Although we have already done several cruises in the US we have never done a cruise in Europe so far. So this was our first cruise in Europe and on the Danube river. River cruising in Europe is a a very comfortable way to see some of the major cities of Europe and some of the greatest and scenic regions. In our case cities like Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava were the highlights as the Wachau region. We are usually travelling with our daughter who was 6 years old at the time of the cruise.

On this cruise most passengers were German. There were only 6 US citizens and 2 Swiss. We were told that on the following cruise more than half of the passengers are Americans. There were three kids aboard (our 6 year old daughter and a family with a 5 year old girl and a 3 year old boy). The average age of the passengers was 65+.

The MV Mozart is a luxury river cruise ship operating out of Germany (home port: Passau, Germany). The MV Mozart is one of the widest river cruise ships plying the Danube river. We saw several other river cruise ships but non of them was as wide and large as the MV Mozart. Just for comparision, the MV Mozart is 75 feet wide and 396 feet long, Uniworld´s River Empress / Countess, which we both saw on our cruise, are 37.5 feet wide and 360 feet long. Cabins are 203 sqft and all public rooms are very spacious.

The crew is European, mainly German and Hungarian. All are speaking German and English very well.

Public rooms are mainly found on the Don Giovanni Deck. First of all there is the restaurant where you take nearly all your meals. Next to the foyer you find the large gift shop (no special sales) with a variety of souvenirs, clothing and logo wear. The gift shop is a duty free shop and therefore is only open while cruising. On the portside (left side of the boat) there is the library with a variety of German books and half a bookcase of English paperbacks (and a couple of books in other languages), two tables and comfy chairs for reading or playing games. A very small variety of board games and cards is available. There is also a TV set in the library. Opposite the library there are public restrooms. Adjoining to the gift shop to the bow there is the Café Amadeus, a place for breakfast, fresh fruit and late night snacks. This is also a nice place for reading the provided newspapers (German and English when available in port). On the starboard side you find the Don Giovanni Bar (a full service bar) and to the bow the large lounge. A small conference room is located between the library and the lounge. The lounge is a great place for watching the scenery on a not so great day. There is also an outside promenade where you can walk around the whole Don Giovanni Deck. Both, the restaurant and the lounge are featuring large panorama windows.

On the Taomino Deck there is the wellness and spa area. Before you enter this area you will see the hairdresser on the portside aisle. The wellness center is offering massage and beauty treatments in separate rooms (see below). There is a small pool (countercurrent is available), a whirlpool and a sauna. The sauna is offering women-only as well as general opening hours. There are also restrooms and showers. Large towels are provided. Some sunbeds facing the bow are giving a breathtaking view while cruising (especially when you are entering a lock). If you really want to know how much weight you´ve gained during the cruise you also find scales in the wellness area. Magazines, fresh fruit, juices and water are available in the wellness and spa area. There is no exercise room on the MV Mozart. In the center of the Taomino deck you find the Reception Desk. This is the place to drop your key each time you are leaving the boat. This makes sure that the boat does not leave without you. There you also find all information sheets, maps, postcards and more. All information sheets are provided in German and English (so are all announcements). The ship´s doctor can be found close to the Reception Desk.

On the Papageno Sun Deck deckchairs, sunbeds and blankets are provided. A wind protection and sun shade is installed but has to be put down because of low bridges on several occasions throughout the cruise. Refreshments are served from the Don Giovanni Bar.

A daily onboard newspaper is showing the arrival and departure times of the day and the daily program. You will find a copy in your cabin each night. On the back side you find the opening hours of the spa and wellness center, the hairdresser, the gift shop and the ship´s doctor. Smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the lounge, on the Papageno Sun Deck, next to the Reception Desk, in the foyer in front of the restaurant. It is not allowed to smoke cigars and pipes in any inside area.

All shore tours are operated with modern busses and with local guides. The busses are accompanying the boat. They do have a restroom and seat belts. Refreshments (bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cappuchino) were available on the bus at additional cost. Sometimes bottled water was offered for 1.20 EUR for shore tours at a desk when leaving the boat. All tours are planned with some extra time for you to do some strolling around or shopping on your own. All busses were accompanied by one of the crew members who checked at each departure if all passengers have returned to the bus.

The wellness center is offering a variety of massages, like whole body / 60 min / 55 EUR, Ayurveda for ladies / 60 min / 55 EUR, head and face / 30 min / 45 EUR, feet including bath / 30 min / 40 EUR, parts of the body / 30 min / 45 EUR, reflex zones / 30 min / 30 EUR. Face treatments were 50 EUR each (two different ones). A make-up for the day is available for 16 EUR (15 min), for the evening it is 21 EUR (25 min). Manicure including treatment is 25 EUR / 45 min, manicure plus color is 20 EUR / 30 min, pedicure is 20 EUR / 45 min. The hairdresser is offering cuts for ladies (36 EUR) and gentlemen (20 EUR), coloring, styling, put-up and more (except permanent waves). She also is offering head massage, hand massage or manicure with or without color.

