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Rhine River Cruise - Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

Luxury River Cruise with AmaWaterways - MS AmaMora
Friday, July 14 - Monday, July 24, 2023
Two Nights in Amsterdam and Seven Nights Cruising in
The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland
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AmaWaterways - MS AmaMora

Starting at $5,400

10 days

Cruise Features Included:    

  • Luxurious River Cruise Experience - There is really nothing that compares to the luxury of a river cruise.  Experience the personalized VIP treatment on a small ship (only 156 passengers) pampered by the entire crew from the cabin stewards all the way up to the Captain.  Enjoy smooth sailing along the Rhine River often docking in the heart of each town we visit for easy exploration.  Once you've tried river cruising with AmaWaterways, no other cruise vacation compares.

  • Bus transportation - from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Newark) depending upon our group flight arrangements.

  • Round trip flights - from nearby International Airport to Amsterdam, The Netherlands and returning from Zurich, Switzerland

  • Two-Nights Deluxe 5-Star Centrally-Located Hotel in Downtown Amsterdam - including daily breakfast and daily tour.

  • Transfers to and from the Hotel and Ship in Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland - Our guide will meet us at the airport and escort us to the hotel in Amsterdam and then to the ship after our stay.  Our motor coach will return us to the airport in Zurich, Switzerland after our cruise.

  • 7-Day Luxurious Cruise on AmaWaterways MS AmaMora - including gourmet meals, local entertainment and activities onboard the ship.

  • Free-flowing complimentary local wine and beer - served at lunch and dinner, plus champagne with breakfast, a complimentary happy hour before dinner each night, and specialty coffees available around the clock.

  • Tours Included at No Extra Cost - in each port, there will be a variety of tours available to join.  Tours are further divided into groups based on fitness level, ranging from gentle walkers, regular walkers, or active walkers.  All participants receive complimentary bottled water and a headset so you can hear the guide at all times.

  • Bicycles Available - for organized guided bike tours in most ports or to check out and explore the area on your own. 

  • Dedicated Fitness Instructor - onboard the ship who will lead daily exercise classes and other activities to help you burn off those calories and make room for your next delicious meal.

  • Tour Hosts (Kelly and Tracy Shannahan, Sal and Colleen Chavez) with you from start to finish.

  • Several free gifts and mementos of your cruise from the Salisbury Cruise Club

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Travel Itinerary:        
 

Friday, July 14, 2023 - Travel Day

  • Bus from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (perhaps Newark or Washington-Dulles) with a brief stop for dinner at WaWa before our overnight flight to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  Flight details will be announced in September 2022 once our group flights are booked. 

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Saturday, July 15 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Arrive AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - ground transportation to our 5-star hotel downtown - perhaps NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky or Barbizon Palace - where we will enjoy a Welcome Reception followed by free time to explore on our own.


Sunday, July 16 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided tour of Amsterdam, the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture.  The afternoon and evening is yours to further explore Amsterdam on your own.  

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Monday, July 17 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and enjoy the Zaanse Schans Windmills Tour, a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses, before transferring to our ship.  

  • Welcome Aboard the luxurious AmaWaterways AmaMora - where we will have time to freshen up before our Welcome Cocktail Party and Gala Welcome Dinner
     

Tuesday, July 18 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and we will get to enjoy several of them on our canal cruise this morning before we set sail out of Amsterdam at 1:00 pm.  

  • Relax on the Sun Deck this afternoon with average temperatures around 68 degrees which should be prefect to comfortably enjoy the scenery. 

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Wednesday, July 19 - Cologne, Germany

  • This morning we will enjoy cruising to Cologne where we will arrive at 2:30 pm.  

  • Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, plus see other local sights.

  • For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce.

  • Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
     

Thursday, July 20 - SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH RHINE GORGE to RÜDESHEIM, Germany

  • This morning we cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, passing castle after castle before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim at 2:00 pm.

  • Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards.

  • Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal.

  • For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River.

  • Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments;

  • or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
     

Friday, July 21 - LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany - with tours of Heidleberg, Speyer or Ladenburg

  • After our morning cruise, we arrive in Ludwigshafen at 12:00 noon for our choice of four excursions.

  • Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask.

  • For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

  • Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel.

  • Or pedal along the river Neckar on a bike tour to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops.
     

Saturday, July 22 - STRASBOURG, France

  • This morning we arrive in Strasbourg at 8:30 am where we remain docked until 1:30 pm.  

  • Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location.

  • Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock.

  • Or take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
     

Sunday, July 23 - BASEL, Switzerland

  • After our arrival at 9:30 am, enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city.

  • Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes.

  • Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany.

  • Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lucerne, or opt for one of the morning excursions and visit Lucerne in the afternoon.

  • With either Lucerne excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to see its Lion Monument – the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 – which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”

  • You’ll also see Lucerne’s spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century.
     

Monday, July 24 - Basel, Switzerland - Travel Day

  • DISEMBARK the AmaMora and board our motor coach to the airport in Zurich for our flight home.

  • After our flight, we will board our motor coach to Salisbury.

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Cabins and Other Features of the AmaMora:

The AmaMora is a brand new ship built in 2019 with 78 staterooms for no more than 156 passengers served by 51 crew members.  Sister ship to the award-winning AmaLea and AmaKristina, the AmaMora is an incredible twin-balcony ship with generous personal space, multiple dining choices and exceptional stateroom comfort. On board, you’ll find an all-day tapas menu and afternoon tea, as well as a 24-hour coffee station, in addition to AmaWaterways’ signature exquisite, locally-sourced cuisine in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table. Active leisure amenities include a sun-deck walking track, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room and bicycles for in-port exploration.

 

Staterooms are equipped with everything you need for a relaxing vacation.  Each stateroom features: All outside accommodations, most with revolutionary twin balconies; Marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, soothing bath products, cotton bathrobes, slippers and hair dryer; Generous closet and storage space with in-room safe; Entertainment-On-Demand with high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi, movies, music and English-language TV; Individually controlled air-conditioning; and Bottled water replenished daily. 

 

A brief description of each cabin type is as follows:

  • The Category E and D River View cabins are each 160 square feet in area and are located on Deck 1 (Piano Deck).  Category D cabins are located closer to the mid-ship stairs which is why they are slightly more expensive.  They have two relatively large fixed windows to allow plenty of light into the room, but they are located about 5 feet above the floor and above the water line so they don't offer much of a view.  These cabins also do not have elevator access so they are not suitable for all guests.

  • The Category CB French Balcony cabins are each 155 square feet in area and are located at the end of the hallway on Deck 3 (Violin Deck).  They have a sliding glass door that allows you to stand inside your cabin and enjoy the fresh air and scenery, but they do not have a step out balcony.  Although smaller and not as conveniently located as the other cabins, please note that the ship is not very large (only 443 feet from bow to stern) so these are still nice cabins and lower priced than the Twin Balcony cabins.

  • The Category CA French Balcony cabins are a little larger at 170 square feet in area and are located at the end of the hallway on Deck 2 (Cello Deck) and near the end of the hallway on Deck 3 (Violin Deck).  They are identical to the Category CB French Balcony cabins regarding the sliding glass door (not a step out balcony), but they have a little more room with a couple of chairs and a table for sitting.

  • The Category BB  and BA Twin Balcony cabins are each 210 square feet in area and are located about halfway down the hallway on Deck 2 (BB cabins) and the higher Deck 3 (BA cabins).  These cabins have both a sliding glass door section as well as a small outside balcony with a table and a couple of chairs where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  The bathroom and shower stall is also more roomy and a little more comfortable than the Category CB, CA, D and E cabins.

  • The Category AB  and AA Twin Balcony cabins are a bit larger and wider (with 2 chairs in the interior sitting area), at 235 square feet each, and are located closer to mid-ship offering a shorter walk to the reception desk and access stairs to the Sun Deck, as well as the forward activity areas (the main lounge and restaurant).  The only difference between the AB and AA cabins is the deck location with the AB cabins located on Deck 2 and the AA cabins located higher on Deck 3.  These cabins have both a sliding glass door section as well as an outside balcony with a couple of seats where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  The bathroom and shower stall is very similar to the Category BA and BB cabins and perhaps slightly larger with more room to spread out.

  • The Category SS Suite cabins are significantly larger at 350 square feet and also features a larger bathroom with a double sink, shower and bathtub.  Suites also come with Butler Service.  They are ideally situated on Deck 3 very close to the reception desk, access to the Sun Deck, lounge and restaurant.  The suites also have both a sliding glass door section as well as an outside balcony with a couple of seats where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

 

The MS AmaMora features: a Panoramic Lounge with bar, piano and dance floor; Walking track, heated pool, fitness room and bicycles for in-port exploration; Complimentary Wi-Fi; Hair salon and massage services (additional cost); The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant with glass-enclosed kitchen and tasting menu;  Made-to-order breakfast and lunch in the restaurant featuring regional cuisine, and also a selection of Grab and Go items available for those who prefer to eat in their cabins, in the lounge or on the Sun Deck; Multi-course dinners made with fresh local ingredients; Hand-selected wine, beer and soft drinks with meals, plus a Sip & Sail cocktail hour each night which is included at no extra charge; All-day tapas menu and afternoon tea; 24-hour specialty coffee station; Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner.

