Five countries, all unique in their own way, accompany the Danube on its journey through Eastern Europe. Enjoy a city stay in Bucharest, the vibrant Romanian capital, before joining your cruise in Arbanasi where you will attend a choir concert. Embark on a guided city tour of Belgrade, returning to your Star-Ship for a traditional Serbian folklore evening show. In Osijek, visit a local Croatian family for home-hosted lunch and then spend your day in rural Hungary for a Puszta Horse Show in Kalocsa.
Inclusions
- Airfare to Budapest and return from Bucharest (or in reverse)*
- 7 night river cruise aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 1 night hotel in Bucharest
- 21 superb meals including 8 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
- Complimentary Bicycles on board (when available)
- All tipping and gratuities
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Book by Dec 31: Reduced air* and receive up to $1200 savings per cabin! (price reflects discount)
| May 1 – September 30, 2025 | Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax |
| Riverview | from |
| Balcony | from |
| Taxes & Fees | $475 |
| Extend your vacation in Budapest: add from $560 more Click tab for more details! |
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Deposit or Full Payment may be due at booking.
*Maximum ticket cost, including taxes, not to exceed $1,800pp.
| 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 Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time.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:
- 21 delectable meals including 8 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
- Highlights of Belgrade
- Guide bike tour in Belgrade
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage
- Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting & a visit to Baba Vida Fortress
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
- Choir concert
- Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
- Guided hike to Belogradchick Fortress
- Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
- Walking tour of Rousse
Budapest to Bucharest (or in reverse)
Day 1 Budapest (D)
Welcome to Budapest, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to be greeted by your friendly captain and crew.
This afternoon, enjoy plenty of free time to explore Eastern Europe’s liveliest city at your leisure. The ‘Pearl on the Danube’ is a truly breathtaking sight, where dozens of lights adorn the stone bridges that cross the mighty Danube, separating both sides of the city. This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Hungarian folklore show
Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Day 2 Kalocsa (B,L,D)
This morning, we’ll reach Kalocsa, best known for its vibrant paprika festivals. You’ll venture to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, for a traditional performance showcasing the exceptional equestrian skills of the Magyar cowboys. Sit back and enjoy the show, as you watch their spectacular horse parade and witness their exercise drills. Tonight, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to relax and meet your fellow guests during the welcome dinner & reception.
EmeraldPLUS
Puszta horse show
Day 3 Vukovar (B,L,D)
This morning, we will drive to Osijek, a historic university town full of leafy boulevards and promenades. Today, you will get to learn more about Croatia and the daily life of locals, before you embark on a walk around Osijek Fortress, nestled in the centre of the romantic old town. Our EmeraldPLUS excursion will bring you to the home of a Croatian family to share a typical meal from the area while getting to know the local culture and customs.
EmeraldPLUS
Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
Included Excursion
Guided walking tour of Osijek Fortress
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Vucedol Culture Museum (extra expense)
Day 4 Belgrade (B,L,D)
The capital of Serbia awaits you today, as a city tour introduces you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities, including Belgrade Fortress. Relax as your coach takes you through the centre of this peaceful city and witness the symmetrical façade of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest church buildings. Stop for a tour of the Museum of Yugoslavia or learn about the history of Belgrade during a guided bike tour of the city.
This evening, relax in the Horizon Lounge with a traditional Serbian folklore show providing spectacular entertainment.
EmeraldPLUS
Serbian folklore evening show on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Belgrade
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Belgrade
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National Opera Theatre tour (extra expense)
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Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)
Day 5 Golubac – Donji Milanovac (B,L,D)
In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Palaeolithic site of Lepenski Vir on an included excursion. Enjoy learning about the importance of this archaeological site and its illustrious history, spanning more than 8 millennia. The day ends as we sail through the Iron Gates, a picturesque narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps.
Included Excursion
Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
DiscoverMORE
Golubac Castle visit (extra expense)
Day 6 Apr Vidin (B,L,D)
This morning, we’ll arrive in Vidin, a beautiful town in north-west Bulgaria, renowned for its wine production. Your included tour will introduce you to the best of Vidin’s viticulture, as you stroll through a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting session of their produce.
Later, venture to Baba Vida, a medieval fortress whose name can be translated to mean ‘Granny Vida’. Alternatively, hike to Belogradchik Fortress, a well-preserved stronghold that sits against a series of impressive rock formations.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
Included Excursion
Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting & a visit to Baba Vida Fortress
DiscoverMORE
Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)
Day 7 Rousse – Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi (B,L,D)
Today, your Star-Ship will cruise into Rousse, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit Veliko Tarnovo. The former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, this medieval city was built atop three hills and its fortifications and cobbled streets are certain to delight history lovers.
Nearby, Arbanasi sits on a high plateau overlooking the Yantra River. Each street in the area is lined with traditional houses, and old churches offer centuries of exploration during your guided tour. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a complex of churches, chapels, and monasteries. Tonight, your crew will welcome you on board for a farewell dinner.
EmeraldPLUS
Choir concert in Arbanasi
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
Included Excursion
Tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi
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Wine tasting at Leventa Complex (extra expense)
Day 8 Giurgiu – Bucharest (B)
This morning, relax and enjoy the passing scenery as we drive towards Bucharest, including the Romanian city of Giurgiu, set amongst the mud flats and marshes of the Danube. Visit the Spring Palace and the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure. Learn about Bucharest’s vibrant history on a guided coach tour, passing by the Palace of Parliament.
This evening, settle into the comfortable surrounds of your hotel before you consider going for a stroll down one of the wide avenues or leafy boulevards that give Bucharest a distinctly French feel.
Included Excursion
Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Day 9 Bucharest (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Great Hungarian Plain and medieval fortresses 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.
Budapest Extension
Add from $560 per person
Day 1 Budapest
Welcome to Budapest, the capital of Hungary and the perfect introduction to Eastern Europe. You will be met at the airport in Hungary and taken to your centrally-located hotel, with a two-night stay included in your itinerary.
Day 2 Budapest (B)
This morning, your local guide will take you on a tour of Budapest, introducing you to sights that include the ornate Hungarian Parliament Building and the Buda Castle district, where a string of historic buildings line cobblestone streets leading up to the castle.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Budapest
Day 3 Budapest (B)
Depart today after breakfast.
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.
