Danube Cabin Selection Question

[sippican]

Any advantage to being on port or starboard side during cruising or docking (we are traveling downstream towards Budapest)?

I have read the ships dock next to a busy road in both Vienna and Budapest. Is there any consistency as to which side of the ship is next to the dock, or is it entirely by captain's choice?

[beverlyjack]

In general river boats dock with their bow facing into the current, or upstream. This makes for easier maneuvering and less tension on the lines and vibration through the ship. This is regardless of direction of travel. In some areas with less current the ship may dock either way. In Vienna this means that the ships are generally docked with their port(left) side to the dock. In Budapest some ships dock on each side of the river, but they would all generally be pointed upstream. In some cases facing the dock is a disadvantage, particularly on the lower deck, as you may be below the dock level, but usually ships tie up side by side, so anyone could have obstructed views. Their is not much traffic along the docks in Vienna.

[momzcruzing]

We are just off a Viking Danube cruise. We cruised the same itinerary with another Viking ship. So everyother port we were closest to the dock. And maybe had a view of a busy street. The other ports the other ship got that view and we had a view directly into the cabin on the other ship.

 

The ships are docked, together, touching each other. You walk through one ship to get ashore.

 

So I can't imagine that cabin choice would matter, at least I couldn't figure it out. :p

[sippican]

Thank you for the input regarding docking.

How about while cruising? Is either side "more scenic"?

 

Sorry for the double post seems like there was a delay so I posted again.:o

[beverlyjack]

While cruising, there will be stretches of river where each side is the more desirable, but on the more scenic stretches you will probably be on the sun deck or in the lounge to be able to see both sides. You spend relatively little time in your cabin, except sleeping, even if you have a balcony. On a river cruise, you will quickly strike up friendships and the cabins are too small to entertain in. We have been on six river cruises and never found the side to make any significant difference while cruising.