Crystal Mozart: Cruising the Danube River

Crystal has been wowing ocean cruisers for years, but now with the launch of the Crystal Mozart on the Danube River, they are setting a new standard for service on the riverways!

The Crystal Mozart was stripped to the steel and completely rebuilt before debuting as Crystal’s first river vessel. It is the widest ship on the Danube and boasts some of the most sumptuous public space on the river. So while it cannot always get into every city center port of call, it’s always within a stones throw, and you can be sure you’re coming and going in style!

Crystal has three new state-of-the-art luxury ships coming on line in 2018 and 2019 that will sail the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube.

If you were not one of the lucky 18 who joined our fun group of friends (lovingly called “the Boat People”), please join me below as I share some of the highlights of our most recent voyage!

First, the ship:

IMG_1727

IMG_1726
Top deck, where many libations were enjoyed day and night as we cruised the Danube
IMG_1724
Stylish Bistro Mozart for a Viennese coffee or glass of Grüner Veltliner or a gelato anytime
IMG_1728
The Waterside Restaurant for a lunch buffet or decadent multi-course dinner

Below is a typical dinner on the Crystal Mozart:

IMG_2114
Foie Gras appetizer
IMG_2115
Caviar and potatoes second course
IMG_2116
Fresh fish, grains and greens for my main.
IMG_1742
Pre and post cocktails in the Palm Court

Our favorite spot for lunch was Aft at Blue which had a great team – they were always happy to prepare a fabulous burger, a niçoise salad, and, as we say, a glass of “rosé all day!”

IMG_2117IMG_2111.jpg

The spa is terrific, featuring a forward location with beautiful views in the relaxation lounge and luxurious treatments. My treatments with Maria – massage and facial – were truly some of the best I have had! The pool is excellent for laps and the hot tub is a cozy option for warming up on a cold day.

IMG_2119

First Port of Call – Vienna

Vienna is lovely and stately and elegant. There are opportunities to enjoy music everywhere including the famed Opera House, the Vienna Philharmonic, and even the lovey Crystal signature event with an orchestra at the Belvedere Palace!

Most delightful about Vienna in my opinion is the cafe culture that is so prevalent throughout the city – it is not unusual to sit for hours with a single coffee or beer or glass of Grüner. I love this pace!

IMG_1737

IMG_1731-305428739-1505504685739.jpgIMG_1733IMG_1739

Something else that the Crystal Mozart does for their guests is allow them to select a Michelin star restaurant experience in Vienna or Budapest and completely includes it the price of your cruise! Crystal arranges the reservations, transfers to and from the restaurant, and prepays a three course meal with wine. It is a very nice touch!

We enjoyed a spectacular dinner at Konstantin Filippou pictured below:

IMG_1745IMG_1744IMG_1745IMG_1748IMG_1746IMG_1748

As the Crystal Mozart embarks and disembarks in Vienna, this is a perfect opportunity to stay at the immaculate and historic Hotel Sacher, owned and run by the same family for generations.  A step back into a sumptuous, by-gone era!

IMG_1752
The Restaurant of Hotel Sacher
IMG_1756
What an elegant spot to dine!
IMG_1757
An amuse-bouche of salmon
IMG_1758
A first meal in Vienna must always be Wiener Schnitzel
IMG_1759
And at Hotel Sacher, there is nothing more appropriate than the famed Sacher Torte with fresh cream
IMG_1763
Mr. Sacher himself
IMG_1767
Even I feel almost a celebrity next to one of the many walls of famous patrons
IMG_1771
A drink in the Blue Bar
IMG_1773
The impeccable bedrooms are charming and bright
IMG_1774
In such a prime location, expect a wonderful view!
IMG_1775
Well appointed and comfortable bathrooms
IMG_1778
Hotel Sacher chocolate amenities
IMG_1781
A view of the Opera House from Hotel Sacher

IMG_1782

IMG_1783
This lovely design suite has quite the penthouse and terrace!

Second Port of Call – Krems, Austria

A cycling trip through the Wachau River Valley:

IMG_1804IMG_1813IMG_1815

Of course with a stop or two to try the local Reisling and Grüner wines of the region!

IMG_1829.jpg

IMG_1822

IMG_1823IMG_1830.jpgIMG_1824IMG_1830

River cruising is special because you are never far from land. The Danube is particularly scenic.  The top deck is the place for sipping something cold and taking it all in!

IMG_1838

IMG_1831

IMG_1835
A fellow boat person – Jan the ham!

IMG_1841IMG_1846

Third port of call – Melk and the lovely Abbey

IMG_1848IMG_1851

Back on board the Crystal Mozart

IMG_1852

Going through one of the dozens of locks along the Danube – a very cool feat of engineering.

IMG_1856

And as evening falls, another wonderful dinner is served. Seating in the dining room is as you wish – some nights Gil and I dined alone, some nights we joined another couple or two from our group, one night we invited a single traveler to join us, and a few times our entire group of 18 – the “Boat People” dined together.  The nice thing about Crystal is that everything is included – all meals and always terrific wines, champagne, beers and spirits! No one ever needs to reach for the bill.

IMG_1858IMG_1859IMG_1860

Fourth Port of Call – Linz, Austria

From here we took a day trip to Salzburg

IMG_1861IMG_1865IMG_1868IMG_1871IMG_1873IMG_1875IMG_1876IMG_1877

IMG_1880
I love that whenever you order a glass of wine, it automatically comes with a water! Such a nice touch!

