Travel Notices

Romantic Danube with AmaWaterways

7 night scenic Danube River cruise with shore excursions in Passau, the “City of Three Rivers”; Vienna, the “City of Waltzes”; romantic Bratislava; Budapest, Europe’s most regal city & more

Overview

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Travel your way: Additional Departure Dates & Single Occupancy rates are available. Please speak to one of our Travel Specialists at 1-800-555-5765 for details.
Style Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted
Departures
Themes Grand ToursBucket ListRiver Cruises
Activity Level Easy
What to Expect This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
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Our 7-night Romantic Danube cruise is perfect for those longing for the romance of Old World Europe. Travel into the heart of four iconic countries; Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Witness the locations where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned, and some of the world’s most incredible music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest forever remain timeless with their historic city centers, towering castles, and medieval monuments and museums. Admire the beauty of Salzburg and the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Ceský Krumlov. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Danube will captivate you with all her regal and romantic splendor.

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Cruise
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Hotel
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
  • Airport transfers
  • 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways
  • 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
  • Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail, and Gala Dinner
  • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
  • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
  • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
  • Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
  • Entertainment on board

Optional add-ons

  • Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.

Why you'll love it

  • Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
  • Explore Passau, the "City of Three Rivers" on a guided walking tour, or hike to the "Veste Oberhaus" for an active adventure.
  • Tour Salzburg's Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market.
  • Step into The Sound of Music with a stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael.
  • Embark on a scenic cruise through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley.
  • Stroll the cobblestone streets of Dürnstein before visiting Melk's Benedictine Abbey.
  • For an active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was formally held, or bike ride along the Danube through the Wachau Valley.
  • Discover the Opera House and the former Imperial Palace during a walking tour of Vienna.
  • Indulge your tastebuds in a special "Tastes of Slovakia" tour.
  • Visit both the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube River and admire some of Budapest's most important medieval monuments and museums.
  • Enjoy breathtaking city views during an optional hike to Castle Hill.

Detailed Itinerary

Some sailings are in reverse order. Please call for details.

Day 1 Depart USA

  • Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA

Day 2 Vilshofen, Germany

  • Arrive in Munich, Germany
  • Transfer to Vilshofen
  • Embark on your river cruise and set sail

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaVida Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Upon arrival in Munich, following customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to your ship for embarkation for your Romantic Danube cruise.

Welcome Cocktail followed by Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 Vilshofen

  • Free time in Vilshofen
  • Passau “City of Three Rivers” walking tour
  • OR Passau Castle hike
  • OR River Inn Bike Tour

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Vilshofen

Explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before cruising to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour, or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill or enjoy a River Inn bike tour. 

Day 4 Linz

  • “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour
  • OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour
  • OR Full-day Salzburg excursion
  • Český Krumlov excursion*

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Horse carriage, Salzburg

Arrive in Linz where you’ll have several choices of exciting excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Alternatively, join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House. For an active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. Have the opportunity to visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. 

*Note: Not available with full-day Salzburg excursion

Day 5 Scenic Cruising, Wachau Valley and Dürnstein

  • Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley
  • Weissenkirchen - Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey
  • OR Apricots and sweets tasting
  • OR Dürnstein Fortress hike
  • OR Wachau Valley bike tour
  • Evening wine tasting at local winery

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Dürnstein

Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, the gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, have the chance to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, and then visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey. For the more active adventurer, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held, or take a bike ride along the Danube through the Wachau Valley. As an alternative excursion, visit a local apricot grower and enjoy the region’s finest apricot treats. Later in the evening, indulge in a special wine tasting of locally grown, world-renowned Riesling and Grüner Veltliner in Weissenkirchen.

Day 6 Vienna

  • “Imperial Vienna” tour
  • OR Vienna bike tour
  • Free time

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
The Hofburg, Vienna

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems waiting to be explored, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. The tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. If you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.

Day 7 Bratislava

  • “Coronation City” walking tour
  • OR Tastes of Slovakia
  • OR Bratislava Castle hike

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Bratislava Castle

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle and admire the magnificent views of the city. 

