Danube Cruise or Central Europe or Baltic DCL?

[jeneric997]

I was on the first Danube cruise, it was our first ABD, so I can't compare it to others. There were many excursions that felt like cruise excursions, because there were always other ships in port with us doing the same things. Our kids rarely were on a tour with other kids they hung out with because we had to grab a color right before we left and without prior planning, you had no idea what tour others were on. There was also the issue of the night time excursions- our younger one had no interest in them, but there really weren't planned activities for the kids. She stayed on ship in the room, but technically, I don't think that was allowed. Our 16 year old, spent one dinner with the kids, but was with us the rest of the time- there was no one her age. She was fine with that, as were we.

I wish we would have skipped the horse farm excursion and spent more time in Budapest. We also skipped out on the Spanish ridding school (the horses aren't there in the summer) and went to the SiSi museum and walked around Vienna- we were so happy we broke away and did our own thing- wish we had done that more.

I had always wanted to go on a river cruise, so I'm glad we did it. I don't think I'd do it again because I felt rushed and would have liked to spend more time in places and there were many activities that really weren't things we would have chosen, given the time allowed.

 

[calypso726]

Thank you - I have wondered if a river cruise would feel more flexible than the traditional ABD trip. I loved our ABD trips, but the pace can be exhausting. I never mind it, because I want to see / do as much as possible, but it would also be nice to feel encouraged to choose our own pace / activities, based on what works for us. We have considered including my in-laws on this trip. My MIL could keep up with a traditional ABD trip, but not my FIL.
And I agree - I would want to spend time in Budapest! My daughter spent a few days there during her semester abroad, and it was one of her favorite spots. She is a graphic design major, so wanted to see all the art / monuments / architecture. She also did the baths - and loved it!
Hope the rest of the trip has gone well!

It is definitely more flexible. We did the first ABD river cruise. There are many excursions to choose but you aren't obligated to choose any of them. I'd happily do this cruise again and use the ship as a home base and do some of my own exploring or some of the excursions we didn't do like the apricot farm. It was definitely less exhausting than the traditional ABD. I still love the land based ABD though. Here is my trip report from the river cruise if you are interested. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-exclusive-danube-river-cruise.3524853/

 

[travelinglibrarian]

I was on the first Danube cruise, it was our first ABD, so I can't compare it to others. There were many excursions that felt like cruise excursions, because there were always other ships in port with us doing the same things. Our kids rarely were on a tour with other kids they hung out with because we had to grab a color right before we left and without prior planning, you had no idea what tour others were on. There was also the issue of the night time excursions- our younger one had no interest in them, but there really weren't planned activities for the kids. She stayed on ship in the room, but technically, I don't think that was allowed. Our 16 year old, spent one dinner with the kids, but was with us the rest of the time- there was no one her age. She was fine with that, as were we.

I wish we would have skipped the horse farm excursion and spent more time in Budapest. We also skipped out on the Spanish ridding school (the horses aren't there in the summer) and went to the SiSi museum and walked around Vienna- we were so happy we broke away and did our own thing- wish we had done that more.

I had always wanted to go on a river cruise, so I'm glad we did it. I don't think I'd do it again because I felt rushed and would have liked to spend more time in places and there were many activities that really weren't things we would have chosen, given the time allowed.

Thank you for the insight. I have done one river cruise with my husband years ago on the Seine. I had a great time and loved the itinerary, but our co-travelers were mostly retirees. Many were lovely, but some complained the entire way - lol! We've decided that my son & I will do this trip on our own, after he finishes a school exchange program in Germany. He will be 16, and could spend time with me, or with kids his own age (if there are any). My older daughter spent some time in Budapest and loved it, so I know there are many things I would like to see more than the horse farm. Luckily, my youngest daughter (who is my big horse lover) won't be with us, so we will have more freedom to choose. I would like to see the Belvedere (and the Klimt collection) in Vienna and wonder about doing one of the thermal baths in Budapest. Thanks again!

 

[sayhello]

Thank you for the insight. I have done one river cruise with my husband years ago on the Seine. I had a great time and loved the itinerary, but our co-travelers were mostly retirees. Many were lovely, but some complained the entire way - lol! We've decided that my son & I will do this trip on our own, after he finishes a school exchange program in Germany. He will be 16, and could spend time with me, or with kids his own age (if there are any). My older daughter spent some time in Budapest and loved it, so I know there are many things I would like to see more than the horse farm. Luckily, my youngest daughter (who is my big horse lover) won't be with us, so we will have more freedom to choose. I would like to see the Belvedere (and the Klimt collection) in Vienna and wonder about doing one of the thermal baths in Budapest. Thanks again!

Just be careful when you book the cruise, which direction you are booking. At least this year, the Westbound cruise hit Vienna on Sunday, and much of the city was closed. If you really want to do other things in Vienna, make sure you check if they are open on Sundays, or choose the Eastbound trip! (Assuming they are still running it Thursday to Thursday).

Sayhello

 

[travelinglibrarian]

It is definitely more flexible. We did the first ABD river cruise. There are many excursions to choose but you aren't obligated to choose any of them. I'd happily do this cruise again and use the ship as a home base and do some of my own exploring or some of the excursions we didn't do like the apricot farm. It was definitely less exhausting than the traditional ABD. I still love the land based ABD though. Here is my trip report from the river cruise if you are interested. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-exclusive-danube-river-cruise.3524853/

Thank you - I read your trip report also I love the destinations - though I'm sure I will want more time in each, especially Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest! We're planning to do the Prague extension. I'm glad you aren't obligated to do the excursions though I'm sure many of them are great. The salt mine sounds way fun!

 

[sayhello]

Thank you - I read your trip report also I love the destinations - though I'm sure I will want more time in each, especially Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest! We're planning to do the Prague extension. I'm glad you aren't obligated to do the excursions though I'm sure many of them are great. The salt mine sounds way fun!

This is one of the advantages that the River cruises have over the "regular" ABDs. Since you are always going back to the ship at the end of the day, you can easily skip an excursion and it's not a logistics problem. On the regular trips, there are times that you are traveling from one hotel to another with stops for activities on the way, so it's not as easy to skip those. Especially if they are remote. They asked you to sign up for excursions so they had an idea how many buses they needed for each excursion, distribution of Guides, etc, but if you didn't show, no-one cared. The Guides counted before the bus left, and that's the number they went by. Lots of folks just walked off the ship & did their own thing. Also, most of the excursions were separated into morning & afternoon, so you could skip the morning, and then go for the afternoon, or vice-versa. Very flexible and convenient.

And the Salt mines *was* way fun!!

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