danube cruise october 2023

• What's Included
• Ports of Call
• Unsurpassed Luxury
• All Inclusive
• Culinary Excellence
• Curated Experiences
• All-Inclusive Drinks
• Pre-night Hotel
• Pricing & Availablility
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

ENCHANTING DANUBE

Oct 22 - 29, 2023.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the regal Maria Theresa
• Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water
• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• Transfers from the hotel to the ship and from the ship to the airport are included. *Transfers from the airport to the hotel are not included.
• All gratuities, both onboard and onshore
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Shore excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
• Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

SAILING ITINERARY

• Date 10/22/2023 Port Passau (Embark) Arrive - Depart Overnight
• Date 10/23/2023 Port Passau Arrive - Depart 3:00 PM
• Date 10/23/2023 Port Linz Arrive 12:00AM Depart Overnight
• Date 10/24/2023 Port Linz (Salzburg) Arrive - Depart 11:00 PM
• Date 10/25/2023 Port Melk Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 12:30 PM
• Date 10/25/2023 Port Dürnstein Arrive 2:30 PM Depart 11:00 PM
• Date 10/26/2023 Port Vienna Arrive 4:00 AM Depart Overnight
• Date 10/27/2023 Port Vienna Arrive - Depart 1:00 PM
• Date 10/27/2023 Port Bratislava Arrive 5:00 PM Depart 8:00 PM
• Date 10/28/2023 Port Budapest Arrive 9:00 AM Depart Overnight
• Date 10/29/2023 Port Budapest (Disembark) Arrive - Depart  

MARIA THERESA

One of Europe's most beloved and longest reigning monarchs, the great Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa, was so extraordinary that we built an entire Super Ship in her honor. Named "Best New River Ship" by Cruise Critic editors her maiden season, the S.S. Maria Theresa features ultra-luxurious accommodations and an array of thoughtful personal touches, ensuring a truly indulgent and unforgettable voyage along the Danube and Main Rivers.

$3,399.00*   Per Person | Bavarian Deck

Stateroom Area: 162 sq. ft.

*Taxes, fees & port expenses are an additional $200.00 per person. Prices are per person in (USD)

French Balcony

$3,999.00*   Per Person | Schonbrunn Deck

Stateroom Area: 194 sq. ft.

Deluxe Balcony

$4,499.00*   Per Person | Hofburg Deck

Suite: 305 sq. ft.

Suite: 410 sq. ft.

DAY TO DAY WITH INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

Passau day 1, passau day 2, linz (salzburg) day 3, melk, durnstein day 4, vienna day 5, vienna, bratislava day 6, budapest day 7, budapest day 8.

Flying Dutchmen Travel - 1095 Hilltop Drive, #612, Redding, CA 96003 | CST 20569170-40 | 707-546-1212 | 800-248-7471 | [email protected]

© FDT Cruises All Rights Reserved

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Classic Stateroom

$3,399.00*  Per Person | Bavarian Deck

Please note: Staterooms/Suites may vary in size and configuration from that pictured.

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French Balcony Stateroom

$3,999.00* Per Person | Schonbrunn Deck

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Deluxe Balcony Stateroom

$4,499.00*  Per Person | Hofburg Deck

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$5,799.00* Suite - Per Person | Hofburg Deck

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Grand Suite

$7,599.00* Suite - Per Person | Hofburg Deck

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Club Ocean Suite

With a large living room and a separate bedroom—plus your own private veranda—your suite offers a restful retreat after your immersive experiences on land. Enjoy elegant, contemporary décor, and rich marble touches. You’ll be spoiled by the attention to detail in these beautiful suites, and of course, all the pampering too.

$6980* Per Person | Deck 4

Key Features

• Completely refurbished with elegant contemporary décor in 2016
• Spacious living room with a separate master bedroom
• Master bedroom with one queen size bed and a 40” flat-screen television
• 55” flat-screen television in living room
• Marble master bathroom with shower.
• Dressing room with vanity and ample closet space
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in living room and master bedroom
• Spacious 173 sq.ft. (16.1 sq.m.) veranda
• And the same standard features in our Club Veranda staterooms

Inclusive Amenities For All

• Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings® event (on most voyages)
• Select standard spirits, international beers and wines
• Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas
• Self-service laundry
• Shuttle service to and from port communities, where available
• Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations

Suite Amenities

• $300 in Onboard Credit per person
• English butler service
• 240 complimentary Internet minutes per guest
• One free bag of laundry service per suite, each seven days
• Complimentary seating in the specialty restaurants dining
• Priority embarkation and debarkation
• Complimentary in-room spirits
• In-suite afternoon tea service

PASSAU (Embark) Day 1

Arrive at Munich Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. Note: For Arrival, Departure and Transfer details, please visit Uniworld.com/transfers. For Port Location details, please visit Uniworld.com/ports . With over 2,000 years of history and a unique location, Passau is a perfect destination to experience culture and nature side by side. The Celts, Romans, Bavarians – they all left lasting traces. Besides great monuments from the past, Passau offers a unique spectacle of nature: the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. The three rivers unite at the Danube and continue to flow eastwards to the Black Sea. Enthroned above the town, there are the pilgrimage church Mariahilf on the Inn riverside and the 800 years old Fortress Veste Oberhaus on the Danube riverside. The Roman Museum Kastell Boiotro is part of the “Roman Donau Limes” which was declared UNESCO world heritage in 2021

PASSAU Day 2

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one, as three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame—Europe’s largest pipe organ—or “Let’s Go” with an invigorating riverside hike or bike ride. Featured Excursions Choice of: Passau Three Rivers Or: “Let's Go” Bicycle Ride along the Inn River Or: “Let's Go” Hike along the Ilz River In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Excursion - Choice of PASSAU THREE RIVERS

Passau is built upon the meeting point of three rivers: the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Sprawling across the riverbanks, the city has a particularly charming setting, which you’ll get to appreciate on a walking tour of its top sites. After walking around Passau, we’ll drive to a beautiful natural habitat on the Ilz, where you can take a short walk and relax in the scenic environment before reboarding the coach for a trip up to the Kloster Mariahilf to see the three rivers from above.

Excursion - Choice of

“let's go” bicycle ride along the inn river.

The Inn River rises in the Alps, near Innsbruck (hence the name of the famous Swiss ski resort) and flows through three nations (Switzerland, Austria and Germany) on its way to Passau, where it joins the Danube. While the Danube bike path may be Europe’s best-known route for bicyclists, the Inn River bike path, which follows the river from Innsbruck to Passau, has plenty of fans. The route through the Inn River valley outside Passau is an especially attractive stretch, with great views of the lovely countryside, picturesque villages and the sparkling clear river itself. Your guide will make sure you know the local traffic and safety rules before you and your group set out along the partly flat and paved path. You’ll be traveling on both sides of the river, crossing between Germany and Austria as you cross the Inn, and your journey will include a comfort stop before returning to the ship. All in all, it’s an idyllic way to enjoy the scenery and get some exercise at the same time.

