European Gems, Belgium and Norwegian Fjords

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Arrive Budapest, Embark Ship

   Arrive in the enthralling city of Budapest, where your river ship awaits on the Danube River. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and meet your fellow travellers and Cruise Director.

2. 2

   Budapest

   Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and discover Budapest’s vibrant history on a guided tour featuring many of its most impressive sights. Back on board this evening, enjoy a Gala Welcome Dinner as you cruise.

   Insider Experience – Hungarian State Opera Performance

   Visit the Hungarian State Opera for a guided tour, then enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while a private opera recital is performed.

3. 3

   Vienna

   On arrival in the city centre, join a walking tour taking in highlights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben and the Hofburg. Later, explore the vibrant Naschmarkt at leisure.

4. 4

   Vienna

   With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg district or wander along Kärntner Straße, the city’s famous shopping boulevard. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Schloss Hof or travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. This evening, you may wish to attend an optional concert.

   Enhance Your Journey – Schloss Hof and Lipizzaner Experience

   Enjoy a guided tour of the Schloss Hof estate, once the residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy and later Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Explore the resplendent palace apartments adorned with exquisite textiles and glass chandeliers, before strolling through the Baroque gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the stables, where you’ll encounter the magnificent Lipizzaner horses up close. Learn what makes these noble horses so special through insights into their breeding, care and training, before witnessing an exclusive performance that showcases their remarkable grace and discipline.

   Enhance Your Journey – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia

   Visit Bratislava, a charming city where medieval, Baroque and communist-era architecture meet. See landmarks such as the UFO Bridge and the distinctive Slovak Radio Building, each reflecting the city’s intriguing past.

   Enhance Your Journey – Mozart and Strauss Concert

   Attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in one of Vienna’s historic palaces or concert halls, followed by an evening drive along the Ringstrasse.

5. 5

   Dürnstein, Melk

   Cruise to Dürnstein, a charming town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. Spend the morning wandering its cobbled streets, historic townhouses and inviting taverns, or perhaps join an optional tasting of the region’s renowned wines. Later, sail through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk, where you’ll tour its magnificent abbey, a Benedictine monastery in continuous operation since 1089.

6. 6

   Aschach, Passau

   Today, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic or visit Salzburg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day sailing to Passau.

   Insider Experience – Bavarian Evening on Board

   This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian celebration on board, sampling local beer and snacks accompanied by folk music, song and dance.

   Enhance Your Journey – Český Krumlov

   Enjoy a full-day excursion to Český Krumlov, a beautifully preserved town in the Czech Republic, home to more than 300 historic buildings.

   Enhance Your Journey – Salzburg Sights

   Travel through Austria’s scenic countryside to Mondsee, where you may recognise the famous wedding church from The Sound of Music. Continue to Salzburg for a guided tour of Mozart’s hometown, followed by free time to explore before returning to your ship.

7. 7

   Regensburg

   Continue along the Danube to Regensburg, in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Join a guided tour through its historic streets, discovering medieval architecture and cultural landmarks.

8. 8

   Nuremberg

   Arrive in Nuremberg, once the setting for Hitler’s infamous rallies during World War II. This afternoon, take a city tour including sites such as the Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice.

9. 9

   Bamberg

   Discover Bamberg, one of the few German cities largely spared destruction during World War II. Join a locally guided tour of its historic centre, taking in sights such as the old town hall and Bamberg Cathedral, followed by free time to explore at your leisure.

10. 10

    Würzburg

    Surrounded by lush hills and vineyards, Würzburg is home to the magnificent Baroque Würzburg Residence. Tour the palace and stroll through the Court Gardens before perhaps choosing an optional visit to Rothenburg, a charming medieval town along the Romantic Road.

    Enhance Your Journey – Medieval Rothenburg Tour

    Depart from Würzburg for an excursion to Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved walled town on the Romantic Road in Franconia.

11. 11

    Miltenberg

    Enjoy time at leisure to discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town and its half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. Return to your ship and, as evening falls, watch the lights of medieval towns drift past during your overnight cruise.

12. 12

    Rüdesheim, Rhine Gorge

    In Rüdesheim, ride the Winzerexpress mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later, back on board, enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge.

13. 13

    Cologne, Brühl

    Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kölner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take a short drive to Brühl for your Insider Experience.

    Insider Experience – Augustusburg Palace in Germany

    Explore the former residence of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August of Bavaria, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Palace in Brühl. Hear fascinating stories and stroll through the landscaped parks and gardens linking the palace and the Falkenlust hunting lodge. Together, they represent some of the finest examples of 18th-century Rococo architecture in Germany.