An early riser breakfast is offered in the Café Amadeus (7 - 7:30 am), main breakfast is offered in the restaurant (7:30 - 10 am) and a another late riser breakfast is available in the Café Amadeus (10 - 11 am). Times can vary according to the daily program. Early and late riser breakfast are a lite continental breakfast. Main breakfast is an extended buffet style breakfast with cereals, eggs, hot station, fresh fruit, assorted cold cuts, assorted cheese, yoghurts, Italian Prosecco, juices (tomato, orange, apple, cranberry, grapefruit), salmon, fish salads, a variety of rolls / breads / toast and more. Hot breakfast can be ordered and there is a daily special. The soup of the day is usually served at 11 am in the Café Amadeus.

Lunch is served in the restaurant. It is a several course lunch off the menue with cold starters from the buffet. There is a choice of two soups, a hot starter, a choice of two entrées and two desserts. A vegetarian lunch option is offered for all courses. There is also a Wok station where an entrée is cooked in front of you. We sometimes encountered long waitings between the courses, maybe because it was the first cruise in this season. On (scheduled) port days lunch is offered buffet style.

Afternoon tea is served in the lounge (3:45 - 4:30 pm) with tea, coffee, decaf, liqueurs, juices and ice water. A variety of great cakes and hors d´oeuvres is available. A specialty is offered also.

Dinner is always at least six courses and up (we had one 6 course dinner, two 9 course dinners, the rest was seven courses). Usually you have a choice of two soups, three entrées (one vegetarian) and at least two desserts. Starters, sherbets, salads and small middle courses are without choice (except for the vegetarian option). For all courses a vegetarian option is available. Dinner usually starts at 7:30 pm. We also encountered long waitings between the courses. Some samples of the menue for dinner are mousse of white and green asparagus, carrot soup, salad with bacon and white beer dressing, sherbet of orange and basil, beef Eszterhazy or corn fed chicken breast filled with turkey liver, Sacher parfait.

A late night snack is offered in the Café Amadeus daily. There are also fresh fruit available there throughout the day.

All meals in the restaurant are assigned single seating. Cuisine is European, main influences are German, Austrian and Hungarian. Food was always excellent and high class and can´t be praised enough. We never had a dish which wasn´t cooked to perfection.

Drinks (f.e. beer, wine, soft drinks, sparkling water) for lunch and dinner are not included. Coffee and tea for dessert are included. So is cold/ice water for dinner (on request only). Juices, coffee and tea are available throughout the day for the various breakfast options and the afternoon tea. In the pool / sauna area water, juices and fresh fruit are available. It is not allowed to bring your own wine for dinner or for consumption in your room.

The large wine list (about 90 different wines) mainly features classy wines from all major European wine regions (Germany, France, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Spain). Aditionally there are wines from South Africa and California. Especially the wines of the regions the boat is travelling are represented on the wine list. Prices range from 14 - 36 EUR per bottle (0.75 l). There are some more exclusive wines for special festivities ranging from 23 - 115 EUR per bottle (sweet wines, French Chateau wines, high class Italian wines). Wine per glass (0.25 l) is also available. Prices range from 4.50 - 5 EUR per glass. Some of the local Austrian wines from the Wachau region are of organic production. Sparkling wines range from 17.90 - 24.50 per bottle (0.75) and 3.20 (0.1 l) to 5.50 (0.2 l) per glass. Champagne is 7 EUR per glass (0.1 l). Small bottles range from 18 (0.2 l) - 33 EUR (0.375 l) and regular bottles (0.75 l) from 42 - 163 EUR (Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin, Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon, Louis Roederer). Ten different beers are offered (0.3 or 0.33 l), ranging from 2.50 - 2.80 EUR. Soft Drinks are 2.50 EUR per glass (0.2 l). Mineral water (carbonated and non carbonated) is available by glass (0.25 l, 2.25 or 2.40 EUR) or bottle (0.75 l, 4.20 or 5.20 EUR). Fruit Juices are 2.40 EUR by glass (0.2 l), fresh orange juice is 3.20 EUR (0.25 l). Fruit juices mixed with Mineral water are 2.10 EUR per glass (0.2 l). Ice Tea is available for 2 EUR per glass (0.2 l). There are also diet fruit juices available for 1.80 EUR per glass (0.125 l). The Don Giovanni Bar (also served in the lounge or on the Papageno Sun Deck) additionally is offering a large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks like Apéretifs/Sherry/Port (3.20 - 4.30 EUR), Bitter (2.70 - 4.30 EUR), a large variety of cocktails ( 4 - 7.50 EUR, non alcoholic cocktails (2.60 - 3.90 EUR), Brandy (4.80 - 6 EUR), Armagnac (6 or 12 EUR), Cognac (6.50 - 15.50 EUR), Schnaps (4.50 - 6.30 EUR), Calvados (4.50 EUR), Grappa/Marc (3.90 - 4.30 EUR), Scotch/Pure Malt/American/Canadian/Irish Whisky (4.30 - 8.90 EUR, Jim Beam/Four Roses 5.30 EUR and Jack Daniels Black Label 6 EUR), Spirits (3.90 - 6.50 EUR) and Liqueurs (2.20 - 7.80 EUR). The bar is also offering Coffee Specialties with alcohol (4.10 EUR) or without alcohol (1.50 - 2 EUR) and Chocolate Specialties (Hot Chocolate 2 EUR, Hot Chocolate with alcohol 3.80 EUR). A cocktail of the day is offered each day (see your daily program).

