BACK TO PASSAU AND HOME

25th - 26th Jun 2025

Another grand 'schloß' on the way back to Passau

Following on from the Linz visit, and the final night on board, we were treated to a 'Farewell Briefing' and a 'Captain's Cocktail and Crew Presentation'. I show these photos, more for my benefit 'pour memoire', which are of (most) of the the ship's crew. Some were still on duty thankfully. I believe there were 51 altogether. It was a decent cocktail.

Left: The Navigation Crew and Deckhands.

Right: The Cabin staff.

Left: The Admin/Reception team.

Right: The Bar staff and Waiters.

Left: The Kitchen staff. (Slop Jockeys we called them in a less grand previous existence).

Right: The 'Skipper' Tom giving his quite amusing farewell speech.

Left: Two of my dining companions, Anne and David. They were most amusing company.

Following this was the 'Gala Dinner'. Many of the more experienced 'cruisers' had brought smart/elegant clothes for this. Not me, of course.

Below: The Gala Dinner' menu. Click on and you may be able to enlarge and read it. It was rather sumptuous and served in style.

Right: The waiters put on a bit of a show.

Left: A sparkling presentation!

This was followed by a 'Gala Dance' evening in the lounge with the talented duo, Stefan and Lyuba, providing the music. In true Bar Fly tradition, I'm afraid I only spectated.

At some point we must have set sail because on waking we had arrived back in Passau. Breakfast, then another briefing for departure. All most efficiently done with buses allocated to take some to the railway station and those (like me) who were flying, to Munich Airport.

Well that is about it....and the flight back to London Heathrow was relatively painless and on time. I hope that series of 'blogs' has given you some idea of this 'luxury' cruise and was certainly not something I am accustomed to! I think I will be back to my rough and ready cheapo travels in future.

'ENDEX'