ONBOARD THE AMASOFIA -- In a "sea of sameness," AmaWaterways is looking to stand out.
So says CEO Catherine Powell, who was aboard the 152-passenger AmaSofia river cruise ship, which was docked at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, awaiting its christening ceremony (the occasion also happened to mark 20 years since AmaWaterways christened its first river ship, the AmaDagio, in Amsterdam).
AB staterooms onboard the AmaSofia feature AmaWaterways' signature Twin Balcony design, which includes both a French and a full step-out balcony. Photo Credit: Emma Weissmann
The AmaSofia has a similar layout to its sister ships on the European waterways, with a highlight being the line's signature Twin Balcony Staterooms, which feature both a French balcony and a full, step-out balcony.
But repeat cruisers and brand loyalists will notice several marked differences: As the first AmaWaterways ship to fully debut under the line's rebranding, the AmaSofia features a lineup of external and internal upgrades that will continue to roll out to other ships throughout the entire fleet this season.
Gone is the brand's blue-and-white color scheme, replaced on the bow with a music-note-inspired "A" logo in a blush hue called "vivace." A warm color scheme extends to the interiors, where public spaces and cabins feature pops of red and blush and are accented by dark wood and warm marble finishes.
The AmaSofia's sundeck features a walking track, loungers and a pool. Photo Credit: Emma Weissmann
Cindy Coggin, a travel advisor with Coggin Travels, an agency specializing in hosting groups onboard small ships, was on the AmaSofia during its inaugural sailing in March. She is well-acquainted with AmaWaterways, having sailed on 12 of the line's ships. Each of AmaWaterways' ships are decorated differently, and Coggin said she is fond of the AmaSofia's design.
She admitted she initially wasn't happy about the change in branding, including the loss of AmaWaterways' familiar crown logo, but said she liked the changes in person and thinks they will resonate with her clients.
If cruisers look beyond the ship's cosmetics, they'll also notice a series of onboard enhancements, which the line calls "elevations."
These include a change to The Chef's Table Restaurant (on the Violin Deck, at the stern), which has turned into an Italian kitchen for lunch, offering freshly made paninis, pizza and pastas. Meanwhile, the Lark Lounge & Bar, at the bow, now offers all-day dining and a variety of snack jars for guests who get peckish between meals. The Main Restaurant has been renamed Journeys Restaurant.
Bathrooms in the AmaSofia's AB staterooms feature heated floors. Photo Credit: Emma Weissmann
The AmaSofia showcases an increased investment in AmaWaterways' food and beverage concepts. The Chef's Table's move toward Italian cuisine was a direct result of feedback from U.S. clients, who make up the majority of AmaWaterways' cruisers, Powell says.
Each sailing also features a dinner by chef Robert Kellerhals, culinary director for the line. There's also been a substantial lift in the onboard wine selection, with 30 wines on offer during a single cruise. A new bread program offers fresh-baked options daily.
The Chef’s Table Restaurant serves Italian cuisine at lunchtime. Photo Credit: Emma Weissmann
"I personally enjoyed spending time in the spacious front of the lounge, which has a bistro look with comfortable tables and chairs," Coggin said. "There are some great changes and new additions."
Sara Stankey, a travel advisor with Your Magic Journey Custom Travel, was experiencing river cruising for the first time during the AmaSofia's inaugural voyage.
"The public spaces were lovely, as were the amenities, such as the pool and fitness classes," she said. "We upgraded to a double-balcony stateroom and were so glad we did; having that extra interior space when the weather was cold was perfect, so I could sit and read or knit at the French balcony while watching the landscape go by and then move to the outdoor balcony when it was nicer."
Personal favorite standouts in my Category AB stateroom (275 square feet) included heated bathroom floors, ample storage space, higher thread-count sheets and fluffy bathrobes that became my after-dinner uniform.
The AmaSofia's wine room is located off the Journeys Restaurant. Photo Credit: Emma Weissmann
The sun deck quickly became a favorite spot, with a highlight being a late-afternoon soak in the heated swimming pool surrounded by the views (and a castle or two) along the Rhine River Gorge. This outdoor space, which is home to several rows of sun loungers and additional seating, features a walking track that was often used after meals for a "digestive walk" with AmaSofia's onboard wellness host, Dylan.
The ship is sailing the Rhine and Danube rivers on itineraries including Rhine Castles & the Swiss Alps, Melodies of the Danube and Christmas Markets on the Danube.