Amadagio Danube Review, Lengthy

[Carolfay]

My husband and I cruised with Amadeus Waterways on board the Amadagio between December 30 and January 6, traveling from Budapest to Nuremberg. I have almost entirely positive impressions of our journey. The staff performed smoothly, our accommodations were comfortable, and our itinerary progressed without any noticeable glitches.

 

We were in cabin 217 (about mid-ship) on the middle (Cello) deck. I heard some comments from passengers in cabins closer to the rear that engine noise was noticeable, but in our case, the only times it got noisy were when we were going through a lock, a process that involves quite a racket and at least once took place in the middle of the night. We found enough room in our cabin to store everything we’d brought. Getting all our suitcases under the bed was a close call but doable. There was a storage compartment under the bed that contained umbrellas, bathrobes and slippers. A small hairdryer was provided, and our adapter and converter worked fine for my curling iron and my husband’s electric razor. I made use of the in-room safe to store my jewelry.

 

The bathroom is, of course, compact, but everything was quite serviceable. The shower gave us plenty of hot water on demand and had a number of adjustable settings. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand soap were provided. The staff were prompt in cleaning our cabin daily and providing turndown service before bed. The in-room Internet system was erratic at best and frequently unusable; during our cruise, we weren’t charged for its use. We received a small selection of English-language TV channels and music programming.

 

Though we didn’t make use of the fitness room, we saw a few other passengers using the treadmill and stationary bike. The aft lounge is attractive, but we spent little time there as diesel odor was usually apparent, and the forward lounge was a much better spot for viewing and for taking pictures. As temperatures were frigid during our trip, the spa on the top deck wasn’t used; taking the onboard bikes for a spin on shore wasn’t suggested, either, as the days were cold and gray. I would imagine that during warm weather, pedaling along the bike paths is an appealing option.

 

We found the meal service and menus always more than adequate and occasionally outstanding. There’s no reserved seating, and we had a variety of tablemates when we wanted company, or we generally found a table for two if we preferred to be on our own. The breakfast buffet was impressive, with prepared eggs, sausages and bacon available, as well as numerous cereals, fresh fruit, juices and a variety of pastries. Waiters also took orders for omelets or other made-to-order egg dishes.

 

At lunch, we generally had a couple of main dish and a couple of starter selections available on the menu; other hot dishes, soups, sandwich fixings, cold salads and desserts were plentiful and served buffet style.

 

For dinner, we ordered off the menu, which typically had a choice of appetizer, soup and/or salad, at least three entrée selections, and dessert choices. Stewards circulated at each evening meal with a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine (often produced in the region where we were traveling), and wine at dinner was unlimited and available at no additional charge. Alcoholic drinks from the bar, of course, were an additional cost, as were soft drinks. Coffee and tea were provided in the lounge throughout the day.

 

The quality of the meals met our expectations. I wouldn’t describe it as haute cuisine, by any means, but I was never disappointed, and a couple of the fish dishes I had were outstanding. I was also very impressed by the soups. The wines served at dinner weren’t at a level to dazzle wine aficionados, but everything I drank was at least acceptable.

 

Our cruise director, John Riley, did a fine job attending to passengers’ needs and seeing that our many excursions ran seamlessly. I never saw him stumped by a question, and I never saw him lose his patience – impressive to me, given the numerous items on our itinerary and the demands of a diverse group of more than 100 passengers. Service from the entire staff was remarkably cheerful, with most of the crew appearing to be very eager to please.

 

We U.S.A. passengers were probably in the majority, but there were quite a few folks from Australia, some New Zealanders and Canadians, and even an extended family from Puerto Rico. Age range was mostly between 50 and 70, I’d say, though there were younger folks on board.

 

Given the varied desires and backgrounds of our fellow passengers, I felt the shore excursions met expectations. Our guides were knowledgeable and communicated well in English. Arrivals and departures for tours were on time, and buses used were comfortable. There was always an option available for “gentle walkers” who didn’t wish to walk as far or as fast as the rest of the group, though few passengers appeared to take advantage of this choice.

