Mozart is the only European riverboat to offer an indoor pool.
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Perhaps the biggest surprise for passengers on Peter Deilmann Cruises’ Mozart is that they will be able to put their swimsuits to good use. Indeed, many of the passengers I spoke with on a September sailing along the Danube were astonished to learn that the five-star river cruiser offered a welcoming, watery retreat situated indoors on Deck Two at the front of the ship.
Mozart’s indoor pool, the only one of its kind in Europe, may not necessarily be a key selling point for travel agents but the fact that Mozart is wide enough to accommodate an indoor pool is. The extra width allows for larger staterooms and the addition of super-sized public spaces, including an expansive panoramic lounge, a large library, a sprawling top sun deck and a spacious Wellness Spa.
The 206-passenger ship is nearly twice as wide as other river vessels, and its cabins are among the largest. Standards measure 203 square feet and Mozart’s two suites each offer 406 square feet.
The ship also has three inside cabins, which are a good choice for families because each has three beds, as do the two suites. In addition, some cabins have connecting doors, another option for friends and families traveling together.
Though it is not the newest ship in Peter Deilmann Cruises’ fleet, the Mozart, which entered service in 1987, continues to undergo annual refurbishments and updates that bring it up to current standards while also freshening the classic look of the interiors. The decor throughout the ship is in gold and rose with rosewood paneling. Original art gives an air of understated elegance rather than glitz.
The Don Giovanni Deck is the heart of the ship’s public activities. At one end is the formal dining room, its picture windows providing a constant backdrop and its tables beautifully set with linens and flowers. A boutique, offering gifts, clothing and sundries, operates in the center hall.
The paneled library, with books, newspapers — including USA Today and the International Herald Tribune — and magazines in multiple languages, invites passengers to linger in leather club chairs. Internet access, at $2.80 for 15 minutes, is available when the ship is in port.
The long, rosewood Don Giovanni Bar at the end of the cafe leads into the lounge where afternoon tea, the captain’s receptions, evening entertainment and dancing take place. No smoking is allowed in the cabins or public spaces, although guests can light up on the outer decks.
Every bit as important as the ship’s amenities is the onboard atmosphere that the Mozart staff cultivates, welcoming guests by name and personalizing service wherever possible. With one crewmember for every 2.5 guests, the ship specializes in attentive service.
The European crew is multilingual, and announcements, shore excursions, menus, maps and destination guides are all offered in German and English. The presence of European passengers (typically about half of the passengers are North Americans) lends a continental air to the ship.
Cuisine is international and menus frequently mirror local and regional specialties along the Danube. Single seating is the rule except in Vienna, where earlier seating is scheduled for those who want to spend the evening in the city. Attire is casual except on formal evenings, which require a suit or a dress.
For the languid yet luxurious pace of river cruises, it’s difficult to imagine a ship that would be a better choice for cruising past the Danube’s storied villages and cultured capitals.
www.deilmann-cruises.com
