Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Europe with Savor the Moment: The Sommelier Collection, featuring renowned sommelier Alejandro Ferris. This immersive voyage artfully blends cultural discovery with expertly curated wine experiences. Savor wine-paired dinners selected by Alejandro, enjoy an exclusive wine lecture, and delight in cheese and wine pairings—all aboard our luxurious Star-Ship. Included shore excursions such as the Carpathian Wine Route in Bratislava and the Viennese Wine Stories Experience offer a deeper appreciation of regional vintages, with Alejandro enriching each moment as your onboard wine expert. From the timeless elegance of Budapest to the storybook charm of the Wachau Valley, indulge in refined flavors, picturesque cruising, and unforgettable sips—each crafted to elevate your journey, one glass at a time.
Inclusions
- 7 night river cruise from Budapest to Munich
- 19 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- The services of a Cruise Director
- Excursions and guided tours
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Complimentary Bicycles on board (when available)
- All tipping and gratuities
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Special guest: Sommelier Alejandro Ferris
- Exclusive Offer – Book by May 31: Second Guest Sails FREE! (pays taxes only)
| August 2, 2025 | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pay taxes only) |
| Riverview | from $4569 | FREE |
| Balcony | from $5569 | FREE |
| Grand Balcony | from $6459 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $476 | $476 |
| No Single Supplement |
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Final payment is due at booking
Dates and promo are subject to change
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 per person based on double occupancy. It is for lead-in categories, but upgrades are available. Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time. Depending on the promotion, the deposit may be non-refundable 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:
- 19 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 5 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
- Wine 101 Class
- Q&A with Alejandro Ferris
Included Excursions:
- Bavarian Countryside Experience
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Guided bike tour along the Danube River
- Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Hike to Veste Oberhaus
- Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
- Vineyard Visits with Alejandro Ferris
Munich to Budapest (or in reverse)
Day 1 Sat, 02 Aug Budapest (D)
Welcome to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Budapest. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you.
This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show.
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Day 2 Sun, 03 Aug Budapest (B,L,D)
Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Your guide will teach 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 plenty of time for exploration.
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.
Included Excursion
Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Gellert Hill
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Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
Sommelier Activity: Welcome Cocktail
Day 3 Mon, 04 Aug Bratislava (B,L,D)
Relax on board as we sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural centre. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are yours to explore with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre, including the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings.
Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legend that looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in a Renaissance style.
Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
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Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
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Carpathian Wine route (extra expense)
Day 4 Tue, 05 Aug Vienna (B,L,D)
Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces, some of which you will be able to see during your guided coach tour of the Ringstrasse. Following this, embark on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre and its surrounding classical architectural styles, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that have existed here since the turn of the 20th century.
If you’re feeling more active, then perhaps choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to the Danube Island.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Vienna
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour of Vienna
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Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 5 Wed, 06 Aug Weissenkirchen – Melk (B,L,D)
Effortlessly suspended in time, Weissenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture.
Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube River
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike in Weissenkirchen with activity manager
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Visit to Schallaburg Castle (extra expense)
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Wachau Experience (extra expense)
Day 6 Thu, 07 Aug Linz – Ceský Krumlov (B,D)
This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz, where you’ll be transferred by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Ceský Krumlov, a town built around a 13th-century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colourful façades of buildings, as you learn about how they have survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ceský Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic façades.
EmeraldPLUS
Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
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Walking tour of Linz with a coffee and Linzer Torte (extra expense)
Day 7 Fri, 08 Aug Passau (B,L,D)
Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This important historic trading centre borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures.
Experience life on a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialities. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty.
EmeraldPLUS
Bavarian Countryside Experience
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Veste Oberhaus
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Bavaria Live (extra expense)
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Beers of Bavaria (extra expense)
Day 8 Sat, 09 Aug Passau (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines with you.
Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 01:00 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 (“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 (“PPP Fee”).
Visa Requirements
Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders may require an ETIAS visa waiver from late 2026 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, it is recommended that you contact the relevant Consulates for the latest information regarding visa requirements.
