Uniworld Danube Cruise on River Princess
Sales Supervisor Rebecca and Marketing Executive Laura recently joined Uniworld's Authentic Danube river cruise. Read on to find out what to expect on a Uniworld river cruise:
Floating Boutique Hotel
Uniworld is the sister company of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and the ships reflect the stylish design of these hotels. Each ship is truly one of a kind with its own distinctive theme, original art and opulent furnishings. When we stepped on board River Princess the impressive reception area with huge chandelier set the tone for the rest of the ship; jewel-green tones contrasted with striking black and white patterns, and the walls were lined with photos of glamorous film stars from Hollywood's Golden Age. Our Deluxe cabin was decorated in a fresh white and yellow theme, with a large picture window, marble bathroom with Asprey products and handcrafted Savoir Beds of England that were so comfortable it was tempting to just stay in bed all day! There was also a flat screen satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi and even a UK plug socket. The Sun Deck was the perfect place to relax on a sun lounger and watch the passing scenery, or enjoy a game of giant chess.
It's All in the Detail
We arrived at the ship mid-afternoon and whilst we enjoyed a welcome drink in the Main Lounge our suitcases were taken to our cabin, and we were also brought a light snack of sandwiches and fries to eat in our cabin - a thoughtful touch and very welcome after our journey from the UK! In the cabin there was a jar full of chocolates and a metal water bottle that could be refilled and taken on excursions - great for reducing plastic waste. A comfortable dressing gown and slippers were provided, and each night on returning to the cabin along with the next day's itinerary there was a little treat waiting, such as a mini bottle of l'Occitaine face cream or a Uniworld fan. It's these extra little touches that make all the difference. The service we received was second to none, and we were made to feel like the most special guests on board. The staff knew us by name, quickly got to know our favourite drinks and even the Captain would walk around the ship and speak to everyone individually.
Fantastic Food
The cuisine on our Uniworld cruise was exceptional and beautifully presented. Breakfast and lunch were buffet-style, with a wide variety of food to suit all appetites, and dinner was a 5-course extravaganza with excellent waiter service. There was something for everyone, with fish and meat dishes, a vegetarian option and a Local Experience menu so you could really experience the cuisine of the region you were cruising through. For those interested in healthier eating there was a range of lighter options including smoothies and fruit salad at breakfast, delicious salads at lunch and a lower calorie option at dinner. One day I left the ship to go exploring by myself and the Chef packed me up a picnic to enjoy in the park. There was always something to snack on, if all that food wasn't enough! Pastries were served in the lounge for early risers, cookies were always available at the 24-hour coffee and tea station, there was a sweet buffet in the Main Lounge and if you just wanted to relax in your room there was also 24-hour room service. And not forgetting the drinks; as Uniworld is all-inclusive this included Champagne, cocktails, premium spirits, regional wines and much more.
Go Active
After all that food and drink it was lucky that Uniworld cruises include many options to stay fit both on board and ashore. There was a well-equipped fitness centre on board River Princess as well as complimentary exercise, yoga and meditation classes. I joined an early morning Pilates session in the lounge with Peter, the Wellness Instructor, who also took us out one afternoon on a bicycle ride along the idyllic Ludwig Canal in Nuremberg. Peter was very flexible with his fitness regime and would adjust his schedule to accommodate guests' requests - one day he organised an early morning cycle and hike for a couple on board who wanted see the Walhalla memorial, and he invited guests to join him on his daily run. We also joined a Go Active cycling excursion through the German countryside, with a welcome refreshment stop for a beer in Straubing. Uniworld is one of the only cruise lines to dock in this beautiful Bavarian town so we felt very lucky to have experienced it. Whenever the ship is docked there is the opportunity to use the ship's bicycles and Nordic walking sticks to explore at leisure. There is also a spa on board where treatments range from relaxing facials to more energetic bamboo stick massages.
Carefully Crafted Excursions
All the excursions were led by excellent local guides who gave us a real insight into the local history, culture and cuisine. We had state of the art Quietvox audio headsets that enabled us to wander off and take photos while still hearing what the guide was saying. We journeyed deep into the Bavarian National Park where a hike through the forest offered stunning views of rolling hills and low-lying mountains. This was followed by a visit to the Theresienthal crystal glass factory for a fascinating demonstration of glass-blowing and a tour of the glass museum.
In Regensburg there was a guided tour of the city and its medieval Old Town or an excursion to the BMW factory to see the production process from beginning to end. As our cruise was part of Uniworld's unique Jewish Heritage Programme there was an alternative tour of Jewish Regensburg including the former Jewish Quarter and Oskar Schindler's house.
Nuremberg is dominated by the Old Town's ramparts, watchtower and castle. The Do as the Locals Do guided tour included a walk through the maze of cobblestone streets and a visit to a restaurant for a tasting of delicious local Bratwurst. There was free time to explore at leisure, so we sampled some Black Forest gateau in a cafe that our guide recommended, then went to see the aptly-named Beautiful Fountain in the town square, where it is said that good luck is bestowed upon those who turn the brass ring three times! Again, there was an alternative Jewish excursion which focused on the role of Nuremberg in Jewish culture and WWII, with a drive past the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds and a tour of the Documentation Center.
View our Authentic Danube river cruise