Blue Danube Discovery - Cruise Only

Embark your ship for your unforgettable Blue Danube Discovery cruise.

Bratislava, the "Coronation City of Kings," hosted the crowning of 11 Hungarian monarchs between 1536 and 1830, a rich history you can explore on a walking tour. Alternatively, savor local flavors on a "Tastes of Slovakia" tour or hike to Bratislava Castle for panoramic city views.

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems. Your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a guided bike ride for a more active exploration of the area. Enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city in the afternoon at your own pace. 

After reaching the Wachau Valley in the morning, you can choose three excursions in Durnstein. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the luminous blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower, before enjoying a wine tasting in a local cellar. Visit a local boutique and be treated to the region’s finest apricot products. Alternatively, for a beautiful view of the Wachau Valley, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. After your morning excursions, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Upon reaching Melk, tour the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey or take a guided bike ride through Melk.

For those who love The Sound of Music, disembark in Linz and set off on a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. Those who remain on board will enjoy a scenic morning sailing to the medieval city of Passau. Join a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided hike to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress overlooking Passau or a guided bike tour along the Inn River.

*Passau tours not available with full-day Salzburg

Explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage, and pretzels; or bike to Walhalla, where you can see the neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Explore the medieval city center with a tour showcasing the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall, Albrecht Dürer’s home, and Market Square with its legendary fountain. Or you can take a guided tour of the city’s WWII history, including a visit to the infamous Zeppelin Field, a museum built on the site of former Nazi rallies and the site of the Nuremberg Trials when not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremberg Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer), and Lebkuchen (gingerbread).

Bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home.