“LET'S GO” HIKE ALONG THE ILZ RIVER

Put on your hiking boots, grab a windbreaker and a bottle of water, and head out with a local hiking guide and nature expert to explore the banks of the Ilz River. This small but rushing tributary of the Danube originates deep in the Bavarian Forest, near the Czech border, and is just 40 miles (65 kilometers) long. Its upper stretch is a premier whitewater rafting location, but you’ll be hiking along the lower, serene end of the river. Your starting point is Hals-Hochstein, where you’ll pick up a nature trail that follows a curve of the river and then climbs a steep hill, where you have a great view of the river and woodlands. You will cross the river repeatedly, once by way of a dam and again toward the end of your four-mile (6.5-kilometer) hike, as you loop back to the Hals.

LINZ (SALZBURG) Day 3

Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland. Linz may be best known for its famous Linzer torte, but it’s also a hotbed for the arts. See the sights with a local expert and visit a family at their farm in the countryside. Austria’s third-largest city, Linz boasts a long history of trading and textile manufacturing, but these days it is perhaps best known for its electronic arts and annual festival. Featured Excursions Choice of: Full-Day in Salzburg with Sound of Music Or: Linz town and Country: Linzertorte and Cider Farm Visit (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences)* *Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

FULL-DAY IN SALZBURG WITH SOUND OF MUSIC

Not only is Salzburg famously the shooting location for the 1965 film, The Sound of Music, but it is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Today, we’ll dive into the city’s deep musical heritage with a walking tour through its picturesque squares and baroque architecture. Visit Maria’s church in the nearby town of Mondsee, as well as the Viennese gardens around which she and the children sang “Do Re Mi.” See the house where Mozart was born and take a lift up the Mönschberg mountain for an excellent view of the city.

LINZ TOWN AND COUNTRY: LINZERTORTE AND CIDER FARM VISIT

Get to know Linz on foot with a local expert who will take you by all the major sites in town, from Mozart’s apartment to the old Jesuit Cathedral. You’ll stop for a bite at Konditorei Jindrak, home of the Original Linzer Torte. Enjoy a cup of coffee alongside this thin, buttery pastry made with ground nuts, filled with fruit preserves and topped with a lattice crust. Next, the group will split in two, each half heading out to a countryside cider farm. There, you’ll be treated to a lunch of local specialties and house-made cider—an excellent way to immerse yourself in rural Austrian life and scenery, while also supporting local farmers. Both farms are entirely organic and give special care to the quality of the ingredients they produce, from the careful cultivation of their bountiful orchards to the livestock they keep in large grazing pastures. This type of farming produces less waste and—as you’ll see during your lunch there—better food. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

MELK, DÜRNSTEIN Day 4

This morning, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinary baroque-style library. Later, you will head to Dürnstein, one of our favorite towns along the Danube, a lovely place to wander cobblestone lanes, browse quaint shops and maybe hike up to a ruined castle (with an intriguing tale all its own). You can also opt for a tasting or learn all about the world’s costliest spice from the Wachau Valley’s only saffron grower. You have two ports of call in the incredibly scenic valley, Dürnstein and Melk, and an assortment of delightful ways to explore this lovely region. Featured Excursions Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey with Library Visit Choice of Dürnstein Wine Estate Visit with Tasting (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences)* Or: Dürnstein Village and Saffron Workshop (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences)*

Featured Excursion

Melk abbey with library visit.

The Babenbergs, a great medieval ducal family that controlled a wide swath of Austria before yielding to the Habsburgs, were the first to erect a castle on the hill above Melk, which they subsequently gave to Benedictine monks. These monks, some 900 years ago, turned it into a fortified abbey—and the greatest center of learning in Central Europe. Their library was celebrated far and wide (and still is; Umberto Eco paid tribute to it in his best-selling novel The Name of the Rose). Medieval monks there created more than 1,200 manuscripts, sometimes spending an entire lifetime hand-lettering a single volume. Today the library contains some 100,000 volumes, among them more than 80,000 works printed before 1800. This beautiful complex, completely redone in the early 18th century, is a wonderful example of baroque art and architecture, and the views from its terrace are spectacular. As you walk through the abbey’s Marble Hall with your guide, look up at the ceiling fresco painted by Paul Troger: Those classical gods and goddesses represent Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, allegorically bringing his people from dark to light and demonstrating the link he claimed to the original Roman Empire. After your tour of the abbey, you’ll have time to explore Melk on your own, or you can take the motorcoach back to the ship.

DÜRNSTEIN WINE ESTATE VISIT WITH TASTING

There’s no better way to conclude your visit to the Wachau Valley than with a special tasting of organic wines at Nikolaihof, perhaps the oldest winery in Austria. The location itself is fascinating: One may encounter remnants of the first buildings on the site—an ancient Roman fort—and taste wines in a deconsecrated 15th-century chapel. Owned by the Saahs family, Nikolaihof produces some of the world’s best Riesling and Veltliner varietals; in fact, the 1995 Riesling Vinothek, bottled in 2012, actually scored 100 points in The Wine Advocate, the first Austrian wine ever to rank that highly. It is also one of the first wineries in the world to produce biodynamically certified wines. No herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, or synthetic sprays are used in the vineyards. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented without artificial yeast and stored in Austrian oak casks for up to 20 years. After your visit, discover Dürnstein on a stroll through town before returning to the ship. Considering its diminutive size, the village of Dürnstein offers much to explore. The famous blue baroque tower of the abbey church is doubtless its best-known landmark, but the ruined castle above the town provides its most romantic tale. There Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned until he was found by his faithful bard, Blondel, and ransom could be raised—or so the legend goes. Walk along the town’s narrow streets, past 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century houses; it’s an up-close look at over 300 years of architecture. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

