If you’ve never considered a River cruise, the Danube is one of several great first River Cruises to try! AmaWaterways is one of the best in River Cruising. To learn more about my top 5 recommended river cruise lines, see THIS POST on the River Cruise Lines.
AmaWaterways’ Romantic Danube itinerary cruises from Vilshofen or Budapest. You visit Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia all while on the lovely Danube River.
What’s Included in an AmaWaterways River Cruise?
- Spacious Stateroom with luxury accommodation in an outside (river viewing) stateroom, most with twin balconies, internet accessible computer, on-demand entertainment, which includes high speed internet, music, movies, and English speaking TV stations, mini Fridge, desk, sitting area, bottled water which is replenished daily.
- Wide selection of on-board amenities, including wellness activities with wellness host, exercise classes, discussions on healthy living, personalized service on land or cruise programs with the cruise manager, internet and Wi-Fi access, sundeck pool with swim up bar, walking track, fitness room, hair salon, massage services, lounge with panoramic views & bar, daily entertainment including performances of a cultural nature.
- Amazing, award winning dining including a variety of venues, cuisine locally sourced ingredients and regionally inspired, Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience, Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks, Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Tours and transportation including Immersive tours in every destination, Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options, Bike tours and hikes, Special Interest Tours, Knowledgeable guides, a personal headset for easy exploration, & even included Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways!
Sample Itinerary for 2021:
Day 1: Board the ship for your Romantic Danube cruise.
Day 2: Explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before cruising 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. (B,L,D)
Day 3: 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. Alternatively, you can join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House; or go on a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. *Note: Not available with full-day Salzburg excursion
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.
Add-On Options
You can add a 2 night Munich pre-cruise extension or a 3 night Prague post-cruise extension!
Ships
Ships can vary by year. These ships are sailing the Romantic Danube itinerary from 2021-2023 with AmaWaterways as of the writing of this post in September 2021 and may change at any time:
AmaBella
The AmaBella offers the ultimate in custom-designed luxury. This 161-passenger vessel features a combination of amenities and design details. 2021, 2022, 2023 Romantic Danube.
AmaCerto
This 162-passenger vessel incorporates the most advanced design offering spacious staterooms featuring our exclusive twin balconies, multiple dining venues, heated pool, Internet/WiFi access and more. 2021 Romantic Danube.
AmaLea
This 158-passenger vessel boasts spacious staterooms with our exclusive Twin Balconies, a choice of dining venues, a heated pool with swim-up bar, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and more. 2021-2023 Romantic Danube.
AmaReina
This 162-passenger vessel boasts spacious staterooms with our exclusive Twin Balconies, a choice of dining venues, a heated pool with swim-up bar, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and more. 2022-2023 Romantic Danube.
AmaSonata
This 162-passenger vessel boasts spacious staterooms with our exclusive Twin Balconies, a choice of dining venues, a heated pool with swim-up bar, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and more. 2021-2023 Romantic Danube.
AmaVerde
Providing the ultimate in custom-designed luxury, this 161-passenger vessel offers twin balcony staterooms, a heated swimming pool, fitness center, and much more. 2021-2023 Romantic Danube.
AmaViola
This 156-passenger vessel boasts spacious staterooms with our exclusive Twin Balconies, a choice of dining venues, a heated pool with swim-up bar, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and more. 2021-2023 Romantic Danube.
Are you ready to try this or another river cruise? Request a Complimentary Consultation by clicking HERE.