In spring 2024, Julia and Matthew traveled to Amsterdam to board their first-ever river cruise alongside Matthew’s mother, cousin, aunt and great-aunt. The young couple and their family were eager to witness the vibrant spring tulips firsthand and explore the enchanting Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, especially after more than 18 months of planning this dream cruise. As the departure day grew closer, Matthew had an extra surprise in store: he intended to propose to Julia amidst the tulip fields at Keukenhof Gardens on the second to last day of their cruise. 

After embarking AmaCerto with the engagement ring safely in his pocket, Matthew began thinking about adapting his plans to propose earlier on in the cruise, preferring to enjoy the excitement of the engagement throughout their cruise rather than on their way home. On their included excursion to Bruges, Belgium, Matthew was inspired by the charming and historic surroundings, and he seized his opportunity to pop the question. With family by his side and amidst the medieval charm of the city, Matthew got down on one knee and proposed to Julia, who was completely caught off guard by the unexpected romantic gesture.

Upon returning to the ship, the newly engaged couple was met with warmth and congratulations from the crew. Cruise Manager Matija immediately sprang into action, making sure the couple received a celebratory cake during dinner that evening. He also helped arrange for a local photographer from Amsterdam to accompany the family during their excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens later in the cruise.

These thoughtful gestures added an extra layer of magic to their engagement. “I could not have imagined a better way to get engaged,” Matthew exclaims. “Matija was genuinely so excited for us, and he made the whole cruise much more special. He did all this and accommodated us and made us feel special despite having so much else to do.” Matija's proactive approach to organizing the photographer and acknowledging their engagement with a cake exemplified the exceptional service that made their river cruise so memorable.

The rest of the crew's attentiveness and genuine enthusiasm for Julia and Matthew’s engagement were also highlights of their cruise. The couple appreciated the attention they received, which made them feel celebrated. Julia and Matthew also gave a heartfelt shoutout to Mo, their Main Restaurant waiter, who consistently remembered their drink orders and made their dining experience delightful.

Beyond the excitement of their engagement, Julia and Matthew cherished the breadth of experiences they had during their 7-night journey. Although they had notions of river cruising as a “slower paced” way to travel, they were surprised by the variety and breadth of excursion options available to them and their family throughout the cruise, opting for “gentle walker” tours to accommodate all members of their family. They also loved exploring Amsterdam during their free time in the city, visiting the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House with the advanced reservations they secured prior to arriving. Matthew was particularly fascinated by the engineering marvels of the bridges and locks they encountered along the way. The couple were avid fans of the onboard entertainment, especially the classical string trio, which added to the lively atmosphere throughout the cruise. AmaCerto itself left a wonderful impression on the couple. Their spacious balcony stateroom offered stunning views and a cozy retreat after their daily adventures.

Julia and Matthew are now in the early stages of planning their wedding, taking the time to bask in the joy of their engagement. Reflecting on their river cruise, they expressed a strong desire to explore the world with AmaWaterways again, eyeing Danube and Egypt river cruises in the future.

As they look back on their Tulip Time cruise, Julia and Matthew remember it as a unique and special way to get engaged while surrounded by familiar faces and exciting new destinations. From the vibrant tulip gardens to the charming streets of Bruges, along with the exceptional service on board, their river cruise was a journey filled with love, surprises and festive memories. Julia eloquently sums up their sentiments about their river cruise journey with us: “AmaWaterways will always have a place in our hearts now.”

Join us aboard our Tulip Time cruises in 2026 and create your own lasting memories. Contact your travel advisor or call 1-800-626-0126 to reserve your stateroom or inquire about our Vow Renewal program.