A Culinary Journey on the Rhône: An AmaWaterways Dining Review

For food and wine aficionados, an AmaWaterways river cruise is nothing short of a dream. Join us as we delve into a comprehensive AmaWaterways Review, exploring the exquisite food and beverage options we savored during our unforgettable voyage up the Rhône River.

Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing journey! We’re taking you on a detailed tour of the delectable 7-day feast that awaits you on the Colors of Provence river cruise with AmaWaterways.

Sailing along the Rhône River from Arles to Lyon, France, aboard the AmaKristina, this river cruise is a gastronomic pilgrimage. The onboard dining experience is a celebration of France’s rich culinary heritage, perfectly complemented by regional wine pairings that highlight the area’s long-standing tradition of producing world-class wines.

From the moment you embark until your disembarkation, you’re treated to a voyage filled with culinary masterpieces. Whether it’s a delicate bouillabaisse for lunch or a sumptuous coq au vin at dinner, AmaWaterways excels at showcasing the authentic flavors of the regions you explore.

Tip: Keep an eye out for dishes marked with “LS” on the menus, indicating that they are Local Specialties, giving you an authentic taste of the region.

Exploring Onboard Dining with AmaWaterways

As someone deeply involved in the culinary world, I can appreciate the challenge of consistently creating gourmet cuisine within the confines of a ship’s galley. I was genuinely impressed by the quality, innovation, and attention to detail evident in the dishes served aboard the AmaKristina.

Whether you’re a seasoned gourmand, a passionate wine enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to discover new and exciting local flavors, an AmaWaterways cruise promises an unforgettable culinary adventure at every turn.

Let’s take a closer look at the exceptional food and beverage experiences we enjoyed during our AmaWaterways Colors of Provence river cruise on the AmaKristina. I’m excited to share the incredible variety and quality of the onboard dining and how it all works. Please remember that specific offerings can vary from cruise to cruise.

Colors of Provence River Cruise: Intrigued about the cruise itinerary? Read our full AmaWaterways Colors of Provence cruise itinerary review to discover all the details!

What’s Included: A Culinary Overview

Your cruise fare includes all three main meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – which you can enjoy in the Main Restaurant. For more relaxed dining, the Lounge offers lighter options during meal times.

Also included are daily afternoon tea and a special dinner at the exclusive Chef’s Table restaurant.

Complimentary beverages flow freely, including unlimited fine wines, beers, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. Sparkling wine and freshly squeezed juices are available to start your day at breakfast.

Guests also have 24-hour access to a self-service station offering complimentary coffee, tea, and refreshing water.

For those seeking something a little more special, an array of specialty wines, craft beers, and expertly crafted cocktails are available for purchase outside the complimentary meal times.

Note: Exact meal times may vary slightly depending on the day’s itinerary. Keep an eye on the ship’s Daily Cruiser, available both in print and on the AmaWaterways digital app, for the most up-to-date schedule.

A Day Begins with AmaWaterways Breakfast

Each day begins with a lavish breakfast, typically served in the Main Restaurant from around 7:30 am to 9:00 am.

Guests can indulge in a delectable breakfast buffet featuring an abundant selection of fresh fruits, pastries, yogurts, cereals, and an array of breakfast staples.

The buffet is complemented by hot dishes made to order from the breakfast menu at your table, including classics such as eggs benedict, perfectly crafted omelets, avocado toast, and golden waffles.

For those who prefer a more relaxed start to the day, early risers can enjoy light options like freshly baked croissants and aromatic coffee in the Lounge between approximately 6:30 am and 10:00 am.

AmaWaterways Lunch: A Midday Delight

Lunch is generally served onboard after most morning excursions have concluded, typically starting between 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm and continuing until around 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm in the Main Restaurant.

Each day of our cruise, lunch commenced with a delightful basket of fresh bread, offering a variety of textures and flavors. Following the bread service was an array of shared appetizers, setting the stage for a memorable midday meal.

