River cruises are big business in this city, with boats swarming the river and moving hundreds of tourists in both directions. Grand Circle is a partner company with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) with whom we have traveled many times. We were pleased that they showed their appreciation for our repeat business with a room upgrade, a bottle of wine, chocolates, and flowers!
Orientation was a bit sketchy, as we arrived after the beginning of the lecture and suffered information overload. Dinner followed, with too much food and bottomless wine glasses. Jet lagged, we crashed immediately after dinner but were awake way too early in the morning.
Sunday was the first full day, and the boat remained docked on the river in Budapest. We had a bit of breakfast confusion because just as we were getting ready to go to the dining room, a man brought a tray to our room with coffee, juice, and Danish. We didn't realize we had ordered it.
The 120 or so passengers are divided into four groups, each with a tour director. Our leader is Cristian from Romania, who is the "senior" tour director of the four. He has 16 years of experience with the company and clearly knows what he's doing. Each group met with their leader this morning, then the groups boarded four separate buses for a city tour with a local guide. Our group's local guide was very good, but she apologized that she only spoke five languages.
After a large lunch of excellent goulash, we were back on buses once again for a trip to Buda's Castle Hill. We probably trend a bit below the median age for travelers on this cruise, so many paid to ride a funicular to the top of the hill. Others, like us, climbed the 190+ stairs. It really wasn't a bad hike.
The view at the top was excellent. We had already visited the Mattias Church which dominates the hill when we were here in 2017, so we didn't pay to go inside again. But we enjoyed the exterior, as well as walking residential streets near the hilltop in this affluent area.
Back on the boat, it was the Captain's Welcome Drink and introduction of the crew -- probably 50 or so, from cabin attendants to chefs and waiters to engineers and managers. Of course we won't remember the names.
The Captain's Welcome Dinner was rather over the top, with five or six courses and endless alcohol. They say they want us to "eat like kings and drink like pirates." They're working hard to make it come true.
Most passengers rolled themselves directly to their cabins and to bed immediately after dinner. A few went to the lounge for music and dancing. We elected to take a walk along the river and across the Liberty Bridge, which is near where we docked.
The lights were very pretty and the boat traffic was abundant. But we didn't stay out long. Jet lag is still a factor.
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