Bratislava’s main square- Budapest’s illuminated riverfront
- The rooftops of Melk
- The scenic Danube Bend
Scenic Gems of the Danube 2026: Vienna to Budapest
The Danube
from
£1,799 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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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Visit the capital cities of the Danube
Contrast the historic capital cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest as you journey along the scenic Danube on this all-inclusive river cruise in 2026. Enjoy a tour of Vienna, the city of music, before sailing to Melk where you can venture into the Benedictine Abbey, the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria for more than 1,000 years.
Sail through the scenic Wachau Valley to savour the historic town of Krems and enjoy an excursion to Gottweig Abbey or opt for a walking tour of Krems’ Old Town. Pause in Bratislava and join a local guide to see the city by Land Train, disembarking to explore the grounds of Bratislava Castle and the Old Town on foot.
Then cruise on to Esztergom, home to Hungary’s largest basilica, and through the Danube Bend to Budapest. Built on the banks of the Danube this graceful city has plenty to explore, such as the Hungarian State Opera House, Heroes’ Square and Budapest Basilica, all revealed during an excursion.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube
Travel to Vienna and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Depart 2100.
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. Sail overnight.
Included excursion
An included excursion will reveal some of the highlights, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House, with the option to explore solely by coach or by coach and on foot. You may choose to stay in the city and explore further independently before joining a return transfer back to your ship later in the afternoon.
Arrive Melk, 0800. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Krems, 1700.
This historic town features architectural styles from across the centuries. Its jewel is the abbey which sits on a bluff above the town. This masterpiece of baroque architecture has been the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria for more than 1,000 years.
Included excursion
Join an included guided tour of Melk Abbey, a famous Baroque building sitting on a rocky outcrop above the Danube. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks.
Depart Krems, 1300. Arrive Bratislava, 0000.
The landmark sight of the historic town of Krems is the 15th-century Steiner Tor, a square gate tower refashioned in Baroque style. Enjoy a walking tour of Krems and visit to Göttweig Abbey, or opt for a walking tour of the historic Stein Quarter, with time at leisure.
Included excursion
See the monuments, churches and historic architecture of the old town of Krems on an included, guided walking tour before visiting Göttweig Abbey, founded in 1083 by the Bishop of Passau. Alternatively, opt for a short, guided walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Stein Quarter, the oldest district in Krems, before time at leisure.
Depart 2200.
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
Join a local guide to see Bratislava by Land Train, disembarking to explore the grounds of Bratislava Castle and the Old Town on foot.
Optional excursion
Drive through the countryside of the Small Carpathians to be welcomed by local hosts into their home on this small group experience. Nearly every family living among these picturesque vineyards produce their own wine. As you relax and enjoy a sample, accompanied by coffee and cake if you wish, your hosting family will tell you about everyday life in Slovakia.
Arrive Esztergom, 0900. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, the Danube Bend.
Arrive Budapest, 1800.
The small town of Esztergom enjoys a scenic setting on the Danube Bend and 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.
Included excursion
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. Enjoy an included visit to its cathedral, Esztergom Basilica, the second largest church and tallest building in Hungary.
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
Enjoy an included coach tour of the city 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 after breakfast and begin the 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
£1,799 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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
£1,799 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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.