AmaSofia

Guests step aboard into reception, which works like a hotel front desk for questions and details throughout the cruise. From here, an elevator and stairs connect the passenger decks. Just in front of the 300 corridor are the desks of the hotel manager, who keeps everything running behind the scenes, and the cruise manager, who coordinates the included excursions, assigns color-coded tour groups and hands out the audio devices so guests can hear their guide.

Danny calls The Lark the beating heart of the ship. The bar anchors the room and serves drinks from day into evening, including the complimentary Sip & Sail happy hour. Sofas, lounge chairs and tables surround a dance floor and a piano, with entertainment each night. Every evening guests gather here for a briefing on the next day, and the lounge also hosts lectures about upcoming destinations. It's where new friendships start and stories from shore get shared.

On AmaSofia the lounge has been expanded all the way forward, adding a full dining area with dining-style seating. A buffet is set up here for lunch, with light bites at breakfast, so guests can eat with a view instead of heading down to the restaurant. Doors lead to outdoor seating at the very front, with heaters for cooler days, a lovely spot for a morning coffee or photos through the Wachau Valley or the Rhine Gorge.

The Lark Cafe is a guest favorite, with a 24-hour coffee station serving espresso drinks, tea and hot chocolate, plus a small seating area. Just off the lounge, the library offers two sofas, comfy chairs, faux fireplaces, books and games to borrow. Nearby, a small boutique stocks jewelry, local souvenirs, forgotten essentials and AmaWaterways logo wear. Danny calls the library his favorite indoor spot on an AmaWaterways ship.

The Main Restaurant is the primary place to dine, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Seating mixes booths, larger tables and banquettes, and open seating makes it easy to meet new people. Breakfast and lunch include a full buffet with fresh juices, meats, cheeses and a traditional American breakfast, alongside local specialties. Off either side of the entrance, two wine rooms with a wall of wine are perfect for a family meal or a celebration.

Set all the way aft, the Chef's Table is one of AmaWaterways' signature experiences, and it's included in the fare. Guests enjoy a multi-course tasting menu, which Danny counts at 15-plus courses, each paired with wine and described as it's served. One large table and tables for four sit beside floor-to-ceiling windows. The space also works for private group events, which Harr Travel often arranges with AmaWaterways.

At the top of the ship, a forward lounge with sofas, tables and bistro tables offers drink service and some of the best views of the Rhine Gorge and the Wachau Valley. Just aft is something few river ships have: a pool with a swim-up bar, bench seating and drinks on tap. The rest of the Sun Deck has loungers with umbrellas, a shade structure with ottomans, cornhole and a walking track.