Boarding The Viking Wilhelm in Passau for our River Cruise - Passau to Budapest.

Our longboat arrived in in Passau the afternoon before our scheduled boarding. It was moored to the South of Passau near where the 2 rivers merge.

Ken was excited took photos and boarded to inquire as to check in times for tomorrow and other details. He was advised anytime after 12.00pm and lunch and cold drinks would be served. It may be another hour or two before our suite is ready for occupancy after the prior cruise.

He was also advised that they would be mooring about a further mile downstream on the other side of the Danube. That is fine and will require a taxi but it clarifies what we need to do.

He returns to our Hotel quite excited, and we plan to Monroe’s morning to walk through the Old town following their delightful breakfast. The hotel is accommodating and we can delay check out until 11.40-11.45am. We arrange to have our luggage delivered to the Hotel foyer by 11,30am, it all works well.

The Hotel has been terrific, comfortable, great location , fully recovered from the severe river flooding of the Danube some 6-7 weeks ago, hard to believe.

The whole stay over the 3 days in Passau has been just right. A means to recover and revitalise following the busy schedule and heat of Berlin. Overcome the challenges with our luggage , getting onto trains , up the 3 or 4 stairs etc.

Hotel has been perfect. We have chosen to eat in 3 different restaurants all serving excellent food at reasonable prices, with good beer or wine.

Jeanette has also benefitted from a relaxing time. We feel that the end of the cruise, busy schedule in Hamburg and then a hectic time in Berlin required a period of measured relaxation and time to recover.

We walked through the beautiful old town , then came back finished packing and then had our luggage taken to the ground floor.

Taxi arrived on time with plenty of room for the luggage. We crossed the river just further up along the promenade and then drove the mile to the Longbaot. We were greeted, our luggage taken from us. We were invited to lunch where we buoyed a chicken and salad together with glasses of white wine (Chablis) from this region.

To our surprise our Suite was available some 45 minutes later, we completed lunch, our cases were in side the cabin. We unpacked and put everything away.with plenty of storage space. There was a steady stream of guests arriving from 12.00pm -3.45pm and at 4.00pm the Captain spoke advising that all groups and people had arrived, there were still minor issues with some luggage to be resolved in the next half hour and we should be departing at 5.15pm.

He suggested any last minute trips ashore should be finalised in next 15 minutes. The ship is full with 100 % occupancy. They then highlight a meeting in the lounge at 5.30pm for a drink and welcome from the cruise director and his crew. dinner tonight is in the dining room for everyone, (no lighter meal outside).

After dinner some music and singing and a reflection of the future days on the beautiful Danube. There was a brief disdain as to the locks (14) which we pass though and he suggests we all take the opportunity to watch the process. A good start.

We are delighted with the comfortable cabin with its French window, open balcony. We then meet our room Steward who explains his tasks with twice a day cleaning and turn downs etc. .

Jeanette comments that it feels like we have come home, we are very comfortable with everything Viking river Cruises and their spectaular Longboats del;over.

We have also finalised the last of the excursions with us completing all of the included and a further 3 Viking specialty excursions.

An excellent start.