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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Blue Danube Discovery (Christmas Time)

  • Choice of walking tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours included
  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaMora and AmaBella
  • Visits to St. Stephen's Cathedral, Melk Abbey and Bratislava Castle
From
$8,098 pp twin share
7 nights
Enquire
When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Sat 20 Nov 2027 → Sat 27 Nov 2027 7 nights · Budapest → Nuremberg · AmaMora Outside $5,725 Balcony $8,817 Suite $11,695 from $5,725 pp twin share Select
  2. Mon 22 Nov 2027 → Mon 29 Nov 2027 7 nights · Budapest → Nuremberg · AmaBella Balcony $8,098 Suite $11,839 from $8,098 pp twin share Enquire
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Seven nights cruising the Danube through Christmas markets and historic European cities aboard an elegantly decorated ship

  • World-renowned Christmas Markets across Europe's grandest cities
  • Wachau Valley winemaking region and Baroque abbeys
  • Medieval cities including 2,000-year-old Regensburg and Passau

Trip Details

Departs
Mon 22 Nov 2027
Returns
Mon 29 Nov 2027
Embarks
Budapest
Disembarks
Nuremberg
Ship
AmaBella
Operator
AMAWaterways

Discover a wealth of history, cultural treasures, and seasonal festivities ahead of the holiday crowds as you cruise to some of Europe’s most famous destinations aboard one of the most elegantly decorated ships on the Danube. From the world-renowned Christmas Markets scattered throughout Europe’s grandest cities, to the 2,000-year-old town of Regensburg, your journey along the Danube will bring you to the brightest holiday gems along the Danube. Along the way, visit magnificent cathedrals and Baroque abbeys, sample Vienna’s sinfully rich Sacher-Torte cake, experience the breathtaking scenery of the Wachau Valley winemaking region and traverse Europe’s Continental Divide. Note: Select Christmas Markets will be open during select departures and may vary. For full details and dates, visit the tourism website for each city

This river cruise journeys through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, calling at Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg and Nuremberg.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaMora and AmaBella.

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Life in transit

AmaBella

AmaBella
Details · AmaWaterways

AmaBella

Deck plans
4
AmaBella · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaBella — Piano Deck deck plan

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Budapest

    Mon 22 Nov
    EMBARKATION – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Board your cruise in Budapest.
  2. 2

    Bratislava

    Tue 23 Nov
    BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. 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 culinary host to sample traditional Slovakian specialties, as well as learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli with an opportunity to taste your own creation. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
  3. 3

    Vienna

    Wed 24 Nov
    VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.
  4. 4

    Dürnstein

    Thu 25 Nov
    DÜRNSTEIN – MELK. After reaching the Wachau Valley in the morning, you’ll have a choice of three excursions in Dürnstein. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the luminous blue façade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower, before enjoying a wine tasting in a local cellar. Visit a local boutique, where you’ll be treated to the region’s finest apricot products. Alternatively, for a beautiful view of the Wachau Valley, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. After your morning excursions, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Upon reaching Melk, take a tour of the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey or take a guided bike ride through Melk. Guests looking for a more active experience may choose to hike to this impressive monastery.
  5. 5

    Passau

    Fri 26 Nov
    PASSAU, GERMANY. Enjoy a scenic morning sailing to the medieval city of Passau. Join a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress overlooking Passau.
  6. 6

    Regensburg

    Sat 27 Nov
    REGENSBURG. Explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties— beer, sausage and pretzels; or bike to Walhalla where you'll see the neo-Classical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
  7. 7

    Nuremberg

    Sun 28 Nov
    NUREMBERG. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Explore the medieval city center with a tour that showcases the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall, as well as Albrecht Dürer’s home and Market Square with its legendary fountain. Or you can take a guided tour of the city’s WWII history, including a visit to the infamous Zeppelin Field, a museum built on the site of former Nazi rallies and the site of the Nuremberg Trials when not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremberger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread).
  8. 8

    Nuremberg

    Mon 29 Nov
    NUREMBERG – DISEMBARKATION. This morning, depart the ship after breakfast.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Walking tour.
  • Tastes of Slovakia.
  • Bratislava Castle hike.
  • “Imperial Vienna” tour.
  • Vienna bike tour.
  • Free time.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaMora and AmaBella.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category CA
  • Category CB
  • Category D
Blue Danube Discovery (Christmas Time) stateroom
Blue Danube Discovery (Christmas Time) stateroom
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 20 Nov 2027 and 29 Nov 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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