The Iron Gates Gorge- The Old Town of Bucharest
- The Decebalus Face rock carving
- The Baba Vida fortress, Vidin
From Budapest to the Black Sea 2026
The Danube
from
£3,999 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
Cruise the Danube through Europe
This all-inclusive river cruise in 2026 cruises along the Danube to reveal the riverside attractions of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Begin by exploring the city of Vukovar where the historic centre features Baroque architecture. Sail overnight to spend a full day in the Serbian capital Belgrade whose landmark sight, the Kalemegdan fortress, sits at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Then, spend a relaxing day on board Spirit of the Danube as she cruises past the huge rock carving of the Decebalus Face and on through the dramatic scenery of the Iron Gates Gorge.
In Bulgaria, discover the rich history of Vidin and Austrian-style architecture of Rousse. Continue cruising the Danube into Romania, stopping at Cernavoda for a transfer to Constanta for a walking tour, before continuing sailing overnight to Oltenita. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Romanian capital Bucharest, where highlights include the former Royal Palace and Romanian Atheneum Concert Hall.
Visit the Bulgarian town of Nikopol, overlooked by medieval fortifications. From here an excursion visits the Russo-Turkish war museum which houses a vast circular painting commemorating the Siege of Pleven. Spend a full day sailing back into Serbia. Stop at Donji Milanovac, for a walking tour of the Mesolithic site of Lepenski Vir, and from Novi Sad you can visit a monastery in the Fruska Gora National Park for lunch. Then, spend a relaxing day on board as Spirit of the Danube cruises into Hungary where you will have a day to see the sights of Budapest, both on a coach tour and independently. The cobbled streets of Buda are home to medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube
Depart 2000.
Travel to Budapest and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Sail overnight.
Arrive 1300. Depart 1800.
The city of Vukovar lies in Slavonia, a region of Croatia which was ruled by Rome until the 5th century, and later settled by the Slavs – hence the name. A thriving city before the Yugoslav War, Vukovar was also the site of one of the biggest battles during the break up of Yugoslavia. Much of the city was destroyed and the shell scarred water tower here has been preserved in memoriam. Baroque and classical pre-war architecture can be seen in the historic city centre.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
An included tour of Vukovar and the Ovcara Memorial offers a poignant journey through history, marked by the tragic events of the Yugoslav War. An expert guide will share an overview of the area’s history and its significance during the war, as well as their own personal experiences of living in the city.
Arrive 0800. Depart 0000.
Set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers, Belgrade is considered to be the meeting point of Eastern and Western Europe. It’s a city with a chequered past, having been destroyed and rebuilt 20 times during its 2,000-year history! The key attractions include the cathedral, St Sava Temple and the centrally located Belgrade Fortress, which dates mostly from the late 18th century and contains the tomb of the Turkish Grand Vezir, Ali Pasha.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
This included tour provides the opportunity to discover Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Fortress with a guided walk, followed by a visit to the St Sava Temple, one of the city’s most striking landmarks.
Scenic Cruise, Decebalus Face and the Iron Gates gorge.
Arrive Vidin, 2130.
Relax on board Spirit of the Danube for a day of cruising, passing the Decebalus Face, a colossal carving in the rocks depicting the last king of Dacia, this morning. You also cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, a scenic stretch of river framed on both sides by sheer cliffs. In ancient times the water level in the Iron Gates gorge was much lower and it was considered one of the most dangerous stretches of river in Europe to navigate. The riverbed rocks and low water levels combined to make this part of the river particularly treacherous for passing ships, but now a complex system of dams and locks ensures this is no longer the case.
Your ship moors overnight in Vidin.
Depart 1400.
Vidin has a rich history, having been conquered by the Romans, Byzantines and later the Ottomans, who ruled there until 1878. The city’s main landmark is the Baba Vida fortress dating from the Middle Ages.
Continue cruising this afternoon and overnight.
