Welcome on board the A-ROSA SENA

Anyone traveling on board the A-ROSA SENA for the first time quickly realizes that this form of river cruise is deliberately designed differently. It is a relaxed and high-quality way to travel, where the focus is on togetherness.

The A-ROSA SENA was put into service in 2022 and is considered one of the most modern ships in the fleet. As a so-called e-motion ship, it relies on a hybrid drive and a more sustainable energy concept that reduces emissions in port and optimizes energy consumption. At the same time, the ship is spacious, light-flooded and modern.

With a length of around 135 meters and a width of around 17.7 meters, it is one of the larger ships on the Rhine. Spread over five decks, including four passenger decks, she can accommodate up to around 280 guests. This balance between size and atmosphere is one of the reasons why she is particularly suitable for trips with friends or family.

The A-ROSA brand itself was created in the early 2000s and developed out of the Rostock cruise tradition that many still associate with AIDA. Today, A-ROSA stands for a contemporary river cruise without classic etiquette, fixed table rules or a formal dress code. This relaxed style is also consistent on the A-ROSA SENA.

The decks of the A-ROSA SENA

The A-ROSA SENA extends over five decks, four of which are accessible to guests. The clear structure makes it easy to find your way around, and at the same time there are various places to retreat and meet, giving the ship a pleasantly uncluttered appearance despite its size.

Deck 1: Spa area, family cabins and kids’ club

This deck shows particularly clearly that the A-ROSA SENA was deliberately designed to be family-friendly. This is where the spacious pirate-style Kids Club is located, which clearly stands out from the often small play areas on other river ships. Even though we were traveling without children ourselves, we were really impressed by the Kids Club on board. The area includes climbing and play elements, craft and painting tables, a reading and cuddly corner and plenty of space for supervised programs. In the evening, for example, there is a movie night with nachos and drinks from 8 pm to 9:45 pm.

This separate children’s area is a decisive advantage, especially for multi-generation cruises. While adults plan a shore excursion, visit the spa or simply enjoy the peace and quiet on the sun deck, for example, children have their own adventure area. Some cabin categories for families are also located on this deck, ensuring short distances. These cabins are 2-bed outside cabins with 3 additional beds (1 bunk bed and 1 sofa bed).

Also located on this deck is the SPA-ROSA area, which becomes a fixed part of the day for many guests. Here you will find a sauna, a whirlpool, a relaxation area and several treatment rooms for massages and beauty treatments. The sauna and whirlpool can be used from 10 am to 6 pm. This area is complemented by the fitness room, which is equipped with modern cardio equipment and is open from 7 am to 6 pm. The combination of exercise, sauna and then a view of the water creates a pleasant balance between activity and relaxation.

Deck 2 and 3: Balcony cabins

There are also mainly balcony cabins on decks 2 and 3. The cabins have 21 m² and a walk-on balcony. Cabins with connecting doors are also available on deck 3, which can be used by families, for example.

Deck 4: Restaurants and central meeting points

The central meeting point of the ship is the Panorama Lounge with SENA Bar, which extends over a spacious area. During the day it serves as a relaxed lounge, in the evening as a social hub with drinks, conversation and the opportunity to dance. The modern design with lots of glass, clear shapes and warm materials underlines the contemporary character of the SENA.
Here you can clearly feel that A-ROSA wants to create an open atmosphere without classic cruise formalities.

At the bow, in front of the Panorama Lounge, there is also the CAPTAIN’S VIEW outdoor area with lots of nice seats. When the weather is nice, this is one of our favorite places on board the A-ROSA SENA.

At the rear of the deck is the surcharge restaurant SENA GRILL and the spacious main restaurant A-ROSA MARKET with buffet and live cooking station. Thanks to the open design with various stations, the buffet restaurant is pleasantly spread out so that there is no crowding even at peak times. There is also a starter counter on both sides of the live cooking station. In good weather, the outdoor area at the stern is also used, where you can enjoy meals or drinks in the open air with a direct view of the wake.

The sun deck of the A-ROSA SENA: panoramic view and pool

At the top of deck 5 is the spacious sun deck, which is one of the highlights of the ship. Numerous sun loungers and various seating areas are available here. A particularly striking feature is the heated swimming pool, which gives the SENA an almost ocean-like flair. This is a special feature in the river segment.

From here, you can enjoy views of the Rhine landscape, passing vineyards or urban skylines. The size of the deck means that guests are well spread out, so there are both sociable areas and quieter corners.