Some of my favorite lunch appetizers during our cruise included:

• Escargot, prepared with classic French flair
• Chicken rillette, smooth and flavorful
• Crispy prosciutto, adding a salty crunch

Lunch in the Main Restaurant also included a selection of fresh salads and comforting soups, followed by a carefully crafted main course, and concluded with a delectable dessert plate.

My favorite lunch main courses included:

• French truffle farfalle pasta, rich and aromatic
• Classic Bouillabaisse, a seafood stew bursting with Mediterranean flavors
• A flavorful Chicken and shrimp curry, offering a taste of the exotic

Bistro Lunch: A Casual Alternative

For a more casual dining experience, the Bistro Lunch in the Lounge offers a daily menu featuring a variety of salads, sandwiches, main courses, and tempting desserts.

Additionally, they offer “always available” options, ensuring there’s something for everyone. During our cruise, these included a satisfying hamburger or cheeseburger with fries and coleslaw, as well as a classic Margherita Pizza.

Afternoon Tea: A Refined Indulgence

For those who appreciate refined indulgences, the AmaKristina’s afternoon tea is an absolute must. This daily ritual, served around 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, invites passengers to gather in the Lounge for a delightful selection of delicate finger sandwiches and dainty French pâtisseries. Enjoyed as sunlight streams across the water, this serene mid-afternoon break perfectly embodies the cruise’s commitment to providing not just a meal, but an experience to savor.

AmaWaterways Dinner: A Culinary Masterpiece

Dinner is a lively affair on the ship, as guests gather to share the day’s adventures over a sumptuous feast. The final full meal of the day is served in the Main Restaurant from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm each evening. It features a multi-course meal with stunning culinary creations inspired by the region through which the ship is sailing.

Meals often showcase local ingredients, and thoughtfully chosen wine pairings are included to complement the dishes, enhancing the dining experience.

Guests have two ordering options at dinner:

• The Chef’s Recommendation menu, featuring a pre-selected appetizer, salad, soup, main course, and dessert.
• An à la carte menu, which includes many of the same dishes, as well as a few additional choices, allowing you to mix and match to your heart’s content.

Similar to lunch, there are also “Always Available” options for dinner. During our cruise, these included beef ribeye steak, grilled chicken breast, a salmon filet, and Caesar salad.

Some of my favorite dinner dishes during our cruise included:

• Filet de Boeuf Rossini (slow roasted beef tenderloin)
• The perfectly grilled beef ribeye steak from the Always Available menu
• Tender and flavorful duck breast
• Halibut in a rich lobster sauce

The AmaWaterways Chef’s Table: An Exclusive Experience

For discerning diners seeking the ultimate tasting menu experience, be sure to make a reservation for the Chef’s Table. This exclusive restaurant is the only one on board AmaWaterways cruise ships that requires a reservation. Best of all, it’s available at no additional charge.

Located at the opposite end of the Main Restaurant on the AmaKristina, the intimate 28-seat Chef’s Table restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, providing diners with stunning views, especially during evening sailings.

The menu remains consistent throughout the cruise, so if you decide to dine here more than once, you’ll be treated to the same exquisite meal each time.

During our cruise, the Chef’s Table menu featured:

• Chef’s Welcome: A delicate confit heirloom tomato with mozzarella pearls and basil oil
• Grilled tiger shrimp served with tahini hummus and sun-dried tomato pesto
• A velvety cauliflower velouté
• Pan-fried salmon trout accompanied by pumpkin mash, Swiss chard, and a white wine sauce
• Raspberry sorbet, served as a palate cleanser
• Argentinian beef striploin with jus, horseradish puree, sweet potato fondant, heritage carrots, and broccoli
• A decadent dessert plate featuring salted caramel chocolate tart, lime macaron, cherry sorbet, and fresh berries.

The meal was beautifully paced and presented, with each dish bursting with flavor. My personal highlight was the refreshing raspberry sorbet, a perfect palate cleanser that awakened the senses.