Fifth Port of Call – Passau, Germany

This is a lovely, lovely town and I wish we had more time there. We instead opted for a day trip to Munich. Munich was a great time but, in retrospect, the transfer was too long to warrant the trip – over 2.5 hours each way.  Suggestion: Enjoy Passau instead. We traveled to Munich with our friends John and Carrie and had a blast visiting several beer halls! “When in Rome!”

IMG_1890IMG_1893IMG_1901.jpgIMG_1902IMG_1904IMG_1908IMG_1910IMG_1916IMG_1918

IMG_1922
Yes, the beer drinking continued on the coach!

Everything in Germany is about their wonderful sports cars and Munich is the home of BMW. For those that are BMW enthusiasts, a visit to the BMW headquarters and show room may be in order.

IMG_1932IMG_1935IMG_1939.jpg

We enjoyed an overnight in Passau and wonderful meal aboard the Crystal Mozart.

IMG_1947
Roasted Beet Salad with nuts and cheese

The next day we joined a cycling trip that rode along the Austrian-German border. The bikes on the Crystal Mozart are e-bikes which means anyone can pedal along and it is never too strenuous.  Not a great way to burn a lot of calories, but a lovely way to sightsee!

IMG_1943FullSizeRenderIMG_1953

IMG_1963
Cycling with my friend, Reid, newly indoctrinated to the “Boat People”
IMG_1966
A bridge uniting Austria and Germany

IMG_1970

IMG_1975
Passau

Enjoying some comfort food aft at our favorite lunch spot on board, Blue.

IMG_1977IMG_1978.jpg

And some post lunch R&R on the top desk of the Crystal Mozart, my kind of sight seeing!

IMG_1979

The crew on the Crystal Mozart is spectacular – truly outstanding service, always with a smile, just like this:IMG_2024.jpg

The entertainment aboard river vessels usually includes some wonderful piano bar music, some well informed lectures, an occasional round of group trivia, and on this occasion, a hilarious bout of the “Not-so-Newlywed Game!” Gil and I participated and came out BIG LOSERS!  We did become minor celebrities though and gave everyone a good laugh!

FullSizeRenderFullSizeRenderFullSizeRender

Sixth Port of Call – Bratislava, Slovakia

A stunning capital to a small, new country with a big history!

FullSizeRenderIMG_1988IMG_1997IMG_2001IMG_2002IMG_2003

A walk through the old town to a local brew pub where we enjoyed tasting several local beers.

IMG_2007.jpg

IMG_2012IMG_2019

IMG_2022
The Bratislava Opera House

Final Port of Call – Budapest

This lovely lady greeted us as we cruised into Budapest. Lady Liberty!  She was erected by the Russians as the self-proclaimed liberators of Hungary from the Nazis. Today the Magyars (as the Hungarians rightfully call themselves) say that she is actually saying goodbye to the communists as she liberated the country once and for all from all oppressors. She is beautiful and Budapest may be one of Europe’s most breathtaking cities!

FullSizeRenderIMG_2032IMG_2037.jpgIMG_2034.jpgIMG_2040.jpgIMG_2041IMG_2046.jpgIMG_2050IMG_2051

The pubic transportation throughout the city is excellent and we easily moved about by tram, bus, and subway!

IMG_2054.jpg

IMG_2058IMG_2059

IMG_2061
Always a cake to be found. This is the Sacher but I really wanted the Dobbos!

IMG_2062.jpgIMG_2071IMG_2074IMG_2076

One of my favorite things to do in ANY city is to visit the local market – this is always the heartbeat of the city where you can shop and dine as a local.

IMG_2078

IMG_2081

It was fun to try local specialties such as the stuffed cabbage and the goulash, with sauerkraut, of course.

IMG_2080IMG_2082IMG_2084

Budapest has absolutely wonderful cafes and wine bars through out the vibrant city, especially lovely in the summer time!

IMG_2090.jpgIMG_2091

And not to be missed is one of the grandest hotels of all of Europe, Four Seasons Hotel Budapest Gresham Palace, a stunning restoration of a former palace overlooking the Chain Bridge and the hills of Buda.

IMG_2096.jpg

We stopped in to listen to live music and have a cocktail on their new terrace and I must say I think the libation I found suited me to a T – the Señorita!

IMG_2097IMG_2098.jpg

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of innovative contemporary takes on traditional Hungarian dishes at Tigris.  Did you know that Hungary is one of the world’s most important procurers of Foie Gras?  You are in for a treat! Here it is prepared four ways as my appetizer:

IMG_2101

Budapest by night truly takes your breath away!  Upon returning to the ship from dinner, the Crystal Mozart graciously sailed up and down the Danube for guests to gawk at the lights of Parliament, the Chain Bridge, and the many palaces and monuments completely restored and rebuilt after the Nazis and then the Communists left the country.

IMG_2106

IMG_2104

What a magnificent trip with a great group of “Boat People!” Crystal, I will see you soon on the Rhine and the Main rivers, no doubt!  Well done!

Laura Madrid is an avid cruiser and can help you navigate the many ships and private yachts from the oceans, to the rivers, to the canals.  Read a bit more on options and climb aboard here!

One thought on “Crystal Mozart: Cruising the Danube River

Leave a Reply