Our balcony cabin on deck 3

Our cabin 322 on deck 3 measures around 21 square meters and has a full balcony. This is a detail that is much more than just a feature on a river cruise. While French balconies dominate on many river ships, this genuine outdoor area allows you to actually sit outside and consciously take in the passing scenery. Two chairs and a small table create a private retreat with a direct view of the river. In the morning with a cup of coffee when the banks are still calm, or in the evening with a glass of wine when the light softens. This balcony will quickly become your personal favorite spot.

The interior of the cabin also impresses with its well thought-out spatial concept. The sofa offers enough space to sit together, discuss travel plans or review the day without feeling cramped. Especially when traveling with siblings or friends, it is pleasant when a room is not only a bedroom but also a place to stay. A bottle of sparkling wine and a fruit basket are waiting to welcome you. So the journey can get off to a wonderful start.

The storage space is generous: a large closet, several drawers, open shelves and additional space under the bed ensure that you can stay organized even on longer trips. The closet even offers enough space for long coats or dresses, which is by no means a matter of course on a riverboat.

The bathroom is modern, clearly designed and generously sized. The shower is nice and large and comfortable, so that you feel at ease even during longer stays. There is plenty of shelf space around the washbasin and storage space for personal items. The “Native Nature All-in-One” shower gel, which combines shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, is available in the shower. This is functional and in keeping with the ship’s sustainable approach. Personally, however, we often prefer to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner in addition.

 

There is a lovely detail on the desk: a mirror decorated with a preserved rose that is permanently preserved and is reminiscent of the A-ROSA logo. It is precisely these small design elements that show that the work here is not only functional, but also has a clear understanding of the brand.

Culinary concept on board the A-ROSA SENA

In culinary terms, the A-ROSA SENA relies entirely on a buffet concept with fixed meal times and fixed table arrangements in the A-ROSA MARKET buffet restaurant. Breakfast is served from 8 am to 10 am, lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm and dinner from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Within the buffet times, everyone decides for themselves when they want to eat. This is a concept that offers tangible benefits, especially when traveling with friends or family.

There are water carafes and a cutlery stand on the tables, similar to those found on AIDA, for example. Guests take their own cutlery, as well as food and drinks at the respective stations. This underlines the deliberately informal character of the concept. At the same time, this form of dining also changes the atmosphere. A buffet restaurant is livelier and more animated than a classic service restaurant with a multi-course menu. Guests stand up, go to the stations and come back to the table.

The independence of this system is also evident in larger groups: as everyone decides individually when to eat and how quickly to go through the courses, you don’t necessarily always sit together for the main course or dessert at the same time. The meal is less synchronized, but much more flexible. A-ROSA has deliberately opted for a modern, informal restaurant concept. Traditional service staging is dispensed with in favor of independence and flexibility.

A central element of the restaurant is the live cooking station, where dishes are freshly prepared in front of the guests. The menu changes daily and ranges from hot main courses, vegetarian options and fresh salads to changing dessert variations. During our trip, we experienced a BBQ evening, an Asian evening and a Mediterranean-inspired theme evening. In the mornings and evenings, the buffet is complemented by a selection of fresh bread and cold cuts. The open design creates a lively atmosphere that is more reminiscent of a stylish marketplace than a classic on-board restaurant.

For guests looking for a special culinary experience, SENA also offers the SENA Grill, a restaurant with an à la carte menu at an extra charge. The emphasis here is on high-quality ingredients and fresh preparation. The 3-course menu on an Argentinian evening, for example, costs 39 euros per person. This is a nice addition to the open buffet that most guests enjoy. The surcharge restaurant offers a classic, quieter dining experience for those who want to enjoy a seated evening as well as flexibility.

Conclusion: Modern river cruise with a clear focus

The A-ROSA SENA stands for a modern interpretation of the river cruise that emphasizes sustainability, spaciousness and flexibility. The balcony cabins offer noticeable comfort, the buffet concept enables individual daily arrangements and the family-friendly offer significantly expands the target group.

Anyone looking for a stylish, uncomplicated form of travel that focuses on shared experiences while leaving room for personal moments will find a well thought-out overall package in the A-ROSA SENA.

For us, this trip was not only a successful break, but also a convincing first impression of A-ROSA.

 

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Many thanks to A-ROSA for the trip on the A-ROSA SENA. This article is not sponsored, we only report on our own impressions.