Europe’s second-longest river is one of the most popular with river cruisers. “A Danube River cruise combines the right history and vibrant culture of European cities like Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg, all while offering breathtaking views of vineyards, rolling hills, medieval castles, and picturesque riverside towns,” according to Travel + Leisure A-List travel advisor Mary Ann Ramsey. Austria’s stunning Wachau Valley is a highlight, and guests can enjoy local delicacies like Viennese pastries, Hungarian goulash, and schnitzel along the way.
Inspired? Here are 10 of the best Danube River cruises.
AmaWaterways
Courtesy of AmaWaterways
This family-owned luxury river cruise line highlights cultural immersion, quality service, and excellent cuisine. Co-founder and president Rudi Schreiner designed the unique AmaMagna especially for cruising the Danube. Twice the width of traditional European river ships, AmaMagna offers spacious suites, several restaurants, a sun deck pool, a fitness center, Zen Wellness Studio, and a pickleball court. Fora travel advisor Melissa Curtin tells T+L, “We loved our Danube River cruise with AmaWaterways. We biked across Austria in the Wachau Valley, through Vienna, and from Germany to Austria with a small group. In other ports, we enjoyed hiking to castles, and the walking tours gave us rich experiences.”
7-night Magna on the Danube
The Magna on the Danube cruise boards in Budapest, where guests have the option for a two-night pre-cruise stay in Hungary’s culturally rich capital. In Budapest, guests can choose a city tour or a more active hike to Castle Hill. Bratislava is the next port, with excursions that include a hike, tasting tour, and city walking tour. In Vienna, excursion options include a bike tour and a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. In Dürnstein, guests can sample local apricots or wine, and a bike tour and hike are also available. A full-day trip to Salzburg, a bike tour, and a hike are options in Linz. And in Vilshofen, there’s a Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration with music, beer, and pretzels.
Viking River Cruises
Courtesy of Viking Cruises
Founded by Torstein Hagen in 1997, Viking is well-known for river cruises in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Viking’s ships feature modern Scandinavian style, specially designed to navigate the world’s rivers. The award-winning Viking Longships offer full-size verandas, al fresco dining, and spacious suites. Onboard activities and excursions are designed for enrichment, in keeping with Viking’s focus on curious travelers.
8-day Romantic Danube
The Romantic Danube cruise begins in Budapest, and guests can choose a shopping excursion, cook Hungarian goulash, take a Hungarian language lesson, or tour the city. After cruising around the scenic Danube Bend, the ship arrives in Vienna for a day that includes a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, a Viennese waltz lesson, dinner in a local vineyard, a Mozart and Strauss concert, or an e-bike tour. Austria’s Wachau Valley’s vineyards, towns, castle ruins, and forests offer beautiful scenery to admire while cruising to Passau, Germany. Here, excursion options include a Bavarian beer fest, a hike, and a German Language lesson. In Regensburg, the last port, guests can explore on a walking tour.
Adventures by Disney
Courtesy of Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney is an ideal choice for multigenerational groups who want something for all ages, from little ones to grandparents. Adventures by Disney uses upscale AmaWaterways ships for its European river cruise itineraries, so you can expect luxurious staterooms, fine cuisine, and a range of shore excursions, plus a dose of Disney magic (and the company’s outstanding customer service).
8-day Danube River Cruise
The Danube River Cruise aboard AmaLea begins in Budapest with excursion options that include a walking food tour, visit to Lazar Equestrian Park, and a goulash-making competition. After the next day in Bratislava, Disney Adventure Guides provide an evening of entertainment. In Vienna, guests can choose a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, a visit to the Children’s Museum, a marionette show, a bike ride, a strudel-making demonstration, or a Mozart-Schumann concert. There’s something for every age and interest each day, like a brewery tour for adults and a rope bridge climb with Adventure Guides.
Avalon Waterways
Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
Avalon’s “Suite Ships” feature spacious Panorama Suites (which make up 80 percent of the staterooms) with wide windows, balconies, and their trademark Comfort Collection Beds facing the floor-to-ceiling windows for the best views. Avalon cruises also offer FlexDining, with options that include al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, a casual meal in the Panorama Bistro, and four-course dinners in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room.
