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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Legendary Danube (Taste of Christmas)

  • Included guided tours of medieval cities, WWII sites and UNESCO heritage locations
  • Choice of standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest excursions daily
  • Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ship with all meals and entertainment
From
$4,997 pp twin share
7 nights
When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Wed 24 Nov 2027 → Wed 1 Dec 2027 7 nights · Nuremberg → Budapest · AmaSonata Balcony $8,098 Suite $11,839 from $8,098 pp twin share Select
  2. Wed 22 Dec 2027 → Wed 29 Dec 2027 7 nights · Nuremberg → Budapest · AmaSonata Outside $4,997 Balcony $7,298 Suite $11,039 from $4,997 pp twin share Enquire
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Seven nights cruising the Danube through Germany, Austria and Hungary, experiencing Christmas markets and medieval cities

  • Medieval cities of Nuremberg and Regensburg with preserved architecture
  • UNESCO Wachau Valley and Benedictine Abbey from your ship
  • Christmas markets and local holiday traditions across major cities

Trip Details

Departs
Wed 22 Dec 2027
Returns
Wed 29 Dec 2027
Embarks
Nuremberg
Disembarks
Budapest
Ship
AmaSonata
Operator
AMAWaterways

Celebrate Europe's long-standing holiday traditions at storied historical sites and major metropolises along the Danube. Explore the perfectly preserved medieval cities of Nuremberg and Regensburg; witness the breathtaking UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley from your festively decorated river cruise ship; and keep your eye out for the many Christmas Markets scattered throughout Europe’s grandest cities. Get ahead of the holiday rush with seasonally exclusive events free from the crowds, knowing that you are experiencing Europe's culture, cuisine, and holiday festivities just as the locals do. 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 Germany, Austria and Hungary, calling at Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest and Budapest.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaSonata.

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

AmaSonata

AmaSonata
Details · AmaWaterways
AmaSonata
Deck plans
4
AmaSonata · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaSonata — 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

    Nuremberg

    Wed 22 Dec
    EMBARKATION – NUREMBERG, GERMANY. Embark your ship in Nuremberg. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg.
  2. 2

    Nuremberg

    Thu 23 Dec
    NUREMBERG, GERMANY. You have three choices of excursions while in Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided tour through Nuremberg’s beautiful medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Or turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. You’ll also visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, and Courtroom 600, if the courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). En route to Regensburg, you’ll cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal.
  3. 3

    Regensburg

    Fri 24 Dec
    REGENSBURG, GERMANY. Explore one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities Regensburg on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Alternatively, sample some Bavarian specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels, and for those who wish to be more active, join a bike tour to Walhalla where you will see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
  4. 4

    Passau

    Sat 25 Dec
    PASSAU, GERMANY – LINZ, AUSTRIA. Enjoy a walking tour along Passau's cobblestone streets admiring the Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For guests looking for a more active morning, you can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views overlooking three rivers. Later in the day, set sail for Linz.
  5. 5

    Melk

    Sun 26 Dec
    MELK, AUSTRIA – VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour that takes you through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley; or go on a walking tour along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, famed church tower. Later in the day, set sail through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley.
  6. 6

    Vienna

    Mon 27 Dec
    VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and on your city tour, you’ll see many of them, 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 afterwards, visit the grand St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, discover Vienna on a guided bike tour. During the afternoon, visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. Or, spend leisure time exploring this iconic city at your own pace.
  7. 7

    Budapest

    Tue 28 Dec
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.
  8. 8

    Budapest

    Wed 29 Dec
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Medieval city tour.
  • WWII city tour.
  • Tastes of Franconia.
  • Cruise Main-Danube Canal.
  • UNESCO city walking tour.
  • Walhalla bike tour.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaSonata.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA+
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category C
  • Category D
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 24 Nov 2027 and 29 Dec 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.

Enquire about this cruise
From (twin) $4,997 pp
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