The "MS Mozart Trio" (piano, guitar, drums) is playing at the afternoon tea and after dinner (dance music). As this cruise was themed classic music we had several guest entertainers who performed in the evenings before dinner or for the afternoon tea. There are no organized games like card games or bingo or any other entertainment program offered by the crew except the in-cabin videos.

Rooms 130 and 131 are the last ones on the portside to the aft on the Dorabella Deck (lowest deck). All rooms are very spacious (203 sqft, suites are 406 sqft). As the stairs down to the Dorabella Deck are steep the Taomino Deck might be more convenient for those having problems climbing stairs. There are also steps in the aisles (watertight doors, the Dorabella Deck is below the waterline except the windows). Noise and vibration from the engines could be felt in different degrees. Both cabins have queen beds (no twin configuration available). The room features a seating area with a sofa (seating two) and a small table facing the TV set on the writing desk. Fresh flowers were standing on the table all week long.The TV set has up to 22 channels, 3 of them feature English programs (CNBC, CNN, English videos, depending on the satellite connection). A 4-channel radio is built in the writing desk (channels are featuring music, classic music or German news depending on the location of the boat). All announcements are broadcasted in the cabin via the radio channels too. Also built in the writing desk is a clock. The writing desk has 3 drawers. One can be locked with a key coming with your cabin key (a safe deposit box is available at the Reception Desk without additional cost). A small cabinet can be found next to the desk. The writing desk can also be used as dressing table with a mirror. A two drawer night desk (bible, brush for clothes, sewing kit and shoe shine cloth) is located next to the left side of the bed, the mini bar next to the right side. The mini bar is filled (Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin champagne 0.2 l / 18 EUR, Peter Deilmann Sparkling Wine 0.2 l / 5.50 EUR, Coca Cola 0.2 l / 2.50 EUR, Orange Juice 0.2 l / 2.40 EUR, Gerolsteiner sparkling water 0.75 l / 5.20 EUR, Gerolsteiner medium water 0.75 l / 5.20 EUR, Staatlich Fachingen water 0.75 l / 4.20 EUR, Becks beer 0.33 l / 2.50 EUR, König Pilsener beer 0.33 l / 2.50 EUR, chocolate bar 85 g / EUR 2). You will find two vine glasses and two champagne glasses a bottle opener, a small plate and a sharp knife on the writing desk. There are hooks behind the cabin door for coats and jackets. The two closets have two doors each featuring one long hanging space and one short hanging space with 6 drawers. Plenty of hangers can be found in the closet. Terry robes and bath slippers are in the closet as additional pillows and blankets. A large umbrella (more at the Reception Desk) can also be found in the closet. Also in the closet is a laundry bag for the onboard laundry service (prices range from 0.30 EUR for hankies, 0.80 EUR for socks / underwear by piece / T-shirts, 1.60 EUR for shorts, 2 EUR for a shirt, 2.30 EUR for a dinner shirt, 2.60 EUR for skirts, 3.10 EUR for trousers and dresses, 3.60 EUR for a weatherjacket). Ironing only is 2 EUR for skirts and trousers and 2.60 EUR for jackets and dresses (per piece). A shoe horn is also provided in the closet. A take away folding bag with Deilmann logo was lying on the table (one for each passenger). Plug-ins are German with 230 V. Stationary and free postcards are in a folder in the room (folder can be used to collect your daily programs). A ship-to-shore telephone is located on the mini bar. Cell phones shouldn´t be used inside the cabins as they might disturb the in-room radio of the adjoining cabins (they can be used on the Don Giovanni or the Papageno Sun Deck). A floor to ceiling mirror is opposite the bathroom door. Our suitcases didn´t fit under the bed and there is no luggage rack. So we stored them inside the closet. There are two large windows close above the waterline.

A cabin breakfast can be ordered (coffee, decaf, black tea, herb tea, hot chocolate, hot/cold milk, orange/grapefruit juice, natural joghurt, fruit joghurt, cornflakes, selection of bread, rolls, toast, butter, selection of cheese, assorted cold cuts, honey, marmalade/jam/jelly, egg dishes, boiled egg and more).

The bathroom is featuring a marine toilet, a enclosed shower and a large sink with wall-to-wall mirror. Above the toilet there is a cabinet with shower caps, body lotion, shampoo (not conditioning) and two different shower gels (brand: Molton Brown). Two racks for bags are located above the cabinet. Soaps were lying on the sink. Plenty of towels are provided. A built-in hairdryer (not very powerful) is next to the sink. There is also a dual voltage (110, 230 V) multi plug-in for shavers next to the mirror. Sanitary bags and facial tissue are provided.

