The Family that Cruises Together

Our family planted an apple orchard while our kids were still growing. We had t-shirts made that said, “The family that picks together sticks together.” I’ve always wanted to keep my family close. I speak internationally all over the world and have for the last 25-30 years. So, when we go, I always see if we can take a kid or a few grandkids with us. When the family expanded to 19 of us, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to get together once in a while to do something special?’”

Special Memories

The first time we did this was a hiking trip to the Canadian mountains. Afterwards, our son-in-law who had joined us mentioned this trip as a special memory just before he passed. And that inspired me to plan more of them, like our family’s Paris & Normandy river cruise with AmaWaterways.

Paris & Normandy was the first river cruise we did all together. And it was an ideal approach because it allowed for us to do individual excursions at our own pace or focus on our own interests, while still getting together for dinner every night.

A Rare and Lovely Experience

At 19, we were a big crowd to manage, but AmaWaterways is a wonderful group to work with! In fact, when my husband and I had a difficult problem, they came to the rescue. Our flight was delayed. Everyone was going to be on the cruise ship but us! AmaWaterways had friendly representatives meet us at the airport and drive us to the next location where the ship was docked the next day. We didn’t do anything special to deserve that – they’re just a wonderful company and they made the experience effortless and lovely for us.

During the cruise, I remember wonderful hikes where my family and I would walk and chat together. I usually took one of the ship’s Nordic walking sticks with me, which was very helpful on tricky terrain. The hikes were pleasant and easy.

I found it such a pleasure to see all the cousins on board getting along and being together. It doesn’t happen often because they don’t all live in the same cities and are between the ages of 18 and 31. We started traveling when the youngest were babies! We’ve done many trips, but cruises are my number one favorite.

Bringing Warmth and Families Together

Cruises allow for individuals of different ages, physical abilities and interests to do what they want, and AmaWaterways encourages the togetherness and warmth that accommodate loving families. There’s also room for both spontaneity and pre-arranged excursions, as well as choices at dinner. And the food on board was consistently excellent!

We really did have a very delightful time. It’s a wonderful kind of journey that gives the family time to “play” and takes them away from their cell phones and work pressures. When you cruise, you’re away. And it really is relaxing.

Experience comfort and luxury all-in-one in our spacious suites and connecting staterooms on select ships – perfect for families!

See which one of our 2024 European itineraries fits your family best!

Experience More Connections

Cruise Manager Luis shares what he loves the most about our Douro River itineraries.
Read more
Austrians love their pumpkins – and have turned pumpkinseed oil into a delicacy.
Read more
Tulips are not the only product for which the Dutch are world-famous. When in the Netherlands, just say ‘Cheese’
Read more