In an interview with Jelena Milinovic, Cruise Supervisor for luxurious river cruise line AmaWaterways, we mentioned the in depth lineup of distinctive wine & dine itineraries for 2019.

What are among the most enjoyable wine cruises arising this yr?
With 68 river cruises hosted by completely different wine specialists, it’s nearly unattainable for me to decide on any favorites. I do significantly just like the wine cruises through the fall interval because the harvest is in and native winemakers are extra relaxed and excited to speak about their manufacturing. For 2019, we may have 4 wine hosted cruises onboard AmaMagna on the Danube.

I additionally should make a particular point out of all of our river cruises by the well-known wine-producing Bordeaux space. They’re all closely targeted on completely different wine experiences and are highly regarded as company get to go to many celebrated vineyards and study rather a lot in regards to the completely different wine-making strategies. The Musée du Vin in Bordeaux is an enchanting place, for instance, showcasing tools and know-how from 2000 years of wine manufacturing within the area. I extremely advocate a go to.  

How do wine cruises differ When it comes to onboard actions and offshore excursions?
Every wine river cruise is hosted by a well-respected North American vineyard proprietor, winemaker or sommelier. Underneath their steerage, our company journey into European wine areas, visiting vineyards and wine cellars the place the native homeowners or specialists act as our guides explaining all about their wines and the fascinating historical past behind them.

Again on board, company are handled to distinctive dinners paired with hand-selected regional wines and luxuriate in three lectures and wine tastings led by the wine host. These hosts not solely showcase their respective wines but in addition present a extra international view of wine by highlighting the completely different points of “New World” wine cultivation, manufacturing processes and client palates, compared to those self same points present in “Previous World” European wine areas that we journey, and style, our manner by.

When it comes to the culinary providing extra broadly, how would you describe the eating aboard an AmaWaterways cruise?

Eating on board AmaWaterways ships is about offering the right steadiness of regional dishes and standard delicacies, all ready with the freshest components and introduced in inventive methods. All the things is ready every day on board together with the scrumptious loaves of bread, wholesome soups, and mouth-watering desserts. Our culinary groups are amazingly proficient and are very versatile and glad to work with any company who might have particular dietary restrictions. Welcoming solely 28 company, The Chef’s Desk restaurant is a really personal eating expertise with a five-course tasting menu paired with hand-selected wines. All of our company are invited to dine there at the very least as soon as throughout their cruise at no further price.  

What has been considered one of your most memorable experiences as a cruise supervisor?
Apart from the various lovely locations that I’ve had the possibility to go to, my most memorable experiences are related to the company onboard our ships. Serving to them and surpassing their expectations and seeing their glad faces all the time brings me such great emotions. Our company are largely from throughout the ocean and a few company have waited for this European river cruise their entire life, so for me to make them really feel at residence and welcome onboard is my primary precedence.

Many occasions I’ve helped company find lengthy misplaced members of the family, meet their outdated buddies or discover a particular memento they had been longing to purchase. Typically it’s the little or no issues that we’re in a position to do for our company which are essentially the most valuable. On the final day of the cruise, my desk is normally lined with piles of “thanks” notes which actually makes me proud. Lengthy after the river cruise ends, many company wish to keep up a correspondence, sending Christmas playing cards like we’re household. Many have invited me to go to them of their international locations and keep of their properties—what an honor to obtain such an invite. I keep in mind one visitor despatched me a Little Crimson Driving Hood cape for my 1-year-old daughter, which introduced me to tears when the package deal arrived!