Uniworld River Princess – Embarkation in Giurgiu, Romania

Uniworld River Princess – Embarkation in Giurgiu, Romania

Around 3 p.m. it was time for our group to return to the motorcoach for the 90-minute drive from Bucharest, into the countryside and onwards to the port town of Giurgiu (on the Danube in southern Romania) where we would join Uniworld River Princess.

As soon as we stepped onboard River Princess we were warmly welcomed by the European crew, uniformly queued in the reception area. Once we had handed over our passports to the receptionist (required to be left with the ship’s manager for the duration of this cruise due to regulations of the countries we would visit) one of the crew escorted us to our cabin, home for the next 12 nights.

Note: We did not have to provide our credit card to the receptionist at the point of checking-in. With almost everything being included in the cruise price (including wine and beer with lunch and dinner, most shore excursions, free WIFI) any extras that guests incur are billed only towards the end of the trip.

We now had time to explore the ship, do laundry (free self-serve guest laundry), have a drink at the bar, partake in Tea Time in the lounge, or just relax until the 6 p.m. Welcome and Safety Briefing.

Immediately following the safety briefing by 1st Captain, Stefan Ivanov, the wonderful Hotel Manager, Silvia Sobotova, gave an overview of the ship’s amenities and provided services.

Note: The front desk receptionists will mail post cards for guests and charge them to your onboard account – We love that service!

Charming, witty and incredibly knowledgeable Cruise Manager Heiner Schmidt, gave a short port talk about what to expect if we wanted to join the included excursion to Varna and the Black Sea the next day. Heiner also made it perfectly clear to all guests that anyone that considered themselves to be “gentle walkers” should just let him know in advance of any excursions, and he would arrange for them to be in a group that would proceed at a slower pace and with less walking – What a great service!

Did You Know?… Giurgiu:

• Is the capital city of Giurgiu County in Romania
• Sits on the left bank of the Danube facing Ruse in Bulgaria
• Has a population of approximately 55,000
• Is in an area of lowlands
• Was founded on the site of a Roman settlement by Genoese merchants, who named it San Giorgio
• Is the site of the Giurgiu-Ruse Friendship Bridge
• Be sure to try the breaded carp at one of the local restaurants

We were also introduced to the ship’s Doctor – for the duration of our cruise there would be a Doctor (from Romania) on board. This is typical on this stretch of the Danube River due to the remoteness of the areas we were visiting.

Note: A consultation fee (Euro 50) for a Doctor’s appointment also included any prescribed medications.

At 7 p.m. it was time for our first dinner onboard River Princess, which included a starter, soup, main course, dessert, cheese plate, beer, wine, coffee and tea.

As we were finishing our meal, Executive Chef Torsten Muller, made his way between the tables in the restaurant and asked passengers how their first dinner was – Delicious!

After dinner the few that were still awake and functioning joined the ship’s musician, Freddy, in the lounge for dance music. Following such a busy day, there weren’t too many passengers up for dancing the night away.

If You Go:

• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Radisson Blu Bucharest Hotel

Continue Reading WAVEJourney’s Uniworld Eastern Europe Explorer River Cruise Review:

Cruise Overview | Bucharest | Peles Castle | Bran Castle | Bucharest City Tour | Uniworld River Princess | Giurgiu: Embarkation | Rousse to Varna & the Black Sea | Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi | Captain’s Welcome Gala | Vidin, Belogradchik & Baba Vida Fortress | Iron Gates | Donji Milanovac | Viminacium Archaeological Site | Sava River | Belgrade City Tour | Deck Dining | Vukovar & Osijek | Cruising the Danube to Budapest | Budapest City Tour | Budapest Parliament Building Guided Tour | Gabcikovo Hydroelectric Dam and Lock | Bratislava City Tour | Captain’s Farewell Dinner | Vienna City Tour |

Notes: WAVEJourney travelled from Bucharest to Vienna as guests of Uniworld River Cruise Collection from July 25 to August 8, 2012.