However, it was the many surprises surrounding the experiences on the ship that truly enhanced the trip. Because this was our first river cruise, my husband and I had many apprehensions ahead of time.

You may have these same concerns. Mine were:

The tiny stateroom? Check. But somehow, it had more drawers, shelves, and hangers than I have at home and was surprisingly comfortable.

The Very Spacious Stateroom on Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise  Photo by Grand Circle Tours

Too sedentary? Check. Being a particularly active person – the have-every-minute-programmed kind of active – although at a senior citizen level – I feared the shortish daily tour would not be sufficient. The 182-passenger MS River Aria Is not one of those cruise ships boasting round-the-clock activities. However, opportunities abounded to explore every city as much – or as little – as I wanted.

Too big a group? Having primarily traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel, the much smaller, younger tour group under the auspices of Grand Circle, we also worried about traveling with a large group of older travelers. I discovered GC caters to those needs.

Grand Circle Danube River Cruise Caters to Both Active and Less Active Passengers

There is a slower-paced tour option available for those who feel they cannot keep us with the group. Portable, lightweight seats are available for those unable to stand in one spot during long explanations. A lift chair is attached to the stairs on the ship. Electric bikes are available onboard for easy peddling along some of Europe's most beautiful bike paths.

One of Many Beautiful Bike Paths on Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise  Photo by Grand Circle Tours

There is little that Grand Circle hasn't thought of to accommodate a somewhat older clientele. But for the most part, my shipmates were an aggressive group of fun-loving, adventurous travelers who were loath to slow down.

I was worried about needing to swarm around our guide to hear what was being said. Check. Each person, however, has an individual listening device so you can hear the tour guide as you walk through the cities, even if you're a block away. At this point, I stopped worrying.

Listening Devices that Make Touring Easy on Grand Circle Tours   Photo by Google Com

The boat passengers are divided into four color-coded groups, each led by a program director. Stefan was ours, but all four participated in the ongoing service of the "troops." Everyone associated with Grand Circle and the ship is…well…friendly doesn't do them justice. They are funny, accommodating, out-sized personalities, all eager to please – and despite my husband's cynicism, I don't think it's just because of the tip!

Relax, You're Cruising!

Most mornings, we're out by about nine in the morning. But one sailing day, we found ourselves on deck chaise, Bloody Mary in hand, listening to commentary about the surrounding topography – wooded treetops, rolling green countryside, rural villages, terraced vineyards, and an occasional abbey or castle. Life doesn't get much better than that! My concern about filling every hour with activity dissipated.

Relaxing on the Ship's Deck During Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise   Photo by Fyllis Hockman

I was pried from my reading revelry as my fellow passengers hustled to the ship's sides as we went through our first of nine locks, a feat that, if you haven't experienced, is worth the effort of rising from the comfort of your chaise lounge. The ship narrowly goes between barriers on both sides and is lowered to access the water level on the other side. By the time we hit lock #6, no one moved. Another Bloody Mary, anyone?

Meals Aboard Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise Are Both Culinary and Comedic Occurrences

Because it's lunchtime, I should pause here to talk a bit about the meals – which deserve an article of their own. From creativity to inventiveness to presentation and, oh, yes – deliciousness, the food merits its own Michelin star. I looked forward to every meal, knowing it would be surprising, lovely, and scrumptious. And the service? Suffice it to say that not only are the waitpersons attentive and accommodating, but most of them could also be stand-up comedians.

One of the Chef's Signature Creations on Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise   Photo by Grand Circle Tours

I was finishing my soup when Vladimir walked by with a bottle of Amaretto, which was obviously requested by another table. "Where are you going with that?" I lustily inquired. Without skipping a beat, he poured some into my soup bowl and moved on. How can you not love that?

Staff Members Double as Comedians Aboard Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise   Photo by Victor Block

In the afternoon, we could choose to go back to town or have a massage? Okay. A massage it was. Then, we enjoyed the Learning and Discovery experience onboard, a lifelong learning feature and philosophy Grand Circle takes very seriously. This lecture was a discussion of Eastern European traditions and cultures from our four Program Directors, who hail from neighboring countries – Stefan – Romania; Igor – Slovakia; Jirka – Czech Republic; and Milan, Serbia.

The Four Musketeers, or court jesters, depending upon your loving point of view, explained their local costumes and then proceeded to present their holidays, weddings, or religious celebrations in their own very entertaining styles. Not much is taken seriously on board.

The Four Memorable Program Directors on Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise   Photo by Fyllis Hockman

Entertainment Aboard Grand Circle's Danube River Cruise Combines Both Learning and Laughter

Ah, the night-time entertainment – corny, yes; more fun. I usually avoid karaoke but here, it's just another excuse to laugh yourself silly. Rather than a contest to judge the best singers, it instead – intended or not – became an exercise in which group sounded the most hilariously awful.

And the crew talent show? Okay, so maybe it looked like a bunch of 10-year-olds in their first school production. Suffice it to say that when the kitchen staff did Swan Lake, it was downhill from there, prompting the ship's captain to implore, "Whatever happens on board, stays on board!" And then there were the horse races. Don't even ask. Let's say that it involved a lot of shots….

And when we weren't laughing, we were learning something. "Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain," conducted by our Four Musketeers, revealed personal experiences from their teenage years and how their families were impacted by the Soviet domination of their countries until the end of Communism there in 1989.

We heard tales of homes confiscated, fortunes lost, food rationed, travel prohibited, spies in communities, and labor camps. Their schoolbooks were the same as had been used for generations, and they didn't discover until later how much misinformation they contained. Again – eye-opening.

A talk from a Budapest accountant regaled us with a tale of how he once saw a needy family on the sidewalk, stopped to help, and saved six thousand refugees with an organization of volunteers he compiled over the next two years until stopped by the very hostile Hungarian government. I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. Grand Circle does not shy away from controversy.

When, at the trip's end, we were told we had to be out of our stateroom by 8 a.m. because another tour was coming aboard, the communal reaction seemed to be: WHAT? Other people in OUR cabins? With OUR crew? It seemed so wrong – but it sure says a lot about how Grand Circle makes its clients feel.

For more information, visit https://www.gct.com/trips/river-cruises/europe/romantic-blue-danube-budapest-to-prague/2021/itineraries?icid=global:itineraries:europe-by-river-cruise:edr.

(The Ageless Traveler gets no compensation from Grand Circle Tours. However, our writers may receive benefits from the companies they mention.)