Day 8 Budapest

  • “Queen of the Danube” tour
  • OR Castle Hill hike

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest

Your city tour begins at Budapest’s Great Market Hall, home to various delicious food and shopping. Afterward, visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. See the 19th-century Chain Bridge, which connects the Buda district with Pest, and the UNESCO-designated Castle Hill district, which contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums. As an alternative choice, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. 

Day 9 Budapest/USA

  • Today you'll be escorted to the airport and board your flight back home
  • Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today

Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.

Cruise Ships

AmaLea
AmaLea

Designed with vibrant pops of color that emulate Europe's autumn harvest, the AmaLea is a sleek river ship created with luxury yachts in mind. A host of comforts and conveniences fill her decks, including a hair salon, gift shop, and specialty coffee station. With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet, or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment onboard to make every moment at leisure a treat. Rejuvenate in the heated pool, which boasts a swim-up bar, or enjoy pampering with a soothing massage. And, with a walking track on the Sun Deck, a fitness room, and a fleet of onboard bicycles, you'll have everything needed to stay active and healthy while sailing Europe's great rivers.

More information

AmaSonata
AmaSonata

Introduced in 2014, the award-winning AmaSonata sings her melodious tune down Europe's great rivers. A host of comforts and conveniences fill her decks, including a gift shop and library. With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet, or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment onboard to make every moment at leisure a treat. Rejuvenate in the heated pool, which boasts a swim-up bar, or enjoy pampering with a soothing massage. And, with a walking track on the Sun Deck, a fitness room, and a fleet of onboard bicycles, you'll have everything needed to stay active and healthy while sailing Europe's great rivers. 

More information

AmaBella
AmaBella

Isn't she lovely? Newly reimagined in 2021, the graceful AmaBella is a stunning river ship, unique in her own right. The intimate lounge is an inviting place to grab a cocktail, and the thoughtfully redesigned reception area, adorned with charming pieces of contemporary art, provides a warm welcome after a day exploring ashore. Most staterooms feature our signature twin balconies so you can enjoy the views however you wish, as well as Entertainment-On-Demand and marble bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads. Elegant suites feature added enhancements, including a large sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower. You'll also find a massage and hair salon on board, a fitness room, a specialty coffee station, and a gift shop. An expansive Sun Deck with a heated pool offers special moments of pure relaxation. Mealtimes are a feast for the senses in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef's Table, where you will witness our chefs in action through our glass-walled kitchen. The new "Café Bistro" is the perfect al fresco setting to play cards, mingle, or enjoy a light lunch. Throughout your journey on the Danube, you may catch sight of AmaVerde, AmaBella's "secret lover." The two ships cross paths as they sail in opposite directions, capturing brief moments together as they rendezvous in select ports along the Danube River.

More information

AmaVida
AmaVida

Timeless elegance spills from the decks of the AmaVida, a ship that debuted on the Douro River in 2013. Rust and gold color schemes combine the Douro’s breathtaking sunsets and a sepia hue that conjures timeworn snapshots of the world’s oldest wine region. Whether it’s a folkloric performance, local Fado musicians, or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic entertainment schedule onboard. Soak up some rays or dip in the refreshing pool as you pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages, and other breathtaking scenery. After a day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage. Stay fit while cruising from one destination to the next by taking advantage of the gym featuring a treadmill and weights.

More information

AmaViola
AmaViola

Brightly colored floral and geometric patterns from the stateroom to Main Lounge illustrate that the AmaViola is no ordinary river cruise ship. Twin balconies in most staterooms maximize your enjoyment as steeples and vineyards glide by. Mouthwatering cuisine worthy of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an exclusive and internationally-renowned gastronomic society, is served from sunrise to sunset. There's something symphonic about the flourish and style of The Chef's Table specialty restaurant and the coordinated effort to serve each bold, beautiful, and delicious course of the regionally-inspired tasting menu. Butterfly wallpaper in the hair salon foreshadows how you'll emerge brand new while an inviting sun-deck pool with a swim-up bar refreshes your spirit. Plus, AmaViola inspires you to be the best version of yourself with a walking track, fitness room, and fleet of onboard bikes to keep you happy and healthy during your cruise.

More information

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