 

My husband and I agreed that the towns along our route were well chosen as destinations, and we’re already considering return visits to several. It’s difficult to get more than a very superficial impression based on such a brief walking tour, and these cities all are worth a more in-depth look. We’d added on a couple extra days in Budapest at the beginning of our tour and also stayed in Prague for two additional days at tour’s end, a decision we were very glad we made, as they’re both such fascinating destinations. We also feel a much longer visit to Vienna is warranted. Our view of Vienna this time only included New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – enjoyable, but the many museums and other cultural attractions weren’t available to us, of course.

 

As we arrived after Christmas, the market booths and stalls were gone from the towns we visited, though lights, trees and other holiday decorations were still on display. I found gluhwein available in several towns but didn’t see any roasted chestnuts offered. The Amadagio was dolled up with Christmas decorations, including a Santa clinging to the ship’s bow. For our New Year’s Eve party, we had plenty of banners and balloons, party hats and noisemakers.

 

Entertainment after dinner was appropriate to the size of the forward lounge and performance space available, and it usually reflected the region where the boat was moored overnight (Hungarian musicians and dancers in Budapest, “Sound of Austria” entertainers after the Salzburg excursion, a Bavarian duo in Nuremberg, etc.). After our wine-enhanced dinners and a day’s sightseeing, many of us were on the verge of dozing off during the performances, but the lounge pianist kept the music coming after the show for those who wanted to stay up later.

 

I thought our Amadagio was one of the most attractive boats I saw on the Danube during our cruise, and we were impressed with the attention to detail and service that Amadeus offered. This was our first river cruise, so I have no way to compare with other cruise companies, but we gave the company high marks when we filled out our survey sheets on the last evening. I’d be happy to answer any particular questions or expand on this overview for anybody

[nyfeds]

Carolfay,

 

I appreciate the time taken to write and post a really informative and well-written trip report!

 

We are taking our first Amadeus river cruise this coming Sept. I hope our experiences cruising with Amadeus are as good as yours. Thanks for sharing.

[hcross888]

Thank so much for sharing this. We are taking the same cruise in Late June/early July, and I can't wait.

[letsgoeverywhere]

Thank you for posting your review. We are looking forward to cruising on the Amacello in September 08.

[laminar]

Nice review!!!

How was the weather?? Was it to cold to go on deck while cruising?

Were the bicicles onboard used by feloww passengers while on ports??

 

Thanks for the info. I am planning on going with Amadeus in November!!

[Robyn France]

Carol Fay--thank u so much for this report--we are very much looking forward to this same trip in early September. Did u all attend any concerts in Budapest or Prague? Also, in which hotels did u stay in those 2 cities? One more question, were there free weights in the fitness room? Thank you for all your helpful information. We can't wait!

[jsb9701]

Carolfay thanks for the very helpful trip report. We'll be on the Amalegro for this itinerary in mid-Sept. We're staying at the Kempinski (Budapest) and Renaissance (Prague) for two days each pre and post tour. Do you have any suggestions for don't miss sights or activities in Budapest and Prague? I suppose the Puszta excursion is not offered in the winter. Any comments on the optional tours? Dining suggestions in B & P? I'll be looking forward to any additional thoughts you might share.

 

Thanks again,

Jean

[pfarmmom]

Carolfay, Thanks for your post. Where did you find the best place was to book a river cruise?

Pfarmmom

[Trash Queen]

Thanks for taking the time to post the review. Two questions. First, where did you pick up the boat in Budapest?

 

Second, please tell us about the city tour that Amadeus provided in Budapest. Did you go into the cathedrals, or just drive by? What did you see? We're planning four days in Budapest before our August cruise, and don't want to waste time on sights that we'll enter on the Amadeus tour, but might want to spend time in places that the tour will just drive by.

[WIT]

Thanks for taking the time to post the review. Two questions. First, where did you pick up the boat in Budapest?

 

Second, please tell us about the city tour that Amadeus provided in Budapest. Did you go into the cathedrals, or just drive by? What did you see? We're planning four days in Budapest before our August cruise, and don't want to waste time on sights that we'll enter on the Amadeus tour, but might want to spend time in places that the tour will just drive by.

