Active River Cruise Shore Excursions
Active River Cruise Shore Excursions – courtesy of AmaWaterways
WEEKLY RIVER CRUISE TRAVEL TIP – MARCH 25, 2015
Active River Cruise Shore Excursions
By WAVEJourney
Q: Are there any river cruise companies that offer active shore excursions on their European cruises?
A: Some river cruise companies do offer active shore excursions on their European trips. For example, AmaWaterways is one of the leaders in this area and offers bike excursions (as well as their typical river cruise program). WJ chatted on the phone with Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President & Co-Owner of AmaWaterways, regarding biking/active river cruise options. Below are the details from that conversation:
- An “Active Walker” group is typically available as part of the excursions in most ports – there are different levels for passengers that are of varying fitness levels. Passengers pick which group they want to be in.
- Kristin suggested that the Danube (with the stretch between Vienna and Passau being included) would provide the best opportunity to bike. Amawaterways carry about 25 bikes on each ship and passengers can take them out on their own anytime the ship is in port – let the crew know when you board that you want bikes available as soon as the ship docks and you can go for a spin on your own before or after excursions. It is easier for passengers to bike along the Danube in Austria and Germany due to the bike paths near the river.
- Guided Bicycle Tours: AmaWaterways is the only river cruise line that carries more than two dozen bicycles and safety helmets, free for passengers to use throughout Europe. The bicycles give guests the freedom to venture out and explore the riverside bikeways, or participate in complimentary guided bicycle tours. Whether passengers join a guided bike tour or explore on their own, the user-friendly bicycles offer the ultimate in touring freedom.
- AmaWaterways also includes guided bike excursions (about 15-22 miles) in 3 ports during a 7-night river cruise.
– Vienna: there are the normal city tours and Jewish Quarter tours or a guided bike tour that lasts 3-4 hours
– Durnstein to Melk: about 3 hours biking through the Wachau Valley
– Passau: Guided bike tour for 2-2.5 hours
- AmaWaterways is one of the best river cruise company for catering to active passengers, while still incorporating all the other fun parts of a river cruise.
- These following 2015 AmaWaterways itineraries would be good options for active shore excursions: The Romantic Danube; Melodies of the Danube; Legendary Danube; Blue Danube Discovery
