Journey along the mighty Danube River and through the very heart of Europe, calling in at some of the world’s most elegant, vibrant, and influential cities
Inclusions
- 9 nights river cruise from Budapest to Passau
- 24 superb meals on board the ship, including 9 Breakfasts (B), 7 Lunches (L), 8 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 on board the ship
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Exclusive Offer – Book by Sep 30: Second Guest Sails FREE! (pays taxes only)
| July 9, 2025 | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pays taxes only) |
| Riverview | sold out | sold out |
| Balcony | sold out | sold out |
| Grand Balcony | from $8539 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $626 | $626 |
| No Single Supplement | ||
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 Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time.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:
- 24 delectable meals including 9 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L), 8 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
- Dinner & Folklore Show in Budapest
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Hike to Veste Oberhaus
- Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
- Hike to Gellert Hill
Day 1 Wed, 09 Jul Budapest (D)
Welcome to Budapest, the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, where you will be greeted by one of our Emerald Cruises representatives and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. Once on board, you receive a warm welcome from our friendly crew.
Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Day 2 Thu, 10 Jul Budapest (B,L,D)
Your journey starts in Budapest, where a fantastic trip and exciting experiences await. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter 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 have time to explore on your own.
If you are feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike up 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, best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways around Buda Castle.
This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show.
Included Excursion
Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Gellert Hill
Day 3 Fri, 11 Jul Budapest (B,L,D)
Today, we invite you to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show for a truly immersive local experience, presenting you with a great chance to get to know your fellow travellers and to spend the evening in town just like the locals do.
EmeraldPLUS
Dinner & folklore show in Budapest
DiscoverMORE
Retro tour of post-Communist Budapest (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Jewish heritage tour (extra expense) (Please note: This is not available on Saturday’s due to the museum being closed)
DiscoverMORE
Budapest by Night (extra expense)
Day 4 Sat, 12 Jul Budapest (B,L,D)
On our last morning in Budapest, enjoy a leisurely walk in town or use one of the on board bikes for a last ride through the Hungarian capital. In the afternoon, our ship sets sail on the magnificent Danube River onto our next destination – Slovakia.
DiscoverMORE
Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
Day 5 Sun, 13 Jul Bratislava (B,L,D)
Early this morning we sail into the Slovakian capital. The romantic cobblestone lanes weaving through the city are yours to explore. Enjoy guided walking tours of the ancient town centre, passing a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, including the incredible Slovak National Theatre.
Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a fairy tale-like landmark steeped in legend. This striking building has been rebuilt several times. Most recently in the mid-20th century.
Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
DiscoverMORE
Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Carpathian Wine route (extra expense)
Day 6 Mon, 14 Jul Vienna (B,L,D)
Sweeping boulevards and world-famous exhibition halls welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. A walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre uncovers the classical architectural styles of the city, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century.
If you are feeling more active, choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to Donau insel, Danube Island.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Vienna
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Vienna
DiscoverMORE
Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 7 Tue, 15 Jul 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. Today, join your Activity Manager for a hike in town before you set sail to Melk.
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 gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts.
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube River
DiscoverMORE
Visit to Schallaburg Castle (extra expense)
Day 8 Wed, 16 Jul Linz – Ceský Krumlov (B,D)
This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz. Transfer by coach across the border into the Czech Republic 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 how the architecture 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
DiscoverMORE
Walking tour of Linz with a coffee and Linzer Torte (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Waltz Dance Class (extra expense)
Day 9 Thu, 17 Jul Passau (B,L,D)
Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked goods welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This historic trading centre borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures.
Experience 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
DiscoverMORE
Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Day 10 Fri, 18 Jul Passau – Munich (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines and charming small towns along the Danube River 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.
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.
