Hi, I’m Andy Webster, the Tour Manager for Harmony Voyages. My job is truly incredible, I have the privilege of exploring breathtaking destinations onboard beautiful ships, surrounded by wonderful people! The job comes with its challenges and the days can be long, but the satisfaction that comes from ensuring everything goes smoothly and seeing everyone enjoying themselves makes it all worth it. Join me as I take you through my day-by-day account of a week behind the scenes on our Danube River Cruise as Harmony Voyages Tour Manager.
Day 1: Budapest, Hungary
From around 10am there was a steady trickle of guests arriving, many of whom had spend the previous night in Budapest. Since the cabins weren’t ready until the afternoon, they left their luggage and spent time exploring the fabulous city of Budapest. 4pm is the official check in time and this was conducted with military precision. The Harmony Voyages coach arrived ahead of time and I greeted the weary travellers as they came on board. The first official part of the cruise is the safety briefing lead by the ship’s Cruise Director, Alina. Afterwards, it’s my turn to officially welcome everyone on behalf of Harmony Voyages. Each evening, we listen to Alina’s port talk, where she outlines the happenings of the next day.
As this was a night at leisure with no organised music, the ship took us on a breathtaking illuminated tour of Budapest. After a day of travel, guests retired to their cabins for a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Budapest – Esztergom, Hungary
This morning, there was a city tour of Budapest excursion, so I made sure I was on hand to wave them off with the tour guides.
The ship departed after lunch following another excursion, which we picked up later during a brief stop at Esztergom. It was a leisurely afternoon for most, tea at 4pm, cocktail hour at 6pm accompanied by the ship’s musical duo, and the daily port talk at 7pm followed by dinner.
The evening’s highlight was our first concert of the cruise performed by the legendary Fairport Convention, and what a concert it was. An extraordinary performance and a unique experience for fans seeing their heroes in a very intimate setting, it really was a special atmosphere.
Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia
We sailed gently through the night. These river ships just glide along with minimal movement which is lovely. We awoke docked in the city of Bratislava.
Following breakfast there was a city tour of Bratislava, and many set off to enjoy it. I tend to stay on board for the mornings, reviewing the day’s plan with the Cruise Director, addressing any questions, or chatting to our guests around the ship.
After lunch another group left for an excursion at The Imperial palace at Hoff, I waved them off then went ashore to explore the sights of Bratislava. What an incredible city! Fabulous architecture and rich history. There are some brilliant sculptures around the city, including those of Hans Christian Anderson, scenes from a Grimm fairy-tale, a man at work and various gargoyles. It was really hot so I was forced to have an ice cream….
Once everyone was back on board cocktail hour commenced with entertainment from the ship’s musical duo, followed by dinner. The concert tonight was performed by Anthony John Clarke, it was outstanding. It was at times hilarious, moving and constantly very clever.
Day 4: Vienna, Austria
The ship had again cruised through the night, and we awoke docked just outside the wonderful city of Vienna. After another fantastic breakfast I joined a walking tour around the city. I think it’s important in my role as tour manager to take part in occasional excursions, as it’s a great opportunity to talk to our guests and get to know them better. It also gives them the chance to discuss any issues, or just have a nice chat. The tour was brilliant, although slightly worrying at times, as four or five tour groups overlapped, and I thought I’d lost all our guests! But I needn’t have worried, we all stayed together. I joined some guests for a nice coffee on St Stephen’s Square, well they had coffee, I had the most wonderful Affogato!
This evening there was an excursion to “The Sound of Vienna”, a classical concert featuring the music of Johann Strauss and Mozart. On board, following dinner we had a whirlwind of a concert performed by the wonderful Anna Ryder! Brilliant!
Day 5: Durnstein – Emmersdorf, Austria
After breakfast I joined an excursion of the town and its very ancient abbey. It was an excellent tour with a very knowledgeable tour guide, she filled our minds with wonderful tales of Richard the Lion heart and other legends. The group was very lively and much fun was had! I took myself off for the climb up to the ruined castle where Richard the Lion heart had been kept prisoner. The views over the Danube valley were incredible.
We had to be back on the ship for 11.45am as the ship was to sail at 12pm. We sailed through the Wachau valley, a beautiful section of the Danube with forests, castles and terraced vineyards.
We arrived at Emmersdorf at 3pm and an excursion left to visit the gothic Melk Abbey. I stayed on board to attend to a few matters, and also joined in a music session (yes I had a Uke with me) which had sprung up in the Amadeus Club at the stern of the ship. I later left the ship with some guests and walked into the tiny sleepy village for a stroll. Again, it was good to chat to people and listen to their thoughts on the cruise so far. We had some liquid refreshment then returned to the ship. Following the port talk it was time for yet more food and the evening was rounded off by another incredible set from the cruise headline band Fairport Convention, featuring a 5-minute hilarious stand-up comedy performance from Ric!
Day 6: Linz – Passau, Germany
By morning the ship had docked in Linz. After yet another excellent breakfast two excursions were ready to leave, a full day excursion to Salzburg and a walking tour around Linz.
After lunch the ship moved on and cruised the very scenic Schlogener Donaueschingen loops. A stretch of the Danube filled with vineyards and castles and the famous S-loop which was named “A natural wonder of upper Austria”…fantastic! Again, I spent time talking to our guests on board, everyone was having an amazing time. We arrived in Passau and it was great to join a walking tour of the city and mingle with our happy travellers!
After dinner there was a very special concert given by Fairport Convention with special guest Anna Ryder. This was a concert featuring Fairport Convention songs, sung by guests on the cruise, accompanied by the band themselves! You could tell what a one-off incredible moment it was for those lucky enough to sing, a really very special night.
Day 7: Regensburg, Germany
We awoke in Rebensburg for breakfast, then soon after we had the very important disembarkation briefing. This is so important for everyone to attend as they find out which baggage labels to put on which cases and what time they must be out of their cabins. Possibly most importantly though, what time their coaches will be leaving for the airport!
After this some guests left for a walking tour around Regensburg, however I stayed on board as there were list to do, the complete reverse of embarkation day! The banners need to come down, as do the flags and we need to start clearing down as much as possible ready for a swift disembarkation in the morning. After lunch there was an excursion to Thurn and Taxis castle and on to a beer tasting. I joined this with a lot of passengers, and it really was a great afternoon. It finished with us all tasting some very excellent Bavarian beer by the river.
Back on the ship it was time for me to say my thankyou’s to the crew, performers and most importantly our paying guests. The ship’s Cruise Director introduced the crew who march around the lounge to the great applause of all those on board. The gala dinner was superb and is finished off by the grand entrance of the incredible Baked Alaska! A real spectacle.
To round off a wonderful evening we had a very fun quiz in the lounge and Anna Ryder put on a lovely acoustic performance in the Amadeus Club.
Disembarkation Day
This is always a sad day, but one full of complicated logistics! All luggage is taken from the cabins at 8am and sorted into different piles. Cabin bills must be paid, and hundreds of goodbyes said. There are three coach departures, so the right people and the right luggage must be put on the right coaches. Taxis have to be ordered for those who made their own way and all the sound and lighting equipment must be taken off the ship and onto the trailer and van. Phew!
At 10.20am I said my goodbyes to the ship’s crew and boarded the final coach to the airport!
A wonderful cruise, so many memories made for so many happy people, mission accomplished!
