Our journey with AmaWaterways commenced in the charming town of Vilshofen, Germany, a picturesque setting that set the stage for our unforgettable cruise experience. The logistics of reaching Vilshofen added to the excitement of the adventure. We embarked on a train ride from the central station conveniently located just across the street from our hotel in Munich. The train journey, lasting just under 2 hours, offered us glimpses of the beautiful German countryside, building up our anticipation for the upcoming voyage.
Upon arriving at Vilshofen, the seamless transition from the train to our awaiting cabs exemplified the efficiency and organization that characterized our Ama Waterways experience. Our mode of transportation from the station to our luxurious vessel, The Ama Magna, was a testament to the attention to detail and comfort that the cruise line prioritizes for its guests.
While it was feasible to walk from the station to the ship, the scorching heat and the burden
of our luggage led us to opt for a cab, a decision that allowed us to conserve our energy for the exciting adventures that awaited us on board. As we settled into the comfort of our accommodations on The Ama Magna, we knew that every aspect of our journey with Ama Waterways was carefully curated to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
We were able to board the ship just after 2pm and they had a light lunch waiting for us until we could get into our cabin. That evening after we had time to get situated in our cabins, there was a cocktail hour at 6pm. Then at 7pm they had a mini “Oktoberfest” set up for us outside of the ship. There was beer, pretzels and live local music and even the “German Olympics” where 3 competitors battled to see who could hold a full stein of beer straight out using only the shoulder muscles - and guess who won?! Eddie!
The ship spent a peaceful night in Vilshofen, allowing us to recharge before embarking on our journey to Passau, Germany the following morning. Passau, known as the birthplace of the pretzel, surprised us with its unique culinary tradition - locals enjoy their pretzels with butter, not mustard, a delightful tidbit we learned during our visit. Opting for a walking tour of the city this time, we delved into the charming streets and historical landmarks, a departure from our previous castle hike adventure.
Our exploration led us to St. Stephan’s Cathedral, a magnificent architectural gem housing the largest pipe organ in the world. The grand organ boasts an impressive 17,974 individual pipes, although only a fraction of them are currently operational due to ongoing maintenance work. With five separate keyboards that can be played simultaneously, this musical marvel is a rare treasure, managed by a select few - a team comprising of two men and one woman, each possessing a unique skill set to master this intricate instrument.
Once our tour ended, we sat at a local pub and had a pint of beer (well Coke Zero for me) with some of our friends from KVI Travel. About 6pm we boarded the ship again and sat down for an excellent dinner. At some point in the evening, AmaWaterways - AmaMagna set sail again towards our next stop of Linz, Austria.
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