Ama Waterways Rhine River Cruise
(26 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Penny Carpenter
Arapaho, OK
Weddingmoons, EU Mediteranean AK HI MX Leisure
I have the best job in the world, I make dreams come true! At the end of the day my husband will ask how my day went, I get to reply with things like, “I was in Alaska this morning, Rome and St. Lucia this afternoon, and ended with a cruise". What...
I have the best job in the world, I make dreams come true! At the end of the day my husband will ask how my day went, I get to reply with things like, “I was in Alaska this morning, Rome and St. Lucia this afternoon, and ended with a cruise". What more could you ask for? Every day brings with it a new adventure and the opportunity for me to explore new and old destinations. What a rewarding job! I am a Travel Leaders Leisure Travel Specialist and would love to help you plan your trip of a lifetime or just a weekend get away. It is so much fun to see the excitement as a bride figures out which destination they are going to get married in or honeymoon in. I will create an invite for her to email along with information about the property to her family and friends. Then I work diligently to coordinate everyone’s air and to select the right room category to stay within there budget. Of course if you want to get married state side I can help you plan the honeymoon you will always remember. Cruises are a perfect way to see many locations in a short amount of time, since they travel at night, no waisted time in airports, you only unpack once, they are economical and come with great food and entertainment. You may prefer a guided trip where someone is with you every step of the way, making sure your every need is met and you don't have to worry about anything. There is nothing more rewarding than to take the kids snow skiing, to Disney World or SeaWorld. I can take care of all of this for you. If you prefer to be an independent traveler, I can build the itinerary you dream of, whether you are an experienced traveler or a new one. I can personalize your itinerary so you get the most out of your trip, selecting hotels in the best locations, adding cultural and historical tours, I can even get you a private driver and guide. If you want to fly into one location, spend a few nights, take the train to another location, plan each day with the perfect side trips or just have a day or two to chill, I can take care of this. No matter which of these you choose, I will be there to help you. I am knowledgeable and have access to resources and information that can help you with every aspect of your vacation. I will help make your vacation the trip of your dreams. The rewards are amazing when my clients hug me and tell me how much fun they had planning it with me, or when they are in town and come by just to give me a hug. I have clients in 14 states and 5 countries so I never see many of them as we communicate solely by phone or e-mail. Many clients send me money before they have even decided where they want to go. I keep a ledger and when they have enough for a deposit, I call or e-mail them. They tell me where they want to go and their dates. I will e-mail them or print different options for their budget. Many really like this saying, “If you have my money, I don’t just blow it on stuff.” If I hadn't decided to take this venture as a Travel Specialist, we would have been satisfied going to Colorado skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. Instead we have been blessed to broaden our horizons and visit many fascination places around the world. The Mediterranean is my favorite, Spain with all of its wonderful food and genuine people, walking the streets the apostle Paul walked in Rome, with all of its history and great architecture, and to see how people actually lived in Pompeii is truly amazing. Scuba diving in Mexico and the Caribbean runs a close second with riding motorcycles across the US next. Honestly, my husband and I have a blast no matter where we are or what we are doing, just enjoying each other and life to its fullest. I graduated with a degree in Financial Economics and played tennis for SWOSU, where I led the Women's team my junior year to a Regional' s win and a trip to Nationals, a feat that hasn't been matched since. They flew us to DC and we drove to Salisbury, MD. We weren't successful but had fun, met great people and enjoyed the southern cooking. Oh those sweet potato biscuits, YUM!. We went to Ocean City Beach, where we got to see the wild ponies that swam over from Assateague Island and played with a huge turtle. We'd never seen anything like it before. I didn't realize how that would spark the beginning of my journey as a Travel Specialist. In 1999 I was given that opportunity and haven't looked back. My amazing husband of 37 years is the retired Clinton Fire Chief, we have six wonderful children, including spouses and eight awesome grandchildren. I have the most wonderful customers, I am honest and working diligently to provide them with the best trip their money can afford. I'd love to help plan your destination wedding, a trip of a lifetime, or your annual vacation. Call me and let's get to work having fun.
Can Be Reached At
1-580-323-3050
A statues outside the wall of Riquewihr, France
We flew with United on a Boeing 767-300, ECONOMY now has leg room, my 6'5" son would have been very comfortable. We flew into Amsterdam, caught the Ama bus to the AmaSonato, a beautiful ship, with a heated pool, an elevator, walking track and large chess board. The food was the best, that is why we chose this River Cruise line. They also had a great team of workers. One of the waitresses had 6 plates on her arm, the last one slipped off her arm, she caught it 6 inches above the floor, and didn't spill a thing. We all cheered and embarrassed her. She said this itinerary was great but the Danube was her very favorite.
I really expected the people to be way older than us. We saw multi-gernerations traveling on this cruise together. I would say that 40% were in their 50's, 15% in there 20's, 30% in their 30's and 40's and 15% would be 60 and up.
It was interesting going through the locks especially the one they lowered chairs, walls down along with the Bridge, another time they had us along with 2 other boats going through at the same time.
Amsterdam is a very busy, happening place. I love the architecture, it is very easy to get around in, but be sure and have your walking shoes on. I loved the houseboats with gardens on top, the row houses and the beauty of the canals. With bikes galore, food trucks out of yellow buses and Volkswagen vans, Uber food bicycles, the Anne Frank house and museums.
Beautiful scenery as you travel down the canal to the Rhine and along the Rhine. Our first stop was Cologne, where we did a 5 mile bicycle tour. Saw the "Locks of Love bridge", where you lock your love on the bridge and throw the key in the river, old Roman artefact's, Chalk artist in the square and a beautiful church. They took the stained glass windows out before the Nazi's got to them, the church was bombed but because it could breath it sustained very little damage.
There are over 30 castles along the Rhine, each one beautiful and interesting. Many vineyards, so interesting how they do them up the mountain and not in the valley. You can not buy a vineyard, the only way to get one is to inherit it, many of the rows have a different owner. The first 50 years grapes are for eating, the second 50 years they are a good enough quality for wine. When they pull them up, the ground has to barren for a time.
In Rudesheim, Germany we did a great 5 mile hike to Ehrenfels Castle. That night we toured Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, it was cool.
We did the city tour in Strasbourg, great architecture and a beautiful church.
In Heidelberg we did the Philosopher's Path hike. It was supposed to be 6 miles, but our guide said we made it in great time and if we keep going, there was a surprise. We saw a well dating back to 800AD, the Celts, built, the Romans added to, then the Monks continued it. You can see the different stages. Across the road was Bismark Tower where we took a kissing picture. Well worth the climb? Our guide said let's keep going, it's worth it, we made it to the top and saw a Nazi Propaganda Amphitheater and Klosterruine St. Michaela's Monastery built in 1023. I don't know how far we walked but it was worth every step, there is a great little Cafe almost to the top to stop and eat and get refreshed.
Our favorite stop was Riquewihr, France, a beautiful little walled village. Everything was covered in flowers. People opened up there windows and sold the things they had made. Everyone was so friendly.
My husband being a retired Fire Chief went looking for the Fire Station called the Pumpier Station. It was just outside the wall and was a volunteer station. We talked to the Gardner who had done an amazing job. The police chief came walking up wearing a New York Police Chief's T-shirt and told us no firemen were around. When we showed them a picture of my husband in his uniform, they became very interested in us, we talked for some time.
Ama Waterways is a very good company, I highly recommend this cruise and this company. You won't be disappointed.