AMA or Tauck on Danube

[vacation dreaming]

AMA has a boat built for the Danube - Magna. It looks like the rooms are bigger than other cruise lines. I have never done AMA or Tauck so I am looking for opinions, specifically for the Budapest week long cruises.

 

[Passepartout]

I've just done AMA in France and in Germany. We went to a Tauck presentation, and decided it was for Americans who want to have an 'American' experience. We travel to have a more 'local' experience, so we tend to go to European 'boutique' hotels and eat in non-tourist restaurants. I understand why folks want to have accustomed experience, but that's not why we travel.

AMA Magna is the largest river cruiser. Rudy, AMA's Owner, planned the ship to run the Danube route, but may be limited to 'high flow' times in the Budapest, and upstream stretch of the river. The cabins are close to what one experiences in ocean cruise ships. Most river cruisers have smaller cabins. IMO, no line understands river flows better and works to assure that their guests have a great experience.

I don't think you can make a bad choice.

We are on the cusp of booking an AMA cruise downstream from Vienna to Vilshoven Romania for next year. It was about our 3rd try to book something acceptable. Many European river cruises are mostly sold out.

Jim

 

[silentg]

We have done two cruises on AMA. Waterways, Paris To Normandy, and Rhine Cruise. Both were wonderful the best part Is excursions are included and led by local guides exclusive to AMA. Would like to do the Danube if we do another river cruise.

 

[Glynda]

I've just done AMA in France and in Germany. We went to a Tauck presentation, and decided it was for Americans who want to have an 'American' experience. We travel to have a more 'local' experience, so we tend to go to European 'boutique' hotels and eat in non-tourist restaurants. I understand why folks want to have accustomed experience, but that's not why we travel....

Jim

Now you tell me! We are going on our first river cruise in October and it's on Tauck! Our friends invited us and they went on their first river cruise on Tauck last year! But come to think of it, they are not very adventurous travelers. We're doing the Danube Budapest to Prague. Hubby and I like local experiences too! So have you been to Budapest and/or Prague? We are spending a couple of days on each side of the cruise in each city. We'll be in Prague for a total of four days. Local recommendations?

 

[Passepartout]

We're doing the Danube Budapest to Prague. Hubby and I like local experiences too! So have you been to Budapest and/or Prague? We are spending a couple of days on each side of the cruise in each city. We'll be in Prague for a total of four days. Local recommendations?

We went to Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Krakow & Warsaw on a Grand Circle bus tour in the '90's. They just provided transportation and lodging. And a guide, a Pole who had learned English from Voice of America under his covers in the Cold War. We got a half day city tour in each city and Richard showed us how to use local public transport. Iirc we were about 3 nights in each city. This was before the Euro, so we had pockets full of Croner, and zlotys.There was no Internet. Paula and I spoke some German & Spanish.

We knew that after that, we could travel independently, anywhere in the world! It was a great experience.

You'll see Prague castle. Great museum there. Wensaslaus square where Prague threw off the bonds of Communism. See Shirley Temple (Ambassador to Czechoslovakia's) house. Great beer!

In Budapest (Pest side) the old city market beside the Danube is worth a visit. Kinda like the one in Barcelona, but bigger. Food stalls on the ground level- eat there. Upstairs there are booths with handmade goods from Russia and Caspian Sea Caviar. (Expensive, but where else will you find it?)

We walked across the Chain Bridge from the Buda side and rode the funicular up to St. Stephen's Church and found a small local restaurant for an anniversary dinner.

We''ll be back next Summer for a river cruise continuing down the Danube to Bucharest and the Black Sea.

Jim

 

[Timeshare Von]

I've just done AMA in France and in Germany. We went to a Tauck presentation, and decided it was for Americans who want to have an 'American' experience. We travel to have a more 'local' experience, so we tend to go to European 'boutique' hotels and eat in non-tourist restaurants. I understand why folks want to have accustomed experience, but that's not why we travel.

<<SNIPPED>>

Jim thanks for sharing this! I am very intrigued with the European river cruises . . . and have been receiving literature from several companies (including these 2). Like you, I want a LOCAL experience and not something that has been Americanized (if that's a word). Not everyone can get out of their comfort zone of what's familiar to them, but I do prefer experiencing travel from a more local perspective.

 

[Sandy VDH]

AMA puts their money into the product. Viking puts a lot of money in advertising to the US market. I usually hear a lot of Americans saying they want to go on Viking. Just observing.....

I would recommend AMA.

 

[stmartinfan]

We visited Budapest and Prague on a train trip across that area. Both are great cities, very walkable with lots to see. We loved doing one of the thermal baths in Budapest. People of all ages and a relaxing experience. My daughter was watching a couple of older men playing chess on the board built into the large bath area and they invited her to a match. She was no competition for them, but still a fun connection with some locals.