Uniworld Enchanted Danube 9/12 Trip Report

[AlpinVogelsong]

We flew into Prague from US for precruise excursion on Sept. 8. Easy entry, needed to show Vaccine card and that we completed Passenger Locator form. Prague architecture is beautiful. Come and go in city freely. Only needed to show vaccine card at hotel check in and museum. Many people not wearing masks in public. Doesn’t seem too strict. Wonderful to visit as crowds are down and prices a bit lower. My experience is they are grateful for tourists. Heading to ship today.

Edited September 12, 2021 by AlpinVogelsong

[Ritabob]

Enjoy your cruise and keep us posted. So many of us are living vicariously through you!

RB 

[acwmom]

Looking forward to your trip report! It will be fun reading a report from someone I have previously met on a cruise.

Robin

[AlpinVogelsong]

Budapest post cruise extension. We booked our own hotel, not through Uniworld. (Aria Library Collection - beautiful, wonderful service.)  Uniworld did arrange taxi from ship to hotel, smooth transition. Covid testing for flight back to US from Hungary: front desk arranged appointment and taxi for rapid PCR test. Fyi: They swab back of throat. Can not brush teeth, eat or drink pre test (worst part, lol) did first thing in morning. Taxi took us to “Westend” - portable trailer units set up near railroad tracks. Seemed seedy… but was fine. Appointment “booking id” nbr displayed on electronic sign outside trailer, went right in. They wore hazmat looking suit, swabbed and then out w/in 5 minutes and back to hotel. Results to be delivered w/in 15 hours by email (need to be done within 3 days of flight.) 
Cruise was fabulous! Each country seemed to have its own way of living with covid. Vienna was strict, in Budapest you’d hardly know there was a pandemic! If  you have any specific questions, please ask and I will do my best to answer. Wonderful time to travel! Crowds way down, people grateful you are there, more attentive service. Unless we were immune compromised, would not fear. 

[hihandycap]

3 hours ago, AlpinVogelsong said:

Covid testing for flight back to US from Hungary: front desk arranged appointment and taxi for rapid PCR test. 

We're doing 3 days pre-cruise in Budapest on 1 Oct before boarding Emerald Destiny to Bucharest.  Our US exit PCR will be too old for Emerald's pre-board test requirement.  Apparently, Antigen test is unacceptable.

 

Any Info on cost and location would be appreciated.  We're using a Rick Steves recommended apartment in the middle of Pest and plan on buying a 72 hour Budapest Card.

[AlpinVogelsong]

Whitelab.hu

We went to White Lab located in the Westend of Budapest. It was arranged by hotel. Google Whitelab.hu and select English. You can book PCR test at select provider (which is the location - there are many to choose from.) It was 19500 huf which equals @ $65.00 per test. I think there is a number to call, just ask for English speaking and confirm when they can get results back. Ours were within 15 hours. Good luck!

[hihandycap]

Thanks;

We had previously seen the following (at Covid-19 PCR Test Centers Abroad (before the return flight) - The Complete Guide That Will Save You Money - PRUVO) a useful site since it's easy to search by location.

 

TEST CENTER	WEBSITE	PRICE
Rozsakert Medical Center	https://www.rmc.hu/en/coronavirus-covid-19-tests	Ft19,500.00
Budapest International Airport	https://bud.umedhub.com/	Ft19,500.00
Neumann Diagnostics Korlátolt	https://neumannlabs.com/collections/covid19	Ft12,900.00
Buda Health Center	https://bhc.hu/en/covid-centrum/pcr-teszt/	Ft19,500.00

Covid-19 PCR Tests in Budapest – Hungary

Centers for molecular detection of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), more commonly referred to as PCR tests, Antigen Tests, or Rapid Lateral Flow tests, can be found on this page. PCR Tests, (Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) is a nuclear-derived technology for identifying the presence of specific genetic material in any disease, including viruses. It’s one of the most extensively utilized COVID-19 viral detection methods in laboratories. An Antigen test is a rapid diagnostic test suitable for point-of-care testing that directly detects the presence or absence of an antigen. Rapid lateral flow tests are required for UK travelers and involve rubbing a long cotton bud (swab) over your tonsils (or where they would have been) and inside your nose.

All Covid-19 PCR Test / Rapid Antigen Test / Rapid Lateral Flow test centers that appear in this list have been certified by the country´s state health department. If you need your Covid-19 diagnostic test prior to your flight, make sure to provide the exact name that appears in your passport (including middle name) and request a test certificate in English.

If you are on vacation or holiday and have symptoms such as fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste, loss of smell, difficulty breathing, chills, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, chest discomfort, or diarrhea, it´s highly recommended that you conduct a Covid-19 test and auto-isolate till the results are back.

Prior to going for your PCR, Antigen, or Rapid Lateral Flow test, make sure to contact the laboratory and ask if you need to make an appointment or if they accept walk-ins. Some RT-PCR test laboratories offer expedited results (which may incur an additional fee). Not all Covid-19 diagnostic test centers are open on weekends, so plan accordingly and make sure to consult the lab prior to going for your Coronavirus test.

In case you found a mistake or want us to add more information about Covid-19 PCR Test / Rapid Antigen Test / Rapid Lateral Flow test, please contact us and we will be more than happy to share the additional information.

It is important to mention that Pruvo has developed this database of Covid-19 PCR Test / Rapid Antigen Test / Rapid Lateral Flow test in order to help you save time and money when traveling abroad or back home.

[AlpinVogelsong]

Oh wow! Good info👍

[Laura_brown]

Is there a three prong U.S. outlet in the staterooms?

 

[mumcat]

On 9/12/2021 at 11:07 AM, AlpinVogelsong said:

We flew into Prague from US for precruise excursion on Sept. 8. Easy entry, needed to show Vaccine card and that we completed Passenger Locator form. Prague architecture is beautiful. Come and go in city freely. Only needed to show vaccine card at hotel check in and museum. Many people not wearing masks in public. Doesn’t seem too strict. Wonderful to visit as crowds are down and prices a bit lower. My experience is they are grateful for tourists. Heading to ship today.

I am considering booking a Christmas cruise on the Danube. Did you have to wear a mask onboard the boat? When I asked Uniworld a few weeks ago, I was told that masks must be worn except in your room.