DÜRNSTEIN VILLAGE AND SAFFRON WORKSHOP

Educate your taste buds with flavorful delicacies as you taste red-wine-and-saffron chocolate and saffron-seasoned jams, vinegars and honey. Crusaders planted the first saffron crocuses in the Wachau Valley at the end of the 12th century, making saffron a valued crop for 700 years—but it disappeared from the terraced hillsides early in the 20th century. It wasn’t until 2007 that an ecologist found mention of it in an 18th-century document at Melk Abbey’s celebrated library. Bernard Kaar, who spent years researching the history of saffron and still more years cultivating the world’s only biodynamically certified saffron, is one of the Wachau’s most important producers. Meet Bernard and his wife, Alexandra, for a fascinating introduction to saffron—the plant, the spice, its cultural significance and their farm’s uniquely sustainable methods of producing it. Later walk along the town’s narrow streets, past 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century houses; it’s an up-close look at over 300 years of architecture. Considering its diminutive size, the village of Dürnstein offers much to explore. The famous blue baroque tower of the abbey church is doubtless its best-known landmark, but the ruined castle above the town provides its most romantic tale. There Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned until he was found by his faithful bard, Blondel, and ransom could be raised—or so the legend goes. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

VIENNA Day 5

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the “City of Waltzes” with your choice of tours, as well as an expertly led tour of an extraordinary collection of art at the renowned Vienna Art History Museum. Featured Excursions Featured Excursions: “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum Night Out: Private Mozart and Strauss Concert Choice of Vienna - Imperial City Highlights Or: Vienna's Music and Composers You have leisure time after your tour to explore Vienna on your own. You might wish to visit the Albertina Museum, which houses one million old-master prints and an impressive collection of works by 19th- and 20th-century painters, ranging from Renoir to Rothko. If you’d like to get a little exercise and see a completely different side of Vienna, borrow a bike from the ship and explore Danube Island and Prater Park. (For a wonderful view of the region, ride the Ferris wheel in Prater Park.)

“MORNING WITH THE MASTERS” AT THE VIENNA ART HISTORY MUSEUM

The Habsburgs assembled an astonishing collection of artistic treasures over the centuries, which formed the basis for the works now on display at the Vienna Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches). The doors open early especially for you as you join an art historian for a tour of some of the masterpieces gathered here: View a unique group of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Vermeer’s Allegory of Painting, Raphael’s Madonna in the Meadow, and portraits by Rembrandt, Velazquez, Rubens, Titian, Tintoretto and Van Eyck, among others, in the Picture Gallery. Then move onto the Kunstkammer galleries, where you can see Benvenuto Cellini’s legendary salt cellar (the only gold sculpture he created that has survived to the present day) and hear its remarkable story. Your tour ends in the magnificent Cupola Hall, perhaps the architectural highlight of the splendid building.

NIGHT OUT: PRIVATE MOZART AND STRAUSS CONCERT

Vienna is linked inextricably with music, as so many great composers lived and worked here: Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, Mahler, Brahms—the list is as long as it is glorious. Enjoy an evening of chamber music performed by some of Vienna’s world-class professionals in a historic and intimate concert venue.

VIENNA - IMPERIAL CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Ring Street, the great horseshoe-shaped boulevard lined with many of the city’s major landmarks—Parliament, City Hall, the Vienna State Opera, glorious palaces and museums—is a mere 150 years old, practically an infant for a city of Vienna’s age. It replaced the walls and fortifications that had protected the city for centuries. Its construction was a testament to confidence, forward-thinking and grand urban planning, and it resulted in a 50-year building spree. You’ll pass most of these opulent landmarks on your way to the older section of the city, the area the walls once enclosed. Later, you’ll walk along Kärntner Street, the celebrated pedestrian boulevard that links the State Opera with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, past the elegant shops on the Graben and the Kohlmarkt. The neighborhood offers a lively combination of historic architecture, street performances, shoppers’ delights and true Viennese atmosphere.

VIENNA'S MUSIC AND COMPOSERS

Take a walk through Vienna’s musical history, starting with the present-day artists keeping the legacy alive. We’ll first visit the House of Music (Haus der Musik), where you’ll learn about the future of computer music and observe great composers at work. From there, we’ll walk through town towards St. Stephen’s Cathedral, passing the musical theatre. Enter the cathedral to see its musical architecture and a recently discovered altar painting by Albrecht Dürer. Next, we’ll walk to the only surviving residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We’ll stroll around the large Mozarthaus apartment, where he created some of his most famous compositions.

VIENNA, BRATISLAVA Day 6

Your ship sets sail from Vienna and heads for Bratislava today. You may relax onboard all day, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and taking in the scenery as the ship wends its way along the Austrian Danube toward Bratislava. Although it’s not a large city, Bratislava has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries, and it is well worth a visit. Featured Excursions Choice of Bratislava - Small but Precious Walking Tour Or: "Let's Go" Hike to Bratislava Castle Bratislava is known for the “BRATISLAVA PROMENADE”, streets lined with numerous original cafés and with a special atmosphere. It's compact historical centre still has many architectural signs of its royal past - beautiful mansions and family villas of world-famous artists, architects and inventors. Bratislava is surrounded by vineyards producing quality wine that can be tasted at stylish wine bars scattered across the city centre which offer a fantastic culinary experience.

BRATISLAVA - SMALL BUT PRECIOUS WALKING TOUR

Walk through the loveliest part of Bratislava with your local guide. Starting on the Danube promenade, you’ll cross the former Coronation Square, pass the Slovak National Theater and St. Martin’s Cathedral. This Gothic church was built into the medieval city’s fortifications, and 19 Habsburg rulers were crowned inside it, including Empress Maria Theresa. That’s because Bratislava, then known as Pressburg, became the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary after the Ottomans conquered Budapest in 1536, a status it retained until the middle of the 19th-century. Close to the cathedral you’ll find Michael’s Gate, the last remaining portal of the medieval wall—and your entryway into Bratislava’s Old Town, which blends Gothic, baroque and art deco structures with some less graceful reminders of the Communist era. The stately 18th-century Primatial Palace, in the center of Old Town, was the site where the Pressburg peace treaty was signed in 1805, in which Austria ceded a great deal of territory to Napoleon. Another 18th-century palace, Grassalkovich, is now the president of Slovakia’s official residence. Take some time after the tour to browse through the attractive shops in the lovely art deco buildings that line the squares; you can find a wide selection of traditional folk items at the ÚĽUV (Slovak Folk Culture) shop. And you’ll definitely want to sample some of the local delicacies.

"LET'S GO" HIKE TO BRATISLAVA CASTLE

This brilliantly white, enormous square building takes over the skyline of Bratislava, and from its grounds you’ll find incredible views of the city below. After your hike to the castle, you’ll stroll through the most beautiful part of Bratislava with the local guide. You will be introduced to the Capital of Slovakia, seeing sites like the Presidential Palace and the unique bridge colloquially known as UFO Bridge (you’ll understand when you see it). Passing through the historic Old Town, we’ll see the charming House of the Good Shepherd, the pastel tower of the Old Town Hall and statues like Čumil, the sewage worker leaning out of a manhole in the street to smile at passersby.

