Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Romantic Danube (New Year’s Celebration)

Choice of walking, hiking or bike tours at most ports of call
Included tours including City of Three Rivers walk and Passau Castle hike
Full-day Český Krumlov excursion to one of Europe's largest castle complexes

$5,200 pp twin share

7 nights

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City Escapes: The Rhine (AmaBrazil)

Romantic Danube - route map

When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

Sun 27 Dec 2026 → Sun 3 Jan 2027 7 nights · Vilshofen → Budapest · AmaSofia Balcony $8,947 Suite $12,696 from $8,947 pp twin share Select
Mon 28 Dec 2026 → Mon 4 Jan 2027 7 nights · Vilshofen → Budapest · AmaBella Outside $5,200 Balcony $8,347 Suite $11,196 from $5,200 pp twin share Enquire

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

An 8-day river cruise along the Danube through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, linking grand European cities, abbeys and castles

Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music
Full-day Salzburg excursion through the historic centre and Mirabell Gardens
Vienna city tour showcasing the Opera House and St. Stephen's Cathedral

Trip Details

Departs: Mon 28 Dec 2026
Returns: Mon 4 Jan 2027
Embarks: Vilshofen
Disembarks: Budapest
Ship: AmaBella
Operator: AMAWaterways

Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of Salzburg or the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Ceský Krumlov. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.

This river cruise journeys through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, calling at Vilshofen, Passau, Linz, Weissenkirchen, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Budapest.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSofia 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.

$5,200

pp twin share

Enquire

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Life in transit

AmaBella

Details · AmaWaterways

AmaBella

Deck plans: 4

AmaBella · Deck plans

Piano Deck

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
Vilshofen
Mon 28 Dec
EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN. Board the ship for your Romantic Danube cruise. Later in the day, attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing.
2
Passau
Tue 29 Dec
PASSAU. Cruise 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 go on a River Inn bike tour.
3
Linz
Wed 30 Dec
LINZ, AUSTRIA. The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll 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 . You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes. Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube.
4
Weissenkirchen
Thu 31 Dec
WEISSENKIRCHEN. Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose 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, you can opt to 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, where you’ll enjoy the region’s finest apricot treats. Later in the evening, enjoy a special wine tasting of locally grown, world-renowned Riesling and Grüner Veltliner in Weissenkirchen.
5
Vienna
Fri 1 Jan
VIENNA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or 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.
6
Bratislava
Sat 2 Jan
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 special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
7
Budapest
Sun 3 Jan
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
Budapest
Mon 4 Jan
BUDAPEST – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.