Day 1 – A Warm Welcome

My journey began with a quick 90-minute Ryanair flight from Stansted to Salzburg, followed by a smooth transfer of just under two hours to Passau, where Trafalgar Reverie was waiting.

Check-in couldn’t have been easier. Within minutes I was settled into my Deluxe Category A cabin, which felt surprisingly spacious with plenty of storage, a very comfortable bed and an excellent shower (always appreciated after a day exploring!). The cabin was also conveniently located next to the gym and the complimentary tea and coffee station.

That evening we met the Captain over welcome drinks before enjoying our first dinner together. It was immediately obvious that food was going to be a real highlight of this cruise.

Day 2 – Hiking Above Passau

I’m always an early riser, so before breakfast I enjoyed a peaceful stroll around Passau before joining one of the complimentary morning stretch classes.

Our first excursion certainly got the heart rate going! We hiked high above Passau through the surrounding nature park, climbing more than 300 steep steps in temperatures exceeding 30°C. It wasn’t for the faint-hearted, but the views were absolutely worth the effort.

Our guide was knowledgeable, passionate and clearly loved sharing the history of the area. A refreshing local lemon beer at the summit was the perfect reward before making our way back down.

The afternoon was spent relaxing onboard before another excellent dinner. Every evening offered something different, and afterwards the lounge came alive with a fun dance challenge—which, rather proudly, our team managed to win!

Day 3 – Charming Linz

After another riverside walk and breakfast onboard, we explored the elegant city of Linz with a local guide.

Linz has a lovely relaxed atmosphere and plenty of fascinating history, from its beautiful Old Town to its vibrant cultural scene. It’s perhaps not as well known as Vienna or Budapest, but it’s well worth discovering.

Back onboard, I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon before another beautifully prepared dinner and an evening of entertainment from an opera singer performing songs from the musicals.

Day 4 – My Favourite Day

Today was undoubtedly the highlight of the entire cruise.

We spent the morning sailing through the spectacular Wachau Valley while our wonderful Cruise Director, Denise, shared fascinating commentary about the region from the sun deck.

Later we were welcomed by Christina Saahs and her family at Weingut Nikolaihof, one of the oldest wineries in Austria. The estate dates back almost 2,000 years, with Roman pillars still standing in the ancient cellar.

Lunch was served beneath the shade of the trees using homemade local recipes and regional produce. It was one of those wonderfully authentic travel experiences that you simply couldn’t organise yourself.

Before leaving, I couldn’t resist buying Christina’s book and some of the family’s natural skincare products made using grape extracts.

We then explored the picture-perfect village of Spitz before returning to the ship for afternoon tea, another delicious dinner and a silent disco that had everyone dancing well into the evening.

Day 5 – Imperial Vienna

Vienna is one of those cities that never fails to impress.

Our guided walking tour introduced us to the city’s magnificent architecture, grand boulevards and fascinating imperial history before we enjoyed a traditional Viennese coffee accompanied by an authentic slice of Sachertorte.

The afternoon was ours to explore, so I wandered the elegant streets, browsed the shops and enjoyed a leisurely drink in one of Vienna’s famous cafés.

That evening many guests attended Trafalgar’s optional Mozart concert. I’ve experienced it before on another visit and would thoroughly recommend it—it’s a wonderful addition if it’s your first time in Vienna. Instead, I enjoyed a quieter evening back onboard.

Day 6 – Bratislava’s Hidden Charm

Bratislava really surprised me.

After another morning wellness class and breakfast, we explored the Slovakian capital with our guide, learning how the city has transformed since the Communist era.

Today it’s full of colourful streets, lively cafés and excellent restaurants, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it incredibly easy to enjoy.

Later I wandered back into town on my own, enjoying a refreshing homemade lemonade before picking up some local honey and honey wine to bring home.

That evening we were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets of the trip before finishing with a lively trivia quiz—which, somehow, our team won again!

Day 7 – Budapest

Our final full day began with another stretching class before heading ashore for a foodie tour of Budapest.

We sampled a traditional Hungarian breakfast of local meats, preserves and freshly baked bread before exploring this fascinating city with our excellent guide, whose stories brought Hungary’s rich and sometimes turbulent history vividly to life.

No foodie tour would be complete without dessert, and we finished with some delicious Hungarian sweet treats before returning to the ship for lunch.

During the afternoon I visited Budapest’s bustling market, filled with local produce, spices and souvenirs.

The evening ended in style with the Captain’s Farewell Reception, complete with canapés, paired wines and another excellent dinner. Afterwards we gathered on deck as the ship sailed through Budapest after dark.

Seeing the Hungarian Parliament and the city’s bridges beautifully illuminated from the river was a magical finale to a wonderful week.

Day 8 – Time to Say Goodbye

After one final breakfast it was time to disembark.

The transfers were exceptionally well organised, and from arrival to departure everything had run seamlessly. It’s exactly the kind of stress-free travel experience many people look for when choosing a river cruise.

My Overall Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed my week with Trafalgar.

The standout feature was undoubtedly the crew. Every member of staff genuinely cared about making guests feel welcome, and nothing ever seemed too much trouble. Particular thanks go to Denise and Maddie, our wonderful Cruise Hosts; Anna Maria for the excellent morning wellness classes; Denisa in the bar, who quickly remembered everyone’s favourite drinks; and Szilard and Andrei in the restaurant, whose attentive service made every meal feel special.

The cabins were comfortable, modern and well equipped, with excellent air conditioning, comfortable beds and proper shower cubicles rather than curtains—a small detail that makes a surprising difference.

The food throughout the week was consistently of a very high standard. Lunches were a little simpler with buffet-style options, but breakfast and dinner were excellent, and the quality never disappointed.

It’s worth knowing that Trafalgar positions itself as a premium four-star river cruise rather than an ultra-luxury product. Drinks outside meal times are chargeable, many excursions are optional extras, and premium dinner choices such as steak or salmon carry a supplement. River cruise lines such as Uniworld include more within the fare, but they also come at a significantly higher price.

For travellers looking for excellent service, comfortable accommodation, delicious food and thoughtfully planned itineraries at a more accessible price point, I think Trafalgar offers outstanding value.

Would I cruise with Trafalgar again?

Without hesitation—yes.