BUDAPEST Day 7

Budapest is an enchanting city that presents a vibrant mix of medieval and modern. Featured Excursions Choice of Budapest Panoramic Highlights with Franz Liszt Academy Visit Or: Budapest Walk with Local Treats In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. A city in a stunning natural setting with a rich architectural and historical heritage, offering an unmatched combination of culture, fine cuisine and thermal baths. As a spa city, Budapest is more than the sum of its bathing facilities, as it offers a unique blend of Roman, Turkish and European bathing cultures. Budapest is no longer limited to restaurants, outdoor terraces and coffee houses, but rather features a cuisine consisting of a blend of traditional Hungarian flavours and the latest dining trends. Budapest is a melting pot of wide-ranging subcultures making it worth a visit, as it’s a familiar and safe metropolis with a human face that also offers a wealth of novelties, experiences and surprises for open-minded visitors. 

BUDAPEST PANORAMIC HIGHLIGHTS WITH FRANZ LISZT ACADEMY VISIT

Hungary has been home to a great number of accomplished musicians, including the famous Franz Liszt, who established a university for music in Budapest in 1875. To this day, the Franz Liszt Academy is still a world-famous conservatory, with degree programs in classical instruments, singing, conducting and composing. Take a guided tour of the academy today, culminating in an orchestra performance by some of the current students. Next, we’ll embark on a panoramic drive through the historic Castle District, including Heroes’ Square and Andrassy Avenue, stopping off the coach to walk around before returning to the ship.

BUDAPEST WALK WITH LOCAL TREATS

Today your guide will show you how to snack around Budapest like a local, starting with a tram ride to the House of Parliament. Hop off the tram and take a short walk to your first treat: a coffee break at the First Strudel House of Pest. Energized by your cup of coffee, you’ll continue your walk down to St. Stephen’s Basilica—a handsome Neo-Classical building that is one of Budapest’s most significant cultural sites. From there, we’ll head to the Great Market Hall to sample some traditional Hungarian fare, such as salami, sausages and cheese, while your local expert explains the intricacies of Hungarian cuisine.

BUDAPEST (Disembark) Day 8

Disembark the ship and transfer to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Budapest.

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Danube River Cruises

Coursing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea, the Danube is the soul of Central Europe. Join us along these culture-rich banks, whose scenic vineyards, ancient monasteries and elegant cities have inspired travelers for centuries.

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Highlights of danube river cruises.

A Danube River cruise unveils Europe’s rich and dramatic history. Glittering cultural capitals, lush vineyards, magnificent monasteries and endless scenic splendor line the river’s banks. Here are some sample highlights you will see with Viking:

• Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
• Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
• The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
• Vienna’s elegant architecture
• The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
• Scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
• Budapest’s stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
• Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
• Romania’s rural culture and rich folklore
• Belgrade’s impressive Kalemegdan Fortress

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Danube River Cruises

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Danube River Cruises

Our Danube river cruises include wine tasting at private vineyards... visits to medieval towns and riverside castles... and private palace evenings that come alive with music and merriment.

• ITINERARIES
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Welcome to the Danube River

This picturesque "river of kings" carves a winding path through a total of ten modern-day European nations with landscapes characterized by vineyards, forested slopes, wine-producing villages and imposing fortresses that remain a testimony to kingdoms and culture... regal, romantic and ready to welcome Tauck river cruisers.

Tauck exclusive – imperial evening at palais pallavicini, our gala imperial evening at a private palace in vienna.

Built in 1784, the sumptuous Palais Pallavicini is a grand private palace in the heart of Vienna whose magnificent Baroque touches transport you to another time. Join us at the Palais for a gala evening featuring a reception, dinner and classical performances sure to sweep you off your feet... and let you experience firsthand how Europe's cultured classes lived and were entertained centuries ago. And film fans will note that the Palais and its elegant facade served as rogue Harry Lime's postwar Vienna apartment in the Cold War classic "The Third Man."

Bicycling along the Danube

What could be better than a leisurely bicycle ride along the danube.

A leisurely bicycle ride through countryside along the Danube River with your local guide is a perfect way to experience the centuries-old castles and lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley wine-growing region – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. Our river cruises offer numerous opportunities for cycling along Europe's rivers; every Tauck riverboats has bicycles aboard for use by guests ashore.

Passau, Germany

Beautiful, baroque passau, the "city of three rivers".

The charming Bavarian riverside city of Passau – situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers – is the kind of town in which you'll set off on a walking tour with a local guide… and your guide's passion for his or her hometown makes your visit that much more special. Must-sees in this "City of Three Rivers" include the 17th-century Baroque Dom St. Stephan (St. Stephan's Cathedral), with its magnificent pipe organ – the largest in Europe – and the 14th-century Town Hall. Enjoy time on your own exploring Passau's pedestrian walkways through tunnels and archways and along ancient cobblestone streets, to find its wealth of Baroque architecture and beautiful churches, many of which are known for their exquisite stained glass.

Austria's Wachau Valley

The joys of austria's wachau valley along the danube.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes, the Wachau Valley, formed by the Danube River in Austria, invites a leisurely cruise past the lush vineyards of one of the country's premier wine regions… fairy-tale castles… ancient monasteries, like famed Melk Abbey, with its Baroque "facelift" from the 18th-century… and typical, post-card perfect villages like Dürnstein. Take a closer look at its Baroque houses and Romanesque church as you stroll down its one main street… then challenge yourself to an invigorating climb up centuries-old steps to the ruins of hilltop Kuenringerburg Castle, where England's King Richard the Lionhearted was once held for ransom by Austria's Duke Leopold V. The views from up here say all that need to be said about the Wachau Valley…

Hungarian State Opera, Budapest

Enjoy a special tauck visit to budapest's opulent hungarian state opera house.

Andrássy Avenue in the Pest section of Budapest is lined with grandiose public buildings. One of them is the Hungarian State Opera House, commissioned by Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph and opened in 1884; its imposing façade is adorned with statues of great composers like Beethoven, Verdi and Mozart, and Hungarian favorite sons Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt greet you at the main entrance. The Emperor himself only attended one event here, but the imprint of his wife, the Empress Elisabeth (known fondly to her subjects as "Sisi"), a great patron of the arts and of the opera in particular, is all over the place – from the general grandeur of its interiors to the private box in which she attended many performances. If you love opera, this is the place to hear it, enjoying some of the best acoustics in Europe. But even if you don't, its sheer opulence makes it a must-see.

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Featured River, Small Ship and Land Journeys

Inspired by the destination.

For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe's rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to "do the right thing" by our guests... and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.