We drove from Munich to Passau (http://www.passau.de/) with our own car (about 1:30 h) and dropped our luggage at the boat (possible past noon). The garage (Niedermayer Reisen) is located next to the train station (60 EUR to be paid at the garage). The garage picks up your car at the boat or will bring your luggage down to the boat (as of course the same when you return). As it was raining we decided to do a short walk up to the dome where we found a couple of souvenir shops open on Sunday. We went back to the Danube river shore and boarded a local excursion boat for a 45 min city sightseeing cruise (Donauschifffahrt Wurm & Koeck, http://www.donauschiffahrt.de/). We boarded at about 3 pm (boarding is starting at 2:30 pm). Boarding was smoothe. Just drop your vouchers and passport (they are kept at the Reception Desk for passport controls and to make sure you don´t forget to return your keys at the end of the cruise) and receive your (paper) boarding passes (which we never needed throughout the cruise).You can let slide your credit card for your onboard purchases somewhen during the cruise at the Reception Desk. The Maitre ´d was available in the restaurant for signing up for your dinner table assignements starting at 3 pm - 5 pm (lines were quite long when we arrived). Tea, coffee, juices and hors d´oeuvres and cake were available in the lounge (3 pm - 4:45 pm). Cabins were ready at 4 pm. At 5 pm an information talk and shore tour talk was held in the lounge (6 pm in English). Shore tours can be booked from 9 pm - 10:30 pm only on the arrival day. All aboard was at 6:30 pm and we left Passau shortly before 7 pm. For a small sail away party Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) was available (mixed as Mimosa with orange juice on request). Dinner started at 7:30 pm. The daily onboard newspaper gives a suggestion for the dress code for dinner (today: casual / country club casual - the German word was "leger" which can be translated as "to dress down" - no shorts, no jeans, no T-shirts / most men wore shirts or polos with a pullover, no ties, women wore skirts or slacks and pullovers or blouses). Dinner tonight had 6 courses. Evening entertainment was provided by the "MS Mozart Trio" in the lounge. A late night snack was available in the Café Amadeus at 10:30 pm - 11 pm. A cocktail of the day (Toreador) was offered. For those who need some exercise running is possible directly off the boat. A playground can be found at the conjunction of the Inn and Danube rivers in a little park like area.

In-room radio started at 7 am. Shore excursion manager Uwe Wieselmann gave a short information talk via the in-room radio at 7:15 am. Sightseeing announcements were made on the Don Giovanni and Papageno Sun Deck starting at 8:30 am. Due to high water and a delay at a lock we arrived in Duernstein (http://www.duernstein.at/) at 10:15 am (all aboard 12:15 pm). Landing was at Donaustation 21 next to the bus parking. An information sheet including a city map was provided at the Reception desk. The walking tour left at 10:15 am (Excursion 10 Vintners' Town in the Wachau - City Walk and Collegiate Church, 16 EUR, 2 h, walking tour). As there are steep paths and lots of cobblestone this tour is not suitable for people with walking disabilities. We went up to the ruins of Duernstein castle where Richard the Lion-Hearted was imprisoned by Duke Leopold V of Austria in 1192/1193. It is about a 20 - 25 min walk steeply uphill but the view is breathtaking. There is a little souvenir shop on the Hauptstrasse (main road) next to the city portal selling postcards and souvenirs (called "Ritterladen", Duernstein 15a). Next to it you will find - inside the city portal - a nice little shop selling home made jams, liqueurs and schnaps (Elfis Turmgewoelb, Duernstein 16). There are a lot of restaurants along the main road selling wine by the glass where you can taste the famous Wachau wine. A specialty of Duernstein is a roll called Wachauer Laberl sold at Wachauer Backstube (Duernstein 21, also on the main road). Running as exercise (if you haven´t done the trip to the ruin) can be done right off the boat. For those travelling with small children a playground can be found on the way to the city (right side, where you can see a little chapel). There are no cabs at the landing. As the center of Duernstein is only 5 min walking away from the landing there is no need for a cab anyway.

During the summer season a lot of companies are offering local boat excursion tours (http://www.donauschiffahrt.de/ Donauschifffahrt Wurm & Koeck / http://www.brandner.at Brandner Schiffahrt / http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/ DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt). There is also a ferry boat crossing the Danube River starting in April.

A movie called "The Danube River - from Passau to Budapest" was shown on the in-cabin TV set at 2:30 pm.

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day cruising to Vienna. We tried the indoor pool of the Mozart and enjoyed the great view there. The Reception Desk provided city maps and brochures for Vienna and a two sheets with informations about how to use the subway to downtown (closest station to the landing - 5 min walking - at Handelskai 265, Anlegestelle 8 is Vorgartenstrasse, subway line No. U1, 4 stops to Stephansplatz and the dome) and another for those using a cab (instructions for the cab driver how to get back to the boat). As it is a park like area running freaks can do their exercise right off the boat. Or you walk up to the bridge (Reichsbruecke, to the right side of the boat) and cross the river to the Danube Island (large park area). A playground is about 300 m left of the landing. The landing is on the Danube River opposite the UNO City (next to the DDSG landing). We arrived in Vienna at 6:15 pm.

