Explore Your Ancestral Homeland on a European River Cruise

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Captivating Rhine
November 2, 2023

  • 7-night journey on the Rhine, Amsterdam to Basel (Captivating Rhine) aboard AmaStella
  • Optional 2-night in Amsterdam pre-cruise and/or 4-night in Switzerland (Lucerne and Zurich) post-cruise packages
Seize this unique opportunity to travel through time and connect to your personal history with Ancestry and AmaWaterways. Your preparation for this journey begins with a pre-journey consultation and family history research. Your discoveries continue throughout the cruise with a professional genealogist, who will accompany you during your sailing. Uncover the most authentic and exclusive experiences ashore with specially curated included excursions led by knowledgeable local guides. Together, your genealogist and guides will help you more fully understand your personal links to the beautiful regions you’re traveling through as you follow in your ancestors’ footsteps.



Legendary Danube
June 17, 2023

  • 7-night journey on the Danube, Nuremberg to Budapest aboard AmaViola
  • Optional 3-nights in Prague pre-cruise and/or 3-nights in Poland post-cruise
Sail through the heart of Germany, Austria, and Hungary alongside your professional genealogist from Ancestry®. Begin your journey in the medieval city of Nuremberg, cruise through the fascinating Main-Danube Canal, and venture through Austria’s vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. You can also bike along Passau’s scenic Inn River, explore the UNESCO-designated Old Town of Regensburg and visit Vienna on an enhanced excursion highlighting the Jewish migration experience. Conclude your cruise in Budapest as your genealogist regales you with the history of Hungarian migration from the Habsburg Empire to today.



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PRIOR TO YOUR SAILING

Your journey begins the moment you reserve - because anticipating and preparing for your river cruise is almost as exciting as the sailing itself! In addition, your expert Ancestry genealogist will begin performing research into your history as AmaWaterways, with the help of your experienced travel advisor, prepares you for your experience of a lifetime.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

  • A welcome call with your expert genealogist (about 1 hour).
  • A five-hour consultation and introductory research to study aspects of your family that are of particular interest to you. (Additional hours are available at an extra cost.)
  • A summary of findings from the five-hour consultation and introductory research. (The summary is completed as part of the five hours). Through this research, we will look to identify places we will visit or pass on the river cruise that may be connected to your ancestry, as well as options for add-on Ancestral Home Visits.
  • The services of your preferred travel advisor, who will share their travel expertise and take care of all aspects of your journey, including reserving convenient airport transfers, pre- and post-river cruise land packages, available Ancestral Home Visit options and any extra hotel nights you may need to ensure you have a seamless journey.
  • A series of pre-cruise emails introducing you to your ship, the destinations you’ll visit and more, plus helpful hints to help you get ready for your journey.
  • Your online Cruise Check-In, where you will complete important documents needed to embark the ship and where you can also reserve most of your preferred included shore excursion choices.

DURING YOUR RIVER CRUISE

  • 7-day luxury river cruise in elegant stateroom aboard the brand-new AmaLucia
  • The luxury of space on board a ship accommodating up to just 156 guests
  • Your expert genealogist will be with you for the entire river cruise, personalizing your experience, setting the historical context, and answering your questions about your family, their history, and the next steps we can take to research them. Your expert will connect the places you are visiting to your family history and bring the past to life, helping you understand how various locations and settings have changed since your ancestors lived there. Your expert will also explain changes in national borders and regional politics over time, all while providing a glimpse into your ancestors’ likely experiences and daily lives.
  • Your expert genealogist will deliver at least two historical and genealogical presentations during the cruise. These presentations will help you learn more about what life was like for your ancestors and what records are available to find out more about them. Your expert will explain the history of the areas where your ancestors lived as you travel through those same regions.
  • Each participant will receive one private consultation with your expert genealogist while on board. (You will sign up during the cruise.) This is a great opportunity to review your family tree with your expert genealogist.
  • All fine dining in multiple venues, including a multi-course dinner at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
  • Hand-selected premium wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner
  • Daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and cocktails
  • Up to 21 small-group guided excursions, with a variety of choices and activity levels each day, including hiking, biking, gentle walker tours and culinary-themed Special Interest Tours
  • Take an excursion with your expert genealogist. You can visit an archive or engage in a different experience to learn more about your family history.
  • AmaWaterways’ signature “Castles on the Rhine” scenic cruise
  • Wellness Program with up to four optional fitness classes daily
  • A fleet of state-of-the-art complimentary bicycles to use on your own or during guided tours
  • Live local entertainment
  • Complimentary high-quality Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • The services of a professionally trained Cruise Manager throughout your journey
  • The once-in-a-decade opportunity to visit the Floriade Expo, a world-renowned horticultural show


OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

  • You will have the opportunity to add an Ancestral Home Visit with an expert genealogist guiding you in your ancestral town either during your river cruise or as part of an optional land package before or after your sailing for an additional cost.
  • Join us, stay awhile and extend your journey with AmaWaterways’ 4-night pre-river cruise land package in Switzerland. Enjoy two nights in Zurich and two nights in Lucerne staying at 4- and 5-star hotels, with convenient transfers, daily breakfast and city tours all included, as well as the services of a professionally trained Cruise Manager.