This special festive twist of our classic itinerary down the Danube lets you explore the majestic architecture and markets of Budapest, before joining a local Slovakian family in Bratislava for home-hosted coffee and cake. Marvel at the classical surrounds of Vienna then wander the Christmas markets of Regensburg, highly regarded as ‘one of the loveliest’.
Inclusions
- 7 nights river cruise aboard Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
- Excursions and guided tours
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All tipping and gratuities
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Exclusive Offer – Book by Sep 30: Second Guest Sails FREE (pays taxes only)
| December 1 or 15, 2024 | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pay taxes only) |
| Riverview | from $3799 | FREE |
| Balcony | from $5119 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $476 | $476 |
Final Payment is due at booking
Looking for other 2 for 1 River Cruises, click here
| New bookings only. Space and price are limited and subject to availability when booking. The prices listed are for lead-in categories (oceanview or balcony cabins may be obstructed), but upgrades are available. Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time. Depending on the promotion, the deposit may be non-refundable; however, we also provide a refundable option at a slightly higher price, ensuring flexibility in your booking. Ready to set sail? Call us now to inquire for more information or other sailing dates. We're here to help you plan your dream cruise. |
Dining Highlights:
- 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
- Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
Included Excursions
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Vienna art tour with visit of Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
- Guided tour of Passau
- Emerald Plus
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
- Traditional Bavarian band on board
- Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds
- Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
- Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
Budapest to Munich
Day 1 Sun, 15 Dec Budapest (D)
Welcome to Budapest. You’ll be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure.
This evening, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music and dance on board.
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Day 2 Mon, 16 Dec Budapest (B,L,D)
Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets.
Included Excursion
Guided coach tour of Budapest
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Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
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Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Day 3 Tue, 17 Dec Bratislava (B,L,D)
Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats, and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bratislava, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldPLUS
Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
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Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
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Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Day 4 Wed, 18 Dec Vienna (B,L,D)
Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.
Included Excursion
Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
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Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 5 Thu, 19 Dec Krems (B,L,D)
Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Constructed in 1083, it’s one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from across the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.
EmeraldPLUS
Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
Day 6 Fri, 20 Dec Passau (B,L,D)
A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting the annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts are found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Passau
Day 7 Sat, 21 Dec Regensburg (B,L,D)
Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn and Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets.
EmeraldPLUS
Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Bavarian band on board
EmeraldPLUS
Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
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Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)
Day 8 Sun, 22 Dec Regensburg – Munich (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship in Regensburg for your transfer to Munich Airport and take memories of handcrafted ornaments and gingerbread stalls with you.
Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 02:00 PM.
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 our terms and conditions for further information.
Flexible Booking Plan
| River Cruising | Yacht Cruising |
| $125 | $200 |
- Should you choose to defer or cancel your booking, the total monies paid to us (less third-party fees) will be applied as a Future Travel Credit which is valid for 24 months for you to use on an alternate tour/cruise.
- If you do not re-book within 24 months, your FTC it will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable. Non commissionable.
- Excludes Russia cruising.
- Not available to guests using COVID Future Travel Credits
Platinum Protection Plan
The Platinum Protection Plan (“PPP”) is available for new river and ocean cruising bookings for travel after 1 January 2022 for Scenic and Emerald Cruises (“Eligible Booking”). By adding this plan, you are covered if you unable to travel due to health reasons, or your travel plans are impacted by COVID-19, up to 31 days prior to departure with a 100% refund (less airline cancellation fees and PPP cost), or a 70% refund between 15 and 30 days prior to departure (less PPP cost). The PPP must be purchased together with the Eligible Booking at time such booking is made and may not be added at a later date. The PPP is provided at a cost of $395 per person per river cruise, $495 per person per cruise on Emerald Cruises yacht cruising and $595 per person per cruise on Scenic Eclipse voyages (“PPP Fee”).
Visa Requirements
Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders may require an ETIAS visa waiver from late 2023 when traveling to the E.U.
United Kingdom passport holders do not require visas (excluding tours that feature Russia and Turkey, where guests are required to obtain a Visa).
Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, Scenic recommends that you contact the relevant Consulates for the latest information regarding visa requirements.
Clients must make their own enquiries regarding safety warnings and government warnings in relation to the destinations they are travelling to. These change quite regularly and can be found through your local government travel advisory. Scenic can accept no responsibility for the actions of terrorism etc in certain locations. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further advice.
