Cruise Day 1 - Passau, Germany

Today, the rain finally caught up with us.

Our bus departed Zürich Airport right on time at 8:30 AM and transported us to Passau, Germany, where our river cruise began. The ride itself was uneventful—smooth and comfortable, but with limited views thanks to the rain. Many passengers were dozing, others getting acquainted with their fellow travelers. And even though the bus had Internet, hardly anyone used their electronic devices. We made just one rest stop and a quick lunch break, arriving in just under six hours.

Funny, the restrooms at the rest stop were payable (75 cents), but if you purchase something at the shop or food court, they reimburse you 50 cents 😅.

We’re a group of eight among 71 passengers on board - most are 55+ like us. The Excellence Empress is a sleek, modern river cruise ship launched in 2020. It can accommodate up to 178 guests in 89 cabins, with a crew of 46 attending to our needs.

Once on board, we were welcomed with a champagne toast, followed by the captain’s greeting and safety briefing. Then came dinner. In my case, I started with spicy beef tartar, followed by sea bass with vegetables and couscous. Everything was delicious, and the service was top-notch. The ice cream dessert was an excellent finish.

There are two musicians & singers on board for our entertainment 🎼.

Tonight, the Excellence Empress will cruise toward Linz, Austria, with arrival expected around 1:30 AM.

Unfortunately, tomorrow’s forecast shows a full day of rain. Let’s see what it brings.Read more