The M/S River Aria welcomes a new generation aboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing joy light up the face of a child—and that is exactly what the crew of the M/S River Aria experienced on November 24, 2009, when they welcomed 89 kindergarteners from three schools and a local orphanage aboard.

A private nonprofit institution, the orphanage is located in the small village of Kocurice, Slovakia. The three kindergartens located within the complex are supported by Grand Circle Foundation. In the spirit of the Foundation's commitment to community service, the staff of the company's regional office in Bratislava, Slovakia, organized the event to, as Roman Cangar, Grand Circle's Area Manager, European Rivers, puts it, "create a beautiful experience for all the children."

The event began at around 9:30 a.m., as the children
boarded the M/S River Aria, one of Grand Circle's fleet of private river ships, and were greeted personally by the ship's captain, Manolache Ambrose. Following a safety demonstration—during which the children were thrilled by their bright-orange life vests with whistles attached—the ship set sail on the Danube.

Against a passing background of villages and castle ruins, the children enjoyed a snack of orange juice and a variety of activities, from face painting and folding sailor hats to a game of musical chairs. Next, the youngsters were taken on a tour of the ship, encompassing the cabins, the fitness area, the dining room, and other public areas. A highlight proved to be the wheelhouse, where the captain demonstrated the ship's control instruments. "But where's the wheel?" was the most frequent question from his wide-eyed audience,
according to Roman.

Still wearing their orange life vests (and blowing on the attached whistles), the ship's young guests returned to the dining room, where the ship's chef, Michal Zamborsky, had prepared a special feast according to the guidelines previously provided by the principals of the three participating kindergarten classes. "All the kids were amazed by the food, as well as the service in the dining room," Roman reports. "Of course the most appreciated was the dessert of creme brulee—with a 'smile' on top!"

As lunch concluded, so did the children's cruise—but not
the surprises. As each child disembarked, he or she was given a grab bag containing a painting book, a hat, a "Kindersurprize" egg, an inflatable ball, and other gifts, as well as a certificate signed by the captain commemorating their voyage aboard the M/S River Aria. And, as "a cherry on top of the cake," as Roman puts it, each child was also given a cone filled with delicious chocolate mousse.

Grand Circle staff and crew ended the day satisfied that they had provided the children with an enjoyable experience they would not soon forget. "Their happy smiles were clear evidence of it," Roman says.