The Wines of the Chef’s Table

Our Chef’s Table experience was perfectly complemented by two exceptional French wines: 6eme Sens IGP OC Gerard Betrand 2019 and Ego Languedoc AOP Domaine-Cazes. The former is a delightfully refreshing white wine crafted from Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Viognier grapes, resulting in a fruity, floral, and citrusy profile.

The latter is a classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) red wine. It was a rich, full-bodied, and elegant wine with a lovely finish.

AmaWaterways Beverages: A Toast to Excellence

Enhancing the onboard dining experience is a carefully curated beverage selection that elevates every meal.

At breakfast, sparkling wine adds a touch of elegance to accompany the freshly squeezed juices and the abundant spread of pastries, cheeses, and fruits.

Lunch and dinner feature a selection of fine wines and beers, expertly paired with the cuisine to enhance the flavors and create a harmonious dining experience.

Each evening, two carefully selected wines are featured with dinner, typically showcasing wines that are local to the region you are sailing through.

Imagine savoring a robust Syrah while indulging in the delicate complexity of a Lyonnaise quenelle, or toasting with a crisp rosé as you glide past the breathtaking lavender fields of Provence.

On sailing nights, guests can enjoy a delightful Sip and Sail Cocktail Hour from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Lounge. During this time, the Cocktail and Mocktail of the Day, as well as other select drinks, are complimentary.

On the second to last evening of the cruise, a special Farewell Cocktail event is typically held in the Lounge, providing an opportunity to mingle with the crew before dinner.

AmaWaterways Onboard Dining Tips for an Enhanced Experience

Here are some insider tips to maximize your onboard dining experience:

• Arrive early: Aim to arrive at the Main Restaurant right when it opens for lunch and dinner to secure the best tables.
• Consider semi-private dining: Two semi-private dining rooms are located near the entrance of the Main Restaurant. These are ideal for larger parties, but reservations are not possible, so arrive early to snag one of these tables.
• Embrace social dining: Use mealtimes as an opportunity to connect with your fellow cruisers. We had the pleasure of sharing meals with other writers and wonderful strangers who quickly felt like old friends.
• Reserve the Chef’s Table promptly: Make your reservation for the Chef’s Table as soon as you board the ship. While reservations can be made up until 2 pm on the day of dining, limited seating makes early booking essential.

Frequently Asked Questions About AmaWaterways Onboard Dining

What are the late-night food and beverage options?

On select nights and ships, Late Night Snack offerings are available, typically in the Lounge, and are included in the cruise fare. Additionally, complimentary coffee, tea, and water are available in the Lounge 24 hours a day.

Is there a dress code for meals?

Breakfast and lunch are casual; shorts or jeans with t-shirts or casual tops are perfectly acceptable. However, more formal attire is recommended for dinner. Women typically wear dresses, skirts, or slacks with nice blouses, while men often opt for buttoned-up dress shirts or nice sweaters with slacks. Some men choose to wear jackets, while others do not. Guests may also dress more formally for the Chef’s Table dining experience and the Gala Dinner, which is usually held on the second to last night of the cruise.

Is there a mini-fridge in our room?

Yes! Each stateroom features a mini-fridge, perfect for storing late-night snacks or early-morning treats you may acquire at each port.

Is there a coffee maker or tea kettle in our room?

No, individual rooms are not equipped with coffee makers or tea kettles. However, a complimentary tea, coffee, and water station is conveniently located near the Lounge and is open 24 hours a day.

I have a food allergy. How does AmaWaterways handle food allergies and sensitivities?

As someone with several food sensitivities, I found it easy to find delicious and satisfying options at every meal. A vegetarian option is always available, and there are often vegan choices throughout the week. Be sure to inform your server about any dietary restrictions or concerns you may have at each meal.

Is there room service?

Room service is not available on the AmaKristina. However, you can order food to take back to your room from the Main Restaurant. We often took breakfast plates from the Lounge back to our room on mornings when we preferred a lighter meal than the full sit-down breakfast in the Main Restaurant.

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Disclosure: This experience was part of an AmaWaterways press trip along the Rhone River. All opinions and photos are our own.