A great crew can make all the difference on a river cruise. Just ask Donna B.
When the recent guest on an AmaWaterways ship asked for a hot sauce that the vessel didn’t carry, a shipboard waiter took it upon himself to travel into a nearby town to find it for her. “That really was going above and beyond,” she said.
As Donna learned, an amazing crew is at the core of what AmaWaterways is all about. Guests return to AmaWaterways ships again and again, and it’s not just because of the amazing destinations and experiences. They love the extraordinarily passionate, warm, and welcoming crew who go out of their way to ensure that the journey is as memorable as possible.
Here’s why the crew aboard every AmaWaterways ship makes such a lasting impression.
TONI SCHOLZ ORTENBURG
A Crew that Sparkles The AmaWaterways difference begins with a staff-to-guest ratio that’s higher than ships of several other river cruise lines. But it’s not just about numbers: Crew members are chosen for the job because they “sparkle,” as the line’s executives say. They’re naturally warm, outgoing, and genuine. Then the all-English-speaking crew undergo rigorous training and continuing instruction in all things AmaWaterways.
As a result, they welcome arriving guests like they’re part of the family. Then crew takes time to genuinely get to know guests, so they can anticipate their individual preferences and offer them extra-special touches to make them feel at home.
It helps that many of AmaWaterways’ crew members have been at the line for long tenures; they work seamlessly together as a team. As Captain Geoffrey of AmaLyra—one of the ships on the Seine River in France—likes to say, “In the end, the ship is just material. The crew gives the ship a heart.”
No matter where guests sail, from the Rhine in Europe to the Mekong in Asia, they’ll be treated to the same unparalleled service by a team of Cruise Managers, chefs, waiters, Wellness Hosts, and other shipboard staff who truly love what they do.
Super-Personalized Service
Personalized service informs every aspect of an AmaWaterways experience. Crew members greet guests by name and quickly learn their preferences. Dining room stewards will prepare guests’ morning tea or coffee just how they like it. Bartenders will remember their favorite wine, beer, or soft drink.
And that’s just the beginning. The crew genuinely loves to surprise and delight guests, whether they’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying their vacation. “The crew definitely made us feel like family,” said Lee S., a first-time guest. Another first-timer, Cyndi C., said, “I felt catered to like a queen aboard the ship.”
TONI SCHOLZ ORTENBURG
Going Above and Beyond Going the extra mile is par for the course among the crew on AmaWaterways ships, and the stories of what they’ve done to help guests out are legendary.
The effort extends to the kitchens as well, where AmaWaterways chefs are known to create special dishes for guests with dietary restrictions, including delicious meals that are vegetarian, low-sodium, or gluten-free. This kind of above-and-beyond service is the norm on AmaWaterways.
Special Kind of Cruise Manager
Every AmaWaterways vessel is led by an extraordinary Cruise Manager who is especially friendly, experienced, and warm-hearted. Each Cruise Manager also has a deep knowledge of the places that guests will visit—an ideal “destination concierge.”
In contrast to the standard on other river cruise lines, these Cruise Managers accompany guests through every segment of their vacation—not only on the ship, but during their pre- and post-cruise land programs as well. This is unique in the industry and results in a familiar and seamless experience for guests.
AmaWaterways’ Cruise Managers come from diverse backgrounds and vary in age, gender, and national origin. But they all share the same special training under AmaWaterways’ FLEPS concept: Family, Love, Enthusiasm, Passion, and Sparkle. It involves a rigorous training program that comes after an extensive interview process, with “sparkle” being a key attribute. All are taught techniques for being as visible, accessible, and approachable as possible during your cruise.
The bottom line: Vacationers looking for a river cruise experience marked by exceptional and personal service will discover more than they can imagine with AmaWaterways.
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