Classical Danube Cruise

8 Days Passau to Budapest
Classical Danube Cruise
Classical Danube Cruise
Classical Danube Cruise
New Release River Cruise

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Amadeus 8 Day Classical Danube Cruise. This classic cruise brings together glorious cities along one of the world‘s most beautiful stretches of rivers on a trip through the heart of Old World Europe. This quintessential cruise along the beautiful Danube begins in the “Three Rivers City“ of Passau at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers and takes you all the way to the “Queen of the Danube“ — the capital city of Budapest, which straddles the river with its hilly ‘Buda‘ featuring Fisherman‘s Bastion & castle district over to the flat ‘Pest‘ side read more with its iconic Parliament building.

Along the way travel through four of Europe‘s most important countries — Hungary, Slovakia, Austria & Germany. Explore years of history and culture in the Imperial cities of Budapest, Vienna & Bratislava as well as the UNESCO protected Austrian Wachau Valley — blanketed with rolling hills, flourishing vineyards and picturesque villages. Experience the beauty along the Danube River.
Our Price From
US$2,629 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $150 per person
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Trip Length
Cruise Length

8 Days

Trip Starts
Cruise Starts

Passau

Trip Ends
Cruise Ends

Budapest

Trip Departures
Cruise Departures
Jun 2026 to Oct 2027
Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Countries Visited
Rivers Sailed:
Cruise Line
Cruise Line
Amadeus
Cruise Ship
Cruise Ship
Amadeus Cara +5
Passengers
Passengers

162

Crew
Crew

46

Ship Launch
Launched

2022

Cruise Code
Cruise Code

DPB

Itinerary

Embarkation from 4:00pm

This afternoon, embark and settle in your cabin. This evening, meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially prepared Welcome Dinner.

Bavarian evening on board

After breakfast, immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of the three-rivers city of Passau, lying at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz: during the walking tour, discover the architectural masterpieces that make Passau an exciting tapestry of old and new. In the afternoon, visit the Fortress Veste Oberhaus, the former residence of the prince-bishops, one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Europe, and situated high above the city. This evening, enjoy a special Bavarian theme on board with regional delicacies and live music as we glide downstream to Linz.

Visit to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and the "Sound of Music"

Early in the morning, you'll arrive in the Austrian city of Linz, which you can discover in a truly unique way during the morning hours. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the future at the Ars Electronica Center – an interactive museum that impressively blends science, art, and technology. Nature enthusiasts might prefer our active hiking tour around the Danube city, offering breathtaking views and fresh perspectives on Linz.

Alternatively, join us for an excursion to Salzburg and spend the day in Mozart's hometown, surrounded by the sparkling lakes of the Salzkammergut region. After a delightful lunch, you'll return to Linz, where your ship will be waiting for you

Famous Abbey of Melk & wine tasting

Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, the Baroque Benedictine abbey of Melk awaits you this morning with its frescoes created by pre-eminent artists of the 18th century, and a magnificent library with priceless manuscripts.

During lunch on board, the ship continues to Dürnstein, a picturesque wine growers' village located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wachau Valley. Explore the village with a local guide or choose an excursion to a local vineyard to sample some of the region's famous Grüner Veltliner wines. The ship arrives in Vienna later this evening and remains overnight.

Walk trough the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace

There is much to see in Vienna: its Imperial palaces, the Museum Quarter displaying works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists, the impressive buildings along the “Ringstrasse“, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the famous Vienna State Opera among many others.

This afternoon, perhaps venture to Schönbrunn Palace, the sumptuous summer palace and gardens of Empress Maria Theresia and the Habsburg Empire. Cap off your Vienna experience with a “Sound of Vienna“ concert in a local hall. Listen to the “Wiener Residenz Orchester“ play popular pieces from Vienna's classical era. The vessel remains in Vienna until late this evening when it departs for Bratislava.

In the Streets of Bratislava's Old Town

Wake up this morning in Bratislava, a jewel on the Danube and the capital of Slovakia. Explore the city on your own or with a guided optional tour through the city. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia. In the afternoon accompany us to a winery located in the Small Carpathian Wine Region for some local wine and specialty food tastings.

Evening cruise Budapest with folklore show on board

Relax on board as the vessel makes its way to Budapest, Hungary. For those interested in exploring the Hungarian countryside, the optional excursion departs in Esztergom, with its basilica dedicated to Saint Mary, and continues to Szentendre, known for its art galleries and museums. Rejoin your vessel after it docks in Budapest in time for lunch.

This afternoon, explore the fantastic Hungarian capital of Budapest on a panoramic tour. The unique Chain Bridge straddles the Danube, connecting the Buda side and its Fisherman's Bastion, with the Pest side and its iconic Hungarian Parliament building. On your last evening on board, the festive Gala Dinner and a lights cruise through the magnificently illuminated metropolis, accompanied by a spirited folklore performance, await you.