14. 14

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam’s network of canals is a sight to behold. Board a glass-top boat for a scenic cruise, then enjoy free time ashore before a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

15. 15

    Disembark Ship, Amsterdam, Ghent

    After breakfast, disembark your river ship and travel to Antwerp. On arrival, set out on a guided walking tour, taking in the lively Grand Square and its bustling market, as well as the historic Steen Castle and the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore further before continuing to Ghent and checking in to your hotel.

16. 16

    Ghent

    Today, set out on a guided discovery of Ghent, a beautifully preserved medieval city where elegant guild houses and soaring church towers line winding canals. Stroll through atmospheric squares, see landmarks such as St Bavo’s Cathedral and the Castle of the Counts, and enjoy a relaxing canal cruise offering a different perspective of the city’s historic façades and waterways. This afternoon is at leisure, or you may wish to indulge in an optional chocolate tasting and sample some of Belgium’s most celebrated sweet creations. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

    Enhance Your Journey – Belgian Chocolate Tasting

    Sample a selection of Belgium’s renowned chocolates and discover why the country is considered one of the world’s great chocolate capitals.

17. 17

    Ghent, Bruges

    This morning, travel to Bruges and discover one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. On a guided tour, wander cobblestone lanes and picturesque squares, taking in highlights such as the Markt Square and its soaring belfry. The remainder of the day is at leisure to continue exploring Bruges at your own pace, or you may wish to join an optional excursion.

    Enhance Your Journey – Belgian Beer Experience

    Delve into Belgium’s celebrated beer culture — recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage — as you uncover centuries-old brewing traditions and sample a range of distinctive styles, flavours and aromas in an engaging, multi-sensory tasting experience.

18. 18

    Bruges, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Embark Ship

    Today, travel to the World Heritage-listed village of Kinderdijk, home to the Netherlands’ largest collection of historic 18th-century windmills. Discover how this iconic landscape reflects the country’s centuries-old relationship with water management and engineering ingenuity. Later, continue to Rotterdam to board Holland America Line’s MS Rotterdam.

19. 19

    At Sea

    Enjoy a day at leisure on board your ship as you sail towards Norway.

20. 20

    Scenic Cruising, Oslo

    Begin the day with scenic cruising along the Oslofjord, the broad waterway stretching south from Norway’s capital for almost 100 kilometres. As you sail past wooded shores and scattered islands, watch for seabirds and fishing boats, and glimpse the summer cabins that dot the coastline — a cherished retreat for locals during the warmer months. This historically significant region has been settled since prehistoric times, and Viking ships discovered along these shores offer a fascinating link to Norway’s past. Later, arrive in Oslo. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore independently or join one of the optional sightseeing tours (additional expense).

21. 21

    Mandal, Kristiansand

    Discover the coastal towns of Mandal and Kristiansand, where Norway’s southern shoreline reveals a gentler character of sandy beaches, colourful harbourfronts and relaxed seaside charm. Spend time exploring the picturesque streets, sampling local cuisine, or discovering cultural attractions at your own pace. Enjoy the day at leisure to wander independently, or join one of the optional sightseeing tours available (additional expense).

22. 22

    Stavanger

    Enjoy a special Insider Experience today. Afterwards, enjoy free time to browse local shops or simply soak up the peaceful atmosphere before returning to your ship.

    Insider Experience – Summer Paradise Tour

    Experience Norway’s beauty on the Summer’s Paradise tour. Enjoy freshly made waffles with cream and jam, served with coffee or tea, before a scenic drive with a photo opportunity overlooking Lysefjorden. Continue to the historic Villa Rosehagen, once home to industrialist Marlow Graham and now a charming seaside restaurant, where you can take in panoramic fjord views. Enjoy time to wander the gardens and admire views across the fjord and Jørpeland harbour while savouring freshly made Norwegian waffles with cream and jam, served with coffee or tea.

23. 23

    Scenic Cruising, Sognefjor, Skjolden

    Sail from Skjolden along the fjord through lush valleys and traditional farmland to Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park, home to mainland Europe’s largest glacier. Travel via a private road into Nigardsbreen Nature Reserve for a distant view of the mighty glacier, then head to the Breheimsenteret visitor centre.

24. 24

    At Sea

    Enjoy a day on board. Take advantage of the ship’s superb amenities, from exquisite dining and onboard shopping to the fitness centre and pickleball courts. Be entertained by performances at the spectacular World Stage or unwind with live music.

25. 25

    Rotterdam, Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

    After breakfast, disembark your ship in Rotterdam and transfer to Amsterdam airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation

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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