Vienna's illuminated attractions- Melk and its Benedictine Abbey
- Sunset over the Danube
- The Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest
Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Danube
The Danube
from
£3,419 per person
14 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
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New
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Return UK travel service
Enjoy the celebrations aboard Spirit of the Danube
Celebrate Christmas and the New Year amid the beautiful winter riverscapes of Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary on this Danube cruise in 2026. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, mulled wine and traditional Christmas dinner on board Spirit of the Danube, welcoming in the New Year with on-board celebrations. Cruise through the UNESCO-listed landscape of the Wachau Valley and stop to visit the elegant cities of the Danube when the streets of Melk will be decorated with lights and fir trees, and Vienna's historic square will play host to traditional Christmas markets. Look forward to a walking tour in medieval Regensburg, and in the Bavarian town of Vilshofen, you can enjoy a Bavarian music concert with traditional Bavarian food. Visit Benedictine Göttweig Abbey in Krems before spending New Year’s Eve in Budapest, where a tour will reveal highlights such as St Stephen’s Basilica. Cruise the scenic Danube Bend to visit Esztergom and its impressive basilica, then return to the elegant Austrian capital. Pass Vienna’s historic Ringstrasse on a coach tour, then stop to explore attractions such as St Stephen’s Cathedral on foot.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube
Travel to Vienna and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel and one of the world's finest opera houses. It is the city where Marie Antoinette grew up and where Mozart died, and for 600 years was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire. Take our complimentary transfer service into the city to explore independently. You return to the city on Day 13 and will have more time then to see some of its attractions.
Sail overnight.
Included visit
Take our complimentary transfer service into the city, where highlights include the Ringstrasse and Opera House, and head to the Krippenmarkt, December market, to browse the stalls independently. Various art ware, silver jewellery, enamel and ceramics can be purchased here.
Depart Vienna 0100.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Melk, 1300. Depart 1900.
This morning you cruise through the UNESCO-listed scenery of the Wachau Valley to Melk. This historic town features architectural styles from across the centuries. Its jewel is the abbey which sits on a bluff above the town.
Included excursion
Enjoy a guided tour to Melk Abbey, a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Learn more about why this site was rebuilt in the 18th century and what remains in the tombs of the abbey below. See the church frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, the marble hall and the world-famous library, which houses more than 80,000 books and manuscripts.
Arrive 1400.
Passau is located at the confluence of the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn. The surrounding wooded hills create a scenic backdrop to the city's towers, spires and red-roofed houses. The wealthy past of this cultured city is reflected in its many fine buildings, including the baroque St Stephen's Cathedral, and the old and new Bishop's Palaces.
Included excursion
Enjoy a walking tour of Passau, exploring some key highlights such as the Gothic Town Hall and the city’s landmark, St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Sailing day.
Depart Passau, 0600.
Arrive Regensburg, 0000.
Following an early departure from Passau Spirit of the Danube will spend the day cruising towards Regensburg. Look forward to spending a relaxing Christmas Day on board enjoying the festivities and traditional Christmas dinner.
Depart 2300.
Regensburg has been a religious centre since the 7th century and has numerous medieval churches. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries the city enjoyed great wealth thanks to its trade links in Europe.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Join an included walking tour directly from your ship and into the city to see highlights such as the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and the Stone Bridge, which completed in 1146 and influenced bridge-building elsewhere, including the Charles Bridge in Prague. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.
Arrive 1300. Depart 1800.
The attractive old area of this small Bavarian town is perched on a promontory between the Danube and Vils rivers. Highlights include the Benedictine Abbey and church of St John.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Join a brief orientation walk of Vilshofen, then head to a historic hall nearby where you can enjoy a performance of authentic Bavarian music accompanied by beer, pretzels and other traditional Bavarian food.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
Linz is a diverse city where the modern architecture and creative arts scene blends with the quaint Old Town of baroque-style buildings. The city is known for its Linzer torte, said to be the world’s oldest cake recipe. Take time to explore Linz independently.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
This included tour begins with a short walk from your ship towards the city centre. In the company of a local guide you will visit the Old Town Hall, which features an enormous aerial floor map of the city. Next, board the land train for a trip through the streets of Linz with commentary en route.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Krems, 1200. Depart 2000.
Cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley this morning before arriving in the historic town of Krems.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Join an included excursion to see some of Krems attractions on foot or opt for an included visit to Göttweig Abbey, a huge Benedictine monastery founded in 1083. Discover its highly decorated baroque interior and monumental imperial staircase, overlooked by a ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.
The old town of Slovakia’s capital is easily explored on foot. The cobbled streets lead to Bratislava Castle, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. The Gothic-style Cathedral is where eleven Kings of Hungary were crowned while Turks occupied their own capital.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Step aboard the Bratislava Land Train with a local guide, taking you on a sightseeing adventure around the Slovakian capital. The journey will take you past the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, through to one of the oldest local theatres, the Slovak National Theatre, and around the historic Old Town to Bratislava Castle. You should expect to walk approximately one mile.
Arrive 0800.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character. Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.
Spirit of the Danube will remain moored here overnight and you can welcome in the New Year with celebrations on board.
Included excursion
During this included, sightseeing tour by coach, take in the sights of the highlights of Budapest and look forward to a short stop at the local Basilica.
Depart Budapest, 0500.
Scenic Cruise, Danube Bend.
Arrive Esztergom, 1300. Depart 1900.
Relax and enjoy the facilities on board as Spirit of the Danube continues through the scenic Danube Bend to Esztergom. This small town is home to Hungary's largest basilica, the dome of which can be seen for miles. The first Hungarian king, St Stephen, was born and crowned in Esztergom.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Board the land train for a short journey from the pier to the Esztergom Basilica with a local guide. Esztergom was the capital of Hungary from the tenth until the mid-13th century when King Béla IV of Hungary moved the Royal seat to Buda. Its cathedral, Esztergom Basilica, is the second largest church and tallest building in Hungary. Expect to walk up to one mile during this included excursion.
Sailing day
Arrive Vienna, 1800.
Enjoy a leisurely day on board as Spirit of the Danube navigates the Danube River to arrive in the Austrian capital this evening and mooring here overnight.
This morning an included tour begins by coach, passing the iconic Ferris Wheel and highlights of the historic Ringstrasse, before stopping for a guided walk through the oldest part of the city, where you can see St Stephen’s Cathedral. Following your included tour you may choose to stay in Vienna to explore further independently before returning to the ship later this afternoon using our complimentary transfer service.
Included excursion
Explore the city of Vienna on either a panoramic coach tour or a combined coach and walking tour to see some of the highlights, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House.
Disembark Spirit of the Danube and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Gala dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursion in every port
Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available on board from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes branded spirits.
from
£3,419 per person
14 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
from
£3,419 per person
14 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.