An Exclusive Rhône River Journey with AmaWaterways and Expert Kathryn Stewart


Boarding AmaWaterways’ AmaKristina for the Colors of Provence itinerary in Southern France from March 14th to March 21st, 2024, was like stepping into a finely woven tapestry of cultural richness, breathtaking landscapes, and culinary delights for our travel advisor, Kathryn Stewart, and her husband.

Today, she will be recounting their adventures sailing the Rhône River with AmaWaterways!

The Prelude: Lyon, France

We departed from Portland on March 11th, 2024, navigating our way through a quick stop in Amsterdam, en route to the historic city of Lyon. The anticipation buzzing in the air was palpable, a prelude to the adventure that awaited along the serene waters of the Rhône River.

Arriving in Lyon, I had arranged for a private transfer to our hotel which was promptly waiting outside the arrivals hall of the airport. The vehicle was clean, new, and the driver was pleasant, but she didn’t speak much English, so we enjoyed a mostly quiet drive into town.

The first stop was the Hotel Carlton Lyon – M Gallery Collection which was nestled within walking distance of the vibrant Place Bellecour. The standard double room was quite spacious by European standards with a nice, large bathroom and walk-in shower. The hotel provided the perfect gateway to dive into the city’s rich tapestry of history, cuisine, and culture – attributes Lyon wears proudly on its sleeve.

Diving deeper into Lyon’s heart, I booked a private walking tour through Tours by Locals, unveiling the layers of this UNESCO World Heritage city from its ancient alleyways to the bustling Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse indoor food market, where we engaged in a symphony of tastes comprising of cheeses, sausages, and wine.

A tip for fellow explorers — always double-check what’s included in your tours, as the market tastings were not included in our tour price.

Embarkation Day

AmaWaterways AmaKristina

Embarkation day for the cruise was March 14, 2024, at noon. The taxi ride to the pier was conveniently close to our hotel, sparing us the hassle of dragging our bags on foot. Upon arrival, we were greeted by porters at street level who promptly took our bags on board.

Luckily, we were able to immediately access the twin balcony room (Violin Deck, BA category, Room 316) which felt spacious even at 210 sqft with a comfy king bed, a nice walk-in shower, a decent amount of closet space, a seating area and doors which opened onto the small balcony with seating for two, and another set of doors which opened to the French balcony (hence the name TWIN balcony for two balconies to yourself!).

AmaKristina Deck Plan — My room is inside the red box! (Copyright AmaWaterways)

Sandwiches and soup were available in the Lounge until 3:00 PM. Afternoon tea was also served in the lounge from 4:00-5:00 PM accompanied with a short presentation to learn about the complimentary Wellness Programs from the Wellness Host.

The wellness activities onboard include daily morning yoga stretches, core strengthening, active wellness walks, circuit training and personal training sessions to cater to a variety of active preferences. This was complemented by a quaint fitness room available to all guests during the cruise.

At 6:00PM, we had a welcome cocktail hour which included a safety briefing where the captain, cruise manager, and other department heads were introduced. We moved to the main restaurant for a welcome dinner, which was quite enjoyable!  After dinner, cocktails and drinks were served in the lounge and the onboard musician played for us, as he would do every night. We did not leave port that day and spent that night onboard in Lyon.

Life Onboard the AmaKristina

The pulse of the ship, however, was found beyond our room – in its lounges, wellness offerings, and communal spaces, where every service seemed designed not just to accommodate, but to enrich our experience.

The cuisine onboard was another character in our voyage’s story. Every day, there was a very large buffet and a la carte breakfast offered in the main restaurant, and there was also always the option to have the bistro breakfast which offers smaller bites, pastries, and fruit in the lounge.

Every day, lunch took place in the main dining room. The meals were multi-coursed with a starter, following a salad or freshly made soup option, with my favorite soup being the cream of garlic. Plus, a main entrée which was usually a fish option and a sandwich option, and dessert choices of ice-cream/sorbet selection or cookie/cake selection. We chose what we wanted off the menu and which courses to skip if necessary. In addition, lunch always included complimentary regional red or white wines, beer, soft drinks, coffee, or tea.

Lunch on board in the main dining room was almost always followed by a presentation in the lounge by local artisans, winemakers, gelato, and ice cream creators, etc., depending upon the ship’s location that day.  For instance, one afternoon, there was a presentation from a local silk producing, family-run company called Brochier Soieries. The woman who presented discussed her family’s business and the history of silk production in Lyon which was absolutely fascinating!

Besides the silk presentation, there was a macaron making demonstration, a guest sommelier presentation and interactive trivia quiz based around the wines of the Cotes du Rhone region, and a crepe making demonstration by the onboard pastry chef.  The presentations/demonstrations were all optional attendance, so we could skip the ones that didn’t interest us that much.  All were informative, and the wine trivia quiz was a lot of fun!

Every afternoon you can expect afternoon tea and a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks in the lounge where all passengers learn about the schedule and activities for the following day.

Each meal, especially the 9-course, open kitchen sensory journey at the Chef’s Table Restaurant, was a chapter written in the universal language of exquisite taste, tied together with the convivial spirit of shared tables and new friendships. The Chef’s Table experience is included for everyone, but reservations are only able to made onboard and should be done VERY early because it is a tiny venue, and reservations fill up fast!

We did utilize the laundry service about halfway through the trip, and we found the prices to be quite reasonable. There is no self-service laundry onboard. At this point their newest ship, AmaMagna, is the only vessel that currently has onboard self-service laundry.

