Overview
Read 24 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 8 Day The Legendary Danube. From the rich history of Germany to the unique culture of Hungary, this Danube river cruise takes you to three countries, and the scenic beauty as you cruise past quaint towns, can be experienced right from your stateroom or atop the sky deck of your ship. In Nuremberg, Germany, board your river cruise vessel docked on the Main Danube Canal and visit this thousand-year-old city with a Local Guide. Next, reach Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Lovers of architecture will enjoy the many read more listed buildings of historic interest, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. And here you’ll taste local sausages at one of Germany’s oldest restaurants and we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s famous beers.
Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow winding streets lined with Patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, which sits high on a bluff. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sounds of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow winding streets lined with Patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, which sits high on a bluff. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sounds of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
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Our Price From
US$3,275 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $1,392 per person
Cruise Length
8 Days
Cruise Starts
Nuremberg
Cruise Ends
Budapest
Cruise Departures
Jun 2026 to Nov 2027
Cruise Line
Avalon
24 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.5/5
Passengers
128
Crew
37
Launched
2015
Cruise Code
WNB
Itinerary
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm. Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (D)
Legends and History Lessons.
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.- Active: Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, OR
- Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
- Classic: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B/L/D)
Bavaria's Medieval Miracle.
- Classic: Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B/L/D)
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet.
- Classic: Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B/L/D)
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below.
- Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube river and around Melk, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA . (B/L/D)
Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.- Active: Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B/L/D)
War Heroes and Hot Water.
- Active: Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes' Square.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Life On Board
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities more that help you tailor your experience.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Tranquility II
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
Our Vision. Your View.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Avalon Choice
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Active & Discovery
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travelers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
From View to Table
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
Trip Reviews (24)
Prague to Budapest - a great way to spend 10 days of your life! 3
Grant & Stephanie, NSW, Australia, Aug 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. The staff on board were amazing, the included tours were fabulous. Food was great and not too much. When the cruised finished, we were able to stay on board until 4pm in the afternoon. This was great as we had accommodation in Budapest and unable to get into the room before 2pm. Would absolutely recommend this holiday read more to all my friends - we will be back!
It was our first ever river cruise and we had medium expectations. Well, we simply loved the whole experience. Everything was perfect. The food was exceptional, the cabin was large with a balcony which we enjoyed and we were surprised how well the bathroom was designed. The cruise manager, Hendrick, was confident, humorous, organised and left us with read more no doubt that we were in good hands. We have been back home for five days and tonight we are already planning our next Avalon river cruise.
A busy yet well organised holiday on the Danube River. 6
John & Ann, NSW, Australia, May 2018
This river cruise base cost included many off shore excursions. However, to get maximum value, the extra off shore activities are an extra cost. This needs to be taken into account when working out the total cost of the trip, but does add flexibility. Avalon is clearly trying to be the best company to travel with on the waterways of Europe. This is read more our second cruise with this group and we will be booking our next trip with them.
Danube River Cruise (Avalon Expression) 6
Jagdish & Ian, New Zealand, Sep 2017
Another very proficient Avalon cruise. All very good. Maybe, too late in the year as the weather was cold (30 Sept - 10 Oct). Our only complaint was that the quality of food provided at dinner was not as good as on our earlier Romantic Rhine Cruise. The vegetarian fair was particularly poor. Breakfast and lunch were fine. Table service was not attentive read more and to get a wine glass refilled was often difficult.
Our first river cruise and it was extremely good 12
Tim & Rose, NSW, Australia, Apr 2017
The trip was very well organised, the included tours good, the range of optional excursions quite varied and most were good, the crew were magnificent and very friendly, the food magnificent and in no short supply by any means. The cruise director was very professional and helpful (even organised a short ANZAC day event for the Australians and New Zealanders). read more The cabins and beds were very comfortable and well sound insulated, and the floor-to-ceiling door sliding open to allow full view uninterrupted views was magnificent. Couldn't fault any aspect of the cruise.
Excellent holiday - especially in Autumn with tree colours and fewer crowds. The cabins and lounges were comfortable. The boat handling and locks and other ships were intriguing. The crew members and guides were efficient AND friendly. The daily information was inspiring. The food was healthy and plentiful with lots of choices - even though I'm vegetarian. read more The museums and shops were entertaining at every shore stop. The architecture was intriguing and sometime awesome - took lots of photos to absorb the details later. So many highlights - electric biking through Dutch farmland, patisseries in Strasbourg etc. The Prague hotel was very classy and the city was fun to explore. Salzburg was so lovely I'm tempted to go back and live there for a while.
Holiday of Highlights 5
Gerard & Lisa, VIC, Australia, Sep 2016
The highlights of our Legendary Danube trip were the tours of the cities of Prague, Regensburg, Vienna and Budapest and the tour through the beautiful Austrian lakes region.
Great holiday with Danube River Cruise & Boat & Bike tour of Holland the highlights 4
Russell & Joy Tidmarsh, New Zealand, Jul 2016
First time with Emirates and could not fault the experience. Avalon River Cruise just great , well organised with excellent tour guide. One small criticism was after paying for balcony room to often we berthed at locations only to be looking into adjacent boat bed room only half a metre away.
Expected all cabins to have large windows 1
Thomas & Bettina , VIC, Australia, Oct 2015
We expected all cabins to have large windows but, we were on the bottom deck and had just two small windows which were high up and could hardly see anything. We understand why but could have been told about this so we could book cabins on the upper decks. This aspect was really very dissapointing.
Cruise was fantastic! 2
Bernadette Egan & Eileen Stagg, QLD, Australia, Jul 2015
The Legendary Danube Cruise was fantastic!! We loved the location of the Intercontinental in Prague. It is certainly a beautiful city. The Expression was a great ship with a great crew! Nothing was too much to ask for - exceptional service! The days when we were cruising along the Danube was spectacular. You felt like you were gliding along - very read more relaxing!! Even going through the locks was an amazing experience. I also loved Passau and Budapest. Would have liked to have had a few more days in Budapest - maybe next time, as I well definitely be doing another river cruise!
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Avalon River Cruises (2025-26)
Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and it’s easy to see how the tides are changing. Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.
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Monday
22 Jun 2026
22 Jun 26
Nuremberg
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29 Jun 2026
29 Jun 26
Budapest
Details
Avalon Tranquility II
River View
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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 Avalon. 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.
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 Avalon. 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.