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Check out more details and view the Deck plan by clicking the fact sheet here - 

AmaMora Ship Fact Sheet

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Cost and Payment Schedule:

 

The Total Cruise Package Prices below include: round trip bus transportation from Salisbury to our nearby International Airport, round trip air fare to Amsterdam returning from Switzerland, transfers between the airport, hotel and ship; 2-nights in a 5-star hotel downtown Amsterdam with daily breakfast and daily tour; 7-day cruise aboard AMA Waterways AmaMora - accommodations, gourmet meals, unlimited wine, beer, sodas with lunch and dinner, free happy hour before dinner, entertainment, fitness program, guided tours with audio headset, bicycles available for tours or exploring on your own; all taxes and port charges, and the services of your  Cruise Hosts Kelly and Tracy Shannahan, as well as several free gifts and mementos of your cruise from the Salisbury Cruise Club.  Not included in the prices below is optional (but recommended) travel protection plan, gratuities, meals on travel days, and lunches and dinners in Amsterdam.

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Total Cruise Package Prices - (see explanation above for included and excluded costs)

  • Category E - River View Cabins (3) - $5,700 per person - protection plan $466

  • Category D - River View Cabins (8) - $5,900 per person - protection plan $466

  • Category CB - French Balcony Cabins (4) - $6,300 per person - protection plan $506

  • Category CA - French Balcony Cabins (14) - $6,500 per person - protection plan $506

  • Category BB - Twin Balcony Cabins (15) - $7,000 per person - protection plan $582

  • Category BA - Twin Balcony Cabins (12) - $7,100 per person - protection plan $623

  • Category AB - Twin Balcony Cabins (10) - $7,300 per person - protection plan $623

  • Category AA - Twin Balcony Cabins (8) - $7,400 per person - protection plan $623

  • Category SS - Deluxe Suite Cabins (4) - $8,300 per person - protection plan $673

Total cruise package price is based on double occupancy (2 people in the cabin)

We can also accommodate singles in their own cabin with very reasonable single-supplement charges, for example $6,900 for a single in a Category D River View Cabin (call or email for pricing)

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Payment Schedule

  • $1,000 per person Deposit (plus Travel Protection Premium) Due Upon Registration

  • Half of Remaining Balance - Due on November 15, 2022

  • Final Balance - Due on March 15, 2023

 

Group Travel Protection Plan (Optional) - We’re offering a Group Travel Protection Plan for which the premium is based upon your Total Cruise Package Price.  The cost ranges from $424 for Category E River View cabin passengers to $644 for Deluxe Suite cabin passengers (see above for details).  This recommended Group Travel Protection Plan will protect your trip in case of cancellation, interruption, trip delay, missed connection, baggage loss or delay, accident/ sickness medical protection, and emergency evacuation.  See separate handout for more details.  To protect against unforeseen problems, we strongly recommend that you purchase the Travel Protection Plan.  If interested, please purchase the Plan at time of registration in order to secure coverage for pre-existing conditions.  If you decline the Plan, please sign the designated place on the registration form to confirm that you waive the protection and understand that you are assuming all potential costs and losses which may occur before or during the trip.

Download the Group Travel Protection Plan summary here.

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Finally, we recognize that this cruise is more than two years away.  Once you have paid your deposit, your next payment won't be due until November 15, 2022 with final payments due on March 15, 2023.  In addition, if your plans change and you should need to cancel, you will receive a full refund up until July 14, 2022.  Thereafter, cancellations for qualifying reasons can be reimbursed by filing an insurance claim with Travel Insured.  I recognize that some of you may be a little leery of foreign travel given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however certainly by July of 2023 the COVID vaccines will have been available to our members and should have been widely distributed throughout the world making it once again safe to travel, especially throughout Europe.  And of all the cruises we have planned, we believe that our river cruises are among the safest given the limited number of passengers and crew onboard, the tightly-controlled tours arranged by AmaWaterways, the sparsely populated ports that we will be visiting and the fact that our group will likely comprise a substantial portion of the total passengers on the ship.  We hope that you decide to join us on this cruise.

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Please Email Us for More Information

or

Download the Registration Form.

or

See More Details About the Ports and the Ship for our Rhine River Cruise - Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps - July 14-24, 2023 by viewing our Excursions PowerPoint presentation at: 

Download the Excursion PowerPoint.

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July 14-24, 2023
 
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