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Cruising the River Danube

The Danube winds its way through the heart of "Old Europe"… where you'll encounter venerable cities that grew along its banks to became bastions of the Habsburg Empire and, later, today's Europe, like Vienna, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Bratislava and Budapest… and go farther afield to explore such gems as Berlin, Salzburg, Munich, Cesky Krumlov and more…

The blue danube, royal danube, berlin & kraków, blue danube: family riverboat adventure, tauck's river cruise guide, danube river facts.

Learn interesting Danube River facts – from the cities along its banks to its history, art, music, food and more.

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Tauck's European river cruise guide will help you find the right Danube, Rhone, Rhine, Seine or Douro river cruise for you.

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Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising Budapest and beyond

Why, when and how to sail along Europe’s second-longest river, which meanders through the likes of Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest

Its banks are lined with dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and villages, and grand, opulent cities . Take a river cruise down this majestic river and you’ll encounter some of the world’s most stunning countryside, including the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, along with an array of fascinating cultures.

Cruising Europe’s waterways is a great way to see more of the region in a short period of time than you might do by land, and a river cruise can be the ideal introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers.

While ships are smaller than those traversing across oceans, river cruise itineraries often feature big-name guests onboard – as is the case with our seven-night sailing along the Danube , when one of the UK's best-loved historians, Lucy Worsley (pictured below), joins guests on a private visit to Vienna’s Royal Lipizzaner Stables and Spanish Riding School.

What is the best time of year to cruise the Danube River?

The Danube is a year-round destination with the exception of January and February, when few cruise lines operate here. Summer, when the weather is hottest, is peak season and as a result Europe’s cities are particularly crowded. Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October. Good Housekeeping's seven-night itinerary sails in September, when the weather should still be balmy and dry, but the summer hordes have gone home.

Where does a Danube river cruise start and end?

The Danube either flows through or delineates part of the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. Many cruises traverse the stretch between the capital cities of Vienna, Austria and Budapest , Hungary, starting or ending at either location.

Our seven-night Danube river cruise with Lucy Worsley departs from the city of Engelhartszell in Austria before calling at Vienna (pictured below), the pretty town of Esztergom in Hungary and Budapest. You'll then loop back down the river, calling at Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Wachau Valley in Austria before returning to Engelhartszell.

Is a Danube river cruise worth it?

Absolutely! If you love dazzling landscapes, magnificent architecture and fabulous food, a Danube river cruise is hard to beat. Exploring Europe by water requires no internal flights and train rides and eliminates schlepping around with your luggage in tow.

On a river cruise, you can discover multiple destinations – and even get to the heart of them with a guided tour, should you wish – in just one trip, all the while returning to the same luxurious stateroom and comfy bed each night.

What are the best things to do on a Danube river cruise?

One of the highlights of any Danube cruise is the Austrian capital, Vienna, with its musical heritage, imperial palaces, array of art museums, stunning Lipizzaner stallions, and delectable cuisine (a slice of Sachertorte chocolate cake is a must when in town!).

Secondly, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, boasts breath-taking architecture as well as historic thermal baths (pictured above), while Bratislava shouldn’t be overlooked with its lively 18th-century Old Town and impressive reconstructed hilltop castle from which you can look down over it.

Other hotspots along the Danube include the verdant Wachau Valley in Austria, which tumbles down to the riverbanks; and medieval Esztergom, Hungary’s former capital, which is home to the country’s largest church, Esztergom Basilica.

And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. Join us on our seven-night Danube cruise and you’ll sail aboard A-ROSA FLORA, which boasts an onboard spa offering beauty and body treatments, gym, spacious sun deck, heated outdoor pool, outdoor restaurant with canopy top, bar and dancefloor, lounges and plenty of evening fun.

Which cruise lines offer Danube river cruises?

Among the companies offering cruises along the Danube are A-ROSA Cruises , with whom we have partnered to bring you our remarkable river cruise . A-ROSA has 20-plus years of experience in sailing couples, families, groups and solo travellers along some of Europe’s loveliest rivers in laidback style, giving you lots of freedom to explore port stops at your own pace.

How much does it cost to cruise the Danube?

Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week. All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea. Also included is the use of the sauna, gym and top-deck heated swimming pool. You'll also get 15% off treatments in the onboard spa.

Sail the Danube and visit Vienna's famous riding school with Lucy Worsley in September 2024.

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• Pilgrimages
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Danube River Cruise Pilgrimage

People have been asking me to do this for over a decade, I never really even considered leading a river cruise pilgrimage. But after spending a lot of time in Germany and Austria last year, and taking my groups on a few day cruises on the Danube, I decided to offer a pilgrimage to explore Europe from the water!

I’ve hand-crafted all our shore excursions – which are included in the price, of course. We’ll visit the highlights at each stop, including… The Black Madonna of Altötting, Saint Peter’s Cathedral of Regensburg, Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Maria Plain Shrine and its miraculous Virgin with Child, the Lake District, Melk Abbey, a stroll through classy Vienna, Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, and a city tour of Budapest. There will be a beer tasting, a wine tasting, a concert, and some surprises along the way.

Of course this is a pilgrimage, so we will celebrate Mass each day in some of Europe’s most glorious churches.

→ Many of my regular travelers have already signed up, so I know it’s going to be a fun group!

All your dinners are included – as always, with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

Three lunches are included – also with drinks. These lunches are on the ship, but you may decide to stay in town and have lunch on your own.

Your airport transfers are included – from the Munich airport to the hotel and from the ship to the Budapest airport.

All your tips are included.

This is a pilgrimage with The Catholic Traveler, so you know there will be some surprises mixed in as well.

Is this pilgrimage trip for you?

You need to be flexible. This pilgrimage is not for grumpy people or those unable to be joyfully flexible. Europe is fully back to normal, but the world is still a bit uncertain. While I don’t expect any complications, we have be able to adjust our plans if needed.

Plus, we’ll be on a boat, meaning we are at the mercy of the river too.

So if you are easy-going and excited to travel, even with some uncertainties mixed in, this could be the trip for you!

You should be in good physical shape. We will do a lot of walking, much of it outside, and much of it on uneven ground. We can cover up to 5 miles per day. Please do consider this before signing up.

COVID Stuff There are no vaccination or mask requirements in Europe or on the ship.

October 9th: Arrive Munich and transfer to your hotel. Later this afternoon we will meet up for Mass, followed by dinner in a traditional Bavarian Bierhaus. Overnight in Munich.

