Category: AmaWaterways

Backroads Designs More Active Cruise Ship Adventures

2/1/2019

Backroads, a pioneer in active and adventure travel, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019.

By John Roberts

Backroads, our favorite active-travel tour company, has unveiled its new lineup of ocean and river cruise adventures. These voyages take you to top destinations like Alaska, New Zealand, Antarctica, Iceland, Japan, the Dalmatian Coast and the Baltic Sea.

Over the next two years, Backroads is set to feature more than 250 ocean and river cruises, along with additional "Full Ship Celebration" cruises on the Danube River and the Douro River in Portugal.

Backroads developed active cruises to offer a new way for adventure enthusiasts to travel the world. The first product was the company's "Active River Cruises" in 2015.

Participants in Backroads' adventure itineraries live aboard the ship at night and spend the days actively exploring a region, going at their own pace and connecting with residents in a way no other cruise experience offers.

By sailing on small ships, you get access remote ports for unique immersive experiences in the surrounding areas. Onboard, travelers enjoy private cocktail and wine tastings, delicious dining with wine included, full access to ship amenities and personalized service from the ship crew and Backroads trip leaders. Backroads has teamed up with the best small luxury cruise companies -- AmaWaterways, Ponant and KleinTours -- to curate one-of-a-kind journeys.

Backroads has partnerships with cruise lines that bring active travelers onto one-of-a-kin adventures aboard cruise ships, like Ponant's Le Lyrial.

I have done two Danube River cruises with Backroads and AmaWaterways, both hiking and biking along the waterway and into the countryside and cities in the region.

Both were among the most-rewarding travel experiences I have enjoyed.

"There is something very special about exploring a region by both water and land," Backroads President and Founder Tom Hale says. "When we first launched our active river cruises, I could never have imagined their popularity with Backroads guests.

"This year, we're rolling out some fabulous small-ship ocean cruises, so Backroads guests can enjoy all the amenities on the ships, while exploring the nooks and crannies of popular destinations across the world."

Backroads Small-Ship Experiences
In 2018, Backroads debuted its first small-ship cruise tour to Iceland. The company now offers adventures in the Baltics, Venice to Croatia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Japan and the Galapagos in 2019 and 2020.

Backroads' intimate ocean cruises offer thoroughly planned active trips with expert ship- and land-based support teams. Trip leaders, activity guides and dedicated onshore vehicle support members take care of all of your needs during the program, so passengers are supported to explore as they wish.

The "Full Ship Celebration" departures on the Danube and Douro Rivers are unique sailings on which all passengers aboard the ship are Backroads travelers. This offers a cool opportunity to share your common interest in exploring the world actively with other like-minded travelers. All equipment and activities are included in the trip price.

The Active Ocean Cruises
Alaska Multi-Adventure (launching in 2020)
Antarctica Multi-Adventure
Baltic Sea Biking
Galapagos Multi-Adventure
Iceland Walking & Hiking
Japan Walking & Hiking
New Zealand Multi-Adventure
Venice to Croatia Biking

The Active River Cruises
Danube River Biking (Plus Full Ship Celebration)
Douro River Biking, Walking and Hiking (Plus Full Ship Celebration)
Galapagos, Andes and Amazon Walking and Hiking
Rhine River Biking
Seine River Biking
That's quite a lineup. Which of these would you like to try?

Thanks for reading,
JR

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What Is the AmaWaterways Wellness Program Like?

11/1/2018

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Andre Almeida, wellness host for AmaWaterways

Andre Almeida from Portugal is the incredibly knowledgeable and friendly Wellness Host on AmaPrima.

By John Roberts

On the first day of our cruise on AmaPrima, we join Andre on the sun deck.

He stands out. Clearly fit. Energetic. Smiling. And outfitted in stylish and colorful sportswear emblazoned with an AmaWaterways Wellness Host logo.

It's nearly time for our initial workout as part of the river cruise line's Wellness Program, and Andre, from Portugal, will be leading workout sessions (up to four times a day) during our 10-day Dutch Waterways sailing.

Andre is carefully placing exercise bands (you know, those light colorful ribbon style stretchy strips of plastic) around an open area on the sun deck, setting up a circuit for our training session. I am among three passengers joining Andre in the breezy and chilly -- but sunny -- conditions. These are actually ideal conditions as our bodies warm up during the activities.

By the initial looks of it, I don't reckon we are going to be facing too much of a challenge in our first workout as part of AmaWaterways Wellness Program.

Looks can be deceiving.

Andre sets a pace to match our abilities, and he pushes us through the intense circuit for the entire 40 minutes, leaving us satisfied with our workouts. Muscles are sufficiently pumped up. I realize this Wellness Program is the real deal. Sure, people are seeking to stay more fit and active these days, and many cruise lines might offer a few gentle yoga or stretching classes and a couple recumbent bikes onboard.

But AmaWaterways has developed a full-fledged fitness-focused program on its ships that will keep any workout fanatics happy while also serving an important role in introducing travelers to exercises and concepts that they can take back home to start living a more healthy lifestyle after the cruise.

Here are seven awesome activities we loved on our AmaWaterways cruise on AmaPrima, one of six ships in the cruise line's fleet that offers the program at the time of our cruise.

Biking with AmaWaterways in the Netherlands on AmaPrima

We took several bike rides in scenic towns in the Netherlands and Belgium. This was a great way to mix up our workout activities.

