ITTN’s Louise Ducrocq had the incredible opportunity to sail the Danube from Budapest to Vienna on Riviera’s MS William Wordsworth ship, alongside a lively crew of Irish travel trade members – Annette Hynes from Fahy Travel, Michelle Phelan from Barter’s Travelnet, Caroline O’Toole from JWT TRAVEL, Carol Anne O’Neill from Worldchoice and Niall McDonnell from Killiney Travel.
We started off strong sailing off from what I believe to be one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals – Budapest. Even though the sky was gray, there is nothing quite like sailing past the Hungarian Parliament from the MS’s best viewpoint – the top deck. While around sixty UK and Ireland travel trade members were shaking hands, catching up with their fellow agents and talking shop already, I couldn’t take my eyes off that breath-taking monument. What a way to start this trip.
One of the many wonderful things about the MS William Wordsworth is that, whichever point in the journey you find yourself on, you are surrounded by beauty. The entirety of the ship is bathed in Rococo-esque décor, with its 88 cabins designed in the sleekest, cleanest design. 68 of those have French balconies, with 6 Superior Suites and 4 Deluxe Balcony Suites. I was so impressed by how spacious and user-friendly my Ruby Deck cabin was. The attention to detail struck me most – you couldn’t run out of closet space if you tried, while everything else is built and arranged to make your stay more enjoyable.
After enjoying an elaborate afternoon tea in the lounge, some of us attended some 1-2-1 meetings and other various networking encounters, while others went to their cabins to unpack and unwind. While I was getting ready for the night, I witnessed the most beautiful sunset of my life and tried to capture it best as I could. The clear blue sky was slowly brushed with pink and orange hues, reflecting on the glassy river. Looking through this immense French balcony, it was as if the sunset and I were sharing a quiet, perfect moment, far from the rest of the world. It was a powerful experience.
We all met back at 6 and enjoyed Espresso Martinis, German beer, Cabernet Sauvignon or champagne in the lounge, before going down to one of their 2 restaurant venues for the exclusive Gala Dinner. As the black-tie dress code suggested, attendees pulled out all the stops and looked dashing. Along a gastronomic 4-course menu, specially crafted for the occasion, we got to enjoy Austrian wines before going back up to the lounge for some dancing!
I had been told Riviera’s food was of the highest standard, and I was not disappointed. All throughout the trip, breakfast, lunch and dinner were wonderful moments. Among the many dishes I was lucky to try, I got to enjoy Angus beef carpaccio and Tafelspitz – a tasty Austrian stew – all paired with Austrian wines. On top of that, the service was immaculate. As all-inclusive experiences go, you can quite literally get any drink you desire, before, during and after your meal. The wonderful crew will certainly remember the French girl who ordered an unusual amount of Bloody Mary’s.
The entertainment, live music and DJ-ing, courtesy of Nathan Turner, was always on point. From Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, Nathan can do it all and will always cater his performance to make sure there is something in his set for everyone.
On the second day of the trip, we woke up in Osobný Port, Bratislava. After a delicious breakfast, where multiple buffet and à la carte options were available, we got to brainstorm with Phil Hullah, Riviera CEO, and other cruise and travel professionals around a Business Presentation. Later on, two local guides toured Bratislava with us in coach buses, telling us all about their very own « Beverly Hills », iconic architecture and historical timeline. We then promptly arrived to the UFO Restaurant. Have you ever had lunch in the sky? I can now proudly say, I have feasted on Angus fillet 85 meters above the ground. The UFO Tower restaurant experience was incredible through and through. While some of us were claiming the food was up to Michelin-star level, we were all admiring the 360 panoramic view of the Slovakian capital, enjoying unique wine pairings with a truffle-filled gravy to enjoy the most tender meat pieces. With exquisite beef and gravy, we didn’t feel too far from home.
Heading back to the boat, most of us were able to catch up with additional 1-2-1 meetings and networking opportunities, before getting ready for a wonderful night full of surprises… After enjoying drinks and a lovely dinner, Annette Taylor, Cruise Director, surprised attendees with an Austrian string quartet. For over an hour, we got to witness a live performance of Mozart, Vivaldi and modern pieces. That one hour flew by, completed by a beautifully spontaneous standing ovation. We jumped straight into Nathan Turner’s groovy 60s’ renditions, which were the perfect transition from reveling in classical music to getting us up on our feet to boogie on down – pardon my French. As we realized we were sailing through a lock, some of us ran to the Upper Deck to witness that engineering wonder. That was another surprise which, despite being unplanned, made the evening even more special.
That lovely evening was the perfect end to a wonderful journey. Those two days were packed with amazement and connection. I feel so incredibly grateful to have been able to experience Riviera’s standards. This trip was promising attendees a VIP Experience, and through the crew’s amazing service, care an energy, the sheer beauty and convenience of the ship, the elaborate cuisine and and the city tours, I truly felt like a Very Important Guest (VIG doesn’t have quite the same ring…). I am so looking forward to my next cruise, holding Riviera close to my heart, wherever I end up!
