On a recent sailing of AmaWaterways' weeklong Captivating Rhine itinerary onboard AmaViola, my wife and I sailed from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, calling in Rudesheim, Dusseldorf Ludwigshafen (to access Heidelberg) and Breisach in Germany, as well as Strasbourg, France.
The last time I sailed with AmaWaterways on the Rhine River, I was onboard a chartered Adventures by Disney cruise — so, I was curious to see if a voyage without the mouse would be as magical. The short answer? It was.
As huge Disney fans, my wife and I always carry a bit of Mickey with us. And just as Walt Disney himself once purchased a small automaton bird cage while visiting Germany — an object that later inspired the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland Resort — we happily bought a mini animatronic aviary in Rudesheim during a port call, a stop that proved to be a highlight of the itinerary for us.
Even if clients bypass the gift shop entirely, Siegfried's Mechanical Museum in this charming port is worth a visit. The live demonstration of more than 400 self-playing musical instruments and automated music cabinets is enchanting, as were so many of AmaWaterways’ included shore excursions.
Onboard AmaViola
From the start, we were fond of our expansive, 235-square-foot Category AB stateroom with twin balconies (one French and one outside). Having seating areas both inside and out made for the perfect variety of panoramic options, while our comfortable bed also faced the views. We also appreciated the ample space around the vanity, the oversized bathroom with dual sinks and a rain head-equipped shower.
AmaViola’s staterooms feature twin balconies and spacious layouts designed for river views.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertIf we weren’t occupying our lovely private space, we usually enjoyed the main lounge and bar, especially during the value-added “sip and sail” happy hour with complimentary cocktails. The forward alfresco terrace was another favorite spot to relax and read in the shade.
On warmer days, the sun deck — with its inviting pool and swim-up bar — was the place to be for viewing the breathtaking Rhine Gorge and its string of cliffside castles. It was also the perfect moment to sample a Rudesheimer coffee accented with brandy and whipped cream.
Enhancing mornings of scenic sailing was the Bavarian-themed lunch in the main restaurant. Sausages with mustard; a trio of carving station pork cuts (belly, knuckle and kasseler, a local cured and smoked option); and a generous helping of spaetzle, potato salad and pretzels made for a hearty German meal. The standout dessert of blueberries and cream capped it off.
Nearly every meal we had on AmaViola was a winner, but the highlight came on our final night at The Chef’s Table Restaurant, a complimentary specialty venue requiring a reservation. The fixed tasting menu consisted of seven gourmet courses paired with regional wine, with king prawn ceviche and coconut-curry soup as standouts. We also loved how AmaWaterways (with “Ama” meaning love) showcased local entertainers onboard to further enhance the evenings.
The sun deck on AmaViola features a pool and a swim-up bar.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertStandout Stops
Our trip was further enhanced by every German (and French) destination we hit along the way.
The magical blend of half-timbered, German-style architecture and French culture made Strasbourg sing, and a tasty local Bavarian lunch of various meats and sausages, sauerkraut, potatoes and a standout mustard sauce took our day to the next level. After tasting delightful regional wines, we even picked up a bottle to bring home for Thanksgiving later this year.
During a tour of Heidelberg, quickly exploring the partially preserved ruins of the town’s historic castle was a dramatic revelation. We managed to find not only a tempting bakery — as we always love to — but also a neat movie-themed cafe called Regie for a refreshment to wash it down. If anything, we only wished for more time in this port — but that just gives us a reason to return.
