The iconic Danube river guides you on a gentle journey, enabling you to soak up Europe’s cultural wonders at leisure. Sail the picturesque Wachau Valley to enchanting Dürnstein. Visit the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, drive around Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse to view the city’s marvellous architecture, and let inspiring Budapest tell tales of its past, while proudly looking forward to the future.
Inclusions
- 7 night river cruise from Munich to Budapest (or in reverse) aboard Emerald Star Ship
- 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 an Emerald Cruises 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
- Exclusive Offer – Book by Dec 21: Second Guest Sails FREE! (pays taxes only)
| March 23 – August 30, 2025* | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pay taxes only) |
| Riverview | from $4249 | FREE |
| Balcony | from $5289 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $476 | $476 |
| No Single Supplement | ||
*Sailing dates included in the promo: March 23, 30, August 2, 9 and 30 (subject to change without notice)
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 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 Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time.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
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
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
Munich to Budapest (or in reverse)
Day 1 Munich – Passau (D)
Welcome to Munich, where you will be greeted by one of our Emerald Cruises representatives and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship in Passau. A warm welcome awaits you from the captain and crew, and this evening, you’ll join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Please book your flight to arrive into Munich prior to 02:00 PM.
Day 2 Passau (B,L,D)
Today, you’ll gain fascinating insight into the life of local Bavarians during a visit to a farm, where you’ll also be able to 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.
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Veste Oberhaus
EmeraldPLUS
Bavarian brunch
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Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Day 3 Linz – Ceský Krumlov (B,D)
Today, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Ceský Krumlov. This quaint Czech town has one of the best-preserved ancient centres 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.
EmeraldPLUS
Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
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Linzer torte making workshop (extra expense)
Day 4 Melk – Weissenkirchen (B,L,D)
Relax as we cruise down the Danube River early this morning, passing some of the world’s best wine-producing vineyards, before arriving in Melk.
On your included tour today, walk the gold-leaf halls of Melk Abbey. Afterwards, enjoy sailing through the idyllic Wachau Valley to Weissenkirchen. When you arrive, you’ll have the opportunity to hike to Weissenkirchen. Alternatively, you can stay in Melk and cycle to Weissenkirchen, traversing a route that offers a different perspective on the region’s viticulture.
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube
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Vineyard hike & wine tasting in Weissenkirchen (extra expense)
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided Hike in Weissenkirchen
Day 5 Vienna (B,L,D)
Discover the classical charms of Vienna today. As we take you through the heart of the city, we’ll point out all of the best cafés and artisan studios as you discover its imperial grandeur. A drive around the Ringstrasse will introduce you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre.
Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour along the serene trails on the Danube Island.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour of Vienna
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Vienna
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Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 6 Vienna – Bratislava (B,L,D)
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
Guided tour of Bratislava
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
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Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
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Carpathian Wine route (extra expense)
Day 7 Budapest (B,L,D)
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 centre. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene and the tour will finish at 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
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Tour to Szentendre (extra expense)
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Hungarian Bath Experience (extra expense)
Day 8 Budapest (B)
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 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.
