The new addition to the Amadeus River Cruises’ fleet has plenty to please customers, as Jeannine Williamson discovers.
As the dipping sun casts its glow over the water and I settle into my seat and order a cocktail it’s clear that Amadeus River Cruises has raised the bar – or to be technically correct lowered it – with its latest vessel – Amadeus Star.
A standout feature on the line’s 16h ship, launched this year, is a sunken wine bar at the stern of the 164-passenger vessel, which replaces the previous innovation of an indoor pool in its 2018 sibling Amadeus Queen.
I joined Amadeus Star on the Danube where modern vessels have to conform to strict size restrictions in order to fit below bridges and into locks. So it’s always interesting to see what lines accomplish on the inside to make their ships stand out from the crowd.
Design details
Austrian-owned Amadeus is one of Europe’s longest established river cruise lines with a pedigree going back more than 30 years. More recently it has come to prominence in the British market with the appointment of Fred. River Cruises as UK GSA. Amadeus Star is the latest in the line’s premium class Silver ships which are all stamped with quality design features with additional tweaks and features as each one debuts.
The decor and colour scheme, masterminded by Martina Luftner, one of the co-founders of the family-owned line, shines through on Amadeus Star with details such as oversized brightly coloured chairs and statement gold vases outside the main lounge.
The biggest change is to the Amadeus Club, the second smaller lounge at the rear of the vessel which multi-tasks as an area for early morning stretching classes when it’s too cold to go on the sun deck, the place to find the 24-hour tea and coffee station, and a venue for private receptions for groups. The new wine bar is surrounded by split-level seating and full-length windows on all sides and leads out onto an attractive al fresco terrace with squishy all-weather sofas. It’s the perfect place for a sundowner.
On our cruise it was noticeably underused, particularly at night, and I feel it’s an area that Amadeus could promote more with events such as themed cocktail parties.
Elsewhere, the main public areas are the panoramic lounge bar with a forward open-air terrace, expansive sun deck with a supersize chess set and shuffleboard and the dining room which can seat all passengers in one sitting. There’s a small gym, massage room and hair salon, and a lift serves every deck except for the sun deck.
Classy cabins
In common with other Silver-class ships, a notable feature in all cabins is a walk-in wardrobe, the largest being in the 284 square-foot suites – 12 in all with walk-out balconies – and standard cabins on the main deck which measure 188 square feet and have drop-down windows.
Cabins on the lower deck are 172 square feet with large fixed windows. All 82 cabins have thoughtful touches including UK electrical sockets, stools beneath the vanity unit in well-equipped bathrooms and smaller details such as trays and bowls which are useful for storing room keys and other items.
Food is excellent, from the early-bird continental breakfast in the lounge through to the main breakfast, lunch in the restaurant, light lunch option in the lounge, afternoon tea, five-course evening meal and late-night snacks. Amadeus doesn’t follow the open seating norm of most lines and restaurant tables are allocated at the beginning of each cruise with fellow English speakers, although tables for two can be requested.
Similarly, Amadeus bucks the trend with shore tours as none are included. This provides flexibility for guests that prefer to spend more time on the ship or enjoy doing their own thing, such as exploring by themselves with the on board bicycles. Agents can book a choice of three discounted excursion packages in advance, passing on savings to clients.
However, for CLIA’s Cruise Month campaign Amadeus is offering complimentary shore excursions for all 2020 sailings booked from 1-30 September 2019, inclusive.
Amadeus Star will be sailing on a variety of Danube itineraries and certainly provides a new way for passengers to travel in style.
Selling tips
- Value-for-money fares on a quality vessel with a high level of amenities including walk-in wardrobes
- Flexible shore excursion programme enables guests to do as much or little as they want, or explore independently
- Switch-sell to city break, foodie clients who enjoy a luxury experience and are new to river cruising
- Carrying 164 passengers – some same-size ships carry 190 – Amadeus Star never feels crowded