Dress code for dinner was "jacket and tie" as piano music was provided by Anton Lang (music professor in Vienna) (no suits, sports jacket is o.k., women dressed up nicely with slacks / skirts, blouses or pullovers). Dinner had seven courses and cheese and fresh fruits were offered on a self-service basis after dessert. Cocktail of the day was "El Greco". The "MS Mozart Trio" provided dance music in the Panorama Lounge starting at 9:30 pm. A late night snack was available at 11 pm in Café Amadeus.

The morning wake-up announcement by shore excursion manager Uwe started our day at 6:45 am. The first shore tour started at 8:30 am (Excursion 31 Waltzing Vienna - City Tour, EUR 34, 3.5 h, short bus ride and walking). The other shore tour offered in the morning was the cycling tour which didn´t take place (Excursion 33 Cycling through the Danube-Metropolis - Cycling tour, 32 EUR, 3 h, cycling) and was scheduled to start at 9 am. The fiaker tour was scheduled for 2 pm (Excursion 26 Tu felix Austria - Flakers and Royal Pastry Makers, has to be booked in advance, 59 EUR, 3 h, bus, horse carriage, walking, cake and coffee included) and the Schoenbrunn Palace for 2:30 pm (Excursion 30 The Habsburg Palace - Schoenbrunn Palace, 41 EUR, 4 h, bus, walking). And additional tour for the cruise´s theme was offered scheduled at 2 pm (Excurison Kl1 Vienna´s Composers, 39 EUR, 4.5 h, as you have to climb 205 steps this tour is not for people with disabilities). This tour also didn´t take place.

We opted to spend our day in Vienna (http://www.wien.info/ http://www.vienna.info/) on our own. We walked up to the subway station. Just leave the boat to the right facing the bridge and follow the signs (white U on blue) to the subway stations Vorgartenstrasse of U1 (red line). We bought a "Wiener Einkaufskarte" (Vienna shopping ticket, http://www.wienerlinien.at/) at the ticket machine (choose the left machine with the touch screen, English language option available, you can buy all needed tickets in one routine, credit cards accepted) for 4 EUR which is valid from 8 am to 8 pm (single ticket is 1.50 EUR). We went to Stephansplatz (4 stops) and visited the dome. Then we made a 40 min Fiaker tour (horse carriage, 20 min / 40 EUR, 40 min / 65 EUR, 60 min / 95 EUR) which also takes you through the Hofburg and the Ring streets. The driver narrated the tour. Another option is to take the subway to Karlsplatz (5th stop) and take one of the Hop-on/Hop-off busses of Vienna Sightseeing (multilingual explanations, round-trip 12 EUR, daily ticket 20 EUR, with a daily ticket you can also go out to Schoenbrunn Palace, http://www.viennasightseeing.at/). At Karlsplatz you also find the famous hotel Sacher and the café. We skipped lunch on the boat (buffet style) and decided to have a Sachertorte (cake) instead at Café Sacher (not really a bargain but some of the must-does in Vienna). Then we took subway U1 back to Praterstern and had a ride on the famous big wheel (http://www.wienerriesenrad.com). We took tram 21 back downtown to Schwedenplatz and changed to tram 1 (clockwise) or 2 (counterclockwise) for a 30 min roundtrip on the famous Ringstrasse where you can see some major buildings of Vienna. When going back to the boat exit the subway at Vorgartenstrasse to the front of the train and follow the brown sign "Schiffahrtsstation" which leads you to the right side of the bridge and back to the boat. By the way there are no cabs waiting next to the boat as the landing is located in a park like area. Follow the above instrutions to the subway station and the signs will also show the word "Taxi" on it to the next cab waiting area. The Reception Desk is also calling a cab to pick you up at the boat.

In the summer season (starting in April) you can also do a narrated sightseeing boat excursion which takes you into the Danube Canal (former Danube River). The boat trips start right next to the landing (here are two companies offering such boat trips: http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/ DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt and http://www.donauschiffahrtwien.at/ Donauschiffahrt Pyringer-Zopper). There are also some other options for walking tours like a privately guided walking tour (http://www.vienna-guide-service.com/) or a group tour (http://www.wienguide.at/) or an audio guide walking tour (http://www.sightseeing-vienna.at/). As we haven´t done any of these tours I can´t really make a recommendation for a certain tour or company.

All aboard was 6 pm, departure was scheduled for 7 pm.

Tonight was the first formal night (dress code: formal / "festive" is the English translation of the German advice, most men wore suits, women wore slacks, skirts with nice tops or dresses). At 6:30 pm the Captain invited to the Welcome Cocktail in the lounge. Photos were made by a crew member (prints are EUR 5, available later throughout the cruise). This was followed at 7:15 pm by the presentation of all officers and a classic music concert by guest entertainers "Trio Allegra" (Mirela Mocanita / piano, Mircea Mocanita / violin, Boyanna Antonova / cello and guests Shelly Ezra / clarinet and Jan Gruening / viola). Snacks, hors d´oeuvres and Prosecco (or as Mimosa or orange juice) were offered for this occasion. The Welcome Gala Dinner (9 courses) started at 8 pm. The "MS Mozart Trio" started playing at 9:15 pm in the Panorama Lounge and a late night snack was offered in the Café Amadeus at 11 pm. Cocktail of the day was "Cocktail à la Johann Strauss".

