into the dining experience, daily excursions, and how the cruise line handles unexpected situations.


Dining Experience on AmaWaterways

  • Breakfast: Combination of menu items (omelets, eggs benedict, pancakes) and buffet options including English breakfast and pastries
  • Lunch: Menu-based with regionally-inspired options, including sandwiches, soups, and hot main dishes
  • Dinner: Full menu service with regionally-based cuisine reflecting the sailing locations
  • Chef's Table: Complimentary specialty dining experience in a separate venue with a chef preparing meals in front of guests
  • Unlimited beer and wine included with lunch and dinner
  • Late night snacks available in the lounge around 10 PM
  • Flexible dining options for various preferences, with "always available" menu items like steak, chicken, and salmon

Itinerary and Port Highlights

  • Technical issues required modifications to the schedule, with AmaWaterways providing bus transportation to destinations
  • Wachau Valley: Though initially missed due to ship issues, the cruise was rerouted to allow passengers to sail through this beautiful Austrian valley
  • Dürnstein, Austria: Known for apricots, offering tastings of various apricot products
  • Melk Abbey: A gorgeous architectural complex with monks still in residence
  • Vienna, Austria: Ryan toured the vibrant city on Palm Sunday
  • Bratislava, Slovakia: Surprisingly Ryan's favorite stop, offering the perfect blend of small village charm and modern city amenities 
    • Walking tour through the old town
    • Beer garden with Slovakian beer tastings
    • Local pastries and ice cream (including fig flavor)
    • Shopping opportunities at both traditional shops and modern malls
  • Budapest, Hungary: Sailing into Budapest and seeing the Parliament building along the Danube 
    • Tours of both Buda (old town, castle area) and Pest sides
    • Visit to the Jewish memorial shoes along the Danube
    • Easter market with food, music, decorations, and gifts

Key Takeaways

  • Exceptional level of service throughout the cruise
  • Variety of experiences available even with similar excursion types
  • River cruising allows passengers to customize their vacation experience
  • Well-suited for sol

Support the show

Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new


Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

  • Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
  • Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

All Things Travel PodcastBy Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

26 ratings


More shows like All Things Travel Podcast

View all
Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

Travel with Rick Steves

2,519 Listeners

Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen

Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

48 Listeners

Zero To Travel Podcast by Jason Moore

Zero To Travel Podcast

823 Listeners

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast by Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

665 Listeners

The Frommer's Travel Show by Pauline Frommer

The Frommer's Travel Show

173 Listeners

Disney Travel Secrets - How to do Disney by Rob and Kerri Stuart

Disney Travel Secrets - How to do Disney

965 Listeners

Addicted to the Mouse: Disney Podcast | Disney World, Universal, & Cruise Vacation Planning by Dan and Leslie Lowry

Addicted to the Mouse: Disney Podcast | Disney World, Universal, & Cruise Vacation Planning

982 Listeners

Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss! by Ed Pizza, Richard Kerr

Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss!

379 Listeners

Award Travel 101 by Award Travel 101 Team

Award Travel 101

175 Listeners

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel! by Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

340 Listeners

Geobreeze Travel by Julia Menez

Geobreeze Travel

408 Listeners

Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points by Points Talk Squad

Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points

1,016 Listeners

Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks by Katie's Travel Tricks

Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks

462 Listeners

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel | Presented by Yahoo! Travel by Mary Ellen and Jo

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel | Presented by Yahoo! Travel

204 Listeners

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast by Thrifty Traveler

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

170 Listeners