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Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary

Melodies of the Danube - Cruise Only

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard MS Amastella
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Travel on the beautiful Danube through four European countries on an exciting 8-day river cruise. Begin your adventure in Budapest aboard the MS Amastella, continuing on to Bratislava and Vienna, the romantic birthplace of the waltz. Cruise through the scenic wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley, visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and explore charming medieval towns.
Beautiful BratislavaEvening in Vienna, AustriaSaint Stephens Cathedral in ViennaVisit charming PassauFisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
Highlights
  • Savor the Baroque elegance and hospitality of romantic Vienna
  • Cruise through the gorgeous Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Join guided bike tours along the Danube River in multiple ports of call
  • Enjoy Oktoberfest celebrations with local beer, Bavarian music & dancing
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive In Budapest, Hungary | Embark

Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. Tonight, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise past the capital’s glittering river front. 

Wine-themed Cruise:
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow passengers at an evening Welcome Aboard Wine Toast.

Day 2: Budapest, Hungary

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. See famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and spectacular views of the Danube.

Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia | Vienna, Austria

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Enjoy a walking tour of the city’s top sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Later, have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, experience a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a rustic wine tavern outside the city, where you can enjoy a glass of newly pressed, locally grown wine and Austrian music and hospitality. 

Wine-themed Cruise:
This morning, savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sights like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. After dinner enjoy an excursion to a rustic wine tavern to listen to folk music and sample newly pressed locally grown wine. 

Day 4: Vienna OR Krems, Austria

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, have a chance to savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sights like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. This afternoon, you can join a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery, or explore at your leisure. Be sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries. 

Wine-themed Cruise:
Spend a free morning in Vienna before enjoying a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley en route to Krems, wine capital of this region. During your scenic cruise you are treated to an onboard wine lecture and tasting. Later this evening, discover that Krems offers a rich array of wine-related history and culture. After a light buffet dinner on board, head to a Wachau winery for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The ship overnights in Krems. 

Day 5: Weissenkirchen | Emmersdorf | Grein, Austria

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After reaching the Wachau Valley early this morning, choose between three tour options: a walking tour along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets followed by a wine tasting, a hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom, or an apricots and sweets tasting. Return to the ship and continue onwards, cruising through the gorgeous scenery of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See jewel-encrusted crosses containing religious relics, frescoes and richly embroidered vestments, as well as the abbey’s priceless collection of medieval manuscripts. Tonight the ship arrives in Grein, where you may enjoy some free time to explore this charming town.

Day 6: Linz, Austria

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The ship arrives this morning in Linz. Enjoy a walking tour of the second largest city in Austria or choose a guided bike tour that shows you around the Old City Center, along the Danube River, and past the ultra-modern Ars Electronica Center. Later, choose between three different excursions. The first option is an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you can take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by "The Sound of Music.” The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third option is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region. All three options are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, savor a fabulous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner complete with wine pairing.

Day 7: Passau | Vilshofen, Germany

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and squares like Rathaus, Domplatz, and Residenzplatz, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube from Passau to Erlau, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau. This afternoon, the ship cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen. Here, enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing.

Day 8: Vilshofen, Germany | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen.

Ship/Hotel

MS Amastella

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,899
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Cat. E
Violin & Cello Deck French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.D
Piano Deck Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat.CB
Violin Deck French Balcony, 155 sq. ft.
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Cat.CA
Violin & Cello Deck French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.BB
Cello Deck French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.BA
Violin Deck French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.AB
Cello Deck French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Cat.AA
Violin Deck French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.

Notes

Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Bottled water replenished daily
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Beverages: Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
  • Beverages: Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Personal headset for excursions. 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Laundry 
  • Port Fees

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