During the presentation of the officers the captain had the sad job to announce that due very fast rising water the MV Mozart was not able to continue her journey downriver. A short overview over the next days was given by the hotel manager Ralf Juergen Alfermann. Before dinner we were handed out a time table for a Budapest visit (on Thursday and Friday). Due to the changes all passengers were able to rebook their shore tours and decide if they want to go to Bratislava and / or Budapest. Shore excursion manager Uwe and the Reception Desk were available for changes until 11 pm.

The daily announcement by shore excursion manager Uwe was at 6 am this morning. Breakfast started at 6.30 am today (no early riser breakfast). At 8 am busses left for Bratislava (http://www.bratislava.sk/) for those who wanted to do the offered shore tour (Excursion 03 Archbishops' Residence, 23 EUR, 3 h, walking, this tour is not suitable for people with walking disabilities). All other passengers were offered a free transfer to Bratislava to spend the time on their own. We opted for the later. Although it was pouring rain and there were heavy wind gusts we walked up to the Hrad Devin (Devin castle), visited the St. Martin Dome and made a short city walking tour. At the main place (Hlavné nám) we found a nice chocolate shop and café with delicious hot chocolate specialties and a chocolate fountain (Maximilian). Next to it is a Folk Art shop selling arts and crafts of Slovakia. By the way we had no problems paying in Euro for our hot chocolates. Most shops accept Euros too (we didn´t change any money; if you want to change don´t change more than 5 to 10 EUR). On our way back to the Danube river we saw the cruise ship landing (Osobný Prístav) which is located directly opposite the Slovak National Museum and in walking distance of the main downtown area (no cabs needed, the downtown area is small and all walkable). The cruise ship terminal is a shabby looking building including a restaurant, souvenir shops (postcards, pictural guides and newspapers - USA today), tourist information, a public restroom (0.30 EUR) and the office of the local excursion boat company (http://www.lod.sk). Next to this building is a promenade which is also nice for those who need some exercise. Left of the landing there is a playground. On the other side of the river there is a boat called Kriván housing a museum about navigation on the Danube river. We returned by bus to Vienna at about 2 pm (the staff waited for us for lunch). Quite a few passengers opted to stay in Vienna for the day.

At 6 pm a concert was performed by an orchestra called "Afrodite" in the Panorama lounge. Five young women from Bratislava performed well known melodies of the last century in a classic arrangement with violin, viola, cello, flute and piano. Dinner started at 7 pm (dress code: casual). The "MS Mozart Trio" performed in the lounge starting at 9 pm. Cocktail of the day was "Apricot Sour".

Shore excursion manager Uwe gave his informations at 6 am this morning. Breakfast also started at 6 am. Bags for an overnight stay at Budapest (http://www.budapestinfo.hu/) had to be out by 7 am for those who opted to go to Budapest by bus. Of course transfer was free and also the hotel night (Corinthia Grand Royal Hotel, 5 stars). Buses departed at 7:30 am. On the bus we got an information sheet about Budapest with a map on the backside. Refreshments were free on this transfer. We arrived shortly before 1 pm. Lunch was served in the hotel (three courses, drinks included). In the afternoon two of the offered shore excursions started at 2 pm (Excursion 07 The Danube Queen - City Tour, 29 EUR, 3.5 h, walking / Excursion 09 The Embankments in Buda and Pest - Circular Walk along the River, 26 EUR, 3.5 h, walking, cake and coffee included, not for people with walking disabilities). As traffic is horrible in Budapest all tours returned with a big delay (the whole city is a big traffic jam).

We opted to spend our day on our own and bought tickets for the subway (http://www.bkv.hu/, by the way this is Europe´s oldest subway, the ticket machines in the subway accept Forint only / coins and bills, English language option is available). We went down to the Danube river and took - the only one running in March - local excursion boat for a roundtrip to Margaret Island (http://www.legenda.hu/, another company is http://www.mahartpassnave.hu/). We opted not to take a walk on the island and stayed aboard (you can make an one hours stop and take the next boat back). When we returned to the landing the fast rising water had already covered the street and we had to take a wide detour. Other options for sightseeing are bus tours (companies http://www.budatours.hu/, http://www.programcentrum.hu/ or http://www.eurama.hu/). We walked over to the former paddlewheel steamboat Kossuth which now houses a restaurant (Vénhajó) and a small museum of transportation. We proceeded to the main shopping street Váci utca (pedestrian zone, paralleling the Danube river two blocks away). Lots of souvenir stands are selling postcards and do accept Euro. We were told that many shops do accept Euro and if you change money (Hungarian Forint) don´t change more than 5 or 10 Euro (we didn´t change but used our credit card). In Váci utca we found a nice shop called Folkart Centrum (No. 58, http://folkartcentrum.hu) selling original Hungarian arts and crafts. We proceeded to the Central Market which is very pittoresque (meat, sausages, spices, fruit, vegetables on the first floor / souvenirs on the second floor / fish in the basement). We went back via to Vörösmarty tér (place) where the famous Café Gerbeaud is located. The Budapest Spring Festival was going on and we had a look on the arts and crafts booths and listened to the live music. Be careful crossing the streets. Even when you got a green traffic light there might come a car.

