Christmastime on the Legendary Danube

8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest

December 10 - December 17, 2025

Vacation Overview

This Danube River cruise at Christmastime delights with the shining sights and sounds of the holiday season. Experience the beautiful traditions of the festive season amid 14th-century architecture and towns virtually unchanged since Roman times. Walk down narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses and Christkindlmarkt stalls alight with glowing atmosphere of three beautiful countries. Sail through a winter wonderland and revel in the Advent season as each town is festively decorated, offering holiday wares and delicious fare to warm the heart.

Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, and visit this 1000-year-old city with a Local Guide. Browse Nuremberg’s Christmas market—one of Europe’s oldest. Be sure to try the city’s traditional gingerbread! Next, visit Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Here, you’ll taste some of Germany’s famous beers and sausages. Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow winding streets lined with patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral which forms a perfect backdrop for the delightful Christkindlmarkt. In Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, and enjoy a traditional Austrian cookie tasting as you cruise through a winter wonderland from the Wachau Valley to romantic Vienna. Here, where Christmas markets are scattered around the city, enjoy a culinary walk through the markets to taste some of the local traditional specialties.

Your European Christmas River cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore one more Christmas market and buy one-of-a-kind gifts.

Day 1 -- NUREMBURG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul.

Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

dinner

Day 2 -- NUREMBURG

Legends and History Lessons

Classic Excursion

Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

Classic Excursion

Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

breakfast-lunch-Dinner

Day 3 -- REGENSBURG

Christmas Magic in Bavaria

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.

Discovery Excursion

Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 4 -- PASSAU

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.

Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.

Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

breakfast - lunch - dinner

Day 5 -- VIENNA - MELK - WACHAU VALLEY

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

Classic Excursion

Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

Discovery Excursion

Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.

VIENNA

Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube

This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

breakfast - lunch - dinner

Day 6 -- VIENNA

Royal Collections and Culinary Confections

Classic Excursion

Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

breakfast - lunch - dinner

Day 7 -- BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

War Heroes and Hot Water

Classic Excursion

Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs or nightlife and don’t miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

breakfast - lunch - dinner

Day 7 -- BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

breakfast

Cabin Options


Deposit due at Booking	Starting at $462.58 per person per month

Cabin Pricing

CABIN TYPE	CABINS AVAILABLE	CRUISE FARE PER PERSON	UPGRADE COST	TAXES / FEES / PORT CHARGES	GRATUITIES	INSURANCE	DISCOUNT PER PERSON	TOTAL PER PERSON	DEPOSIT PER PERSON	BALANCE PER PERSON	MONTHLY PAYMENT PER PERSON
Panorama Suite Category A (Dark Blue)	3	$3,899.00	$1,749.00	$210.00	$143.00	$479.00	$375.00	$6,105.00	$729.00	$5,376.00	$448.00
Panorama Suite Category P (Green)	2	$3,899.00	$1,799.00	$210.00	$143.00	$479.00	$375.00	$6,155.00	$729.00	$5,426.00	$452.17