Danube Christmas Markets

Munich to Budapest|
9-Days - From $3,715

Special Insider Discount Pricing:
Book by April 30, 2025 & get free air + $200 savings
Departs: 2025: Nov 30 & Dec 7
2026: Nov 30 & Dec 8

9 DAYS • 20 MEALS  Get into the holiday spirit with a relaxing cruise during the holiday season on the Danube, Europe’s most popular river. Explore the incredible Christmas Markets of four countries with ports of call in the enchanting cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Passau, and Regensburg, each specially decorated for the season. Roam the markets of each port in search of unique handmade ornaments and crafts to bring home and cherish at holiday time for years to come.

EXCEPTIONAL INCLUSIONS
& AMENITIES

  • Award-winning Emerald Star-Ships provides luxurious accommodations and an indoor pool and welcomes up to 180 guests

  • Spacious outside Staterooms, most with panorama balconies.

  • Exceptional dining with menus takes inspiration from the regions you are traveling in.

  • Complimentary wines, draft beers, and soft drinks to accompany your lunch and dinner.

  • Included shore excursions with English-speaking local guides with a choice of PLUS, ACTIVE, and extra-special option of DiscoverMORE excursions to explore each destination in greater depth. 

  • Personal listening device for onboard excursions

  • First-class service by an English-speaking crew

  • The onboard Activity Manager will host daily onboard wellness activities, games, classes, and evening entertainment.

  • Personal listening device for onboard excursions

  • Most meals included onboard with a variety of international cuisine.

  • Complimentary bottled water in your stateroom

  • Complimentary WiFi onboard.

  • Complimentary bicycles onboard for use ashore.

  • All gratuities while cruising.

  • All port charges are included.

CRUISE ITINERARY

  • Leave USA for Europe

  • Welcome to Germany! All flights must arrive Munich by 2:00pm. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Regensburg. After boarding, explore the ship and become acquainted with the amenities. Later, enjoy dinner onboard. Meal: D

  • Your exploration of Germany begins in this historic city. On your guided walking tour, view one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights. Visit the famous Christmas Market at the Thurn & Taxis Palace grounds, try a mug of Glühwein and treat yourself to homemade gingerbread! Meals: B, L, D

    EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band on board
    EmeraldPLUS: Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
    EmeraldPLUS: Visit to Thurn & Taxis Christmas Market

  • Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city, which is explored on a guided walking tour. The tour ends at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where you’ll find a Chirstkindlmarkt filled with gingerbread-like stalls selling handmade gifts and tasty treats in an atmosphere of twinkling lights. Meals: B, L, D

    DiscoverMORE: Visit to Schutz Art Museum Engelhartszell (additional expense)

  • Enjoy a leisurely morning sailing through the spectacular Wachau Valley, on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to Krems. Upon arrival, depart for a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey. This Benedictine monastery, perched high atop a vineyard and forest-covered hill, offers stunning views over the Wachau Valley. Inside the abbey, admire its architectural highlights, antique decorations and furnishings. A wine tasting is also included during the tour. Meals: B, L, D

    EmeraldPLUS: Christmas Traditions in Europe onboard presentation

  • This capital city is comprised of grand boulevards, ornate palaces, amazing architecture and storied history. Also famous for art exhibitions and museums, your included tour visits the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country. After the tour, enjoy free time to visit the incredible Christmas Markets throughout the city. Meals: B, L, D

    DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert (additional expense)

  • Learn about Slovakian culture during a visit to Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a walking tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Slovak National Theater and the Episcopal Summer Palace. Bratislava is also home to charming Christmas markets where you can shop for handmade ornaments and holiday craft items. This afternoon, a highlight of the day may be a home-hosted visit where you are treated to tasty home-made specialties in the home of local Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn about life in Slovakia! Meals: B, L, D

    EmeraldPLUS: Home-Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians
    DiscoverMORE: Carpathian wine route (additional expense) (instead of EmeraldPLUS)

  • Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan capital, is known for the rich architecture and historic monuments along both sides of the Danube. This UNESCO World Heritage city is a true delight during the season with its Christmas Market and festive display of holiday decorations. Your guided coach tour will introduce you to the city as it passes the ornate Parliament Building and travels along Andrássy Avenue – the main shopping area lined with spectacular Neo-Renaissance townhomes, cafés, boutiques and theaters, among them the State Opera House. This evening you’ll be delighted by a traditional Hungarian folklore show onboard. Meals: B, L, D

    EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Hungarian folklore show
    DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Szentendre (additional expense)
    DiscoverMORE: Jewish Heritage Tour (additional expense)

  • After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark the ship. Transfer to the Budapest airport, taking home warm memories of Europe at Christmastime. Meal: B

  • Your final day is free of planned activities for your independent exploration of the wonderful city of Prague. Or, if you choose, join the morning optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp. Meal: B

    DiscoverMORE: Terezin Concentration Camp (additional expense)

  • Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River. Meal: B

Itinerary is subject to change and may operate in reverse order.

