CELEBRATION OF MUSIC – DANUBE RIVER CRUISE
March 23 – 30, 2024
From Strauss’s The Blue Danube to Mozart’s Linz Symphony, the Danube River has inspired countless musicians throughout the centuries. Their famous melodies are carried on the river’s current, which you will follow through some of the most spectacular capitals – Budapest, Hungary, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria – where they lived, composed and performed, as well as to cities such as Salzburg, Austria, where Mozart was born. Along the way, you will be treated to a variety of live performances by renowned musicians that are sure to fill your heart with love for the Danube throughout the ages. Whether you are a musican yourself, a classical music connoisseur or simply a discerning traveler seeking a nuanced and immersive experience, let the Danube River be your melodious muse on this incredible classical music themed journey.
Join us in the lounge during our time on the river with your favorite crafty indulgence!
Scrapbooking? Cross Stitching? Journaling? Photography? Reading?
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23 MARCH 2024: EMBARKATION – BUDAPEST. Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship.24 MARCH 2024: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. In the afternoon, enter a world of grandeur and musical history as your knowledgeable local guide leads you through the exquisitely designed Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest. From its grandiose neo-Renaissance facade to its dramatic marble staircases to its immaculate ceiling frescoes, this building has played host to countless operas and ballets for more than a century and will leave you speechless. Take your moment in the spotlight on stage, with the possibility of witnessing actual performers in action. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path, or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohany Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI.25 MARCH 2024: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title, “Coronation City of Kings”, as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Plus, enjoy a surprise musical performance as part of this included excursion. Or, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided bike tour, pausing to take photos with some of the celebrated statues in Old Town. In the afternoon, take in the breathtaking scenery along the Danube River from your balcony or while up on the Sun Deck – you may even catch a glimpse of the gleaming Bratislava Castle as you leave the city.26 MARCH 2024: MELK, AUSTRIA. Sail through Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley to Melk and explore the city known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries. Within these walls, you will find frescoes painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger, as well as a famed collection of musical manuscripts. You will also be treated to a beautiful live choral performance in Melk’s Community Hall. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike up to the Melk Abbey and then visit this magnificent Baroque monastery or join a guided bike tour to Melk. Enjoy an afternoon scenic cruise while in Melk before making your way to Linz.27 MARCH 2024: LINZ, AUSTRIA. Arrive in Linz, where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you[‘ll tour the historic center, lovely MIrabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You will also visit the museum of the famed yellow building known as Mozart Birth HOuse and residence where the legendary composer was born in 1756 and lived until 1773. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St Michael where the wedding scene from the Sound of Music was filmed. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozarthaus where Mozart composed his Linz symphony and Linz Sonata in only three days in 1783; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile”, passing the contemporary Ars Electronica Center and the New Cathedral. In the afternoon, for those not taking the full day tour to Salzburg, you can also choose to visit charming Cesky Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.28 MARCH 2024: LINZ – VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Sail from Linz to the grand capital of Vienna on a morning scenic cruise. Once there, visit the UNESCO-designated Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, on your included tour. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441 room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. Alternatively, pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuburg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River. In the evening, join us for a very special live classical performance at a renowned local concert hall.
29 MARCH 2024: VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Explore the city of music while following in the footsteps of world-renowned composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, from their past residences to museums ot grand monuments. Alternatively, discover the regal splendors of the “City of Waltzes”, on a city bike tour, visiting such remarkable sites as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. If you are looking to treat your palate instead, visit a traditional cafe to experience a true Vienna specialty with its very own national holiday and a unique history to match: the rich chocolate sachertorte – and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese coffee.
30 MARCH 2024: VIENNA, AUSTRIA – DISEMBARKATION
OPTIONAL – 3 DAY PRE-CRUISE LAND TOUR: starting at $900 per person, double occupancy
20 MARCH 2024: KRAKOW, POLAND. Arrive into Krakow and check into your hotel.
21 MARCH 2024: KRAKOW, POLAND. Get acquainted with your surroundings and take a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Krakow with a comprehensive city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle – the world’s first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and Poland’s largest castle, located in the center of its Old Town. The Wawel Hill it stands upon features a limestone cave renowned for its connection to the legendary Wawel Dragon of Polish folklore, which you will learn more about during your tour. You will also venture into Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter and see the factory of Oskar Schindler, who was credit with saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War Ii, and who was famously honored in the award-winning film Schindler’s List. You will also be treated to a live performance of the Polish anthem by a trumpeter on the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Church, otherwise known as St Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition since the 19th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore more of the city.
22 MARCH 2024: KRAKOW – AUSCHWITZ, POLAND. Prepare yourself for an emotional day as together, we explore a darker period in Poland’s history with a visit to Auschwitz, the largest and most tragically infamous of Europe’s labor and death camps. The main gate, barbed wire fences, buildings and barracks look muck the same today as they did during the Holocaust, when 1.1 million lives were taken within the camp. It was liberated from January 17-21, 1945, saving 58,000 from further horrors. Though not for the faint of heart, this once-in-a-lifetime excursion will honor the memory of those who perished and promises to be one you won’t soon forget.
23 MARCH 2024: KRAKOW – BUDAPEST – EMBARKATION: Check out of your hotel and transfer to Budapest to board your luxurious river cruise ship.
OPTIONAL – 3 DAY POST-CRUISE LAND TOUR: starting at $900 per person, double occupancy
30 MARCH 2024: PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Bid farewell to Vienna as you depart the ship and drive to Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, where you will enjoy lunch. After your stop in Brno, continue on to Prague and check into your hotel.
1 APRIL 2024: PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKI. Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour or you can hike to teh grand castle. See Rudolfinum and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Visit the 1,000 year old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock.
2 APRIL 2024: PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech ‘s beer some of the very best in the world.
3 APRIL 2024: DEPART PRAGUE. Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home.
CURRENT PRICING: Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates are available upon request. Pricing and availability are not guaranteed until booked and deposited.
CURRENT PROMOTION: Valid for bookings made prior to June 30, 2023
OPTION 1 – $500 pp on cruise portion –OR
OPTION 2 – Free Land Package (Krakow OR Prague)
Suite: Starting at $7122 per person
French Balcony & Outside Balcony: Starting at $5222 per person
French Balcony: Starting at $4222 per person
Window: Starting at $3323 per person
- In-room temperature control
- Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
- Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
- Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
- Flat-screen TV
- Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
- Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
- Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- Desk and chair
RIVER BOAT: AmaViola
Savor exquisite cuisine at a variety of dining venues, like the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table. You can also order delicious tapas between meals in the Main Lounge.
With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Our public areas, including lounges and restaurants, are never overcrowded.
With a fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, you have the opportunity to explore Europe on our guided bike tours or go discover on your own.
Soak up some rays or take a dip in our refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as we pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.
Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment on board.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Non-refundable Deposit of $400* per person due at the time of booking.
Final payment due by 15 January 2024
CANCELLATION FEE SCHEDULE
*More than 121 days prior to departure: $200 per person
*90 – 120 days prior to departure: $400 per person
*60 – 89 days prior to departure: 35% per person
*30 – 59 days prior to departure: 50% per person
*7 – 29 days prior to departure: 80% per person
*0 – 6 days prior to departure: 100% per person