A-Rosa Sena

By Steve Hartridge

The Vessel: A-ROSA’s newest E-motion Rhine ship.

The Cruise: A five-night Christmas Markets City Experience that started in Düsseldorf and visited Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Cologne.

The Welcome: Red roses – the cruise line’s motif – were handed to every female passenger. The formalities were dealt with quickly and with smiles.

The Cabin: 321 on the Deck Three.

Outside cabins on decks Two and Three are a generous 21 sq ms, divided into a sleeping and lounge area. With a double bed, couch, table and chair, large bathroom and a balcony with seating for two.

Language: Ship announcements –and activities on board – like the afternoon quiz – were in German, often without an English translation. However, most of the staff spoke excellent English.

Restaurants & Bars: A-ROSA

MARKET, the main dining room, has a range of different seating areas including an atrium-style pavilion with a glass front. The buffet style cuisine was outstanding – think gourmet food prepared by creative chefs. For example: grilled fillet of pike perch with saffron and vermouth sauce. There was a vegan and vegetarian options and sweet and savoury creations from the ship’s bakery.

Sena Grill is an à la carte service restaurant that, for a supplement, offers a more intimate dining experience with cuisine focusing on steak, seafood and sushi bowls. The flagship Sena Bar serves premium wines, beer and spirits and cocktails with very generous splashes of alcohol. The lounge has a wraparound bar, where you can watch bartenders at work, and big bay windows that offer views onto the passing land and cityscapes. The Winery hosts private dinners. In the warmer months, dining and drinks are served outside.

For Families: Sena features oversized 28 sq ms family cabins that sleep up to five. The A-ROSA Kids Club has its own dedicated rooms on board and there is a separate children’s pool on deck.

Health and Fitness: The SPA-ROSA is on a par with anything similar at a five-star hotel, with a sauna, whirlpool, ice grotto, heat bench, relaxation room, treatment rooms and a fitness area. Two pools are located on the huge sun deck.

Ambience: Very relaxed and informal, with no seating plan or dress code, Sustainability: The A-ROSA SENA features a hybrid propulsion system with electric and diesel engines, as well as a battery storage system that allows for virtually silent and emission-free city calls.

Pound for pound, is there a better valuefor-money travel product than a river cruise? The state-of-the-art A-Rosa Sena is raising the bar for the sector through its outstanding service, top-notch food and beverage offerings and overall quality – all for one transparent all-inclusive price.

Rates: The five-night Rhine Christmas Market City Experience starts from £1,879pp, for a balcony cabin and on a premium all-inclusive basis. Departing November 23 2023, including flights from Heathrow. arosa-cruises.co.uk