Have you ever fancied a luxury river cruise down the Danube river? Two of us took the time to check out this trip from Budapest to Nuremberg as first-time river cruisers to see just what it’s like.
Booking Tip – How to Save
Before going further, there are 2 main ways that you can book this cruise – either direct with Uniworld, of course, but we found that if you use an agent such as ROLCruise, you can make some savings.
So check out both options for yourself and see if you can keep some cash in your pocket.
What’s in Store
The Uniworld experience is a full package tour, so they will also book your flights as well and take you to the boat from the entry airport and from the boat to the exit airport.
We requested our local airports to be used (Stansted and/or City airports) but were booked to fly from Heathrow leaving at 0825am. This meant getting up very early, as you have to be at the airport at least 2 hours early as well as it being an almost 2-hour drive to the airport from our home location.
Hindsight Travel Tip: We would advise trying to ensure that you make a special effort to secure the best possible airport and time that makes this part of the journey as comfortable as possible. It can otherwise make for a very arduous and long day.
However, the thought of exploring picturesque towns, grand cities, and stunning landscapes along one of Europe’s most iconic waterways had us eager to reach the boat and set sail.
The seven-day voyage aboard Uniworld’s luxurious river ship promised a perfect blend of relaxation and the ability to immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of the Danube region. And it did not disappoint.
From the moment we stepped on board in Budapest, we were impressed by the ship’s elegant décor and attentive crew, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable experience.
The itinerary looked to have struck an ideal balance between guided excursions and free time to explore on our own.
Embarking on the Journey
After arriving at Budapest airport, we were greeted by sign-holding Uniworld representatives and asked to wait with some other passengers for about 45 minutes before being directed to a bus that would take us to the dock where the boat was waiting.
Our Delightful Danube adventure began as we boarded the elegant Uniworld vessel River Duchess in Budapest.
The warm welcome and attention to detail immediately set the tone for what promised to be an unforgettable river cruise experience.
First Impressions of Uniworld Service
We were greeted by the Cruise Manager, who efficiently handled our check-in process.
The staff’s professionalism and friendliness stood out from the start. They promptly took care of our luggage, allowing us to relax and explore the ship.
Captain Mike and Ship Manager Tihomir gave all aboard a caring and warm experience.
The initial briefing was informative, covering safety procedures and highlighting the amenities available onboard.
We were pleased to learn about the free Wi-Fi access throughout the ship, ensuring we could stay connected during our journey. If you wanted to buy premium access WiFi, this was available at a price of €19 for 24 hours. You would typically only really need this for high-usage needs such as video streaming.
Exploring the River Duchess
Our exploration of the ship revealed elegant interiors and well-appointed public spaces.
The River Duchess boasted the stylish and comfortable Blue Danube Lounge (at the bow end) and their Palace Restaurant in the rear (stern).
The vessel features:
- Spacious cabins with river views
- Sun decks for leisurely relaxation
- Well-stocked libraries
- Fitness centres for active travellers
Not so many people tended to use the fitness centre, so you typically could have it to yourself most of the time. We were particularly drawn to the cosy lounge areas, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing with a book or drink.
The ships’ layouts were thoughtfully designed, offering easy navigation and plenty of areas to socialise or find quiet moments.
Accommodation and Amenities
The Delightful Danube cruise offered a range of accommodation options aboard the River Duchess – all of a very high standard. We were impressed by the attention to detail and comfort in the category of staterooms that we were in.
Stateroom Varieties
The ship has several stateroom types to suit different preferences and budgets. These are: Classic, Deluxe, French Balcony and Suite.
We tried two of the staterooms on the River Duchess to get a feel for their different aspects. The Deluxe Stateroom was quite charming, with large windows providing stunning views of the passing scenery. These rooms, though compact, were cleverly designed to maximise space. The sound of the river could be heard lapping against the side of the boat.
The French Balcony stateroom was a step up, featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. These allowed us to enjoy the fresh air and river views from the comfort of our room. This type of room is more expensive but there was a marked difference in being able to open the sliding door/window.
All staterooms were equipped with plush Savoir beds, marble bathrooms, and luxurious (I think it was L’Occitane) toiletries.