A couple nights before the end of our cruise there was a disembarkation briefing in the lounge, followed by a Farewell Gala Cocktail. We remained docked in Avignon that evening until our 3:00AM departure time to our last port in Arles. On our last night of the cruise, we attended our final Sip and Sail Happy Hour, then dinner, followed by music and dancing in the lounge! On our way back to our cabin, all passengers had to stop by reception to check the departure board and get our corresponding luggage tags.

A Tapestry of Excursions

Each stop along the Rhône brought a new flavor of adventure. Lyon’s historical embrace was succeeded by the golden hues of the Beaujolais wine region. The drive there was about an hour via motorcoach to the “Golden Stone” region with Chateaux, vineyards, and beautiful honey colored country houses along the way. We visited an organic winery and had a tasting in their wine cellar, and I bought a bottle of their delicious Rosé wine to bring back home!

On Saint Patrick’s Day, we had a morning walking tour in beautiful Vienne called Footsteps of Ancient Romas. It was a fascinating walk-through with an engaging and knowledgeable guide! Vienne is full of remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins that we were able to walk to and see up close before sailing to Tournon that day.

The next morning’s excursion after breakfast was a steam train ride through the Ardèche region along the Coux River. It is a very scenic gorge cutting through the mountains with many opportunities to view the beautiful scenery during the hour-long ride on a classic steam-powered train.

Another highlight was our night in Viviers, a small town with not much tourist infrastructure, but we were treated to an evening Ghost Walk Tour around this amazingly beautiful town. It was a very different experience to tour at night. The town is very small and quite hilly with narrow, uneven cobblestone streets, so it is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues.

One thing to note — All the excursions had QuietVox listening devices, which worked well when in a group.

Special Moments and Final Thoughts

Perhaps one of the most defining experiences of our journey was the truffle farm visit near Avignon. It was about a 30 to 40-minute drive to a family-run farm who produces black truffles and truffle products. We got to follow their adorable truffle dog, Perssee, through rustic landscapes in search of the coveted black truffle. He was also the family pet, and you could tell he really enjoyed his “job”!

As our journey wound to its close in the artist’s haven of Arles, our morning walking tour included the impressive Arles Amphitheater. My husband and I both found Arles very charming and interesting.  We had signed up for the afternoon excursion to visit the Les Baux & Olive Farm, but we enjoyed walking around Arles so much in the morning, we opted to skip the afternoon tour and spent the afternoon exploring Arles on our own.

Disembarkation Day

Inside the Steam Train

On the night before disembarkation all passengers are instructed to stop by the reception desk to check the “departure board” which displays the departure times for the various transfers and walk-offs. All passengers are given a luggage tag corresponding with their scheduled departure time, and the luggage tagged with the given tag must be placed outside the cabin in the hallway to be picked up by the porters the following morning. 

Departing passengers must make sure they have not packed anything they will need in the morning (toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, and clothes) in their larger luggage as there will not be an opportunity to unpack/re-pack to get the necessary items in the morning.

I had booked train tickets to Marseille ahead of time since that is the nearest international airport to Arles.  The train station in Arles was right across the street from where we were docked. After claiming our bags from the porters, we just walked across the street to catch our train to Marseille just like many of the other passengers from our cruise.

AmaWaterways Reflections

Reflecting on Kathryn’s educational trip with AmaWaterways evokes a collage of sensory memories, heartfelt encounters, and the seamless blend of luxury and adventure that punctuated every moment. It wasn’t just the places that left an indelible mark but the gracious hospitality, the sense of community among fellow travelers, and the meticulous care with which each aspect of the journey was curated.

To those who yearn for travel that combines the essence of exploration with the comfort of home, Kathryn’s experience aboard the AmaKristina stands as a testament to the promise AmaWaterways delivers: a window to the world, framed by unparalleled service and enriching experiences. Here’s to more journeys that not only lead us across the globe but also bring the world closer, one river at a time.

What was your favorite part of the trip?

I really enjoyed every aspect of the journey. I loved being on the water during sailing times, traversing through the locks, and I especially enjoyed the opportunity to visit so many places during one trip without the hassle of packing and unpacking for each new destination.

Would you recommend this cruise to your clients? If so, why?

Yes, I wholeheartedly would recommend this cruise to my clients. The Rhône River flows through some very unique and historically fascinating towns and cities. The attentiveness of the onboard crew, the food options, the top-notch excursions, and the spacious accommodations onboard make it a great value option for visiting the region.

What are some lessons that you learned and how can they benefit your clients in planning their travels?

Be prepared for any and all types of weather. Pack layers! Don’t forget to take pictures to remember your experiences. Participate in the included shore-excursions, and finally, bring an open mind for experiencing new people and places. Also, bring a smaller bag you can use to pack all the items you purchase along the way (and also to put your morning necessities in the night before disembarking).

Which excursion did you like best and why?

I loved all the walking tours, but the one in Vienne stands out because we saw so many well-preserved Roman ruins. Also, Arles for the colosseum and its history within the world of art (Van Gogh, for one). 

What else do you think people should know before going on this cruise?

Don’t let your preconceived ideas about cruising keep you from booking a river cruise. There are so many adventures to be had, and it feels like there is truly something of interest for anyone/everyone to experience.

Resources

AmaWaterways Website


Ready for your own French river cruise? Contact our excellent travel experts at 503-224-0180 or email inquiry@wittravel.com.

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