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Christmas Markets on the Danube on Emerald Destiny

From Budapest, Hungary to Munich, Germany
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Mon, Dec 01, 2025
Operator
Departure
Dec 01, 2025
Arrival
Dec 08, 2025

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River Cruise Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Budapest
    Mon, Dec 01, 2025

    Welcome to Budapest. You’ll be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure.  
    This evening, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music and dance on board. 

    EmeraldPLUS
    Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

    Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.


    Meals: Dinner
  2. Day 2
    Budapest
    Tue, Dec 02, 2025

    Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets. 

    Included Excursion
    Guided coach tour of Budapest


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3
    Bratislava
    Wed, Dec 03, 2025

    Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats, and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bratislava, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets.  

    Included Excursion
    Walking tour of Bratislava

    EmeraldPLUS
    Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

    DiscoverMORE
    Carpathian wine route (extra expense)


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4
    Vienna
    Thu, Dec 04, 2025

    Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.  

    Included Excursion
    Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

    DiscoverMORE
    Viennese evening concert (extra expense)


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5
    Krems - Dürnstein
    Fri, Dec 05, 2025

    Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Constructed in 1083, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from across the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.  

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey

    EmeraldPLUS
    Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6
    Passau
    Sat, Dec 06, 2025

    A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting the annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts are found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights. 

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Passau

    DiscoverMORE
    Visit to Schuetz Museum Engelhartszell (extra expense)


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7
    Regensburg
    Sun, Dec 07, 2025

    Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn and Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets. 

    EmeraldPLUS
    Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds

    EmeraldPLUS
    Traditional Bavarian band on board

    EmeraldPLUS
    Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8
    Regensburg Disembarkation - Munich
    Mon, Dec 08, 2025

    After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport and take memories of handcrafted ornaments and gingerbread stalls with you. 

    Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 02:00 PM.

    This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.


    Meals: Breakfast

Countries Visited

Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia

Rivers Visited

Danube

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.5
Accommodations
4.5
Itinerary
4.3
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
4.5
Value for Money
4.1

Ratings based off 11 reviews - currently showing 5 reviews with comments only

We had a great cruise with no issues whatsoever.

We had an outstanding trip down the Danube on Emerald Waterways. The food was amazing, the service was absolutely top-notch, the places we stopped (Passau, Linz and Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest) were all wonderful in their own way. The options provided by Emerald (active vs. included, and the add-on activities) were just right. Our Cruise Director and the Activity Manager were very knowledgeable and attentive throughout our trip. As alway, Affordable Tours helped us book, and provided great follow-up care when we needed it. 

This trip was wonderful, with only 160 passengers we were treated royally. Everyone on board the ship worked with only one thing in mind to please the customers.

Derek was very thorough and easy to work with. Our trip was what we expected.

We were fortunate the trip went as planned. A lock was damaged and the ship we were scheduled for was unavailable. Emerald provided a different ship and we completed our full itinerary. Great job Emerald. The trip wonderful. Great staff, tours and food. Our Affordable agent Allyson fulfilled all our needs efficiently providing excellent customer care.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Emerald. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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