River Cruise Budapest to Amsterdam

This Uniworld cruise should have been a 15-night cruise on the River Princess. Because of low water levels on the Danube we started in Budapest on the SS Beatrice for one night. This is a modern ship carrying 152 passengers and 57 crew. The next day we were coached to Vienna and boarded the River Empress, a more traditional ship carrying 130 passengers with 41 crew. We joined our original ship, the River Princess after eight days as she made her way to meet us. The River Princess is another traditional ship with 140 passengers and 41 crew. I must say Uniworld handled the difficulties splendidly and went out of their way to make sure we were moved from A to B efficiently. The staff and service were brilliant and we were given day to day updates by the various captains regarding the water level situation. Ibi, our Cruise Manager, was exceptional.

Uniworld is an All Inclusive product including tours, drinks onboard and gratuities. Some special Masterclass tours are chargeable. There was more than one tour a day and generally something to suit everyone. They had a slow walking group and a faster walking group tour. There is also a guest laundry onboard. Details of the itinerary:

Day 1. We arrived at the SS Beatrice at 12.45 after a coach transfer from Budapest airport. We had a buffet lunch onboard and went to explore the Pest side of Budapest and do some shopping. Prices are very reasonable.

Day 2. We had a city tour by coach and stopped in the old Buda sector for a tour and free time on a beautiful sunny day. We were then dropped off in town within walking distance of the ship to have lunch. We chose a typical Hungarian restaurant where we had Goulash Soup and Apple Strudel plus drinks for a cost of around £15.50 for two. In the afternoon we had a 3.5-hour transfer by a comfortable coach to Vienna, arriving at the River Empress at 5.30pm.

Day 3. We had a coach tour of the Vienna Woods and Vienna finishing off with a tour of the beautiful Baroque National Library. We spent the afternoon relaxing onboard. The ship was not in walking distance to the centre but shuttle buses were provided. In the evening some guests did the Masterclass tour to the Shonenbrunn Palace so a buffet dinner was served instead of the normal waiter service dinner.

Day 4. Vienna. We had a private tour of the Fine Arts Museum opened especially for Uniworld guests. It was a wonderful baroque building with fabulous paintings. Our guide was excellent and she also took us on a walking tour of Vienna, Do as the Locals Do. The architecture is magnificent. Stopped at a traditional coffee house for coffee and Sacher Torte and also at a local sausage stand. In the evening we attended a wonderful private classical concert at the Klosterneuburg Monastery costing 79 euro per person.

Day 5. Melk and Melk Abbey tour. Excellent.

Day 6. Linz, rainy day but very interesting tour and tour guide. 1.5 hours long Guide. Visited Gothic Cathedral and walk of old town. Learned about history of town and connection to Hitler.

Day 7. Ship docked at Engelsharlszell for cyclists to disembark for cycling ride along the river to Passau. We docked in Passau at lunchtime. Beautiful town in Bavaria, old town, good shops. Live entertainment in the bar. Man of 2000 songs. Very good.

Day 8. Vilshofen. Ship cannot get any further because of low water levels. Had to be taken by coach 1.5 hours to Regensburg. I hour city tour with a guild then free time for lunch and shopping. There were alternative tours to Hop Farm and museum. Should have had a BMW factory tour but had to be cancelled as we were a day late

Day 9. Vilshofen. Coach journey to tour in Nuremberg stopping at a chocolate factory on the way. Snowing! 3.5 hrs to Nuremberg. Had lunch stop given 20 euros each for lunch. Then city tour and visit to the Palace of Justice where in court 600 the Nuremberg WW2 war trials were held. 1.50 hours then coach to Wurzberg to join our third ship, River Princess. Lovely ship and excellent dinner. Love the black and white décor.

Day 10. Ship sailed overnight to Wertheim. Beautiful medieval city. Only 3000 inhabitants. Dominated by second largest castle in Germany. Walking tour, then free time followed by wine tasting and pretzel making demonstration. Option to visit Würzburg Residence in the afternoon or cycle ride but chose to stay on board as we had a long day on a coach yesterday.

Day 11. Frankfurt. Took a ‘Do As The Locals Do’ tour in the morning. The guide was excellent. Toured the old part of the city and tried the local cider and Frankfurters in a small Frankfurter café. We also sampled local cakes in a café in a square. Lovely architecture. Was badly bombed in WW2 but has been rebuilt in the Baroque, Medieval style. Lunch on board and a free afternoon. Trio on board in the evening for entertainment.

Day 12. Rudesheim. Cable car trip up to Niederwald monument. Fantastic views of Rhine and town. Beautiful medieval town. We shopped and had a Rudesheim coffee. Special coffee with brandy, set alight and served with cream in a special cup. Sailed through Rhine gorge in the afternoon passing many castles. Beautiful scenery. Had cookery demonstration of Black Forest cake by the chef.

Day 13. Cologne. Had a city tour on foot visiting the cathedral and old town. Not much of an old town as much destroyed during the war and reconstructed in a modern style. Not a pretty city. Went to a bar for a Kolsch beer tasting. Afternoon sailing towards Amsterdam.

Day 14. Amsterdam. Sunny day and had tour of Van Gogh museum. Opened early for our ship. Excellent. Then had ‘Do As The Locals Do’ walking tour with a local guide. Very interesting. Had a herring tasting at a local stall and then a chocolate cookie tasting. Lasted 1.5 hours and took the underground and tram back to the ship. Afternoon on board. Local duo came on to perform early evening. Singer was excellent.

Day 15. Checked out of room 8.30. Just left cases outside for collecting and relaxed in lounge until taxi pick-up at 10.15.

Standard of tours and guides exceptional. Food OK but not the best I have had. Often not served hot enough. Standard cabins and Juliette balcony cabins were about 151sq feet. Storage was better on the River Princess. All had marble bathrooms, comfortable beds and L'Occitane toiletries (Asprey on Beatrice). Age profile was mainly 50+. Exceptional service and tour guides but food could have been served hotter but excellent product.