Christmas on the Danube

Passau, Linz, Melk/Emmersdorf, Duernstein, Vienna, Bratislava & Grein

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, cruise, transfers, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance Christmas on the Danube
Day	Destination/Port of Call	Arrive	Depart
1	Depart USA
2	Passau(Germany)
3	Passau & Salzburg		10am
	Linz(Austria)	5pm	8pm
4	Melk/Emmersdorf	2am	1pm
	Duernstein(Austria)	3pm	4am
5	Vienna(Austria)	8am	4am
6	Bratislava(Slovakia)	8am	Noon
7	Grein(Austria)	9am	10am
	Linz(Austria)	3pm	10pm
8	Passau/USA	8am
Arrival/departure times subject to change

Departs	New York Kennedy (JFK); other gateways on request
Highlights	Germany, Austria and Slovakia; Passau, Linz, Melk/Emmersdorf, Duernstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Grein
Included Features	Round trip flights from New York to Munich via scheduled carriers including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees, with other gateways available on request Round trip transfers from Munich Airport to port 6 nights in outside cabins with picture windows on board MS Amadeus Diamond. Upgrade to cabin with French balcony available All port and local taxes All meals on cruise, (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners) including welcome dinner and captain’s gala dinner Unlimited wine included during dinner service Daily performances by musicians on board Services of a multi-lingual cruise director throughout All shore excursions as described in the itinerary Modern, wireless audio system “Quietvox” for all excursions during the cruise
Travel Style	This leisurely paced river cruise requires minimal walking and is suitable for most levels of physical fitness.

This magical cruise on the Danube, long-time frontier of the Roman Empire, stops in Germany, Austria and Slovakia.

Visit Mozart’s home city of Salzburg, Austria, and board your ship in Linz. Visit the Benedictine Abbey at Melk followed by a glühwein (warm spiced wine) party.

Spend Christmas Eve in Duernstein, awake Christmas morning in Vienna to visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, then cruise into Slovakia to tour Bratislava’s 13th century castle.

Enjoy huge savings when you book your Christmas Danube Cruise all-inclusive package with Friendly Planet. Save your extra cash for all the treasures you’ll find at the gorgeous markets you’ll visit.

Dates, Prices & Options

All prices, fees and deposits are per person, subject to change at any time, and not guaranteed until we receive your final payment.

Tour prices have been increased by $20 per person, due to a fuel surcharge increase imposed by the airline on Aug 22, 2012.

Coming from somewhere else? Before you book, ask us about availability and prices for flights from other cities.

To make a reservation, we only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package. You can pay the balance due later by credit card, check or money order. Your final payment is due 75 days prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking, whichever is later.

Detailed Itinerary

Lueftner Cruises will do its utmost to adhere to the itinerary listed, but reserves the right to change the schedule or port stops.

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Europe begins this evening as you check in for your overnight flight to Munich, Germany.

Day 2: Passau (Germany). Upon arrival in Munich, you will be met and transferred to the port for embarkation on your ship and check in to your “floating hotel” in Passau. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and welcome dinner on board. The ship remains moored in Passau overnight. MS Amadeus Diamond. Dinner provided.

Day 3: Passau, Salzburg, Linz (Austria). After an early breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Passau through the compact old quarter, with its St. Stephen’s Cathedral, new Bishop’s residence and town hall. Return to the ship in time for your motor coach transfer to Salzburg, the city made famous by Mozart. The old quarter of Salzburg is renowned for its Baroque architecture and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Enjoy some free time at the Christmas market. Later, drive to Linz, where your ship will be waiting. Before dinner, there will be an opportunity to also visit the Christmas market in Linz. The vessel departs Linz later this evening. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 4: Melk/Emmersdorf, Duernstein (Austria). The ship will dock early in the morning at the wine growing town of Melk or Emmersdorf (located across the river). After breakfast, depart via coach for an excursion through the beautiful Wachau district. Visit the Benedictine Abbey at Melk, and enjoy a glühwein, warm spiced wine, party. Return to the ship as it departs during lunch for Duernstein, arriving later in the afternoon. Enjoy the wonderful Christmas Eve atmosphere on board. There will be an opportunity to attend Christmas mass in Duernstein. The ship will sail to Vienna during the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 5: Vienna (Austria). This morning, arrive in Vienna and disembark. Enjoy a highlights of Vienna tour, including the Ringstrasse, Schwarzenbergplatz, Karlskirche and opera house. Stop at the city’s famous St. Stephan’s Cathedral. After lunch on the ship, visit Schonbrunn Castle. After dinner this evening, there will be a festive Christmas concert in the Panorama Bar. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 6: Bratislava (Slovakia). This morning arrive in Bratislava. After breakfast, tour the city’s major sights, including a stop at Bratislava’s 13th century castle for breathtaking views of the countryside where the frontiers of Austria, Hungary and Slovakia meet. Return to the ship for lunch and sail upstream back to Austria. Tonight, the captain invites everyone to a special dinner and entertainment by the ship’s orchestra. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 7: Grein, Linz (Austria). Arrive this morning in the idyllic village of Grein. Enjoy a walking tour which will include a view of Austria’s oldest theatre. Continue sailing towards Linz, arriving after lunch. Take part in a walking tour of Austria’s third largest city and former cultural capital. After dinner, the vessel continues upstream towards Passau, Germany. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 8: Passau/USA. Your cruise comes to an end as you disembark and transfer to the Munich Airport, arriving in the USA later today. Breakfast provided.

Cruise Ship

MS Amadeus Diamond

See specifications, deck plans & photos of the ship.

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