Budapest is a very walkable city. If you are staying in Central Pest it is easy to take the subway to a popular area, then have a leisurely walk back. We had taken the subway to Ontonagon and walked Liszt Ter (square) to see the music academy. We found nearby Andrassy Ut (street) so interesting that we spent the afternoon going in and out of shops and courtyards. The Szechenyi Thermal baths are also a refreshingly different experience. Unlike the Gellert Baths frequented by tourists, the outdoor Szechenyi Baths are mainly used by locals. We brought swim suits and rented a private changing room complete with towels, a lock and guard. Good clean fun. Save your receipt if you go as they will refund part of the fee if you don't stay all day.

 

If you walk across the Chain Bridge you can ride the funicular (good photo op) up the steep hill to the Castle District. The morning city tour will also bus you to the south end of the Castle District a few blocks away & you will walk up to Fishermen's Bastion and St. Matthias (under renovation) for some great views of Parliament across the Danube. The views are best in the late afternoon with the sun illuminating Pest. There is a outdoor cafe just South of Fishermen's Bastion which has a nice view of the Danube. We stayed in the Buda Hilton on our first trip to Budapest which is just North of Fishermen's Bastion - it's built into the old Royal Castle & has some interesting shops built into the Castle's cellar.

 

Of course there is Vaci Utca - if you get to the end of this pedestrian tourist trap you can check out the Great Market Hall two blocks farther South - local foods, produce, and crafts.

 

Another worthwhile excursion is the town of Szentendre in the Danube Bend region North of Budapest. Cobbled streets filled with shops.

 

The hilly Buda side is honeycombed with caves and tunnels which we will probably tour when we go back.

WIT

[Carolfay]

Thanks for all the nice comments about my review. I'll try to respond to most of the questions I see here. I booked the trip directly from Amadeus after looking at their Web site, and we made our own air arrangements, flying to Budapest and returning from Prague.

 

In Budapest, we were booked at the Kempinski Corvinus; the Prague hotel used by the cruise line was The President. Both were very comfortable, with accommodating staff. During our time at The President, several people (we, too) found the rooms overheated, and we ended up propping a window open during much of the two-night stay.

 

We attended a performance at the Budapest Opera and a ballet at the State Opera House in Prague -- and both were excellent. The only minor disappointment at the ballet was that the music was pre-recorded. We'd hoped to hear a live orchestra there. The houses are elaborately decorated inside, worth a look even if you don't see a performance.

 

In Budapest, the Amadeus tour was mostly a "drive by" affair. We stopped at the Heroes Square for a few minutes so folks could take pictures. We again got off the bus atop Castle Hill, walked around the Fisherman's Bastion, and were given about a half hour to explore St. Matthias. Otherwise, if you want to get inside any museums, churches, the synagogue or other buildings, do plan to accomplish that on your own time.

 

We boarded the Amadagio on the Buda side of the river, at the south end of Castle Hill, across from the Casino. John and I had made our way from our hotel earlier in the day, but bus transportation was offered from the Kempinski hotel to the boat for those who wanted or needed it.

 

During our late December/early January cruise, it was very cold (as we'd anticipated). As far as I could tell, no one was outside or on the upper deck except to take quick photos. The bikes weren't available for use, and I doubt that anyone requested them in such frigid weather. My husband reports that there were free weights in the exercise room, a small selection.

 

The only optional excursion we took was the evening concert in Vienna. It was mainly a "Mozart/Strauss Lite" program, clearly aimed at the tourist crowd, though we found the performers quite accomplished, and it made for a diverting outing.

 

Budapest and Prague are utterly fascinating cities, well worth adding on at least a couple of extra days to explore on your own. We used the Metro in Budapest and found it pretty simple to comprehend. Prague seemed so easy to explore on foot, we never used the public transit system. I hope this addresses most of the questions posted so far. I'll check back later to see if I can respond to anybody else.

[nyfeds]

Thanks for your additional information, Carolfay!

 

Did Amadeus offer an optional tour in Vienna of Schoenbrun Palace?

[Carolfay]

I believe the palace tour is usually offered when the boat is in Vienna. As we were there on New Year's Day, and I assume the palace was closed, we didn't have that option.