October 10th: Today we drive to Passau. Along the way we will stop in the village of Altötting. This has been a pilgrimage stop for over 500 years. The main square is surrounded by beautiful churches, the highlight being the oldest shrine in Germany dedicated to Mary – we will celebrate Mass here. After a break for lunch, we will continue on to Passau, where we will board our home for the next seven nights, the Five Star, Amadeus Queen. Tonight we begin our cruise on the Danube. Dinner on the ship.

October 11th: This morning we arrive in Regensburg. We’ll tour the Old Town and visit the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Peter’s. You’ll have some time to explore the town or return to the ship and relax. Dinner on the ship.

October 12th: This morning you’ll wake up just in time for a full day excursion to one of my favorite towns, Salzburg. We will walk the Old Town and stroll, maybe dance, through Mirabell Gardens. After time for lunch, we will head to the hilltop Shrine of Maria Plain, with the long venerated Virgin with Child. From here we will travel through the Lake District to Linz, where we will rejoin the ship for dinner and overnight.

October 13th: We arrive in Emmersdorf and visit the overly Baroque Melk Abbey. We will have Mass here and then head back to the ship for lunch. This afternoon we will have a wine tasting before dinner on the ship.

October 14th: Good morning beautiful Vienna! Today we visit one of Europe’s most glorious cities. We will have Mass, a walking tour, and lunch together in a beautiful restaurant. You’ll have time to explore on your own before a private concert this evening. The ship departs late tonight, so you can stay in town for drinks or head back to the ship to relax.

October 15th: This morning you’ll wake up in a new country, Slovakia! We will celebrate Mass in Bratislava, tour the Old Town, and you’ll have some time to explore on your own. Tonight we set sail for Budapest!

October 16th: This morning we explore two of Hungary’s most popular cities, Buda and Pest. We celebrate Mass before giving you time for lunch. Tonight we have a Folklore show on the ship before dinner.

October 17th: Flights home from Budapest.

We are traveling aboard the Amadeus Queen.

Cabins and Pricing

Because this is a cruise, every cabin is priced for double occupancy, meaning two to a room. If you must have a single room, you will need to pay for the entire cabin – the price of two passengers.

If you are traveling solo and want to share a room, I will match you with other another person traveling solo (of the same sex, of course) and that always works out great.

Please do take extra notice of the size of the cabins when considering sharing.

Mozart Deck – Suites

26.4 square meters with a walk-out balcony.

Located on the same level as the bar, terrace, and pool.

Rooms can be arranged for one bed or two.

Mozart Deck – Staterooms A

17.5 square meters with drop-down panoramic windows.

Strauss Deck – Staterooms B

Located on the same level as the restaurant. Identical to the Staterooms B, just one level below.

Haydn Deck – Staterooms C

16 square meters with panoramic window – window cannot be opened.

Located on the lower level next to the massage room.

Remaining Cabins

Payments and cancellations.

Your $1,000 per person deposit secures your space. Deposit is fully refundable for two weeks to give you time to check out flights and make sure you can get the time away.

Final payment is due August 1st, 2023. Final payment is nonrefundable. I am usually super flexible with refunds on my pilgrimages, but since this one involves chartering a boat, a lot of that is out of my hands. For this reason, I highly recommend trip insurance.

Though trip insurance is not required, it is a wise investment in case something comes up while you are in Europe, or you think you may need to cancel. A “Cancel for Any Reason” plan will let you, well, cancel for ‘most’ any reason. Most plans should allow for at least a 75% refund should you need to cancel at any time before departure. I have a friend who specializes in trip insurance, you can contact him directly, but you are under no obligation to use him and I don’t get any sort of kick backs, so shop around and find what works best for you.

As always, if I need to cancel or postpone the pilgrimage, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.

Included in the price

Accommodations for 8 nights 1 night in Munich and 7 nights on the ship.

Breakfast daily plus 11 additional meals. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water is included in all group meals.

All group ground transportation We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach when not on the ship.

Airport Transfers To keep things simple for you, your airport transfers in Europe are already included, just send me your flight info once booked. – Munich (MUC) to the hotel – From the ship to Budapest (BUD)

Full time service of a local tour guide A local guide will be with us throughout the pilgrimage.

Full time service of a tour director I’ll be with the group at all times.

No hidden costs If we do it as a group, it’s included in the price! You are responsible only for things you do on your own, souvenirs you wish to buy, and Mass donations directly to the churches.

Guaranteed price Unlike most tour companies, once I receive your deposit, your tour price will not go up.

All tips for group meals, guides, and drivers Would you believe that many tour companies require you to tip as you go? Not only does that add to the advertised sticker price of a tour, it’s also a huge hassle to you! No need to worry about that here. Tips are already included.

Entry fees and tours All entry fees and tours to our included group activities.

You time We have a lot planned, but time on your own is important. We take our time in churches to give you the opportunity for prayer and reflection. We also include free time for you to explore, shop, and relax.

Not Included

Your flights Our pilgrimage begins in Munich, Germany. Airport code: MUC You should arrive at MUC no later than early afternoon on October 9th. Our only activities this day will be a late afternoon Mass, followed by dinner.

Our pilgrimage ends in Budapest, Hungary. Airport code: BUD You should depart no earlier than the morning of October 17th. We sleep on the ship in the Budapest port, but official disembarkation is at 9 AM.

Most airlines are offering free changes should anything happen. Some airlines are not offering refunds, but rather a credit.

If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, or if the situation in Europe changes and we need to cancel or postpone the trip, it’s your responsibility to work with your airline to cancel, reschedule, or request refunds.

Click the button to sign up for this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, email me at [email protected] .

Join my email list for travel tips, pilgrimage announcements, and stories from nearly 20 years of leading pilgrimages.

Click here to read the most recent newsletter.

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Danube Cruises in October 2025

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114 danube river cruises in october 2025 with 76 reviews.

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Danube Delights (from Munich to Budapest)

Melodies of the Danube 2025

Melodies of the Danube 2023

The Legendary Danube 2025

Classical Danube Cruise (Budapest - Passau)

We love Amadeus! There is something special, warm and welcoming about this cruise line. We've sailed on multiple other lines and Amadeus is our favorite! Immaculate ships, exceptional crew and delicious food and wines. The chef is very accommodating and tries to cater to every passengers wishes. I can't say anything but positive things about Amadeus! We are about to sail them again in September, 2023 and in April, 2024! Can't wait!

The Legendary Danube with 2 Nights in Prague 2025

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise)

Croisie Europe Douce France Cruise and Staff were excellent (Good choice of excursions, excellent service, delicious food). The Travel Agency Tour Radar was very helpful and fast. The only negative point was that the initial indicated price on the website of Tour Radar, with a discount of 500 EUR was not applied with the Travel Agency, which made the cruise more expensive than announced.