At 7 pm the busses brought us to a Hungarian restaurant for dinner. Dinner was three courses and a folklore show with a gypsy band, singers and dancers did provide the entertainment. Most of the passengers thought this was a bit too touristy.

The river cruise ships are landing between Szabadság (Freedom) and Erzsébet (Elisabeth) bridge within a walking distance of the main shopping area of Pest, Váci utca (2 blocks away, paralleling the river). Along the river you will find a promenade which is nice for some running exercise (but there has been a big construction site). Margart Island is a big park area which is ideal for running but it is about 20 min walking distance (there is a tram running along the river).

Those who preferred to stay aboard the MV Mozart in Vienna were offered an additional excursion (Morning training of the Spanish Riding School, 34 EUR, 2.5 h) leaving at 9 am. The Trio Allegra and their guests gave another concert at 6:30 pm in the lounge. Dinner was called "Candle-Light-Dinner" (dress code: "jacket and tie"). The "MS Mozart Trio" played dance music after dinner. Cocktail of the day was Baileys Alexander.

Due to the changes Esztergom (http://www.esztergom.hu/) and the shore tour starting there (Excursion 12 Where the River Turns - Danube Bend and Esztergom, 57 EUR, 7.5 h, bus and walking, partially steep paths, lunch included) had to be skipped.

Breakfast was offered in the hotel starting at 6 am. We went down shortly after 7 am as we had booked the Puszta tour for this morning. The additional shore tour for the cruises theme started at 8 am (Excursion Kl2 Mozart in the Baroque Castle Szirak, EUR 59, 4.5 h bus, concert, snacks / champagne / wine included), the Puszta tour started at 8:30 am (Excursion 06 Puszta Shepherds - Romantic Puszta, EUR 37, 4.5 h, bus, snack included). Our guide Kati gave us an additional city tour on our way through the early morning traffic jam. We arrived at about 10 am in Lajosmizsa and the horse farm Tanyaczárda. We were greeted by a horse rider in a traditional costume and whip. He escorted us to the parking lot. At the farm we were served an apricot schnaps and some spiced yeast bread. First part of the show was rounding-up horses by the Hungarian riders. Then we made a nice ride in a horse carriage to the place where the main tribune is located (covered). The riders showed their artistical skills on the horses. A rider on 5 horses galloped in full speed, a horse carriage showed how to manoeuvre through bowling pins, an ox driven and a donkey driven cart passed by and the Puszta riders showed how they drilled their horses to lay or sit down. We walked over to one of the stables and saw a five day old colt. The horse farm has two locations. They have about 170 horses and part of their income is breeding horses (the white horses of Lippiza). The Vienna Fiakers do buy their horses too. Next to the farm business they are doing the horse shows and are running the restaurant. In the restaurant you also find a gift shop with nice ceramics and the typical Hungarian whips. In another area schnaps and liqueur are for sale. Those on the Puszta tour had a lunch on the tour (which normally is not included as this is usually an afternoon tour). This was a nice typical Hungarian lunch (3 courses). Entertainment was provided by a Gypsy band. We were bussed back to Vienna directly after the tour. All others (those on the Mozart tour and those who explored the city on their own) had lunch in the hotel at 12:30 pm and were bussed back to Vienna after lunch.

On the bus to Vienna we were informed that we will proceed our cruise this night (11 pm) upriver but the farthest point we can reach is Linz. We arrived back in Vienna at about 6 pm and where welcomed back by the staff with a glass of Prosecco (Mimosa or pure orange juice).

For those who stayed on the boat in Vienna an additional shore tour was offered for the morning (Mozart Exhibition in the Albertina, EUR 29) starting at 9 am.

The "Trio Allegra" gave their third concert at 7:15 pm this evening followed by dinner at 8 pm (6 courses, dress code "casual" see above). Dinner was closed with a large dessert buffet as a surprise this night. If you love desserts spare some space for this buffet! Cocktail of the day was Apricot Sour.

During dinner we were informed that planes have changed again. We were not able to proceed to Linz as the bridge at Krems still had 40 cm (16 in) too less clearance for the MV Mozart.

Due to the circumstances Grein (http://www.oberoesterreich.at/grein/ or http://www.grein.at/) was been skipped as a port stop. So was one of the offered shore excursions (Excursion 17 Austria's Delicacies - Nibelungengau and Linzer Tart, 69 EUR, 9 h, bus, walking, Linzer Torte / cake and coffee, lunch included).