Disembarkation after breakfast

After breakfast, the entire AMADEUS crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Tour 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 hand-selected wines from the best wine regions, draft beer, soda as well as coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner
  • Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the AMADEUS Club
  • Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and 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
  • Immersive cultural or musical performances as part of the AMADEUS Experience, along with a diverse array of onboard enrichment programs,including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, and music by our onboard musicians
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration
  • All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare

Life On Board

Amadeus
 (11) Reviews
Total No. of River Cruises 36
Why pay for other people’s drinks? Why pay for shore excursions that don’t interest you? Family-owned Amadeus has spent 40-years' perfecting the balance without compromising quality. Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, but not during the day. Only pay for the shore excursions you want. Book an excursion package more in advance for a discount or book individual excursions as you go. Gourmet dining, wi-fi, bottled water in cabins and of course one of the most luxurious five-star fleets on the European waterways. To quote a regular repeat guest “Amadeus are fantastic. A really great product and the crew are all so beautiful”. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Amadeus Cara
Amadeus Cara

The Amadeus Cara undertook her maiden journey in 2022 offering space for 162 guests and is deployed on the Danube, the Rhine and its tributaries. Read more

On Board Inclusions
On Board Inclusions

The ambiance onboard this new ship 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

Optional Shore Excursions

Excursion Packages can be only pre-booked while individual excursions can be booked onboard

Introductory Excursion Package $464

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 2 - AMADEUS Taste: Culinary tour Passau
  • Day 3 - Full-day Salzburg with lunch
  • Day 4 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 5 - Vienna - Imperial Discovery Tour
  • Day 6 - Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube
  • Day 7 - Budapest - Castle Hill & Historic Wonders

Intermediate Excursion Package $532

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 2 - AMADEUS Taste: Culinary tour Passau
  • Day 3 - AMADEUS Active: Hiking in Linz
    Linz with visit of the ARS Electronica
  • Day 4 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 5 - "Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)
    Vienna - Imperial Discovery Tour
  • Day 6 - Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube
  • Day 7 - Esztergom, Visegrád castle and Szentendre
    Budapest - Castle Hill & Historic Wonders

Full Excursion Package $872

Book our full excursion package prior to departure for a great value. Create your personalised shore excursion program by choosing your favorite tours from our list of exciting options in each port. Please note, a discounted excursion may not be exchanged for another while during your cruise. View Excursions

  • Day 2 -
    AMADEUS Taste: Culinary tour Passau
    Visit of the Veste Oberhaus with three rivers viewpoint
    AMADEUS Experience: Bavarian evening on board
  • Day 3 -
    AMADEUS Active: Hiking in Linz
    OR Full-day Salzburg with lunch
    Linz with visit of the ARS Electronica
  • Day 4 -
    Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
    Dürnstein with Abbey and tasting
  • Day 5 -
    "Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)
    Vienna - Imperial Discovery Tour
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace
  • Day 6 -
    Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube
    AMADEUS Taste: Between Vines and History - Discovering the Rača Wine Region
    AMADEUS Experience: Waltz Lesson on Board
  • Day 7 -
    Esztergom, Visegrád castle and Szentendre
    Budapest - Castle Hill & Historic Wonders
    AMADEUS Experience: Evening cruise with folklore show on board

Individual Excursions

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

  • Day 2 -
    AMADEUS Taste: Culinary tour Passau$68
    Visit of the Veste Oberhaus with three rivers viewpoint $64
    AMADEUS Experience: Bavarian evening on board $0
  • Day 3 -
    AMADEUS Active: Hiking in Linz$43
    OR Full-day Salzburg with lunch $195
    Linz with visit of the ARS Electronica $63
  • Day 4 -
    Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel$78
    Dürnstein with Abbey and tasting $66
  • Day 5 -
    "Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)$94
    Vienna - Imperial Discovery Tour $59
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace $92
  • Day 6 -
    Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube$73
    AMADEUS Taste: Between Vines and History - Discovering the Rača Wine Region $89
    AMADEUS Experience: Waltz Lesson on Board $0
  • Day 7 -
    Esztergom, Visegrád castle and Szentendre$75
    Budapest - Castle Hill & Historic Wonders $73
    AMADEUS Experience: Evening cruise with folklore show on board $0

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

Sold Out
From $2,629
From $3,479
From $4,889
Friday 26 Jun 2026 26 Jun 26 Passau
Friday 03 Jul 2026 03 Jul 26 Budapest
Details
Amadeus Amara
River View
US$3,248
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Monday 29 Jun 2026 29 Jun 26 Passau
Monday 06 Jul 2026 06 Jul 26 Budapest
Details
Amadeus Nova
River View
US$3,248
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
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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