AmaWaterways offers six Danube itineraries ranging from seven to 14-nights. While most of these itineraries are similar, or may have repeat ports, every itinerary has something that makes it unique.
Part of the appeal of the cruising Danube is the sheer amount of countries that you, as a guest, are able to visit. On cruises from Budapest to Nuremberg or Vilshofen, and reverse, guests are able to visit four countries. This may be the section of the Danube you have heard about, where you cruise through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
However, it is important to look to some of the lesser known Danube itineraries, such as those on the Lower-Danube. The Lower-Danube may not be an area that you’ve researched as a traveler, as most of the time when people talk about the Danube they are referring to the section between Germany and Hungary. Lower-Danube itineraries visit Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia.
Both sections of the river are combined through AmaWaterways’ Grand Danube Cruise, which visits Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
The six Danube itineraries offered by AmaWaterways include:
Grand Danube Cruise – 14-nights from Nuremberg to Giurgiu
Countries visited: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia
Stops in: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Budapest, Mohacs, Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Vidin, Rousse, and Giurgiu.
Overnights in Vienna, Nuremberg, Budapest.
This fourteen-day itinerary takes guests down the Danube from Germany to Romania. For guests who appreciate a longer trip to Europe, or for those looking to up their count of countries visited, this is a great option. Highlights of the trip include cruising through the Wachau Valley and the Iron Gates.
Gems Of Southeast Europe – 7-nights Budapest to Giurgiu
Countries visited: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia
Stops in: Budapest, Mohacs, Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Vidin, Rousse, and Giurgiu.
Overnight in Budapest.
This seven-night sailing takes guests from Hungary to Romania. Guests who have sailed the Upper-Danube will experience the river in a different light as they visit Southeastern Europe. Highlights of the trip include cruising through the Wachau Valley and the Iron Gates.
Melodies Of The Danube – 7-nights Budapest to Vilshofen
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Weissenkirchen, Grein, Linz, Passau, Vilshoften
Overnights in Vilshofen and Budapest.
This seven-night sailing takes guests from Budapest to Germany. Perhaps one of the most popular Danube itineraries, this trip would be a great river cruise for a first-timer. But, having done this itinerary multiple times, I can say that it is a great itinerary for even the most seasoned traveler.
Romantic Danube – 7-nights Vilshofen to Budapest
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Weissenkirchen, Grein, Linz, Passau, Vilshoften
Overnights in Vilshofen and Budapest.
This seven-night sailing takes guests from Germany to Budapest. Again, one of the most popular Danube itineraries that is ideal for a first time river cruiser. The only difference between this itinerary and Melodies of The Danube is the direction in which the ship sails, all ports of call are the same.
Legendary Danube – 7-nights Nuremberg to Budapest
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary
Stops in: Nuremberg, Regensberg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Budapest
Overnights in Nuremberg and Budapest.
This seven-night sailing takes guests from Germany to Hungary. Another popular Danube itinerary, guests who travel on this sailing will transit the Main-Danube Canal. Unlike the Melodies of The Danube and Romantic Danube itineraries, this sailing visits Nuremberg and Regensberg.
Blue Danube – 7-nights Budapest to Nuremberg
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg
Overnight in Nuremberg.
This seven-night sailing takes guests from Hungary to Budapest. Similar to the Legendary Danube, this itinerary takes guests through the Main-Danube Canal. Other than the direction of the sailing, the itinerary is similar, though an overnight in Budapest is sacrificed to take guests to Bratislava.
Because there are so many different itineraries offered on the Danube, it is important for cruise guests to understand the differences between these itineraries, though they can be small. While it may seem like doing the Melodies of the Danube cruise and the Romantic Danube cruise would be exactly the same, you need to take into consideration where you want your cruise to end. Is it easier to take a bus ride from Munich to Vilshoften at the beginning of your trip, or the end? Is it cheaper to fly home from Munich or Budapest?
While offering many similar itineraries can be confusing for some, it allows for a more customizable cruise experience where guests can choose where they want to visit, where they want to start, where they want to end, and how they want to travel.