Reasons to Take a River Cruise... | Miles Morgan Travel
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Reasons to Take a River Cruise...

Lord Byron

3rd March 2016: Perhaps you have been on a few ocean cruises and are looking for something different? Maybe you have been used to an escorted coach touring holiday and you feel you want a more intimate holiday experience? Or it is possible that you need a more memorable break than a traditional single centre beach destination?

I was thinking of the appeal of a river cruise at 10pm in the lounge bar of Riviera’s 5 star cruise boat the Lord Byron, rocking gently on the Danube, moored just outside Vienna, listening to the string quartet, Ars Mundi, expertly playing a selection of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss tunes. This could appeal to absolutely anyone, I was thinking. The fact that I was digesting a fantastic 4 course dinner served in the Lord Byron’s intimate Lido restaurant and was now nursing a glass of wine did not influence my thinking at all!

I had joined the Lord Byron at Budapest on the River Danube. You are met at the airport by a Riviera representative, who takes care of your luggage and directs you to your waiting coach. A 30 minute journey takes you to the boat, where you are welcomed aboard by the friendly Riviera team.

There are 2 sizes of boats on the Danube, the 110 metre long ones accommodating around 130 passengers or the 130 metre long one which takes up to 190 passengers. The Lord Byron was the smaller one and at once the difference between a river cruise and an ocean cruise became apparent. There are no long queues to get on and off the boat and no waiting to be ushered into the restaurant. The small crew get to know you quickly and make you feel almost like part of a family! The first night is generally a buffet dinner as guests join the boat at different times from different airports.

Budapest

2 cities, on either side of the Danube. Buda and Pest. A tip here if you are thinking of a city break. In my opinion, it is better to stay on the Pest side and visit Buda. Buda has the picturesque castle; palaces and cobbled streets, all perched on a steep hill. Pest has the shops, restaurants and bars, which remind you a bit of Paris.

A morning tour of the city and you are off up the river. The Lord Byron casts off, past the parliament building and glides past the many monuments and under the bridges to the tune of, guess what? Yes, ‘The Blue Danube’ is played on the boat's audio system.

Having a beer on the Lord Byron

The Lord Byron is a modern boat, built in 2013. The cabins may be bit smaller than you may be used to in an ocean cruise ship, but they are every bit as luxurious as any of the top class cruise companies. There are 3 decks, the top 2 decks having a floor to ceiling window with a ‘juliet’ balcony and the lower deck a large picture window. As you cruise up the river, you will spend much of the time on the top deck or in the lounges, watching the river scenery drift by. The towns, the villages, the castles, the countryside, the fishermen, the joggers and the dog walkers and yes, I would like that cup of coffee and perhaps I might have a dip in the hot tub on deck a bit later on.

Some people say, that on an ocean cruise, you sail at night and visit places during the day and on a river cruise the opposite applies. This is not strictly true. When there is beautiful scenery, you will cruise during the day, but you will often spend the day moored somewhere fantastic, where you can take a trip or explore the area on a bicycle supplied by the Lord Byron. Please remember that all excursions are included in the cost of the cruise.

Vienna

Next stop is Vienna. Vienna is a city of pristine palaces and more palaces and yet more palaces. They even keep their horses in palaces. The famous Spanish Riding School Lipizzan horses, employed by the Austrian State are allowed 8 weeks holiday a year. 4 weeks in July to relax and 4 weeks in January to ensure the continuation of their breed. Who says the European Union does not look after its citizens!

A cruise on the Blue Danube is a wonderful experience. The places you see, the culture, the scenery, the food and the service are second to none. It is safe and relaxing. Please do give me a call if you want any more information. The only thing I would say, Blue Danube? I don’t think this is strictly true. More a green, grey, brown Danube, but certainly a wonderfully enchanting Danube all the same.

Cruise with Riviera in 2017

Riviera have just launched their European river cruises for 2017. New for 2017, Riviera are introducing 3 all suite 5* ships and a brand new ship on the Douro.

Travel Blog by Simon De Burgh, Chepstow


Simon De Burgh

Phone Simon: 01291 762006

Email Simon: [email protected]

Address: 14 High Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5LQ

Travel Blog by Simon De Burgh


Katharine Harrison

Phone: 01291 762006

Email: [email protected]

Visit: 14 High Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5LQ

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