Included excursion
This included tour provides the opportunity to discover the famous Baba Vida Fortress on foot with an expert local guide.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.
Rousse prospered from its location on the Danube and the city is home to many grand buildings with Austrian-style architecture. A good example is the Building of the Tax Administration with its elaborate facade.
Set sail again early this evening and continue sailing overnight.
Included excursion
Enjoy an included tour of Rousse, known for its 19th and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo buildings and architectural similarities to Vienna, earning the city nickname ‘Little Vienna’. Drive through the city centre, viewing key sites such as The Palace of Justice, the Monument of Liberty and the Theatre of Rousse with its Neoclassical edifice, before exploring further on foot.
Arrive 1200. Depart 1800.
Explore Constanta on a choice of included excursion. Spend time in the Old Town exploring independently or opt for a walking tour of the historic city centre to see sights such as Ovid Square, St Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral and the Genovese Lighthouse.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Travel by coach on a choice of included excursion to Constanta, with an approximate transfer time of one-and-a-quarter hours each way. Then, either explore the Old Town independently on foot or see Ovid Square, named after the famous Roman poet Ovid, and the St Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral by coach. Passing Constanța Casino, on route to the 15th-century lighthouse for a leisurely stroll down to the marina. Both excursions conclude with free time at the Mamăia Resort.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
Set beside the Arges River, a tributary of the Danube, Oltenita offers a gateway to the Romanian capital Bucharest, which can be visited on a full-day included excursion.
Afterwards, return to Spirit of the Danube by coach and set sail this evening and overnight.
Included excursion
Enjoy a full day in Bucharest. Travel by coach to Bucharest and see some of the city’s highlights, including the former Royal Palace, the statue of King Carol I, the National University Library and Romanian Atheneum Concert Hall, and then enjoy a Romanian lunch and free time to explore independently.
Arrive 1200.
The riverside town of Nikopol is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The medieval fortifications of Nikopol Fortress sit on a hilltop overlooking the town. From here an included excursion reveals the Pleven Panorama.
Included excursion
Travel by coach to Pleven, where many of the town’s monuments tell the story of the Turkish war which liberated Bulgaria from Turkish rule in 1878. Visit the Pleven Panorama monument, then explore the Russo-Turkish war museum independently. The museum’s centrepiece is a vast circular painting which commemorates the Siege of Pleven.
Depart Nikopol, 0800.
Sailing day.
Enjoy the passing scenery and facilities on board Spirit of the Danube as you sail through the day and overnight.
Arrive 0900. Depart 1400.
Spend the early hours of the morning cruising back through the Iron Gates gorge and into Serbia to stop at Donji Milanovac. From here an included excursion visits the Mesolithic site of Lepenski Vir.
Continue your cruise this afternoon and overnight.
Included excursion
Join an included excursion to the Mesolithic site of Lepenski Vir to explore on foot. Excavation work began here in 1965 uncovering a series of villages, dating back to 6,400 BC. The museum exhibits finds from the dig and films about the archaeological research.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Novi Sad is the city where European and Balkan cultures meet, with this stretch of the Danube acting as a natural border. Situated on the Danube between Budapest and Belgrade, it’s a treasured regional and cultural centre.
Spirit of the Danube sails early this evening and continues overnight.
Included excursion
Travel by coach on an included excursion to the Petkovika Monastery, where you will enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch, before continuing to the 16th-century Sisatovac Monastery on the Fruska Gora mountain. Then return to your ship in Novi Sad
Sailing day.
Arrive Budapest, 2200.
Relax on board Spirit of the Danube during a full day sailing the Danube.
Budapest is a city 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
Enjoy an included coach tour of Budapest, with the opportunity to alight at Heroes Square and the St Stephen’s Basilica to explore briefly on foot.
Optional excursions
Explore the Buda Castle district or visit the Royal Palace of Gödöllő.
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
£3,999 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
£3,999 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.