Bratislava’s Christmas Market
Esztergom Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica and Christmas Market, Budapest
A French Balcony Cabin
The Library
The Lobby
The Lounge
The Speciality Restaurant
The Dutch Café
Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Lorelei 2027
The Danube
from
£3,486 per person
Save up to 25%
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.
Join the celebrations aboard Spirit of the Lorelei
Enjoy an extra special Christmas with an all-inclusive river cruise aboard Spirit of the Lorelei and welcome in the New Year amid the beautiful winter riverscapes of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany on this Danube cruise in 2027. Relish the festive atmosphere, mulled wine and traditional Christmas dinner on board Spirit of the Lorelei, welcoming in the New Year with on-board celebrations. Visit Budapest, where a tour will reveal highlights such as St Stephen’s Basilica. Sail overnight into Slovakia to explore the capital aboard the Bratislava Land Train, taking in sights such as the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, the Slovak National Theatre and Bratislava Castle. Relax on board during Christmas Eve and spend Christmas Day morning in Krems where a walking tour will reveal the highlights before you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley in the afternoon. On Boxing Day call at Melk and take a guided tour of Melk Abbey, a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Sail overnight to Passau, home to St Stephen’s Cathedral and the old and new Bishop’s Palaces, then on to the Bavarian town of Vilshofen, gateway to the Bavarian Forest.
Continue into Austria to visit Linz and Dürnstein, then spend New Year’s Eve in the elegant capital Vienna, known for the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel and one of the world’s finest opera houses. Welcome in the New Year with celebrations on board as Spirit of the Lorelei sails overnight and continues through New Year’s Day into Hungary. Explore Esztergom and its Basilica, and admire the scenery of the Danube Bend before arriving in Budapest. This is a city of two parts: Buda and Pest, set on opposite sides of the Danube. Historic Buda has 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.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Lorelei
Travel to Budapest and embark Spirit of the Lorelei. Your all-inclusive cruise begins with dinner tonight.
Depart 1800.
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. There are several Christmas markets within the city, each with stalls selling culinary treats and handmade goods. Sail overnight. You return to the city on Day 14 and will have more time then to see some of the city’s numerous attractions.
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.
Arrive 1400.
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.
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.
Depart 1400.
After spending the morning in Bratislava sail through the afternoon and overnight.
Arrive Krems, 0500. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Melk, 1900.
The historic town of Krems sits on the edge of the scenic Wachau Valley. Enjoy an included morning walking tour to see some of the highlights. Enjoy the festivities and traditional Christmas dinner on board as Spirit of the Lorelei sails through the picturesque scenery of the Wachau Valley to Melk, for an overnight mooring.
Included visit
Join an included excursion to see some of Krems attractions on foot.
Depart 1400.
This historic town features architectural styles from across the centuries. Its jewel is the abbey which sits on a bluff above the town. Continue sailing this afternoon and overnight.
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 0900.
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.
Depart Passau, 0900.
Arrive Vilshofen, 1200. 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. 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. Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Enjoy a guided panoramic tour into the Bavarian Forest. Drive through the countryside, passing through Bavarian villages and into the woodland. Continue up into the hills stopping at Geyerei viewpoint restaurant, where you can enjoy a coffee and cake while taking in the view.
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.
Arrive 1300. Depart 1900.
Dürnstein is set beneath the ruined Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century. Highlights of the town include the medieval lanes, the city gate and inner yard of the town hall.
Included excursion
Enjoy an included walking tour into Dürnstein to see some of the highlights.
Arrive 0200.
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. Welcome in the New Year with celebrations on board.
Included visit
Enjoy a tour of the city, where highlights include the Ringstrasse and Opera House, or opt for a panoramic drive.
Depart Vienna, 0600.
Sailing day.
Arrive Esztergom, 2100.
Relax and enjoy the scenery and facilities on board as Spirit of the Lorelei continues to Esztergom for an overnight mooring.
Depart Esztergom, 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Danube Bend.
Arrive Budapest, 1900.
The small town of Esztergom 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. Continue to Budapest for an overnight mooring.
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.
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.
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.
Disembark Spirit of the Lorelei after breakfast and begin your return journey.
Including...
Nationwide shared chauffeur service
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.
†The included drinks are available on board from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes branded spirits. This begins at 4pm on day 1 of your river cruise to the day before your cruise ends.
from
£3,486 per person
Save up to 25%
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
£3,486 per person
Save up to 25%
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.