The first 3 days of the Cruise

Wednesday 30/5 Hectic, calming, relaxing. Today started out with a full repack of our bags then a short walk from our Mercure to the Marriott where we left our bags and had a slow stroll around Budapest before preparing to board. 3PM, we were collected from the Marriott and taken by coach to the Scenic Ruby for check-in. Shortly afterwards, we were introduced to our Captain, Hotel Manager, and Cruise Director. This was followed by our first sumptuous meal (many more have followed). Wednesday night, we stayed docked in Budapest. We had dinner with the Kiwi couple (previously met) and a couple from Adelaide and another from Sydney. After dinner, we went for a cruise up and down the Danube (which is not blue) for about 1 ½ hours. Accommodation on these river boats (Scenic Space Ships) is Five-star plus, beautiful rooms, plenty of space, luxurious fittings, and great staff.

Thursday 31/5 morning (after one of those breakfasts) we headed off on a tour of Budapest and a tour and concert at the University of Musicology. The tour was about Franz Liszt and the concert was primarily of his music. The pianist at the concert was Professor Csaba Kiraly (coming to Sydney in July) and his piano playing is unbelievable. The tour guide said that Professor Kiraly has done over 80 concerts and has not yet repeated a piece of music, and most of it he plays without the score. A quiet afternoon, then we set off up the Danube at about 5PM. There was the compulsory fire drill at 5:15 and this was followed by dinner with entertainment by a Hungarian Band and Hungarian Folk Dancers. The other 3 couples are all very similar age to us with very similar tastes. We are all getting along very well.

Friday 1/6 is river cruising until about 6PM. We encountered our first of 68 locks this morning at 7:30. It raised us 20 metres in 25 minutes into the Danube canal, and then we cruised up past Bratislava around noon. We are due into Vienna around 6PM. After an early dinner this evening, we will be taken by coach to the Palace Lichtenstein for a private Classical Concert for where we have been told we need to “Dress Elegantly”. Tonight we stay in Vienna and there are a number of day trips planned for tomorrow. Stay tuned but please be patient, internet access along the Danube is patchy to be polite.