River Cruising? – I Am A Convert!

As a regular reader of my blogs, you will know I have been on a Danube river cruise. Not just ANY Danube river cruise I hasten to add, but the best trip I have been on in a long long time. Now, that’s quite a statement to make I know especially in all my years of travel (no jokes please!)

I will tell you all about the places I visited in my next blog, but firstly I want to tell you about the ship – the Emerald Sun.  Oh what a beauty she is. When we first boarded, a senior crew member was waiting to welcome us with hot towels and all the housekeeping staff were lined up, each one of them ready to escort us to our cabins, a really lovely touch I thought.  Our cabin was a Panoramic balcony with a floor to ceiling window. What a view you get from these, and even though you do not have a balcony, you can press a button and half of the window comes down.  The cabins are I guess smaller then your average ocean cruise liner but they are made up in the fantastic furnishings. A huge TV at the bottom of the bed has the news, as well as a great choice of other entertainment and films, new ones at that too!  There is plenty of space to put your clothes with a wardrobe and drawers as well as a safe and a mini bar. Nice vanity area with a hairdryer (powerful one too, ladies) and two tour guide headphone receivers which you can take on your excursions with you.  The bathroom is small but very well equipped with a fantastic shower.

There are also other types of cabin. The grand balcony suite has the same facilities as the cabin we stayed in but does have sliding doors which open from it, from there you can sit by the window in a separate space.

If you really want to do better, then try the Owners one bedroom suite, again same facilities but with a bit more space including a small living room area you can close off from the bedroom. This suite also comes with a I pad and a coffee making machine.

For those of you who do not want a “balcony” room there is the option of cabins on the bottom deck which have windows at eye level. Again exactly the same facilities just a little different. Single cruisers are not forgotten too!

The top deck of the ship is purely for those wanting to sunbathe, which we could not do as it was so cold, however I can imagine how lovely it would be in the summer. The lounge area is smashing, loads of really comfy sofas and chairs with a bar at one end. They have a great coffee making machine which costs thousands I have been told (hot chocolate is fab) at the other end along with some books and some board games. There is a piano too and a small dance floor should you wish to strut your stuff.

There is at the back of the ship, a great area with a lovely pool. At night this is covered over and you can sit and watch the latest film – just lovely. You can also have a nice drink and eat popcorn too! Downstairs from the pool there is a small gym area, and a massage treatment room.  Of course, I sampled the full body massage which was fantastic and better then I have had on some of the big ocean liners!  At the bottom of the ship there is also a hairdresser too – I mean they think of everything!

What about the food? Well, what can I say? Superb, great presentation, wonderful choice, hot. I have ate like a king I can tell you!  Breakfast and lunch is buffet service with so much choice. They have a chef waiting to cook your eggs to your taste, good choices for a full english or toast, cereal, that kind of thing along with juices, cold meats and fruit. Lunch is the same, hot or cold you will be spoilt for choice.  Dinner time is waiter service. The head chef always puts his recommendation on the menu too. The service from the waiting staff is superb, very friendly and so very customer focussed. I even saw one waiter getting told off for not putting my tea bag in my tea pot!  Emerald even offer a “light” selection at breakfast and lunch which is served in the lounge. You can sit at the front of the ship, either inside or out.

At the end of every day there is a short talk by the cruise director on board. This is all about the places we will be visiting the next day and was always so interesting. Then the head chef comes and tells you his recommendation for dinner – a lovely touch. Emerald include excursions on every day, and these are fantastic. To be met by a local guide and taken around by someone who knows the area so well really does make it very special. If you do not want to do the excursions because the ship docks right in the city you can just get up and have a wander around yourself. No more driving miles, it is usually easily accessible by foot.

The service we received on board was exceptional. The bar staff quickly remembered what we all drank, knew our names  and were there before we had a chance to ask for another drink. They were without doubt some of the friendliest and charming crew I have ever encountered.  We did have all our drinks included which was a added perk of the job (lovely!) but if you go on one of the cruises the all inclusive package is only about 19 euros per person per day – that really is so cheap for what you get.  Wi – Fi is also included in the cost of your cruise as well as NO TIPPING!

I honestly am totally converted to a much easier and relaxing way to cruise. I did think perhaps I would be bored or whatever, not once did I feel that, I just felt totally relaxed from the moment I set foot on board.

Take it from me, try a river cruise, I am already tempting Keith my hubby with some of the great itineraries Emerald offer.