Emerald Star Sets Sail Along the Danube
Emerald Waterways’ new Emerald Star docked in Budapest, as seen from the Hungarian Parliament. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders
I awoke just before seven this morning aboard Emerald Waterways’ Emerald Star,fully recovered from the lingering jetlag of last night. The verdict on the bed in my Panorama Balcony Suite: between the comfortable mattress, the soft pillows and the inviting European duvets, it’s one of the most comfortable I’ve slept in on a river cruise ship.
A breakfast buffet was served in the Reflections Restaurant from 0700 to 0900. Light breakfast is also served in the Horizon Lounge beginning at 0600. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders
Emerald Waterways offers two different types of breakfast service: a light breakfast in the Horizon Lounge, and a full breakfast in the Reflections Restaurant on Deck 2. I chose to have the full breakfast, and I wasn’t disappointed in the offerings, which include a variety of fruits, vegetables and hot dishes. To drink, you can enjoy juices, teas and coffee – all within view of the Danube outside the massive windows that line both port and starboard sides of the room.
Emerald Star’s Reflections Restaurant. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders
Today, Emerald Waterways was offering a bus tour of Budapest, interspersed with some opportunities to walk and enjoy some free time. I’ll be honest: I don’t like bus tours. When I am in a place, I want to get out and explore on-foot. But, that’s part of the reason river cruising is so fantastic; even our Cruise Director Daniela said that guests were under no obligation to participate in the tours.
You can also get coffee and tea in the Pool Area aft on Deck 3. The Swimming Pool opens daily at 0800. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders
Instead, I took the opportunity to finish yesterday’s blog this morning in the Horizon Lounge. I was even able to enjoy a freshly-made Cafe Late and read the daily news – delivered each morning to the Lounge – while I waited for the photographs to upload. It was so relaxing and enjoyable, I may make a habit of it!
Afterwards, I set out on my very own walking tour of Budapest.
Departing the Emerald Star on my own walking tour of Budapest. There’s an interesting contrast between our ship, the cars, and the classically-styled Parliament in the background. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders
First, I made my way from our berth at Batthyany 1 on the Buda side of Budapest to the emerald-green Liberty Bridge, or Szabadság híd in Hungarian. Built between 1894 and 1896, it was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, who placed
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