Overview
Read 4 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 9 Day The Danube from Romania to Budapest. Embark your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest in Oltenita, Romania. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge.
Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an read more excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.
Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an read more excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.
Save 31%
Our Price From
US$3,647 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $1,640 per person
Cruise Line
Avalon
4 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.8/5
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2014
Cruise Code
WOB
Itinerary
Your Balkan Adventure Begins. Flights into Bucharest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (D)
Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna”
- Active: Join a bike tour in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church. Later, enjoy a short scenic drive to explore the rock - hewn churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage. OR:
- Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B/L/D)
Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.- Active: Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature's elements. Then, visit the mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC (B/L/D)
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
Before lunch on board, you'll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.- Classic: Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge. Continue to the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B/L/D)
Fortresses and Folklore.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.- Active: Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city's many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches. You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
- Discovery: Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD (B/L/D)
A Capital of Culture.
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
- Active: Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR:
- Discovery: Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK (B/L/D)
Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages.
- Discovery: Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition.
- Classic: Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS (B/L/D)
Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music.
- Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You'll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am. (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 Illumination
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 (4)
Affordable luxury 3
Nicky & Richard, New Zealand, Jun 2019
We were pleasantly surprised when we booked online and found that we were allocated our personal travel agent. This made the process really easy and pleasant. Our ship, the Avalon Passion, was new and offered comfort beyond our expectations. All staff were knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. Our fellow passengers were friendly and many made interesting table companions.
Avalon river cruise 5
Don & Bernadette, VIC, Australia, Sep 2017
The Avalon river cruise from the Black Sea to Budapest takes you on a less travelled part of the Danube, giving you a snapshot of life in Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia before getting to Hungary. There is some time spent off the ship to go on bus tours into the countryside. These tours were largely included which was very good, but sometimes it was god read more to just relax on the ship. Facilities on board were superb.
The Black Sea to Budapest with Avalon 2
Lee & Michael, NSW, Australia, Jul 2017
We have travelled with Avalon before and again had another wonderful time. The service, FOOD, accommodation, staff and trip was great. The ship was modern and had everything you needed... including amazing afternoons & suppers! After dinner there was entertainment or you could sit on the top deck and take in the beautiful skies.
It is a very different read more trip to say doing the Romantic Rhine, as the scenery isn't as magnificent, but it was like stepping back in time, with some of the places we visited and made you realise how lucky we are. It wasn't an over busy or full on tour each day, so a nice leisurely place. Our Tour Director was fantastic and nothing was a problem.
Our hotels that we stayed in before and after the cruise were great and we found finishing with Budapest was the icing on the cake. We were lucky with having a variety of different ages and nationalities on our trip, so it was a lot of fun. Hannah from Global Journeys made our booking very easy and was a pleasure to deal with. Thanks so much Hannah.
It is a very different read more trip to say doing the Romantic Rhine, as the scenery isn't as magnificent, but it was like stepping back in time, with some of the places we visited and made you realise how lucky we are. It wasn't an over busy or full on tour each day, so a nice leisurely place. Our Tour Director was fantastic and nothing was a problem.
Our hotels that we stayed in before and after the cruise were great and we found finishing with Budapest was the icing on the cake. We were lucky with having a variety of different ages and nationalities on our trip, so it was a lot of fun. Hannah from Global Journeys made our booking very easy and was a pleasure to deal with. Thanks so much Hannah.
River cruise very much up to standard 3
Anthony & Rosina Barker, Australia, Aug 2013
The accommodation, food, general level of service were very much up to the standards of three previous river cruises. As before, we enjoyed the company of several fellow-passengers. I would, however, be less inclined to recommend this cruise than previous ones - Moselle/Rhine/Danube to Budapest; Paris to Normandy and Saone/Rhone to Monaco - for two read more reasons: 1) because most of the lower Danube is less scenic the cruise involved lengthy side trips by bus virtually each day. Many were good, some were tiring, and one (a visit to a so-called Champagne factory) was uninformative and environmentally noxious from dust and mould. 2) the cruise director, while helpful, was irritatingly verbose and over-enthusiastic about quite banal 'highlights'.
Download Brochure
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.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Welcome Back Credit
Traveled with Avalon before? We'll automatically apply any travel credits to your booking.
GJ Loyalty Discount
Save even more if you're a past client of Global Journeys!
Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
Sunday
31 May 2026
31 May 26
Oltenita
Monday
08 Jun 2026
08 Jun 26
Budapest
Details
Avalon Passion
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$4,967
Save $196
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 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.
