Embark on an 8-day Danube River cruise from Munich to Budapest aboard Emerald Luna. Start in Passau with a visit to a Bavarian farm or a countryside hike. Explore Cesky Krumlov’s preserved medieval center, tour Melk Abbey, and sail through the Wachau Valley with options to hike or bike. See Vienna’s historic streets and Ringstrasse, or bike along the Danube. Continue to Bratislava for a castle hike or walking tour of its compact old town. In Budapest, visit the UNESCO-listed city center, explore the Grand Market, or hike Gellert Hill for a view of the Danube and Buda Castle. Cultural programs include local Slovak entertainment and Hungarian folklore on board, offering insight into regional traditions. Disembark in Budapest after breakfast.
Highlights
Visit a Bavarian farm to learn about rural daily life
Explore Cesky Krumlov’s medieval streets and castle with a guide
Walk through historic Melk Abbey and see rare manuscripts
Explore Budapest’s Grand Market and UNESCO-listed medieval old quarter
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Munich and meet an Emerald Cruises representative for a transfer to the Star-Ship in Passau. Board the ship, meet the captain and crew, and have dinner with other guests on board.
Please book your flight to arrive into Munich prior to 02:00 PM.
Visit a local Bavarian farm to learn about daily life and sample homemade food, or choose a hike that passes sights such as Mariahilf and St. Severin, an old church from the Ottonian period.
Today, you visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Ceský Krumlov. This quaint Czech town has one of the best-preserved ancient centers in Europe, with more than three hundred protected medieval buildings and an iconic castle complex. Enjoy a guided tour of the area, including the 15th-century St. Vitus’ Church and a series of delightful Gothic façades, each taking you back to the Middle Ages.
Relax as you cruise down the Danube River early this morning, passing some of the world’s finest wine-producing vineyards.
Later, you’ll arrive in Melk, an Austrian town nestled along the Danube River. On today’s included tour, you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the gold-leaf halls of 11th-century Melk Abbey, a vast monastery that is home to rare medieval manuscripts. Afterwards, enjoy sailing through Austria’s spectacular Wachau Valley to Weissenkirchen. Alternatively, remain in Melk and take a guided bike tour to Weissenkirchen, traversing a route that reveals a different perspective on the region’s esteemed viticulture. Take the chance to join a guided hike in the afternoon through the vineyards and soak in the spirit of the Wachaus valley nature.
Discover the classical charms of Vienna today. A guided walk through the heart of the city highlights its imperial grandeur, showcasing the best cafés and artisan studios along the way. A drive around the Ringstrasse introduces you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center.
Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour along the serene trails on the Danube Island.
Enjoy a short but tranquil sailing between Vienna and Bratislava, marvelling at the everchanging scenery of the Danube. This afternoon, enjoy a guided hike to Bratislava Castle – its silhouette looks as though it has been pulled from the pages of a fairy tale. Alternatively, explore the city’s historic architecture on an included guided tour, where everything is in walking distance, including the ornate exterior of the Slovak National Theatre.
Included Excursion:
Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldPLUS:
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
Welcome to Budapest, where an amazing end to a fantastic trip awaits. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center. Your guide teaches you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene while touring the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.
If you’re feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike to Gellert Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand and are best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.
Included Excursion:
Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
EmeraldPLUS:
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
EmeraldACTIVE:
Hike to Gellert Hill
Day 8: Budapest | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of apricot orchards and ancient Roman cities with you.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions for further information.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,5902-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Emerald Stateroom E
An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months.
Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalize your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising.
Dimensions: 162ft2
Emerald Stateroom D
An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months.
Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalize your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising.
Dimensions: 162ft2
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite C
Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas.
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite B
Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas.
Dimensions: 180ft2
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite A
Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas.
Dimensions: 180ft2
Grand Balcony Suite (SA)
Staying in the Emerald Grand Balcony Suite makes waking up and going to sleep a dream. Open your balcony, with the simple press of a button, to let in the river breeze on a lazy morning, as the unrivaled comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, dressed with luxurious linens, encourages you to lie in that little bit longer.
Dimensions: 210ft2
Owners One-Bedroom Suite
Some of the most sumptuous suites on European waterways, our Owners One-Bedroom Suite has it all. A separate lounge and bedroom area allows the luxury of space, from which to enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, a drink from your fully stocked minibar, or after-dinner sweet treats before bed.
Your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed will be draped in high-quality linens, for the perfect night’s sleep, plus you’ll have the pleasure of selecting your preferred pillow from our extensive menu. Get comfortable for the night after a busy day exploring, and prepare for the next as you unwind with a film on your flat-screen TV and infotainment system in true comfort.
Dimensions: 315ft2
Emerald Single Stateroom - Single Occupancy Only
We make solo travel easy and comfortable as all of our Star-Ships, except Emerald Radiance, boast two Emerald Single Staterooms. Home to a deluxe single bed, a bathroom with a shower, indulgent toiletries, and a hairdryer, you’ll have all the comforts you need at your fingertips. Your picture window welcomes in a lovely amount of light and individual climate control ensures you can keep at a comfortable temperature regardless of which season you’re traveling in.
Dimensions: 117ft2
Notes
Single accommodations are available on some tours for an additional single supplement rate. Contact us for details of pricing and availability.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