Indulging in the Suite Experience
For those seeking extra space and luxury, the Suites are the top of the range and these are really quite impressive. We spoke to some people who stayed in a Suite and they particularly appreciated the butler service, which added a touch of personalised luxury to their stay.
The suite’s more spacious bathroom, complete with a rain shower and double vanity, makes it positively indulgent. It also includes a free laundry service, coffee machine (Nespresso) and a fully stocked mini-bar!
Culinary Delights and Dining
Our Uniworld Delightful Danube cruise offered a sumptuous journey of its own through Central European cuisines.
The all-inclusive dining options tantalised our taste buds with gourmet meals, cooking classes and culinary excursions that highlighted/reflected local flavours to wherever the ship was near.
Gourmet Meals Onboard
The onboard dining was one of the highlights of this trip. Each meal was prepared by clearly skilled chefs using fresh, local ingredients.
Breakfast had just about everything that you could imagine to choose from. This included made-to-order omelettes, fresh fruit, and flaky pastries, scrambled eggs, porridge, juices, pancakes, waffles, cereals, streaky bacon and more. We particularly liked the eggs! Waiters also kept the coffee and tea flowing on request.
Naturally, the tendency can be to eat substantially more that one would at home.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to leave some room for the lunch, which is often after a morning excursion off the boat. Lunches on the River Duchess were also really plentiful in terms of options, offering a mix of light bites and heartier fare.
Dinner tended to be quite a grand affair, with multiple courses that had regional influences depending on your location. This kept things fresh and interesting.
We savoured dishes like Hungarian goulash, Wiener schnitzel, and Bavarian specialties. The desserts were particularly memorable, with plenty of options such as rich chocolate tortes and fruit-laden strudels.
Wine pairings complemented each meal really quite well, showcasing regional vintages. Emil, the wine waiter on board, introduced the wines before dinner each evening in an entertaining manner. There was a different red and white every evening.
We appreciated the attention to detail in presentation and service, making every meal feel unique and special. Kudos must go to Uniworld for this.
Beyond the main restaurant, we were also able to enjoy supplementary dining experiences.
The lounge area at the bow end of the boat provided a more casual option with shared plates and tapas-style offerings. It was perfect for light meals or late-night snacks.
There is also an area downstairs on the Richer Duchess where patrons can avail themselves to a coffee machine as well as stock up on cookies.
Room service was available 24/7, ideal for mornings when we wanted a quiet breakfast on our balcony. We really appreciated how the menu changed daily, reflecting the regions we sailed through.
Destinations and Excursions
The Delightful Danube cruise took us through stunning cities, charming towns, and breathtaking landscapes and even interesting locks (of which there are many).
We experienced a rich tapestry of Central European history, culture, and natural beauty as we sailed the voyage from Budapest to Nuremberg. The weather was cloudy but dry, which was a bonus for October.
We decided to select excursion tours based on what looked the most interesting: Jewish Budapest (with tour guide Reka), Jewish Vienna (tour guide CA) which we found to be fascinating and of an excellent standard. The sphere tour about 30 minutes drive out of Regensberg was fun as well as providing a small adrenaline rush at the end!
Historic Capitals: Budapest to Vienna
We began our journey in Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. Its grand Parliament Building and Buda Castle are quite breathtaking.
There were three different excursions available to choose from in the morning of day 2 of the cruise and all had different themes.
Vienna, our next stop on day 3 (Sunday), dazzled with its imperial splendour. It truly is a marvellous city.
You could choose to go to the Schönbrunn Palace to gaze at its opulent rooms and manicured gardens. The city’s renowned cafés provided perfect spots for indulging in Sachertorte.
Another Vienna option was an excursion to the Belvedere admiring works by Klimt and other masters.
Charming Towns: Passau and Regensburg
Passau, known as the ‘City of Three Rivers’, charmed us with its Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ.
In Regensburg, we wandered through one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval old towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 12th-century Stone Bridge and the Gothic St. Peter’s Cathedral were highlights.
Both towns offered delightful excursions. One highlight was a Bavarian riverside bicycle ride from Engelhartszell to Passau. This was a guided 17-mile journey through beautiful scenery. Fortunately it was a clear day, too. During this, we crossed the border from Austria into Germany on the way to Passau.
