The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest Reviews

Verified

A wonderful trip despite the low water in the Danube meaning we had to stop at Vienna. GRJ's made every effort to ensure we saw everything that was planned. All the boat staff, tour and cruise managers were first class and we enjoyed their company over the two weeks. The food was top notch and excursions well planned. Our cabin was lovely and cool, even in the 100 degree heat we had for a few days. GRJ's compensated us for the disruption without us having to ask. This is the second time we've travelled with them and if you're looking for a company that really looks after its customers, I'd recommend them every time.

Verified

All guides and managers on this trip were exceptional people who were able to sort out any problems which arose with great care and attention. The trip itself I felt was a trifle disappointing, in that it was a long journey to & from the Danube. The river trip itself was disappointing for me as the amount of places visited were few. The staff and the boat were all amazing. I just found it a lot of travelling for an uneventful cruise. We didn’t actually get to Budapest- which was nothing to do with the company, just the river was too low due to the heat wave across the world. So all in all, the company and all staff involved were amazing. Viv (our tour manager for the train journey), Ed ( our boat manager) and all the staff on the boat were kind, considerate and very friendly, can’t speak highly enough of them all. Just a long trip for a river trip that was uneventful, as the highlight I was looking for was lots of beautiful places to visit on what is called a beautiful river - and it just wasn’t there.

Verified

The boat was a delight, the food delicious and the tour guides were excellent. If the Danube had had enough water to convey us to Budapest this would have had 5 stars.

Verified

First holiday with Great Rail Journeys, they were helpful from the first contact. Would recommend this holiday, all staff were very good both on the trains and onboard the boat.

Verified

The river cruise ship was lovely with a beautiful cabin with lovely river views from the window. Unfortunately we didn’t really like the restaurant meals other than the breakfast as they were nouveau cuisine with no other choice of plain food. Also there were mostly early morning tours and little down time for relaxing. We felt tired out at the end of the holiday and needed a rest. The train journey to Passau and back from Bratislava was overall good but some trains were unreliable. Our courier on the train journey was excellent and the staff onboard the ship also very good. Also due to low water levels we didn’t reach Budapest one of the highlights of the cruise.

Verified

Well organised, interesting trips, excellent food.

Verified

A fantastic experience from the easy booking to the amazing trip along the Danube. We were so well looked after from the minute we arrived at St Pancras. Prior to our holiday communication by GRJ was superb. The boat exceeded our expectations with a spacious well equipped cabin.The staff could not have been more attentive, the meals were delicious with a good choice of dishes .In spite of the heat we enjoyed trips off the boat to numerous interesting venues The only minus was the final hotel in Frankfurt where staff were rude,especially in the bar and the room a bit basic. However we will definitely book with GRJ again....first class company.

Verified

Lovely boat and great staff and crew.Beautiful places to visit. We found there were too many guided tours, especially as the weather was very hot and many of the passengers were elderly. It would have been good to have been able to have the option to do more of our own thing. This was not really possible because of the location and structure of the guided tours.

Verified

A wonderful magical experience with the opportunity to see some of the most scenic places in Europe.

Verified

Excellent trip, well organised with top quality travel by trains and river boat

Verified

The boat part of the holiday was great (5*), but the rail journeys, particularly in Germany were awful. At one station we were abandoned by the person who was supposed to be escorting us. - he caught an earlier train with some of the party! There is a lot more I could say, e.g. arguments with other passengers re booked seats, cancelled trains etc. We will not go on another GR holiday.

Verified

A wonderful trip with outstanding service and food on the Amadeus Imperial. The tours and guides were excellent throughout. The only downside was the German Railways

Verified

Although we visited some very interesting places, we felt the itinerary was too rushed and exhausting at times. The Amadeus Imperial was very well appointed, excellent food, helpful and friendly crew. The evening cruise at Budapest was amazing.

Verified

We were impressed with the cruise organisation, with information details and choice of tours. The crew and tour leaders created a very relaxed atmosphere. The evening entertainments – quizzes, folk dancing and singing and the Vienna Philharmonic quartet were all very enjoyable. The evening cruise along the Danube from Budapest seeing the lights was a fitting finale to a fascinating cruise.

Verified

Wonderful boat, wonderful food, wonderful company, wonderful staff, roll on next time

Verified

The ship, staff and food were excellent!! Second to none! Holiday was a little too organised for me, leaving little time to ourselves without feeling we were ‘missing’ something! If I wasn’t frightened of flying I would have flown to meet ship rather than the rail trip to Passau which was horrendous. This being said would not stop me using this company again and again and again lol

Verified

Beautiful trip. Boat excellent.

Verified

Lovely cruise - the ship and crew were brilliant and everyone was very courteous, polite and helpful! The weather was good too which helped! The train journeys were tedious with time delays and cancellations!

Verified

The cruise part was excellent and outstanding. The rail travel there and back was not a particularly wonderful experience with delays caused by DB and not helped by our GRJ guide missing the train at Frankfurt Airport railway station on the way out. Time wasted at Brussels Railway Station when there was ample time to catch an earlier EuroStar train home thus getting back home far earlier, rather than 23.30!. Poor planning in my opinion.

Verified

We were well looked after from the moment we arrived at St. Pancras. Our tour manager had an encyclopedic knowledge of the continental railway system and its websites, and was able to find a workable solution to serious delays (yes they certainly do happen on German railways!) and get us onto our connecting train with minimal drama. The rail journeys to and from the boat included good class hotels. Our boat was beautifully appointed with all ensuite facilities in our cabin. Food was very high quality with an extensive choice and all service was superb; nothing was too much trouble. The excursions were all included in the price of the tour and included informative guides who enhanced the experience of the cities that were the chief attraction of the tour. Those who preferred to stay on the boat were free to do so.