My first-ever river cruise experience was with Riviera Travel, sailing aboard the MS William Wordsworth on The Danube’s Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise. Before this trip, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from river cruising. I’d cruised before, but always at sea, and I wondered how a smaller ship and inland waterways would compare. As it turned out, this trip completely exceeded my expectations.
Arrival and First Impressions
From the moment we arrived, everything felt effortless and well organised. After landing late in the afternoon, a Riviera representative met us at the airport and guided us straight to our coach. After a short 30-minute transfer, we arrived at the MS William Wordsworth. Instead of waiting around to check in, we were taken directly to the restaurant for food – a thoughtful touch after a day of travelling.
While we relaxed and ate, the Riviera team took our luggage from the coach straight to our cabin. There was no stress and no rushing, and it immediately set the tone for what turned out to be a very calm and enjoyable cruise.
A Relaxed Start and Exploring Budapest
The following morning, we woke early to explore the ship in daylight. The atmosphere on board was friendly and welcoming, and it quickly felt like a floating boutique hotel. After breakfast, we attended a safety briefing led by the cruise director and concierge, who introduced themselves and outlined the plans for the week ahead.
Our first excursion was a guided tour of Budapest, taking in highlights such as Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Castle Hill, and Heroes’ Square, with a stop at Castle Hill and later Heroes’ Square. The balance between sightseeing and comfort was perfect – enough structure to see the key sights without feeling rushed. We returned to the ship in time for lunch, which became one of the great advantages of river cruising.
That afternoon, we set sail towards Bratislava, passing the iconic Hungarian Parliament building. Watching the city slip by from the deck was a memorable moment and one that truly captured the magic of river travel.
Life On Board: Amazing Food and Friendly Atmosphere
One of the biggest highlights of the cruise was the food. Every meal was beautifully prepared, with plenty of choice and consistently high quality. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, dinner, or afternoon high tea in the lounge, the standard never dropped. Food was clearly a major focus on board, and it was impossible not to be impressed.
What really stood out was the friendly environment. The crew were warm, attentive, and always happy to chat, and fellow guests quickly became familiar faces. It felt sociable without being forced, and there was always something going on if you wanted to join in.
Insightful Talks and Evening Entertainment
Onboard life struck a perfect balance between relaxation and entertainment. Port talks helped us decide how we wanted to spend time in each destination, while evenings were filled with a variety of entertainment, including music quizzes, live performances, and presentations about upcoming ports.
One evening ended with everyone heading to the dance floor, which perfectly summed up the atmosphere on board – relaxed, inclusive, and genuinely fun.
Bratislava and Vienna: Festive Cities at Your Own Pace
Overnight, the ship passed through the Gabčíkovo Lock, the largest lock in northern Europe, before arriving in Bratislava early in the morning. After a generous buffet breakfast, we joined a city tour, visiting Bratislava Castle and a medieval Christmas market within the castle grounds. The festive setting added an extra layer of magic to the experience.
Vienna was another highlight of the cruise. After arriving overnight, we chose to explore independently. We wandered through central Vienna, visited the iconic Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, and stepped inside St Stephen’s Cathedral. Later, we made our own way back to the ship using the underground, which was easy and well connected – a great example of how flexible river cruising can be.
Little Luxuries That Made It Special
After a full day exploring Vienna, I treated myself to a back massage on board – 25 minutes of pure relaxation and excellent value for money. It was one of those little luxuries that really enhanced the overall experience.
That evening, we dressed up for the Captain’s Gala Dinner, followed by elegant live entertainment from a string quartet. It was refined without being stuffy and a perfect way to end the day.
Final Thoughts: Why I’d Do It Again
What made my first river cruise so enjoyable wasn’t just the destinations, but the complete experience. The combination of amazing food, a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, excellent entertainment, and the ease of travelling between cities made it incredibly appealing.
Sailing with Riviera aboard the MS William Wordsworth on The Danube’s Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise was the perfect introduction to river cruising – and it’s safe to say it won’t be my last.