In the afternoon at Passau, we chose to explore the old town on foot and enjoy the scenery. There was a Village Day excursion available as well but we preferred to check out the town where you could explore quaint shops selling handcrafted goods.
Scenic Natural Beauty: Wachau Valley and Danube River
The Wachau Valley, another UNESCO site, treated us to spectacular views. Rolling hills covered in vineyards and dotted with charming villages flanked the river, what’s not to like?
The ever-changing scenery along the Danube provided a constant backdrop of natural beauty throughout our journey.
Onboard Entertainment and Activities
Our Uniworld Delightful Danube cruise offered a diverse range of entertainment and activities to keep us engaged throughout our journey.
We found ourselves immersed in local culture, relaxation opportunities, and active pursuits.
Musical Evenings and Cultural Performances
The evenings aboard our ship were filled with delightful musical performances.
We enjoyed listening to works by famous Austrian composers like Mozart and Strauss, perfectly complementing our Danube voyage. Local musicians and dancers frequently came onboard, treating us to authentic folk performances.
A highlight was the night cruise through Budapest, where the illuminated cityscape provided a stunning backdrop to a classical concert on deck.
The talented onboard pianist often entertained us in the lounge, creating a lovely ambiance for pre-dinner drinks.
Relaxation and Wellness Options
The ship’s spa offered a tranquil retreat after busy days of sightseeing.
We indulged in massages, which were given by Teodora. She was excellent, tailoring the session to your individual needs and engaging in conversation that made the time pass very quickly. We were certainly feeling very refreshed and rejuvenated afterwards.
We particularly enjoyed the lectures on local history and culture, which deepened our understanding of the regions we visited.
Fitness and Outdoor Activities
For those keen on staying active, the ship’s fitness centre was well-equipped with modern exercise machines and, as mentioned, it tended to have good availability!
For those interested, there were early morning stretch classes that could be attended for the larks.
The cruise line provided bicycles for use in port, allowing you to explore cities like Vienna and Regensburg on two wheels. We ended up using these for a cycle around Nuremberg. it turned out to be slightly further from the dock than we’d have liked but it was good to get out and about.
Nordic walking sticks were also available for guests who preferred a brisk walk along the river banks.
Service Quality
We found the overall service to be top class and special mentions to the restaurant staff including Dejan, Peter, Vladimir, Tsvetelin, Lucian, Glasi and Maria must be made.
The restaurant manager clearly coordinated all aspects of the meal services skilfully and no request was too small. Miros, one of the chefs, made a fantastic eggs Benedict for breakfast times amongst a wide variety of other dishes which we found to be absolutely top class.
Bar staff including Silvinio and Alejandro were quick to ensure that everyone in their care was never without a drink or offer of one. They had a great variety beverages on hand in a well-stocked bar.
There appeared to be no weak link in this very strong chain of Uniworld staff who made the entire journey delightful in all aspects. Overall, we felt that the cruise was of a very high standard, and the staff were unbelievably professional.
Room for Improvement?
In terms of the trip’s final destination, Nuremberg, the arrival time late in the day meant that there was not an excursion available to visit the old town, which was something that we wanted to do.
The only event planned was a night-time excursion to the palace of the Faber-Castell family (the pencil making dynasty). While that was an interesting trip, we would have liked to have actually seen Nuremberg itself during the day and learned more about its history. Unfortunately, that was not possible because we had to be off the River Duchess in a taxi to the airport at 6am!
As it’s a package deal, Uniworld booked the flights and airports. However, even though we requested to fly from either Stansted or City airports they booked our flights from Heathrow which was not very convenient by comparison. It also meant that on the way back from Nuremberg, we had to take 2 legs even though a direct flight to Stansted was available from Nuremberg airport!
We felt that this soured things a bit, as this early awakening could have possibly been avoided. As well as that, upon arrival at the Nuremberg Flughafen check-in desk, we were told that the first leg of the flight (Nuremberg to Frankfurt) was overbooked! This mean that we were told to catch a subway (U-bahn) and overground (DB) train to race to Frankfurt in time to catch the connection. Luckily, we managed to navigate the public transport system and make it in time despite not speaking German.
It’s a pity that one or both of our preferential airports were not booked by Uniworld, as that would have made it so much smoother.