[letsgoeverywhere]

What was the per person cost of the optional concert tour in Vienna? Since we are in Budapest for a few days pre-cruise we are considering booking the Budapest Opera House online instead. We just really do not want to pack formal clothes for one event.

[nyfeds]

What is appropriate attire when attending a performance at the Opera House in Budapest? We, too, would prefer to leave formal attire at home when on vacation.

 

Thank you.

[orchestrapal]

It's just like home.. You will see everything from jeans and tee shirts to formal wear. Remember there are two opera houses in BudaPest and the old one is slightly more formal than the newer one. You won't need formal wear for either. Enjoy!:)

[orchestrapal]

Sorry,double post.

[nyfeds]

It's just like home.. You will see everything from jeans and tee shirts to formal wear. Remember there are two opera houses in BudaPest and the old one is slightly more formal than the newer one. You won't need formal wear for either. Enjoy!:)

 

Perfect! Thank you!

[Carolfay]

Our cost to attend the optional concert in Vienna was 106 euros for the two of us. As for dress, at both the Budapest Opera House and the Prague State Opera, I observed everything from formal wear to quite casual outfits. It certainly wouldn't be necessary to pack formal gowns and/or tuxedos. Most men seemed to be in suits with ties or in sport jackets. Women's dress appeared a little fancier than I'm used to seeing at comparable U.S. performances, but not by much. We were required to check our coats at the Budapest Opera, which was understandable, as the seats are on the small side and close together, and because of the ventilation outlets, coats can't be stashed under the seats.

[gr'aunt]

Carolfay-I got a good laugh regarding your comment that the hotel room in Prague was hot, and that you "propped" the window open...we did the same thing! We were there for 2 nights, on 11-30 and 12-1. The room was large and the bed was comfy, but we couldn't get the AC to work. Since the windows open outward, the wind would blow them shut. We found a good use for the ice bucket: it became a doorstop for the window! Problem solved.

We slept with the sliding door cracked open on the Amalegro for the same reason, even though it was in the 30's outside.

 

For those future cruisers who are doing a late fall/winter cruise, remember to dress in layers. Everywhere we went, and I do mean everywhere (busses, restaurants, museums, stores, the ship's dining room) it was HOT. Outside it's freezing, but the heat is really cranked up inside. The prize for hottest venue was the Strauss/Mozart concert in Vienna. It was at night, so most people were dressed for the outside chill. However, once inside, it felt like Miami! Several people around us did not return after the intermission...it was that hot and stuffy.

 

As for dress, I concur that it was full spectrum: jeans to jewels. Leave the tux and gown at home. Dress somewhere in the middle and you'll be fine.

Gr'aunt

[Bobblsc]

What was the per person cost of the optional concert tour in Vienna? Since we are in Budapest for a few days pre-cruise we are considering booking the Budapest Opera House on line instead. We just really do not want to pack formal clothes for one event.

 

We attended the Budapest State Opera two years ago for Don Carlos. The voices, orchestra, and scenery were very good. Be sure you book at the State Opera House, which is the one built in about 1880. It is a beautiful and interesting building.

 

Booking on line is easy. You will be sent to a site named Jergymaster, or a name close to that. This is an excellent site, allowing you to see your seat locations, and to choose other seats, if available. The prices are extremely reasonable, because the opera must be strongly subsidized by the government. Because the prices are so good, seats sell rapidly for the great operas. I did not book until about two months before our trip, and the best I could do were third row box. However they were almost center. We had a good view of the stage from there. The price was, no kidding, $2.00 each in Hungarian currency, florints, I believe. Book early.

 

The central subway starts at the most famous pastry shop (Geubard, or close to that). From there it is walkable to many of the best hotels on the river. It has a stop at the opera. If you take a taxi, be careful. They have several ways to cheat you. This includes setting the meter to its fastest speed.

 

A bit off topic, but if you have an ocean cruise which starts or stops in Barcelona, the Liceu Opera there is great. However, be prepared to spend big money for good seats. We had first row, first balcony for Aida last November and the price was €125 each. But the performance was magnificent. I am glad we mortgaged the house to attend. :D

 

Bob :cool:

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