Delights of the Danube - A quick guide to river cruising
How do you board a river cruise? Boarding was so easy - especially when compared to ocean cruising. It reminded me of checking into a hotel. When you arrive at the dockside, you wander down to the door of your ship where you are greeted, and your luggage is tagged and set aside. I found the check-in smooth and quick (even when checking all the relevant paperwork), and our cabin key was issued within minutes.
What are your cabin options? There are typically three types of cabins onboard river cruises. - Standard cabins - on the 1st deck, with a small window which is usually quite high (great for letting natural light in but not great for viewing your surroundings) - Balcony cabins - on decks 2 & 3 - Larger suits - on decks 2 & 3 If you’ve been ocean cruising, you can expect the cabins on a river cruise to be very similar - just fewer of them. There are only between 100 and 150 cabins on a river cruise.
We started our journey from Budapest, which is absolutely stunning. The buildings are lit up at night, showcasing Budapest’s breathtaking architecture.
How does dining work on a river cruise? Most river cruises are full board - and some even include wine and beer with your lunch and dinner (mine did - yippee!). All ships have a main dining room. And, there’s an increasing number of brands adding additional speciality dining options for customers - which is excellent for those looking for alternative options to traditional dining. On the Danube river cruise I went on, there was a delicious well-stocked buffet with hot and cold offerings - and an omelette chef. For lunch, we had another buffet-style lunch packed with delicious locally inspired dishes such as Hungarian beef stew when we were docked in Budapest. Overall, I was so happy with all the choices - and the river cruises cater well for food allergies and intolerances. The star of the show was the evening meals - outstanding! The a la carte menu had three to four choices each time. Travelling with a fussy eater? Don’t worry - there will likely be an option for them.
What are the entertainment options while river cruising? This is probably the biggest difference between ocean and river cruising - because of space. A river cruise typically has a nice lounge bar within the ship, and in some cases, an impressive outside bar that raises up and down (to get under the bridges) on the top deck. We enjoyed a fantastic band playing every night, which made for a great evening atmosphere. However, here is the really exciting bit… as you are mostly docked during the evening in a lovely destination, you have the freedom to go onshore and explore the local bars and restaurants instead. Get a real cultural dining experience and head out to a local restaurant or bar - a fabulous way to truly immerse yourself in each destination!
What types of excursions are there on the Danube? All Danube river cruises offer tours. And, more and more companies include them in the overall costs - making it truly ‘all-inclusive’. Generally, excursions will be graded in terms of physical effort. So don’t worry if you’re not sure whether it’s for you. Grade 1 is a sedate walking tour or a bus tour, and Grade 4 is likely to be a hike up to a point of interest. If you’re not sure, speak to me before you book - or you can talk to someone on board. And here’s something for the cycling enthusiasts, most cruises have bicycles on board! What a fantastic way to explore a destination! Simply take these out independently or book an organised bike tour. You can even take short distance stops between cities where you can cycle alongside the ship to the next destination - which is super popular as cycling really immerses you in the scenery. Whatever excursion you book on, they are designed to immerse you in the local culture - from wine tasting with a local family to practising your culinary skills in a local restaurant. Remember, you always have the choice to do your own thing too - if you prefer.
How convenient is river cruising? Very! I loved just walking on and off the ship at leisure. Here’s a bit of history for you… as the rivers used to be motorways many years ago, there are many cities situated on these rivers. That means when you dock up, you are there. Nothing more than a 10-minute stroll, and you’re in the heart of the city - no buses or transfers needed. Your ship acts as a transfer between these amazing places. You unpack once, and you get to see multiple cities. See, super convenient.
What river cruise is right for you? Honestly, there’s a cruise for everyone. I visited 10 ships during this trip, and they all offered something different - from family-focussed (a whole deck dedicated to families) to 5-star luxury boutique-style ships. Don’t worry about suitable excursions as ships will always be tailored for their audience. So if you’re on a family-focused cruise, you’ll have options to visit a science museum or chocolate factory (yum yum!) for example. Yet, you’re likely to enjoy gastronomy tours and wine tasting for more adult-focused cruises. There’s also a brand of river cruise whose target audience is as broad as between 21-and 50 - so there really is a cruise for everyone.
How do I book a river cruise? I’d love to help. Get in touch today to discuss your river cruising options. I can advise what’s right for you and help you book an amazing river cruise holiday you won’t forget. Overall, I’d really recommend this fantastic way to explore the delights of the Danube.