Seven day Passau to Passau cruise onboard the 'Mozart' Recently enjoyed by Lisa Parnell, Holiday Dialysis Co-ordinator, to be continued... 
Ramona and Sandra were outstanding, knowledgable about all matters cruise Ramona remembered everyones name too!
Setting off from Heathrow’s new terminal 5 was ‘relatively’ stress free as I had checked in using the BA online service before departing. I’m a bit of a worrier when it comes to being on time so we travelled down the night before and stayed in the Thistle hotel as it included parking for the week at a very reasonable rate. The hotel accommodation was really quite good and the location of the hotel was only minutes from the airport which made for a very short hop by bus in the morning. We arrived in Munich midday and met up with seven of my clients (who became friends before we even boarded) at the airport for the very scenic trip to Passau to board the ship.
Mozart’s typical seven-night sailing routine is a roundtrip from Passau, a lovely Bavarian village that should not be missed (photo’s to follow). Depending on the time you arrive, it is certainly worth taking a walk following embarkation, around and into town whilst you’re on the doorstep but note that most shops will be closed on the Sunday that you arrive in — and depart from — Passau. Highlights are St. Stephan’s Cathedral where you will find the world’s largest cathedral organ and the town itself with ornate architecture and embellishments.
It may come as quite a surprise to passengers on Peter Deilmann Cruises’ Mozart to learn that they have to opportunity to put their swimsuits to use. Many of the passengers sailing along the Danube on our cruise were astonished to learn that the five-star river cruiser was equipped with a pool with possibly the best view in Europe, thanks to its location right at the very front of the ship
The Mozart is the only river cruise vessel with such a luxury, due mainly to the fact that she is one of the few ships on the Danube wide enough to accommodate one. Mozart’s extra width allows for larger staterooms and the addition of enormous public spaces, including a breathtaking panoramic lounge, library, a sprawling top sun deck and a spacious Wellness Spa.
The 206-passenger ship is nearly twice as wide as other river vessels. Its cabins are among the largest to be found on a river vessel. Standard cabins measure 203 square feet; Mozart’s two suites measure 406 square feet each.
Peter Deilmann know how to lay out a table, having enjoyed Queens Grill on the QEII this dining experience was on a parr
Some cabins are configured as twins, others with a queen-size bed. All are beautifully appointed and feature built-in wardrobe space, colour TV, mini bar, dressing table, sofa, coffee table, shower and toilet, telephone, audio entertainment centre and large picture windows.
Bathrooms are large and equipped with a built-in hairdryer and the most sumptous bath robes.
Bedding features a European-style duvet with feather pillows and eiderdowns (synthetic materials available upon request). With two double hanging closets and several drawers plus a cabinet of shelves, passengers will find ample room for their clothes.
Mozart also has three inside cabins, which are a good choice for families because they each have three beds, as do the two suites. Also some cabins have connecting doors, another option for friends and families travelling together.
Classic and Continental
Though it is not the newest ship in Peter Deilmann Cruises’ fleet, the Mozart, which entered service in 1987, continues to undergo annual refurbishments and updates that bring it up to current standards while also freshening the classic look of the interiors. The décor throughout the ship is in gold and rose with rosewood panelling. Original art gives an air of understated elegance rather than glitz.
The Don Giovanni Deck is the heart of the ship’s public activities. At one end is the formal dining room, its picture windows providing a constant backdrop and its tables beautifully set with linens and flowers. A boutique, offering gifts, clothing and sundries, operates in the centre hall.
The panelled library, with books, newspapers and magazines in multiple languages, invites passengers to linger in leather club chairs.
With 30 years of dialysis at sea, the Renal team are (without doubt) the most experienced unit at sea Dialysis Onboard...
The fully equipped onboard dialysis unit in the forward section of Mozart was a relaxed haven of tranquillity. With 30 years experience at sea our renal specialist has sailed the world providing haemodialysis, and is without doubt the most senior and experienced renal specialist afloat. His nursing team includes Petra Englen (above) who qualified as a nephrology specialist at the University Hospital Freiburg and when not supporting the Doctor, is a renal specialist in her own right at one of Freiburg’s premier private dialysis hospitals (not to mention her constant smile and Canadian accent)! We took a tour around the renal units ‘back office’, making full use of the latest technology integrated, for the technically minded... two stage reverse osmosis water filtration together with a plethora of other filtration and process equipment (all duplicated) the system is operated at small percentage of its capacity in order to provide a stable and consistent environment. A member of the team you may not have considered is a specialist engineer responsible for overseeing the technical side of operations. Whilst we were onboard he was busily carrying out software upgrades to the Fresenius dialysis equipment. The Doctor was reassuringly adamant in regard to providing the very highest standards in every aspect of the onboard treatment. After lunch, or to fit in around any shore excursions the team worked with quiet efficiency setting up the units equipment for action. Beds all neatly laid out and equipment primed everybody is soon relaxing in electric fully adjustable beds watching what must be the best view from any dialysis units window, the beautiful scenery along the Danube floating by. I mention the above as I often speak to clients who are a little anxious about their first dialysis session away from their unit, after chatting with our fellow travellers to get an insight on their treatment, the response was unanimous that they were all extreemly impressed, especially by the professionalism of the nursing team, I’m sure the coffee and cake had nothing to do with their enthusiasm. Several of our travellers mentioned they were conscious of their holiday dialysis might be a little restrictive for their partners and families however onboard everyone could quite happily get on with their own thing as the dialysis was an almost seamless affair and just a short walk down the corridor from their cabin. Back to the Ship... The long rosewood Don Giovanni Bar at the end of the cafe leads into the lounge where afternoon tea, the captain’s receptions, evening entertainment and dancing take place. No smoking is allowed in the cabins or public spaces, although guests can light up on the outer decks.