Capital Cities Along the Danube (port-to-port cruise)

Thoroughly enjoyed. Even though we were the only 2 english speaking people on the the tour everyone made an effort and we made good friends.

Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) to Vienna, MS Fidelio

• Walking Adventure

Enchanting Danube (2025) (Passau to Budapest, 2025)

Paris & Splendours of Europe

Romantic Danube 2025

Danube Dreams (Eastbound) 2025

Enchanting Danube (2025) (Budapest to Passau, 2025)

What people love about danube river cruises in october.

We love Amadeus! There is something special, warm and welcoming about this cruise line. We've sailed on multiple other lines and Amadeus is our favorite! Immaculate ships, exceptional crew and delicious food and wines. The chef is very accommodating and tries to cater to every passengers wishes. I can't say anything but positive things about Amadeus! We are about to sail them again in September, 2023 and in April, 2024! Can't wait!

The tour was very good, the crew were excellent, very helpful, approachable and informative and always available. The tours were great and the Danube is wonderful to cruise on. The food was of excellent quality but the fact that there was no choice on the menu was poor and we feel there should have been an earlier sitting for dinner, and lunch could have been a buffet. The accommodation was adequate but the shower was totally inadequate. We enjoyed the cruise

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Danube water levels 2023 and similar topics - plus tips and info

By notamermaid , January 24, 2023 in River Cruising

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notamermaid

Hello everyone,

here is the thread on the Danube for 2023.

We will look again at the weather and most importantly the river levels. Do join us this year with your comments and tips and share your excitement about cruising on this European river that flows through many countries on its long journey East.

Safe travels.

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Share on other sites.

Praying for great water levels on the Danube this year...we may actually be able to cruise, and even if we end up on a bus, I'm sure we will love it.  Just don't want it cancelled again!

I'm scheduled for 2024 but will be interested to follow this one to see how it goes.  I originally selected Early August but now I think I might change it to late June. 

We are due to board AmaMagna in 2 moths, Mar 27th, at Vilshofen, Germany. 2 weeks to Giurgia, Romania.

We'll let you know...

Changed my cruise to June/July so hopefully the heat and river levels will be better.

We are excited to board in Budapest to Passau with Uniworld. Hopefully the water levels will cooperate.  thank you notametermaid for all your posts. 

26 minutes ago, vino100 said: thank you notametermaid for all your posts. 

My pleasure. Have a fantastic time on the river. Coming up: a first look at the water levels, meaning January 2023.

What was January at Pfelling like? Here is the gauge:

The month started at a level well above the mean and then went down. The middle of January saw much rain and a small peak is visible in the graph but the level did not return to the previous high. Although it has been raining (and snowing) since then it has not been substantial enough to keep the level up. The temperatures are too cold for much snow melt - and frost is what we want to see in January. A standard month overall I would say. But a bit more precipitation in the higher regions of Bavaria would be good now.

Let us start the tips in this thread this year with a snow scene, the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle in white surrounded by white rocks: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/jan/26/bavaria-walking-holiday-hiking-germany-south

It is my preferred season for photos of the Schloss. A quieter time I expect, too. One of the most visited sights in Germany it can get a bit busy...

Now, the castle is quite a distance from the Danube but offered as an excursion pre- or post-cruise with some river cruise lines.

Is it worth the detour or add-on? In my opinion, yes! Far from being old, the building is still a masterpiece of one man's dream castle and the mountains are nice to look at, too.

@notamermaid I love that castle.  One of my favorite.  I remember pushing my daughter in her stroller while prego with my son.  By the time we got up there I thought I was going in labor.  I would love to see it again one day.

Let us stay in Germany and pre- or post-cruise, I know many of you are interested in Nuremberg and certain infamous and trying times, or the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Here is a tip for you that came to me as it is an anniversary, the 80th anniversary of the arrest of Sophie Scholl. It is quite present in the news in Germany right now. The young woman studied in Munich so if you want to see this, there is a memorial to her. I think this article explains it well: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/sophie-scholl-and-white-rose

It was turned into a film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426578/

• 2 weeks later...

Fasching! Let us stay a bit longer in Munich and have a look at a tradition that will take place on Shrove Tuesday. It is the Dance of the Market Women: https://www.iamexpat.de/lifestyle/expat-events-festivals/dance-market-women

Fasching (Carnival) starts on 11 November but street carnival with parades and other activities really gets going today, which is Weiberfastnacht or "fat Thursday".

Apparently the biggest parade in Bavaria takes place in Würzburg on Sunday.

Canal archive

In the U.K. it’s pancake day some! Race down the road tossing pancakes from a frying pan. For me it’s making pancakes for DH the only day of the year I make them, wish me luck, or maybe it should be him.

• 3 weeks later...

It is March and time to look at how the Danube in Bavaria has been doing. Here is the graph for Pfelling:

The month started with a good level and before it could fall to low, rainfall saw the river react with a sharp rise to figures way above the mean but not yet substantial flooding. The decline followed promptly but the Danube at Pfelling has stayed at a pleasant level since. The month finished at around 340cm which is not as high as one may expect at this time of year but it is good enough to look promising for the first river cruise sailings, meaning the level is stable. Flooding in Germany or Austria? Nowhere to be seen and not predicted to come for a few days. Tuesday will be a rainy day all over the valley in Germany so the river should react to that, perhaps with more than just a tiny rise?

LibertyBella

Thanks so much for the update!  Our Danube cruise departs the end of March, and I specifically chose the Spring season to avoid the lower water levels that often occur in the Summer.  

I did hear this has not been the best year for snowfall for ski resorts in the Alps, so the melting snow may not help the rivers as much.

Please continue to share your important and useful information. DANKE!!

I will be cruising onboard the Amadeus Silver iii on the 6th April from Passau to Budapest and back to Passau. We will be calling in at Emmerdorf, Durnstein, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislavia and Linz. Hopefully the water levels will allow safe navigation as my previous cruise on the Amadeus Silver iii on the Main had to be amended due to low water levels on the Rhine and the Danube.

2 hours ago, braemar12 said: Passau to Budapest and back to Passau.

That should be fine, definitely in (mild) low water as you are not going into the stretch from Straubing to Vilshofen. There is of course a risk of flooding which does not look too likely right now. But April is a long way away yet for the weather conditions and river levels. As a side note for river cruisers: during official flooding the authorities stop river traffic (in Germany) so no chance of company or captain doing anything about that. I am not familiar with the other countries' regulations. When the river rises a notorious bridge in Passau can stop your ship from sailing, passage may be difficult to impossible before there is an actual ban on traffic.

