European river cruise boats are a pretty standard size and shape and as far as the cruise lines can

Cruising along the Danube in a sweltering 39 degrees about a week ago, I took several dips in the small plunge pool on AmaWaterways ’ new ship, AmaPrima . Strangely, I had the pool to myself, every time. There’s supposed to be a swim-up bar at one end of the pool but it was always closed, so we collared a passing waiter to bring drinks that we could sip decadently in the water. But the absence of fellow cruisers using the pool made me wonder, is this really a good use of the space on the ship?
European river cruise boats are a pretty standard size and shape and as far as the cruise lines can go, it’s about striking a balance in ship design. Maximum space per passenger has to be achieved to create a feeling of luxury without reducing numbers and losing revenue sports car rentals bwi – and it’s the service, the food and the gimmicks like a pool that differentiate one product from another.
Huge attention has been paid by all the cruise lines to cabins, dining and bar space. But I can’t help feeling that the open deck is often a bit of an afterthought, on some ships simply consisting of a long line of deckchairs, a token deck quoits game (traditional ring toss) and not enough shade. Yes, everything has to collapse down to low level to fit under some of the bridges, but there must be some way of adding a bit of style to the sun deck.
New cruise line Emerald Waterways is trying something different, creating a proper swimming pool one deck down from the top with a retractable roof, a bar and ice cream station and a sliding floor that covers the pool to create a cinema area at night. AmaPrima , to give the line credit, has a really lovely chill-out area forward of the pool, with smart, rattan armchairs and sofas in sociable groups; it was a real favourite for after dinner drinks. Avalon Waterways has an al fresco grill restaurant on the upper deck of some of its ships, for which passengers sports car rentals bwi have to book – so that’s clearly a hit.
So what would you like to see on the open decks of a river cruiser? Not water slides and surf simulators, obviously, but maybe a bit of imagination to match that shown by the designers of ocean-going ships. A lawn, perhaps, or a boules pitch? A few luxury cabanas, even if they do carry a surcharge. Or some hammocks. Some of those sexy circular sunloungers for two, as featured on Crystal’s two ships. Definitely a decent-sized hot tub (which some river cruisers already sports car rentals bwi have). And maybe an outdoor massage tent, or picnic baskets, or a gelateria.
Had you realised that the sun deck is barred to disabled passengers. There are no lifts to that level and so the chance to sit and laze in the sun, or even to partake in facilities available to others is denied if you cannot manage the stairs. This is especially important because often shore excursions are also not practicable if you are not mobile.
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