Blue Danube River Cruise: What Happens on the Ship Stays on the Ship….

Of course, the highlights of our Blue Danube River Cruise with Grand Circle Tour Company were the four European capitals we were visiting: Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia and Budapest, Hungary -- all worth writing about. And I promise to do so.

- Fyllis Hockman

But it was the many surprises surrounding the experiences on the ship that truly enhanced the trip. Because this was our first river cruise, my husband and I had many apprehensions ahead of time. The tiny stateroom? Check. But somehow it had more drawers, shelves and hangers than I have at home and was surprisingly comfortable.

Too sedentary? Check. Being a particularly active person – the have-every-minute-programmed kind of active – although at a senior citizen level – I feared the shortish daily tour would not be sufficient. After all, the 182-passenger MS River Aria is not one of those cruise ships boasting round the clock activities. However, opportunities abound to explore every city as much – or as little – as you want.