Breakfast started at 6:30 am today and the busses to Melk (http://www.stiftmelk.at/) left at 8 am (Excursion 18 Melk - A Monastic Millennium - Cultural World Heritage in the Wachau, 32 EUR, 2.5 h, bus, walking). Those who wanted to do Melk on their own were offered a free bus transfer. As the bus transfer is about 2 hours we opted to stay in Vienna. We went to the morning training of the Spanish Riding School (http://www.srs.at white stallions of Lippiza) and had a lazy day at the pool in the afternoon.

Transfers to Passau were organized in the afternoon for the next day. Most busses were scheduled for 4:30 am, one for 6:30 am, to reach all trains at Passau. As we had left our car in Passau we opted for the "late" bus.

Tonight was Captain´s Farewell Cocktail and Gala Dinner. The Cocktail (snacks and hors d´oeuvres were served) started at 6 pm in the Panorama Lounge followed by a concert performed by the "Pressburger Duo" at 6:45 pm (classic music, operetta, folklore, musical with piano and violin / traditional Slovakian pipes / panpipe). The Gala Dinner started at 7:30 pm (dress code: formal / "elegant", men wore suits / shirt / ties, women wore elegant slacks and tops / skirts / dresses, no evening gowns needed). Dinner had nine courses and ended with the grand finale. The waiters paraded through the restaurant with ice cakes topped with sparklers. Then all the cooks were called to line up. By the way there are ten cooks (starters, soup, salad, sides, meat/sauces, fish, 2 for pastries/desserts, a show cook for the Wok station, a baker for fresh rolls and bread and the chef). When we left the restaurant our waiters gave us a whole set of the dinner menus of this week. Some passenger let them sign by their waiters and wine steward as a souvenir. The "Trio Allegra" and guests finished the evening with a concert at 10 pm. Cocktail of the day was "Bon Voyage".

Tipping: Tipping is cash only handed out to the tipped persons on the last night. There are four persons who should be tipped: your cabin attendant, your two waiters and your wine steward. Recommended are 8 EUR per day per passenger (meaning EUR 2 for each of the tipped persons per day, for a seven day cruise this is 56 EUR in total per passenger). As wages in Europe / Germany for service staff are higher than in the US, recommended tips are a bit lower. There is a box at the Reception Desk for additional tips for all staff you usually don´t see. This is pooled and divided amongst the crew.

A questionnaire was handed out this day to evaluate the cruise. This has to be turned in the letter box at the Reception Desk.

Bags had to out one hour prior to departure which was 5:30 am for our departure at 6:30 am. The usual full breakfast buffet was available starting at 3 am for those who already had to leave at 4:30 am. Of course those early times were only due to the fact that all passengers had to be bussed back to Passau (about 3.5 hours drive) to reach their regular train connections. Don´t forget to let your credit card slide at the Reception Desk somewhen throughout the cruise for a quick check-out. The final bill was then slid under the door throughout the night. For those who departed individually rooms were available until 9 am. Check-out was easy then, just drop your keys at the Reception Desk and pick up your passport.

Although this cruise has been more the "screwed up" by high waters of an extreme spring flood all passengers did enjoy their stay. Sure there was a disappointment about the missed cruise experience. But Deilmann handled this situation really perfectly and we never heard a bad word and all passengers were happy. First of all Deilmann tried to get all passengers to the towns scheduled for the cruise. All bus transfers were free and so were refreshments on the busses for these transfers. Sure we didn´t had to pay for the hotel night in Budapest. All kids got a book (according to the age of the kid) as a present by Deilmann. All passengers were offered a 25% refund on the price of the cruise or a 50% discount on a future cruise valid for 2006 or 2007. Additional tours were offered for Vienna and all passengers were able to rebook or cancel tours they´ve booked on arrival day. Also additional musical entertainment was organized.

Food and service aboard were really excellent and can´t be praised enough. Everyone was doing his best to make the situation as comfortable and pleasant as possible. My heart was with our shore tour manager Uwe who didn´t get much sleep, once because this was his first cruise ever and second because of the special situation. But he did a great job like all of the crew members did.

By the way, we opted for the 50% discount on a future cruise.

Here´s a list of the shore excursions offered on this cruise and their original schedule for those who want to plan in advance:

• Excursion 10, Duernstein, Day 2, 9:30 - 11:30 am
• Excursion 31, Vienna, Day 3, 8:30 am - noon
• Excursion 33, Vienna, Day 3, 9 am - noon
• Excursion 30, Vienna, Day 3, 2:30 - 6 pm
• Excursion Kl1, Vienna, Day 3, 2 - 6:30 pm
• Excursion 26, Vienna, Day 3, 2 - 5 pm
• Excursion 12, Esztergom, Day 4, 9 am - 4:30 pm
• Excursion 6, Budapest, Day 4, 2 - 6:30 pm
• Excursion Kl2, Budapest, Day 5, 8 am - 12:30 pm
• Excursion 7, Budapest, Day 5, 8:30 am - noon
• Excursion 9, Budapest, Day 5, 8:30 am - noon
• Excursion 3, Bratislava, Day 6, 9:30 am - 1 pm
• Excursion 18, Melk, Day 7, 9:30 am - noon
• Excursion 18, Melk/Grein, Day 7, no times in the list / day trip of 9 h