By Michael Edwards on Jul 10, 2023 in Austria, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Hungary, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

“Best ship on the Danube”, announced a veteran of countless cruises, both ocean and river, as he sat at the cocktail bar. He was congratulating himself on his astute selection of Riverside Mozart from around 200 ships that cruise the Danube.

Acquired from Crystal Cruises after their bankruptcy, Seaside Collection has added a few extra touches to the double-width, all-suite, butler-service Riverside Mozart.

Riverside’s Treasures of the Danube, either eastbound or westbound, is an epic voyage of castles, cathedrals, capital cities, operas, palaces, waltzes and wines. It tells stories of battles over land, religion and even Sacher torte, the traditional Austrian cake.

Recalling too, the characters of Central Europe. Mozart dying mysteriously as he wrote a requiem. Marie Therese known as the mother-in-law of Europe, after giving birth to 16 children. Pianist Liszt, as close as the 19th century got to a rock star, having an open house every Tuesday afternoon. And of cause Hitler celebrating Germany’s Anschluss with Austria from a Viennese balcony.

The welcome

Accidentally arriving early for our 1pm check-in, our luggage is whisked away and we are guided to the bow’s Blue Restaurant for lunch. A crisp salad, chunky salmon fillet and impeccable service all bode well.

After lunch, our not-a-hair-out-of-place gleaming butler guides us to our penthouse suite on Deck 2. Champagne, fruit and petit fours welcome us.

The suite

Riverine blues, browns, greys and greens mirror the soothing riverscape that will slip by over the following eight days…

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