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
- 3 night pre-cruise hotel in Prague with breakfast
- 9 night all-inclusive river cruise aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 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 an Emerald Cruises 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
- Book by Apr 30: FREE 3 night pre-cruise hotel and save up to $3600 per cabin! (price reflects discount)
October 17, 2024 | Land & Cruise |
Riverview | |
Balcony | |
Taxes & Fees | $626 |
New Bookings Only – Final Payment is due at booking
Promotion is subject to change without notice.
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
- Culinary tour of Budapest with Grand Market visit
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- EmeraldPLUS:
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Dinner & folklore show in Budapest
- Local Slovakian entertainment on board
- Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
- Bavarian brunch
- EmeraldACTIVE:
- Hike to Buda Hill
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
- Guided bike tour along the Danube River
- Hike in Weissenkirchen
- Hike to Veste Oberhaus
Budapest to Prague
Day 1 Thu, 17 Oct Prague
When you arrive in Prague, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2 Fri, 18 Oct Prague (B)
After a relaxing night in your hotel, embark on a guided walking tour of Prague. After passing through three castle courtyards, you will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, then we walk down the Castle steps with a wonderful view over the city of Prague and we continue to Charles Bridge which we cross to reach the Old Town of Prague. We finish the city sightseeing tour in front of the famous Astronomical Clock at Old Town Square.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Prague
EmeraldPLUS
Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Day 3 Sat, 19 Oct Prague (B)
Your tour director will be available to help you plan a day of independent exploration today, perhaps strolling past ornate façades in the Baroque quarter or discovering Prague’s Jewish heritage in Josefov.
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Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
Day 4 Sun, 20 Oct Prague – Passau (B,D)
Today, transfer 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.
Day 5 Mon, 21 Oct Passau (B,L,D)
Today, you’ll sample homemade specialities and explore the customs and traditions of Bavarian agriculture during a visit to a local farm. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, soaking up views such as the hilltop church of Mariahilf and the ancient St. Severin, dating back to the Ottonian dynasty.
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Veste Oberhaus
EmeraldPLUS
Bavarian brunch
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Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Day 6 Tue, 22 Oct Linz – Ceský Krumlov (B,D)
Crossing the border into the Czech Republic, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Ceský Krumlov. This quaint 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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Walking tour of Linz with a Linzer Torte making (extra expense)
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Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
Day 7 Wed, 23 Oct Melk – Weissenkirchen (B,L,D)
Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Danube River en-route to Melk. Here, you’ll explore the golden halls of Melk Abbey on today’s included tour.
Afterwards, you’ll have the choice to sail through the idyllic Wachau Valley to Weissenkirchen, or if you’re feeling active cycle from Melk along the Danube River, traversing a route that offers a different perspective on the region’s viticulture.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike in Weissenkirchen with activity manager
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
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Vineyard hike & wine tasting in Weissenkirchen (extra expense)
Day 8 Thu, 24 Oct Vienna (B,L,D)
Discover the classical charms of Vienna as we take you through the city. Uncover the cafés, artisan studios and baroque majesty of Vienna’s 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 Donauinsel, the Danube Island.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Vienna
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Vienna
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Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 9 Fri, 25 Oct Vienna – Bratislava (B,L,D)
Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Vienna before sailing on to Bratislava, marvelling at the ever-changing scenery of the Danube. Explore the city’s historic architecture on an included guided tour, where everything is within walking distance, including the ornate exterior of the Slovak National Theatre. This afternoon, enjoy a guided hike to the fairy tale-like Bratislava Castle.
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Bratislava
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Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
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Carpathian Wine Route (extra expense)
Day 10 Sat, 26 Oct Budapest (B,L,D)
This morning, relax on board your Star-Ship while we sail from Slovakia to Hungary. In Budapest, an exciting program awaits you. As you sail into this magnificent city, it becomes immediately apparent why the Hungarian capital is known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. Venture into the city independently or make use of our on board bikes to explore Budapest’s hidden treasures.
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Tour to Szentendre (extra expense)
Day 11 Sun, 27 Oct Budapest (B,L,D)
Today, 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, finishing at the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest’s largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have time to explore independently.
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. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Included Excursion
Culinary tour of Budapest with Grand Market visit
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Gellert Hill
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Jewish heritage tour (extra expense, not available on Saturday)
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Budapest by Night (extra expense)
Day 12 Mon, 28 Oct Budapest (B,L,D)
On your last full day in Budapest, we invite you to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show for a truly immersive local experience. This is a great chance to bid farewell to your fellow travellers before going home.
EmeraldPLUS
Dinner & Folklore Show in Budapest
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Hungarian Bath Experience (extra expense)
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Retro tour of post-Communist Budapest (extra expense)
Day 13 Tue, 29 Oct Budapest (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. 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.