Experiencing a River Cruise

When we booked our bucket list river cruise, we did not anticipate the length of the global pandemic and the extended disruption to travel.

Prior to our embarkation date, we went back and forth on our decision of whether we would proceed with our travel plans. We felt comfortable having had our third vaccination and the countries that we were travelling to, including our cruise line Emerald Cruises, had removed mandatory testing.

We reasoned that we would be amongst fewer crowds, as a result of the smaller ship and the fact that travel was just starting to resume again. As such, we opted to go.

We had cruised on countless large ocean vessels, but never sailed on the smaller ships.

This would be our first river experience.

Despite having to endure last minute cancellations and amalgamations of cruise dates, we departed three days later than originally booked on our 14-day Danube River itinerary from Budapest to Amsterdam.

Our ship still was not at full capacity. As both the travel agent and passenger, I had booked several cabins, so I was left frantic with coordinating and rescheduling itineraries including hotels and flights and negotiating some extra cruise perks for my group.

The minute that our car pulled up to where our ship was docked, I knew that we were going to have the best time. I will share with you some of what you will experience while river cruising.

Curiosity and Learning

Curious minds, like mine, will thrive on all that there is to learn. River cruises stop at a different port every day, and sometimes multiple ports.

At every port, a complimentary excursion is provided to introduce you to the new place that you are visiting. The excursions are hosted by enthusiastic local tour guides, who are familiar with their town’s rich history and interesting facts.

The tours are commentated by the guides and conducted via a wide mode of transportation including buses, boats, bike, or foot . At every port, our Activity Director also provided daily overviews about what was most interesting to learn and experience at the next port we were visiting.

Physical Activity

Our cruise catered to all physical abilities. Every daily tour included a separate group called the “Gentle Walkers” that toured at a pace that met the mobility needs of everyone within that group. There was also an “Active” option at many ports whereby passengers, like me, were provided with more strenuous options.

One active tour that I participated in was biking about 35 miles with a local guide from one quaint town to another, while the ship sailed with the remaining passengers. Bikes were stored right on the ship, so you could borrow the bikes at anytime during a stopover.

During our free time, my husband and I often biked along the beautiful river trails in many of the towns that we visited.

We also opted to go on guided, as well as our own, longer walking excursions, and to climb strenuous hills where we witnessed exceptional views from the top.

Culture and Cuisine

One of the highlights of cruising through many different countries is immersing in their local culture. We visited vineyards and tried local wines in several countries. We tasted delicious sausages and pretzels and drank the best German beer while visiting Germany. We met with local families in Hungary and learned all about their lifestyles.

Talented musicians and dancers from the various countries performed on the ship in the evenings. One violinist in particular was so phenomenal that we were all still talking about her many days after her performance.

Our master chef prepared speciality dishes from every country, such as goulash while in Hungary and speciality pastries and cakes while in Vienna.

There was an extensive buffet offered at breakfast and lunch and table service at both lunch and dinner. The wine stewards poured outstanding red and white wine from local vineyards, with every fabulous lunch and three-course dinner. I am a bit of a chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon wine snob and so was especially surprised at how much I enjoyed trying many new varietals.

Social Interactions

Smaller and more intimate river ships are much more conducive to meeting new people. It was open seating for every meal so we had the opportunity to sit with new people from all around the world at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

My husband and I met interesting people from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and of course our neighbours in the U.S.A. A couple we met from Kentucky joined our group for dinners many nights.

There were organized games in the evenings, in addition to the live entertainment, that required forming teams and socializing with everyone on your team.

The entire staff on our ship were personable and friendly and I especially enjoyed talking to them and learning about where they were from and about their lives.

Value Added Benefits

Tipping is included as well as most excursions. We opted to participate in a couple of additional excursions, such as an evening concert in Vienna and a Beer Tour and Tasting in Germany, which were well worth the additional cost.

Some of the river cruise lines offer unlimited drinks. On Emerald, wine and beer were included during lunch and dinner, but you were required to pay for beverages or purchase an extra alcohol package, if you wanted drinks other than during those occasions.

Our Extended Beveridge package allowed us to have beer or wine anytime and the cost for that package is reasonable (approximately $600 pp). Some passengers on our ship purchased drink packages offering a variety of alcoholic beverages choices and some passengers chose no upgrades and learned the secret of filling their wine glasses to the rim towards the end of dinner, and then taking their wine to the lounge afterwards.

Wine and beer were poured readily at every meal and food was plentiful so that you never left any meal hungry. Emerald provided every passenger with a backpack, water bottle and cabin accessories such as robes and slippers. Water, coffee, and tea (and even cookies) were available anytime. We also found a chocolate on our pillow every night when retiring to bed.

River cruising is an experience that will feed your mind, body, and soul, and an adventure that you will be talking about for many years to come.

It is truly an experience of a lifetime. Bon Voyage!

About the Author:

Denise Svajlenko retired from her lengthy corporate career in Human Resources and now spends her time fulfilling her passions and purpose by writing, travelling the world, and travel consulting. Her stories/articles have appeared in women’s and lifestyle magazines including Chatelaine, Real Women, Best Years, Sixtyandme.com, and Travel magazines including ‘the Cottager, Family Camping, Florida Travel, as well as newspapers including The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and This Week. Denise has published her memoir titled, Evolving: My Lessons of Self-Discovery, and has a story featured in the recently published book titled Chicken Soup for the Soul: Too Funny. You can reach Denise through her website.