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December 30, 2023

A-Rosa Sena: a ship in a new dimension 

This statement applies in several respects. Higher, wider, and more guests. The dimensions of the ship make it clear: at 135 m long and 17.7 m wide with 5 decks, the A-Rosa Sena is the largest river cruise ship in Europe, with room for around 280 guests. These special ship dimensions only really become apparent when other river ships are moored next to the Sena. This size benefits the feeling of space and the variety of offers on board. The vast majority of guests experience this in their cabins in an extremely pleasant way. The standard cabins are already 21 square meters in size and all cabins on decks 2, 3, and 4 feature a real balcony, allowing guests to enjoy their river cruise in the privacy of their own outdoor area. 

“Premium All Inclusive” and buffet concept 

A-Rosa offers an all-around carefree package. The cruise price includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, as well as embarkation snack and coffee hour, just as high-quality drinks throughout the day. In addition, there is free use of the sauna and fitness facilities, Wi-Fi, room service, and e-bike rental (where available). 

My stomach is already rumbling, so we look for a seat in the A-Rosa Market, the large buffet restaurant. We appreciate the great flexibility and are pleased that there is no fixed seating. The aroma of the buffet hits my nose – this comes from the live cooking, which is not only a visual eye-catcher but also highlights the freshness of the preparation and simply whets the appetite. An extra section with vegan food pleases guests with special dietary requirements. I fill my plate myself, course by course, in a very appealing way, because after all, you eat with your eyes too. The Austrian restaurant manager recognizes that and immediately offers me a job in the kitchen if required. I prefer to remain a guest and enjoy a hearty potato soup, light salmon with vegetables as my main course, and an apple strudel with vanilla sauce for dessert. Now it’s time to move to the lounge, where Captain Ulli Schwalbe and his team introduce themselves to applause. This is how it should be on a river cruise and illustrates the family atmosphere on board, even though there are well over 200 guests including us. To round off the first evening, we try out a new service function in the A-Rosa app: ordering drinks at your seat. Even though waiters are available to take orders, there is the opportunity to check the drinks menu at the app directly on the smartphone, select drinks, and add the table number to your order. A short time later, the waiter serves the requested drinks. While the cruise director solves a short quiz and the DJ brings the evening to a close with lively music, soon my eyes drift shut after an eventful day. 

Architecture and Culinary in Rotterdam 

On the second day on our way to Rotterdam, we are informed about an alternative port in Schoonhoven, which is a little out of the way and which we have to head for due to traffic. On the way there in the morning, a light mist drifts over the canals while the sun begins to bathe a series of windmills on the shore in a mystical light. As soon as we dock, shuttle buses are already waiting to take us from Schoonhoven directly to a parking lot at the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. The sun clears the remaining fog and gives us a clear view under a blue sky. We walk on our own through the architecturally exciting harbor district, past the maritime museum to the futuristic market hall. Inside the building, which is flooded with light through huge glass fronts, foodies’ hearts beat faster. Delicacies from all over the world are on offer at small market stalls. Cheese, sausages, chocolates, and other sweets are particularly popular here. Even I can’t say no to this delicious sight and sample something. We then move on to the artistic cube houses in bright yellow – diagonally opposite the market hall. To get a more detailed view we visit a fully equipped museum cube house and learn about the daily life living there. Then we continue along the pedestrian zone past the Laurentskerk and the Stadthuis. As dusk slowly sets in, the Christmas lights come on in the streets and stores. As the cold starts to get to us, we take a seat in a time-honored café. There we warm up with a hot chocolate and a piece of cake. Then it’s time to head back to the bus and back to the ship. As there is still time before dinner, I put on my fluffy bathrobe and set off to explore the spa on board. 

The largest spa and wellness area on a river cruise ship 

Behind the name Spa-Rosa is a very generously dimensioned wellness area. As soon as you walk down the light-flooded circular staircase to deck 1 and enter the spa, you will feel relaxed. A calming fragrance, gentle sounds, and a modern feel-good ambiance with lots of wooden furniture take you on a wellness journey. These could be lines from an advertising brochure, but A-Rosa Sena turns them into reality. How about a visit to the large Finnish sauna first, then cooling off in the ice grotto before wrapping yourself in a fluffy blanket and resting in the relaxation room in front of the electric fire? Especially in the winter months, this is also part of a relaxing vacation. The fact that this is possible on a river cruise surprised me on this trip. After a massage in one of the two treatment rooms, I enjoyed the indoor whirlpool all the more. 

Right next to the Spa-Rosa is the fitness studio with several cardio and strength machines as well as a spacious area for workouts. I wasn’t the only one to use the gym. The size and equipment of the fitness studio definitely invite you to take part in a personal activity program. 

Who is on the trip with us? Mainly guests aged between 40 and 70, but there are also a few families with small children on board. This is due to the current season without school vacations, as the A-Rosa Sena is targeting precisely this group. 

Family-friendly on the river 

On the A-Rosa Sena, it’s all hands-on deck! Here, too, A-Rosa is breaking new ground and offering a truly coherent product for the family target group. 12 family cabins on deck 1 allow up to two adults and three children to travel together in a very comfortable and child-friendly environment. Sleeping berths for the kids, an extra play table and all this on deck 1 with a large (non-opening) window so that the children can stay in the cabin on their own. However, another highlight awaits the little ones on deck 1: the huge Kids Club in the form of an adventure playground for sailors. Appropriate childcare facilities as well as an extra family area with a separate buffet in the restaurant and a shallow children’s pool on the sun deck will make the hearts of parents and their children beat faster. Those paying attention to the price will be pleased to know that children up to the age of 15 travel free of charge on deck 1 when accompanied by their parents. 

Interesting ship details 

The A-Rosa Sena has other special features to offer. On deck 4 at the very front of the bow, in the Captain’s View outdoor area, you can enjoy the view of the same name behind a glass front despite the icy wind. I imagine this to be one of my favorite places for a summer cruise. The comfortable lounge furniture invites you to enjoy the peaceful glide along the river with a glass of wine or cocktail in your hand while the riverside landscape slowly passes by. Even when the sun deck is closed, the Captain’s View is open and a dream come true for pure river cruise fans. I almost forgot that hot chestnuts and mulled wine were being served on the outdoor area of the Riverside Restaurant this evening. These are the special moments of an Advent cruise. In the summer season, guests are more likely to enjoy the Up & Down Bar, a retractable bar on the sun deck. Not only the ship’s bridge can be retracted for low bridge passages, but also this bar. Speaking of the bridge, Captain Schwalbe invites us for a short visit and chat on his bridge. A very impressive place to work! 

Next stop Utrecht 

The A-Rosa Sena is moored just outside the city center today. We take the opportunity to make a long stroll into the old town along small canals with a view of many houseboats. Our route takes us past the central station through a huge shopping mall, along Utrecht’s most famous canal – the Oudegracht – to the majestic Utrecht Cathedral. The many festive light installations are perfect for atmospheric vacation photos. Next to the cathedral, the Pandhof Sinte Marie, a hidden monastery courtyard with a medieval cloister and enchanting garden, is well worth a visit. Even in winter, the simple beauty of this place lends a spiritual note to the walk. On the way back, we are stopping at a small Christmas market next to a historic windmill. While Christmas carols are playing, we visit the mill and are inspired by the many handmade gift ideas. In the meantime, the cold is getting into my feet through my shoes. I’m already looking forward to another sauna session on board. 

Josef Eisenberger

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