Indoor Pool & Relaxation area

SPECIAL INSIDER PRICING:

BOOK BY APRIL 30, 2025, & get free airfare + $200 in additional savings

Say hello to the boutique, small ship river cruising experience.  With a fleet of award-winning Star-Ships, it combines comfort and contemporary design and a wealth of amenities, including a Cinema, indoor pool, and only outside cabins.

2025 & 2026 Departures

  • See below for 2025 pp cabin pricing. Take off the offer above to the pricing listed below.

    Offer Details: Save up Free Airfare plus $200 each savings on select 2025 & 2026 departures. or provide your own air and save $1,400 pp. This offer is only valid for new bookings made by April 30, 2025. Savings may not be combined with any other promotional offers Please mention SAVEMARCH2025 at time of booking. Some restrictions may apply – check with a us for more details.

  • Cabin size is 153-170 square feet

    Staterooms boast a spacious layout when it comes to European small-ship river cruising. A picture window provides plenty of natural light, and your en-suite bathroom will be fully stocked with luxurious ESPA toiletries.

    • Picture window

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

    • Single supplement available

  • Cabin size is 153-170 square feet

    Staterooms boast a spacious layout when it comes to European small-ship river cruising. A picture window provides plenty of natural light, and your en-suite bathroom will be fully stocked with luxurious ESPA toiletries.

    • Picture window

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

    • Single supplement available

  • These chic suites are perfect for viewing the scenery passing by. The innovative all-weather balcony system allows the floor-to-ceiling window to drop down electronically, and an indoor decked area allows you to enjoy the sights in all their glory.

    Cabin size 160-180 sq feet

    • Indoor balcony with open-air system

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

    • Single supplement available

  • These chic suites are perfect for viewing the scenery passing by. The innovative all-weather balcony system allows the floor-to-ceiling window to drop down electronically, and an indoor decked area allows you to enjoy the sights in all their glory.

    Cabin size 160-180 sq feet

    • Indoor balcony with open-air system

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

    • Single supplement available

  • These chic suites are perfect for viewing the scenery passing by. The innovative all-weather balcony system allows the floor-to-ceiling window to drop down electronically, and an indoor decked area allows you to enjoy the sights in all their glory.

    Cabin size 160-180 sq feet

    • Indoor balcony with open-air system

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

    • Single supplement available

  • Grand Balcony Suites come with an outdoor private balcony area, complete with an open-air system. A pillow menu ensures you have the best night’s sleep possible, and a continental breakfast can be delivered to your room on request

    Cabin size 207 sq feet

    • Indoor balcony with open-air system

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

  • Grand Balcony Suites come with an outdoor private balcony area, complete with an open-air system. A pillow menu ensures you have the best night’s sleep possible, and a continental breakfast can be delivered to your room on request

    Cabin size 285-315 sq feet

    • Indoor balcony with open-air system

    • Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds

    • En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers

    • Mini-bar available at own expense

    • Complimentary water, restocked daily

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    • Flat screen TV and infotainment system

    • Individual climate control

    • Personal safe

    • Umbrella

    • Telephone

    • Walking sticks

  • Prices are subject to change.

Dates for Special Insider Pricing:
Departs: 2025: Nov 30 & Dec 7
2026: Nov 30 & Dec 8

The price is subject to change, and we reserve the right to correct errors. In 2025 and 2026, some dates will operate in reverse order.

EMERALD CRUISES LUXURY STAR-SHIPS DECK PLAN

Discover Life
On-Board

River Cruising is one of the most luxurious ways to travel the world. Take advantage of all the benefits of Emerald Cruises’ award-winning Star-Ships and the added benefits of fabulous value. Enjoy a host of amenities, including all gratuities, comfortable, well-appointed staterooms, ample public spaces, an attentive onboard staff, and an Activity Manager on each river cruise departure. Best of all, once onboard, you only need to unpack once. Your floating hotel will take you from port to port, ensuring a relaxing holiday.

• Welcoming up to 180 guests
• Suites feature a balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows
• Suites: 72 & 19 Staterooms
• Complimentary bathrobes & slippers
• Hair dryer
• ESPA toiletries
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Flat-screen TV
• Complimentary water bottle daily
• Mini-bar
• Personal safe
• Crew: 47
• Speed: 15.5 mph

Ship Features:

  • Sun Deck with Deck Chairs & Shade

  • Navigation Bridge

  • Sky Barbeque

  • Golf Putting Green

  • Games Area

  • Retractable Glass Roof

  • Walking Track

  • Daytime indoor Pool / Evening Cinema

  • The Terrace

  • Horizon Bar and Lounge

  • Elevator

  • Reception

  • Wellness Area

  • Fitness Area

  • Reflections Restaurant