Biking and Running
The ship carries bikes onboard, and we had three organized bike tours available on our sailing. They are also available for passengers to check out on their own for independently riding around the cities and villages you visit. You can also get off for your own jogging or walking in the ports. While the biking and running options are not guided or officially overseen by the Wellness Host, Andre is familiar with the areas we visited and can recommend great routes to try and let you know the safest areas and the distances to run or ride that you might be seeking.

Active Walking
The program includes active walks in certain ports, and, as the name indicates, this is no leisurely saunter. The goal is to get your heart rate up and enjoy the fresh air as you walk briskly along the pretty waterways or through historic cities.

Wellness Program on AmaWaterways AmaPrima

This was our first session onboard, a circuit workout on the sun deck that gave us a good idea of what the Wellness Program was going to be like for our 10-day cruise.

Resistance-Band Training
This class most-closely simulates traditional strength training with free weights. Using the stretchy bands, this is a series of presses and pulls with up to 20 repetitions that really get your muscles pumped up.

Circuit Training
Andre put us through a non-stop workout, rotating participants through a series of eight stations (he says he can add more if needed) that worked all parts of our bodies, using resistance bands, body weight moves and running a few laps around the track on the sun deck.

Core Strengthening
This ab-burning class works all areas of your midsection through a series of leg lifts and crunches over 30 minutes. You'll feel this the next day but love the results.

AmaWaterways Wellness Program stretching on AmaPrima

A good stretching session helps keep you fresh to enjoy walking tours and other activities while on the cruise.

Yoga and Stretching
These were the most well-attended classes on our AmaPrima cruise. Passengers found these activities a great way to get the blood flowing and start the day. Andre offered both morning and afternoon 30-minute stretching sessions.

Pilates
Andre designed a variation on this popular strength and flexibility regimen that focuses on breathing and precise movements. We used the fitness bands in this challenging session. It was a new practice for me. I had never done any type of Pilates but found it invigorating.

Fitness class on the sun deck in the Wellness Program on AmaPrima

You can't beat a nice session at sunset on the sun deck.

More
Andre loves to dance and also offers Zumba and Latin dance workouts. He says these are the most popular. The cold and often rainy weather during our trip meant that he couldn't offer these classes, as they take place on the sun deck.

Each fitness class in the overall program is rotated throughout the week, so you get multiple chances to try one.

Also, all classes are suitable for all skill levels, and Andre constantly assures people that they should go at their own pace and do as much as they like. He also offers both easy and challenging variations to certain exercises as he directs that class.

We had great workouts all week and learned a few things that we will work to implement in our future routines. The program will be available on all AmaWaterways ships in 2019, the company says.

How does AmaWaterways' Wellness Program sound to you?

Do you like to work out on your travels, or would you rather just relax on your river cruise?

Please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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AmaWaterways Offers Luxury Golfing Package for AmaMagna

8/16/2018

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Renderings courtesy of AmaWaterways

By John Roberts

When AmaMagna debuts on the Danube River in 2019, this new river cruise ship from AmaWaterways will be a game-changer, especially for those of us who desire to stay active during our travels.

River cruising is not traditionally associated with adventure, but AmaWaterways is determined to change that perception. Sure, we love the exploration of history and culture that is inherent with a cruise on the great inland waterways of the world.

But we can have so much more during these trips.

AmaMagna will be the first river cruise ship with an open-water sports platform, complete with Zodiac boats, canoes and recreational equipment. AmaWaterways' Wellness Program, which has been available on select ships, will be rolled out to the entire fleet in 2019. These fitness experts lead a variety of fitness classes, including core strengthening and circuit training, as well as occasional health and wellness-related lectures and discussions. The line also carries bikes onboard its ships, and passengers can go for independet rides or join organized ship tours in select ports.

Additionally, AmaWaterways has announced a new offering for active cruisers. Its Exclusive Concierge Golf Program gives travelers the opportunity to experience five top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany while enjoying the beauty and luxury of river cruising.

Now, this package does not come cheaply. Pricing starts at an additional $2,399 per person on the seven-night "Romantic Danube" and "Melodies of the Danube" itineraries beginning in May 2019.

But it's a highly curated experience, and avid golfers will be highly tempted to treated themselves.

"AmaMagna embodies our invariable world-class service with even more to love, and we are thrilled to add the Exclusive Concierge Golf Program to her line-up of offerings," said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. "Pairing luxury river cruising with golf gives travelers the incredible opportunity to play top-rated courses in five different countries, in one seamless, memorable trip."

In addition to the expansive selection of amenities and immersive shore excursions that cruisers get in their cruise fare, golfers who spring for the Exclusive Concierge Golf Program on AmaMagna will receive the following:

Welcome Packet of a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls per golfer, one pitch repair tool, course guides and a leather shoe bag
Concierge service, including club care
Private luxury Mercedes transfers between the ship and courses
A la carte lunch at each course with beer and wine included
One round per golfer at each course
One shared golf cart per round
One range token per round
Club cleaning after each round

AmaMagna is nearly twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, but still carries only 196 passengers in 98 cabins -- and more than half of the staterooms are designated as suites (355 square feet or larger). Onboard amenities include a Sun Deck with a large heated pool, relaxing whirlpool and pop-up sky bar, as well as the water sports platform at the rear of the ship.

An expansive "Zen Wellness Studio" is complete with large exercise area offering group classes focused on stretching, cardio and core strengthening led by a fitness professionally, as well as a juice bar and two massage rooms, along with manicure, pedicure and hair services.

Sounds like the perfect ship for a river cruise spa vacation.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading,
JR

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Backroads Designs More Active Cruise Ship Adventures

What Is the AmaWaterways Wellness Program Like?

AmaWaterways Offers Luxury Golfing Package for AmaMagna

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