This is our second cruise on an Amadeus by Lueftner Cruise ship. This time we did the full Amsterdam to Budapest trip on the Rhine, Main, Main-Danube Canal and finally on the Danube. As background, my wife and I have done about 15 ocean cruises and are in our 60's. We went with a group of about 50. Most of the other passengers were affiliated with some group.

The ship was beautiful with a more modern, clean look. Our cabin was on the second (middle) deck and was well appointed. It was not large but was quite functional with all the storage we needed and a cleverly designed, modern bathroom. The suitcases fit under the comfortable bed. The full length window had a motor that dropped the top halfway down. This made an ideal place to stand and watch the river go by. I much preferred it to the usual sliding glass doors in the absence of a balcony. Given that you only see one side of the river and that the public areas are so nice, I wouldn't upgrade to a true balcony.

The staff was made of the hardest working, friendliest people we have experienced on a cruise with the exception of one bartender who could have learned from his colleagues. The hotel director was a most pleasant American who went above and beyond in making sure we were well taken care of. Most of the other staff were Romanian with some waiters from the Philipines. All had good English skills. By the end of the cruise, it all felt like one big family. The wife of one of our waiters, Bradford, gave birth back in the Philipines while we were on the cruise. He was so well liked by our group that we collected a significant contribution for them. Read more