7-day Christmastime on the Danube
Avalon’s Christmastime on the Danube cruise boards in Vienna and spends a full day in Austria’s capital where guests can choose a tour of the city or spend time at the Christmas market, among other excursions. In Melk, guests can see the frescoes of the Benedictine abbey or remain onboard for an Austrian cookie tasting. The cruise also includes stops in Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg, where cruisers can admire more German Christmas markets and shop for festive souvenirs.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
Uniworld is known for attentive service, premium all-inclusive amenities, curated experiences, and elegant ships decorated with original art and antiques. They offer Danube River cruises ranging in length from eight to 19 days, along with a 24-day cruise that also includes the Rhine and the Main Rivers. In addition to European rivers, Uniworld cruises the rivers of Egypt, Southeast Asia, and Peru in all-inclusive luxury.
8-day Capital Cities of the Danube
The Capital Cities of the Danube cruise begins in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where guests can choose to explore the city by bicycle or bus. In Croatia, excursion options include a visit to a cultural museum or an agrotourism lunch. A walking tour of Budapest or a trip to Castle Hill acquaint cruisers to the Hungarian capital. Bratislava is the next port, with experiences including a cathedral visit, a concert, and a hike to Bratislava Castle. The itinerary ends with a day in Vienna before guests depart.
Tauck River Cruises
Courtesy of Tauck River Cruise
This century-old, family-owned company launched their first European river cruise in 1992. They take pride in offering personal service through local guides and Tauck Directors who come from more than 40 countries and collectively speak a total of 52 languages. Tauck’s Danube River cruises range from eight days to their Grand European Cruise that’s 25 days and sails through nine countries.
12-day Blue Danube River Cruise
The Blue Danube River Cruise is Tauck’s most popular, according to their website, and it’s a great option for first-time river cruisers. Guests embark in Budapest aboard MS Joy or MS Savor, each ship accommodating 130 passengers. In Budapest, Braitslava, Vienna, and more ports of call, guests can choose from excursions ranging from bike tours to wine tastings. Two nights in Prague offer several opportunities to explore the city.
Scenic River Cruises
Courtesy of Scenic River Cruises
Scenic “Space-Ships,” with up to 163 guests, are designed for ultra-luxury river cruising, with plush lounging, dining, and wellness areas. There’s butler service for every suite, and Freechoice excursions include cooking classes, wine and beer tastings, e-bike tours, and guided walking tours, designed for all levels of energy, from relaxed to active.
10-day Danube in Depth
The Danube in Depth cruise embarks in Nuremberg and disembarks in Budapest with stops in Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Durnstein, Krems, Vienna, and Bratislava. There are 27 included Scenic Freechoice excursions, including activities like making German sausages, city tours, and more.
Emerald Cruises
Courtesy of Emerald Cruises
Emerald’s award-winning “Star-Ships” feature luxury ambiance and unique innovations like the heated indoor pool that transforms into a cinema space. They offer an included tour at nearly every port, plus optional special activities at extra cost, giving guests the opportunity to do what they choose and pay for only what they want to do. The ships also feature a sun deck, putting green, and walking track.
5-day Christmas Time on the Danube
Emerald’s Christmas Time on the Danube cruise embarks in Budapest and disembarks in Vienna with a stop in Bratislava. Guided tours and Christmas market visits offer plenty to do off the ship, but the cruise also brings the fun onboard with live local entertainment.
CroisiEurope
Courtesy of CroisiEurope
This family-owned French company is headquartered in Strasbourg, and it’s known for intimate ships, gourmet dining, and budget-friendly voyages. In addition to European destinations, CroisiEurope offers cruises along the rivers in Asia and Africa, too.
12-day Along the River Danube, Budapest, and the Balkan Peninsula Cruise
This Danube and Black Sea cruise covers eight countries in 12 days, focusing on music, culture, gourmet dining, and dramatic scenery. Boarding in Budapest, the ship stops in Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia with options for walking or biking tours. The ship passes through the Iron Gates (a gorge on the Danube) and then proceeds to Bulgaria and Romania. After crossing the Danube-Black Sea Canal, there’s a full-day excursion to Constanta, the oldest city in Romania, founded in 600 B.C.E., and the cruise eventually disembarks in Bucharest.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Courtesy of Riverside Luxury Cruises
Owned by German hotelier Seaside Collection, Riverside Luxury Cruises is based in Hamburg. Their luxury ships were formerly owned by Crystal Cruises, and their Danube cruise ship, Riverside Mozart, features all-suite staterooms, marble baths, a gym, an indoor pool, and butler service. Riverside’s three- to 14-day cruises are all-inclusive with flexible itineraries, and they also offer an optional a la carte plan for travelers who want to pay for only what they need.
4-day A Dash of the Danube
Ideal for travelers short on time, this four-day cruise embarks in Vienna and disembarks in Budapest, stopping in Esztergom, Hungary on the way. There, guests can check out fortress ruins and visit the Basilica of Esztergom.
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