Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways on AmaSiena
In July 2025, I traveled with a small group from my community on a Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways aboard AmaSiena. We added the pre-cruise extension with two nights in Zurich and two nights in Lucerne, which gave us a wonderful start to the trip. Having my sister and cousin along made it even more special.
What made this AmaWaterways Rhine cruise so memorable
We were on the go in the best way. We logged more than 20,000 steps a day because we wanted to. In Zurich, we walked along the river, browsed street vendors, and got caught in a torrential downpour that came out of nowhere. In Lucerne, we took in the scenery and rode the train to Interlaken for the day, one of those simple side trips that ends up being a highlight.
Once we boarded AmaSiena, the Rhine gave us exactly what you hope for on a river cruise. Charming towns, historic streets, and castle after castle along the way. The weather was cooler most of the week, which actually made sailing through the Rhine Gorge feel even cozier. We bundled up in blankets on deck, sipped hot chocolate, and watched the scenery roll by.
Strasbourg was one of my favorite stops for exploring and shopping, even though we got caught in another soaking rainstorm. Cologne was all about the cathedral. Walking through it is one of those moments that makes you stop, look up, and take it all in. In Rudesheim, we tried their signature coffee drink and wandered through shops filled with cuckoo clocks and little treasures that were hard to resist. We also made time for local cafes for lunch, and I loved strolling through the town squares that would be filled with Christmas markets just a few months later.
Onboard, the crew on AmaSiena was wonderful and the food was excellent. One of my favorite evenings was the Chef’s Table. The chef explained each course, and while I did not know what half of it was, it was delicious. We stayed in a French Balcony cabin, which felt noticeably smaller than the twin balcony room we had enjoyed before. It worked fine, but if cabin comfort is important to you, I would choose the twin balcony.
The rhythm of this trip was part of what made it so enjoyable. There were active days with lots of walking and exploring, but also those quieter moments on board when the scenery did all the work. Sitting out on deck with a blanket and a hot drink while castles drifted by was hard to beat. It was the kind of trip that kept giving us something to look forward to around every bend in the river. Between the scenery, the towns, and the time with family, it all came together beautifully.
One thing I really liked about this Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways was the balance. There was enough included structure to keep things easy, but still plenty of room to explore on our own, slow down, and enjoy the places we were visiting. That made the whole experience feel comfortable without feeling overplanned.
This Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways was a wonderful trip to share with friends, family, and my community. While I loved the experience, my favorite European river so far is still the Danube, especially the stretch from Vilshofen to Budapest. That said, the Rhine is absolutely worth doing, especially if you love walkable towns, big history, and scenery that never gets old.
If a river cruise like this sounds appealing, you can learn more on my River Cruise page.
Thinking about a Rhine River cruise with AmaWaterways? I’d be happy to help you decide if this itinerary, ship, or cabin style is the right fit for you.