The upstairs sun deck is a delightful place to be when the weather is agreeable. Wind breakers and a stack of warm blankets help when it is not.
Personal and Plentiful
Every bit as important as the ship’s amenities is the on-board atmosphere that the Deilmann staff cultivates, welcoming guests by name and personalising service wherever possible. With one crew member for every 2.5 guests, the ship specialises in attentive service.
“We try to get to know the names of our guests,” says Ramona Kurcsics, the ship’s hotel manager. “To be able to give such a personal level of service is the reason we’re all here.” True to her word within minutes of being onboard myself and partner were addressed by name, I had occasion to request the stateroom number of a fellow traveller and this was immediately quoted without reference!
The European crew is multi-lingual, and announcements, shore excursions, menus, maps and destination guides are all offered in German and English. The presence of European passengers (typically about half of the passengers are North Americans) lends a Continental flavour to the onboard experience.
Peter Deilmann prides itself on lavish menus with international cuisine. Executive Chef Oliver Pilarczyk and his team prepare menus that frequently mirror local and regional specialties along the Danube.
Almost daily, Pilarczyk makes trips to the local markets to pick up fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. “It’s important for us to get the best quality European foods,” he says.
On one morning of each cruise, Bavarian Morning Pint is offered. It falls between breakfast and lunch. On the menu, free beer, brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad, pretzels, music and more.
The typical day’s schedule includes a lavish breakfast buffet, four-course hot lunch plus a salad, cheese and cold-cuts buffet, multi-course dinners, and tea times that feature local treats such as apple strudel and Viennese pastries.
Slowly, smoothly and almost silently watching the villages and Castles on the edge of the Danube drift by was almost surreal For those who want to indulge without guilt, the promenade is always available for brisk walks or jogging – six times around equals one mile. There are two cross trainers at back of ship; water aerobics are scheduled each morning; massages are available by appointment.
For relaxing, there is a sauna, and lounge chairs are beyond the pool, facing a panoramic window wall. A physician is always onboard and there is an infirmary. Mozart also offers haemodialysis onboard various cruises during the year.
The dress is consistently casual, although formal evenings will require a suit or a dress. There is no self-service laundry, but a laundry service is offered.
For entertainment, a pianist keeps the mood lively during afternoon tea, and a trio plays each evening and during cocktail hour. When the ship visits culture capitals such as Vienna and Budapest, many passengers partake of the opera or the ballet, to name just a couple of the options. Whilst I was onboard the evening entertainment included a lively assortment ranging from a female vocalist who sings with the Vienna choir to a gypsey band featuring a violinist that could almost make his instrument sing! I'll fill in some more detail when I get a chance to go through all the menus etc... If I get around to unpacking this week!
Complimentary shore excursions are available at each port of call, where available.
Monday, on my cruise, Mozart called on Durnstein (explore the village on your own), and Vienna, where I joined a tour of the city.
Mozart overnights in Vienna, which allows guests to see concerts or enjoy the Viennese nightlife, then proceeds overnight to Esztergom, the former Hungarian capital, before continuing on to Budapest, where Mozart once again overnights.
The next morning, Mozart calls on Bratislava, departing mid-afternoon to arrive late evening in Vienna for a 90-minute stop before proceeding overnight to Melk, home to the spectacular Benedictine Abbey.
Excursion options include city tours in most ports, but passengers who want to go off on their own can get city maps and advice from the ship. “There are so many things you can do on your own in the city,” says Ramona Kurcsics, excursions manager. “We explain how easy it is to get around, with the underground in Vienna (only a five-minute walk from where the ship docks), for instance.”
We paid six euros for a half carafe (two glasses) of exceptional wines, produced in the Wachau Valley where we were cruising.
For the languid yet luxurious pace of river cruises, it’s difficult to imagine a ship that would be a better choice for cruising past the Danube’s storied villages and cultured capitals. 
First class cuisine, breathtaking locations, five star service and sumptuous surroundings made for possibly my best cruise experience, More to follow shortly... |
Travel Journal
