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Magic of Advent on the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 3 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
Our Price From
Sold Out
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
7 Days
 Cruise Starts
Vienna
 Cruise Finishes
Nuremberg
7 Day Magic of Advent on the Danube Itinerary (Amadeus)
Countries Explored: Austria, Germany
Cruise Line
Amadeus
Ship
Passengers
162
Crew
46
Launched
2018
Cruise Code
AVN

Overview

At this most contemplative time of year, you can enter a real winter fairytale. Visit the best Christmas Markets along the Danube, explore some sleepy little towns and riverscapes, warm yourself with a delicious glass of mulled wine on board and immerse yourself in the wonderful traditions of the pre-Christmas period.

Itinerary

Embarkation from 4:00pm

Your wintery Advent cruise begins in Vienna, where, after embarking, you can explore your AMADEUS ship and join the cruise director for a Welcome Cocktail in the Panorama Bar. This is followed by a Welcome Dinner. Your ship remains in Vienna overnight.

Visit to Schönbrunn Palace and Christmas Market

Enjoy exploring wintery Vienna today! A morning city sightseeing tour in a comfortable bus takes you past the most beautiful sights of the Austrian capital. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to view the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, as well as to visit the traditional, romantic Christmas market in front of the palace. Here, the pervasive pre-Christmas atmosphere and the aromas of lebkuchen (gingerbread) and roasted almonds combine in an unforgettable, authentic Advent experience.

In the evening, we recommend that music lovers attend the atmospheric “Sound of Vienna” concert, which will present a kaleidoscope of Viennese classical music. .

Visit of baroque Melk Abbey

In the morning, your floating premium hotel reaches the UNESCO World Natural Heritage region of the Wachau. Your ship docks in Melk/Emmersdorf, where you can join an excursion to Melk Abbey or to Dürnstein. At the end of the excursion, defy the weather and join us for a mug of warming glühwein (mulled wine) on board.

The rest of the day is spent on board, where you will have a wonderful view of the passing winter landscapes as your cruise ship travels towards Passau.

Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral

During breakfast, arrive in Passau, also known as the “City of Three Rivers”, situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. In the morning, enjoy the romantic old town with its historic buildings during the course of an optional guided walk. The afternoon is a perfect time to visit the traditional Passau Christmas market. Early this evening your ship will depart this lovely city and head towards Regensburg.

Christmas market in the royal Thurn & Taxis Castle

A full day is spent in festively adorned, historic Regensburg. This magical destination where time seems to stand still, is best explored during a morning optional guided sightseeing walk. After lunch, explore on your own or opt to join an excursion to the Christmas market in the royal Thurn and Taxis Castle. Revel in the festive pre-Christmas atmosphere filled with the aroma of lebkuchen (gingerbread) and roasted almonds, and stalls filled with local handicrafts. The captain invites you to join him at an elegant Gala Dinner onboard, while your ship continues its journey later this evening.

Famous Christmas market in Nuremberg

After lunch, you arrive in the Bavarian town of Roth, where the city tour of Nuremberg starts. The tour will take you to the most significant monuments and sights in picturesque Nuremberg. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the romantic Christmas market and taste the world-famous Nuremberg lebkuchen (gingerbread) before returning to your ship, which will be waiting for you in the Nuremberg harbor. Your ship remains here overnight.

Disembarkation after breakfast

Enjoy another generous breakfast on board before starting your homeward journey. The entire AMADEUS crew wishes you a pleasant journey and a happy festive season. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Trip Inclusions

  • Luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice: Spacious Mozart Suites with a walk-out balcony, stateroom cabins on Mozart and Strauss Decks with drop-down Panorama Retractable Windows offering a wide-open view (except Amadeus Brilliant)
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding)
  • Bottled water in every stateroom

  • Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack
  • Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner onboard
  • Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the Amadeus Club
  • Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
  • All gratuities on board are included in your cruise fare

  • Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director
  • AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions
  • Variety of enriching onboard programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, local cultural performances, and music by our onboard musicians
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration
  • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
  • All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare

Life Onboard Amadeus Queen

Amadeus Queen
Amadeus Queen

The Amadeus Queen, complete with her indoor pool and retractable roof, sails along on the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers as well as the Dutch and Belgian Waterways. Read more

On Board Inclusions
On Board Inclusions

The ambiance onboard invites you to relax in the morning before your discovery tours and unwind in style at the end of a full day's activities. Read more

Excursions
Excursions

Amadeus' excursion programs allow you to decide how you'd like to get to know each destination. Select from a wide range of optional inspiring and eventful shore excursions. Read more

Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining

Amadeus' exclusive menus reflect the traditions and cultures of regional cuisine and at the same time are diverse enough to satisfy an international appetite. Read more

Trip Reviews (3) Most Recent 'Magic of Advent on the Danube' Reviews

5.0
Average Rating 5.0 / 5
3 Reviews
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Best experience ever on the Danube 0 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2025
We were so taken by this cruise that we will do another one with Amadeus next year. Could not fault it. From the friendly staff to the amazing food. Definitely recommend this tour. Thank you Global Journeys.
Danube Christmas Market River Cruise 0 , MA, United States, Nov 2025
Everything went off like clockwork. The trip was fabulous! Some recommendations: Transfers between boat and airport were pricey. Paid approximately $130 for return trip to airport when I could have taken an Uber for $35. Upon arrival we had to sit in the airport for 5 hours waiting for our transfer because we couldn’t get on the boat any earlier. read more I didn’t use Global Journeys to schedule the flight, so that may have been the issue. Would use Kellene Roberts again. Very professional and responsive! Thank you Kellene!
Advent cruise on Danube 0 , WA, Australia, Dec 2024
Fantastic cruise along Danube - we were a group of 10 and loved the modern ship- excellent food and service - could not fault this. Off shore excursions were planned we did some but enjoyed looking around on our own. Could not fault this - will definitely cruise with this company again.

Optional Shore Excursions Excursion Packages can be only pre-booked. Individual excursions can be booked onboard.

Introductory Excursion Package $215

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 5 - Regensburg walking tour
  • Day 2 - Vienna - Imperial discovery tour
  • Day 3 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 4 - Passau walking tour and organ concert in the Cathedral
  • Day 6 - Nuremberg with visit to the Christmas Market

Intermediate Excursion Package $423

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 5 - Regensburg walking tour
  • Day 2 - "Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)
    Vienna - Imperial discovery tour
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace
  • Day 3 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 4 - Passau walking tour and organ concert in the Cathedral
    Christmas Market Thurn & Taxis Palace
  • Day 6 - Nuremberg with visit to the Christmas Market

Individual Excursions

You can also pre-purchase individual excursions or prchase them onboard during your river cruise. View Excursions

  • Day 5 -
    Regensburg walking tour$42
  • Day 2 -
    "Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)$128
    Vienna - Imperial discovery tour $80
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace $125
  • Day 3 -
    Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel$107
    Mulled Wine Party on board $0
  • Day 4 -
    Passau walking tour and organ concert in the Cathedral$53
    Visit Christmas Market in Passau $0
    Christmas Market Thurn & Taxis Palace $108
  • Day 6 -
    Nuremberg with visit to the Christmas Market$90

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Amadeus River Cruises (2025) Brochure

Amadeus River Cruises (2025)

Luxury river travel isn’t what we do, it’s who we are. Built on our family’s deep passion for creating exceptional and immersive experiences, AMADEUS river cruises reflect our personal values. Step aboard with us and become part of our family. For more than 40 years, we have followed European rivers and waterways, connecting countries and cultures. more From the first sunrise to the last toast, discover our signature style of luxury cruising.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Amadeus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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