Megan and Wendy are setting sail on a journey through Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway, now streaming exclusively on Hallmark+. Hold on tight—there are secrets swirling below deck! Join them as they cruise through their favorite moments, debate why it’s time to dock the royal storylines, and share which characters they’d love to see take center stage in a romantic adventure.

Email us your review at girlsgonehallmark@gmail.com or let's talk about it in the Girls Gone Hallmark Facebook Group!

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About Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway - (Hallmark+, 2024)

See even more here about the Love on the Danube collection of movies!

Norma Bailey directed Royal Getaway. Norma has 65 directing credits, including two episodes of The Way Home for Hallmark. Her additional directing credits include: Superman and Lois, Spinning Out, Anne with an E, Reign, and Outlander.

Aubrey Day wrote the script for Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway. Aubrey has two writing credits. His second credit is The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango.

Dan Jeannotte stars as Joe. In addition to his role as Ryan/"Pinstripe" on The Bold Type, he has appeared in nine Hallmark movies, plus The Good Witch series, for a total of 43 acting credits. He will appear in All I Need for Christmas this Countdown to Christmas season. He also appeared on the series Reign, a series for which Norma Bailey directed a couple of episodes.

Jessica Sipos plays Ava. Jessica has 25 acting credits, which include 38 episodes of Chesapeake Shores, Betty’s Bad Luck in Love, and a role in Soccer Mom Madam, which also stars Girls Gone Hallmark fave: Matty Finochio.

Catherine Disher, Mark Holden, and Katherine Drysdale all return in their roles as Betty, Captain Magnusson, and Teddy, respectively.

Steven Pacey plays butler/valet Reynolds. This is Steven’s first appearance on Hallmark. His past roles include House of the Dragon, Return to House on Haunted Hill, and the TV series adaptation of The Flatshare.

Chay Faraday Browne plays Tobias. Chay has 7 acting credits, including the series Right Swipe and The Surveyor.

Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway was filmed on location in Budapest.

Our Thoughts on Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway

What We Liked

Dynamic Duo:We enjoyed the chemistry between Dan Jeanotte (Joe) and Jessica Sipos (Ava). Dan consistently brings charm to his roles, and Jessica's energy was palpable. Their interactions felt genuine, contributing to the movie’s overall emotional appeal.

Supporting Cast:Catherine Disher's presence was a definite plus. She’s the kind of character you’d want on your cruise — exuding wisdom and charm. Moreover, her scenes with Steven Pacey's Reynolds hinted at a compelling subplot that we wish had more screen time.

Scenic Locations:The movie’s on-location shoots were visually stunning. Budapest’s beautiful landmarks and the vibrant European backdrops significantly elevated the movie. Visually, it felt more genuine and less reliant on the cliché Hallmark sets.

Animated Intro:The custom animated intro for the movie was a delightful touch. It added a unique flavor and set a charming tone before delving into the story.

What We Wished For

Plot Predictability:While enjoyable, the movie followed the well-worn Hallmark formula a bit too closely, making it painfully predictable at times. The fake royal trope is getting tiresome, and we long for some fresh storylines in future films.

More Cruise Content:For a movie centered around a cruise, there was surprisingly little "boat stuff." We hoped for more scenes showing the cruise experience, which felt sidelined in favor of land-based storytelling.

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