Relishing the Rhine River Cruise

It’s been about a month since 32 Rhine River Queens made their debut on AmaWaterways - what a lovely adventure!  It was an ambitious plan with 6 subitineraries required to capture all the pre and post stay adventures!  It entailed a dozen different flight itineraries, a half dozen hotels in 5 different cities, and what felt like 100 different ground transfers.  I’ll plead guilty to having a few moments that I looked at the 1500 piece “puzzle” and thought of all the things that COULD go wrong - the river being too high, the river being too low, flights getting cancelled and people missing the boat, etc. etc.  Oh how my mind could wander!  And they DID change the embarkation dock the week before travel, requiring a reworking of several pieces of that puzzle.  But by the time of the meeting where we received final documents, it all was sorted and, miraculously, the whole plan worked pretty flawlessly with only a couple minor hiccups that were deftly handled by Travel Sisters on the spot.  

We found out we REALLY like river cruising.  It’s a small town feel on a ship of 150 people.  All meals were open seating so Travel Sisters were able to get to know each other over meals.  Shore excursions were varied (and free!) and even the “standard tour” had a gentle, regular and active version.  Several sisters enjoyed bike tours and proper hikes, too. It became clear that Ama is an “active” brand, offering lots of activities that can get your heartbeat up at the same time you are taking in the scenery.  And you can “ditch the tour” at any time and find your way back to the ship on your own.  So, it allowed for people to innovate, linger a little longer, and feel a little independent and adventurous at times.  We liked it so much we have decided to be the Queens of the Nile next - Egypt in 2028 here we come!
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What I personally learned is that I should not plan alternate group itineraries when I am traveling with the network. I co-planned a garden tour for 16 people in partnership with Triangle Gardener Magazine and we toured 9 amazing gardens along the sailing. These folks were so nice, and such passionate gardeners, and I learned so much touring gardens with them! I loved the experience.  AND I missed some of the funniest adventures with the Travel Sisters.  There’s FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and AMO (Actually Missing Out) and I suffered from AMO. So, next time, I won’t divide my attention on a trip that way. Just because something CAN be done simultaneously doesn’t mean it SHOULD be done that way and now I will be more discerning about that!  

​I also saw Germany for the first time and WOW.  I want to go back at Christmastime.  And so I feel a new excitement about finding just the right Christmas Markets itinerary for December 2026.  I can see how special that experience can be and I’m motivated to get that concept from vision to reality!
And next, Croatia!  In September : )  Final payments are getting done today and so what was far away is getting very close. Can’t wait to get together and GO -  again!