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Cruise · AMA Waterways · 7 nights

Legendary Danube (Taste of Christmas)

  • Extensive included tours with choice of standard, bike, hike and special interest options
  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ship AmaSonata for seven nights
  • Guided excursions to Melk Abbey, Vienna's Opera House and Budapest's Castle District
From
$5,175 pp twin share
7 nights
When & how much

Choose your departure

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-designated Wachau Valley viewed from festively decorated river ship
  • Christmas Markets throughout Europe's grandest cities during holiday season

Trip Details

Departs
Wed 20 Dec 2028
Returns
Wed 27 Dec 2028
Embarks
Nuremberg
Disembarks
Budapest
Ship
AmaSonata
Operator
AMA Waterways

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 20 Dec
    EMBARKATION – NUREMBERG, GERMANY. Board your ship in Nuremberg and settle in for your Legendary Danube journey.
  2. 2

    Nuremberg

    Thu 21 Dec
    NUREMBERG, GERMANY. Choose from three distinct adventures on today’s excursion to Nuremberg. Join a guided tour through the city’s beautifully preserved medieval center, including the Imperial Castle and town walls; take a deeper look at the city’s WWII history with visits to the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, and Courtroom 600 (when available); or sample local Franconian specialties such as Nuremberger Bratwurst, red beer, and gingerbread.
  3. 3

    Regensburg

    Fri 22 Dec
    REGENSBURG, GERMANY. Spend the day in one of Germany’s best-preserved Medieval cities, Regensburg. Opt to join a guided walking tour that highlights its Old Town, the historic town hall, and the ancient Porta Praetoria. Or, sample Bavarian beer, sausage, and pretzels on a tasting-focused tour. For a more active option, bike to Walhalla to see the striking neoclassical memorial overlooking the Danube.
  4. 4

    Passau

    Sat 23 Dec
    PASSAU, GERMANY – LINZ, AUSTRIA. Cruise to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers” where you’ll have the option to join a guided walking tour in the city; hike into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or take part in a River Inn bike tour.
  5. 5

    Melk

    Sun 24 Dec
    MELK, AUSTRIA – VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Begin your day with a guided tour of Melk Abbey, known for its Baroque architecture and historic collections. Guests seeking a more active option may hike up to the abbey. Alternatively, stroll through Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets and see its famed Baroque church tower, or bike through the Wachau Valley’s scenic UNESCO landscape.
  6. 6

    Vienna

    Mon 25 Dec
    VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Spend your morning on a walking tour of Vienna’s most notable sites, including the Opera House, the former Imperial Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, ending in the historic city center. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour of the city’s attractions.
  7. 7

    Budapest

    Tue 26 Dec
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Explore both sides of Budapest. Begin on the Buda side with a guided tour of the Castle District, including Fisherman’s Bastion, a panoramic viewpoint, and Matthias Church. Or, for a more active option, you can join a guided hike to Castle Hill.
  8. 8

    Budapest

    Wed 27 Dec
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – DISEMBARKATION. After a leisurely breakfast on board, you’ll disembark in Budapest and prepare for your flight home. Or, if you’ve opted to extend your trip with a stay in Budapest, our team will assist you with transfers to your hotel.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Medieval Nuremberg.
  • WWII city tour.
  • Tastes of Franconia.
  • Scenic Cruising the 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 22 Nov 2028 and 27 Dec 2028, 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.
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From (twin) $5,175 pp
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