I have not heard of Emmersdorf as a port before, it appears it will be used on your Amadeus itinerary for access to Melk and its magnificent abbey. Went there on my cruise at the beginning of April 2013. Amazing place. I enjoyed almost everything about my Passau return cruise, I did more or less your itinerary. The company I went with is defunct, but the MS Belvedere stills sail on the Danube and sometimes the Main. Passau return trip is typical with German river cruise companies. One of the great things was seeing winter turn into early spring within that week. Falling asleep in a deck chair wrapped in a blanket in early spring sunshine one afternoon. Bliss.

Have a great cruise.

It is cold in Germany, but we have a weather situation you may not expect, although it is not that uncommon an occurrence. While the West and North are cold, Southern Bavaria actually sees little snow compared to the rest of Germany and Munich's temperatures are set to rise possibly into the double digits. After snow and much rain, this warmer weather will get to other regions of Germany, too. And we can expect the Danube to rise quite a bit, the forecast for the upper Danube before Ingolstadt is already showing this.

I mentioned Ingolstadt in my last post. This town, administratively classified as a city, is in Bavaria, the region is Oberbayern. Before the Danube becomes an international waterway it has already run through Germany for 500km. Ingolstadt is one of several towns along that stretch. It is somewhat a pity that river cruisers hardly ever get to see anything of the "young" Danube. Would people be interested in exploring the region I wonder? You could actually fly into Basel or Stuttgart and take a coach to the Danube. However, all exploration would have to be on land as there is no boat with an engine allowed on the Danube up to Kelheim. With a tiny exception. But that is for another time. This is Ingolstadt as described in an English brochure: https://newcityplatform.de/wp-content/uploads/ingolstadt-tourismus-historic-city-tour-online.pdf

Quite a bit to see. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, ring a bell? Yes, the doctor studied in Ingolstadt in her novel. This is the place, now the German Museum of Medical History:  https://www.dmm-ingolstadt.de/ One could offer a pre-cruise to Ulm, Ingolstadt and Kelheim and then board a river cruise ship in Regensburg.

2 hours ago, notamermaid said: I mentioned Ingolstadt in my last post. This town, administratively classified as a city, is in Bavaria, the region is Oberbayern. Before the Danube becomes an international waterway it has already run through Germany for 500km. Ingolstadt is one of several towns along that stretch. It is somewhat a pity that river cruisers hardly ever get to see anything of the "young" Danube. Would people be interested in exploring the region I wonder? You could actually fly into Basel or Stuttgart and take a coach to the Danube. However, all exploration would have to be on land as there is no boat with an engine allowed on the Danube up to Kelheim. With a tiny exception. But that is for another time. This is Ingolstadt as described in an English brochure: https://newcityplatform.de/wp-content/uploads/ingolstadt-tourismus-historic-city-tour-online.pdf Quite a bit to see. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, ring a bell? Yes, the doctor studied in Ingolstadt in her novel. This is the place, now the German Museum of Medical History:  https://www.dmm-ingolstadt.de/ One could offer a pre-cruise to Ulm, Ingolstadt and Kelheim and then board a river cruise ship in Regensburg.   notamermaid  

Very interesting you are posting about Inglostadt.  In April we are flying into Frankfurt, then Aschaffenburg, Karlstadt, Wurzburg, Inglostadt, Berchtesgaden, Chiemsee, Rosenheim and back to Frankfurt.  I have a painting from my Grandparents of St. Sebastian in Ramsau.  Not sure why they got the painting, they were both from Germany/Poland, must of been in the 1950's. We certainly will look forward to Inglostadt, thanks for all your postings!

Danube water level graphs are now showing the rises in the forecast. Tomorrow afternoon we will see a significant jump in figures, not just along the upper reaches but also at Kelheim, Regensburg and Straubing. Pfelling is getting a little low, now at 312cm and likely to remain stable for the next few hours, meaning not a significant further decline. Rise to follow in due course after Regensburg and Straubing so probably tomorrow evening.

The level at Pfelling did indeed stay stable overnight, The rise started a bit earlier than forecast. It is now at 340cm and anticipated to rise to 400cm and above during tomorrow.

I suggested going from Basel on the Rhine to the young Danube. You may think this is a bit of an unusual suggestion - it is - seeing that the Danube is quite a distance from the Rhine - it is not. I have marked it on the map, the town I chose is Donaueschingen, the name says it, is already the Danube:

Konstanz with Lake Constance - highly recommended - is to the right of the photo, I have cut off nearly half of it.

From Stuttgart on the Neckar you get there even faster as a motorway is conveniently close by.

The level at Pfelling has peaked and is now at 443cm. Passau was still rising earlier this morning but the graph indicates it may be levelling off. 481cm now, that is somewhat lower than I had expected it would be today. No problem getting through under the bridges.

A somewhat unusual and "curious" accident is in the headlines in Germany. A ship sank yesterday in the lock "Geising", that is in the district of Regensburg. The barge "Achim" loaded with iron ore sank and it was first not clear what had happened. It is assumed that it broke in two. The captain and another crew member still on the ship were able to save themselves but sustained injuries. They were both taken to hospital. Does not look too bad though. Diesel is in the lock and the water was tested. No harm to the environment so far outside of the lock, it seems. Needless to say the lock is not usuable and both ship and heavy load will be a bit of a task to lift. Any possible damage to the lock will have to be assessed as well.

It will cause some disruption to traffic, but the locks on the Canal are due for maintenance soon anyway. Scheduling for the maintenance may be affected.

Here is a report: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/gueterschiff-an-schleuse-in-der-oberpfalz-untergegangen,TY6okAs

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The Legendary Danube River

Europe’s legendary Danube River offers the quintessential river cruise experience for first-time cruisers and repeat guests alike. Cruise through up to four countries in seven nights or eight countries on our all-encompassing 14-night journey, discovering grand capitals as well as charming off-the-beaten-path hamlets. Along this storied waterway, empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed. Our distinctive sailings include such a wide variety of excursions that many who have previously sailed are compelled to return. Read on to learn more about the Danube River and the one-of-a-kind experiences you’ll only have with AmaWaterways.

Geography of the Danube

Europe’s Danube River begins in Germany, flowing through 10 picturesque countries and four iconic capital cities – Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Belgrade, Serbia. The portion of the waterway stretching southeast from Budapest is known as the Lower Danube, and showcases the lesser visited countries of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

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Each city and town we visit holds its own special charm. From magnificent Old-World architecture to medieval town squares to historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, discover some of the top destinations and experiences we offer on our Danube River journeys.

The destinations we visit along the Danube River each offer their own unique history, traditions, local delicacies and enriching experiences. Get inspired for your Danube River journey by reading the stories below.

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