AMA Rhine River Cruise Dec 2012 by Terry Normington

Jack and I flew on Delta from Sf to Detroit and Detroit to Amsterdam and then KLM's commuter from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland (our original Air France nonstop to Paris was cancelled).  All was well until the Detroit to Amsterdam flight was delayed for an hour for some safety thing and since we only had an hour and a half connecting time in Amsterdam and the only other flight to Basel was 12 hours later, we did the best we could to make the connection and we did (!) even though we arrived at one end of the airport, had to clear Netherlands immigration and go through security again!  We arrived in Basel and took a taxi to our hotel, the Swisshotel Le Plaza.  The taxi was over 50 euro and it did not seem very far, but we were not prepared to try to use public transportation.  The hotel was OK, nothing special, but we quickly learned that the free transportation pass they gave us was great!  We figured out where and how to use the #6 tram and it was most helpful.  The hotel suggested a restaurant in the old part of the city for a traditional Swiss dinner, and it was good and outrageously expensive, over $200, thankfully we were only in Switzerland for one night!  We took a taxi to the boat the next afternoon.  

 

We were assigned a room on the lowest deck with 2 windows but when we checked in, they upgraded us to a room with a french balcony which was great!  We had a cocktail reception followed by open seating dining.  The next morning Jack looked out the window and thought we were docked next to a brick wall but it turned out to be the first of many locks!  

 

Our first port was Breisach in Germany and we had the choice of seeing Breisach and Freburg along with the Black Forest or going to the Alsace region of France and seeing Colmar and Riquewhr.  Both included local wine tasting.  Both Andy our AMA rep and Raymond said to do the France one and we were glad we did!   One of the things that sets AMA apart from other lines is the choice of excursions.  Most will offer 1 tour per day complimentary and others at a cost.  On our cruise all of the excursions were included.  In each port they offered a guided bike ride and they have 18 new bikes with helmets and the bike tours were full each day!  Some were quite ambitious and others more leisurly but if you have active clients, AMA really does the bike tours nicely!      
Getting back on the bus, Jack hit his leg on a metal triangle sticking out and blood started pouring everywhere!  The driver and guide got him cleaned up and bandaged.  When we returned to our boat, the Cruise Manager suggested we go to a clinic but Jack declined. 

 

The next morning we were in Strassburg and took the city tour and canal cruise which was fascinating as Strassburg is very important in the European Union and there are numerous, architecturally pleasing government buildings.  The old part of town has a lovely cathedral.  The canal cruise was great!   After lunch onboard the boat, we went to the Arthur Metz winery school in the Alsace town of Obernai for a tour of the huge winery and a wine tasting.  Jack's leg was bothering him so he sat this one out and stayed onboard.  

 

On all of the mornings that we were sailing, we enjoyed wine lectures that were fun and interactive and included wine tasting usually of two wines, one local and one from Napa or California.  Our wine hosts were Barry Wiss who is the VP of trade relations at Trinchero Family Estates, and Kim Wiss who is the consumer and trade business manager for Antica Family estate.  Trinchero owns many wineries and vineyards including Sutter Home which truly made them their fortune when they came out with the first White Zinfandel.  The Antinori Family who own Antica has been in the wine business for twenty six generations!  Kim is also the family's chef.  One evening at dinner, their wines were featured with each course!  On the other evenings, there was always a different red and white wine poured in the dining room and they were all quite good and they poured very generously!  One night the wine stewardess told Jack that the featured white that evening would have been too sweet for his tastes, so she served him the white wine for the following evening.   

 

The photos are of Basel and the AmaCello....more to follow....