Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest with flights needing to land by 2 pm, giving you the afternoon to walk around the city before your 5 pm ship boarding. The Royal Palace grounds are worth photographing, and there's a nice Christmas atmosphere throughout the city if you want to soak that in. It's a free day, so you can move at your own pace and explore whatever interests you most.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Royal Palace grounds
- Photography in Budapest
- Experience Christmas traditions in Budapest
Landmarks Royal Palace 
- Day 2
Bratislava - Vienna
You'll spend the day sailing along the Danube, watching Hungary and Slovakia drift past as you take in the red-roofed buildings of Bratislava from the water. There's an Austrian cookie tasting scheduled while you're on board, so you can snack on some local treats as the scenery goes by. By evening you'll arrive in Vienna, and if you're interested in something more formal, there's a Royal Waltz Concert option available for the night if you want to dress up and hear some live music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing
Optional Activities
- Royal Waltz Concert (Optional Excursion)
Landmarks Danube River Bratislava - Day 3
Vienna
A guided city tour takes you through Vienna's main landmarks, including the Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After that, you'll have free time to browse the Christkindlesmarkt or relax at a Viennese café. Schönbrunn Palace is available as an optional visit. Back on board, there's live entertainment this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks
- See Imperial Palace complex
- See Vienna Opera House
- See St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Browse Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market
- Relax in Viennese café
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace - Day 4
Krems to Melk
You'll join a guided walk through a small valley town that feels removed from modern life. The ship then sails through the Wachau Valley and arrives in Melk around lunchtime. A guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey shows you the frescoed ceilings, statues, library, and ornate pipe organ.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk of Krems
- Sail through Wachau Valley
- Guided Tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey
- View frescoed ceilings and ornate pipe organ at Melk Abbey
Landmarks Wachau Valley Melk Benedictine Abbey - Day 5
Passau
A guided city walk in Passau helps you learn about this 'City of Three Rivers.' Spend free time at the Christkindlesmarkt near St. Stephen's Cathedral, or take an optional full-day guided excursion to Salzburg to see Mozart's city and experience Austrian Christmas celebrations. You'll return to the ship in Passau for evening sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk of Passau
Optional Activities
- Explore Christkindlesmarkt near St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau Salzburg 
- Day 6
Regensburg
A guided city walk shows you Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria, the gate built in 179 AD for the Castra Regina fortress. Browse the Christmas markets and try hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. Live entertainment happens after dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk of Regensburg
- See Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
- See Porta Pretoria
- Live entertainment after dinner
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas markets
- Sample hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst
Landmarks Altes Rathaus Porta Pretoria - Day 7
Nuremberg
There's a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board in the morning. You can choose between a guided sightseeing tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, or a guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Spend free time at the Christmas Markets sampling bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and other Bavarian food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Christmas Traditions Lecture on board
Optional Activities
- Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg medieval architecture
- See gilded fountain in Nuremberg
- See Gothic cathedral in Nuremberg
- See Kaiserburg Castle
- Guided Tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds
- Browse Christmas Markets of Nuremberg
- Sample Bavarian bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine
Landmarks Kaiserburg Castle Nuremberg Gothic Cathedral Nuremberg Rally Grounds - Day 8
Nuremberg - Munich
This morning you'll head to Munich for a guided tour of the city's main attractions. You'll see Nymphenburg Palace, which was where Bavarian royalty actually lived, then check out the Old and New Town Halls at Marienplatz in the center. After the tour wraps up, you'll head back to Nuremberg where the boat docks for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Tour of Munich
- Visit to Nymphenburg Palace
- Visit to Old Town Hall (Marienplatz)
- Visit to New Town Hall (Marienplatz)
Landmarks Nymphenburg Palace Marienplatz Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) - Day 9
Nuremberg to Bamberg
This is a relaxing day in Nuremberg where you set your own schedule. Walk through the festively lit streets and pick up last-minute Christmas gifts. The Cruise Director can suggest things to do if you need ideas. Live entertainment happens on board later, and then the ship sails to Bamberg in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Nuremberg's festively lit streets
- Buy last-minute Christmas gifts
- Day 10
Bamberg
A guided sightseeing tour shows you Bamberg, the medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. You'll stroll through dozens of nativity scenes ranging from miniature to life-size. Free time lets you enjoy the Christmas markets and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale. There's a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg
- View nativity scenes in Bamberg
- Christmas Traditions Lecture on board
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas markets
- Sample traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale
Landmarks Bamberg - Day 11
Würzburg
A guided sightseeing tour covers Würzburg's Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence. An optional guided excursion goes to Rothenburg to visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum with its extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations. Free time lets you enjoy Würzburg's festive Christmas markets and warm glow. Live entertainment happens on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg
- See Old Main Bridge
- See towering fortress
- See baroque Bishop's Residence
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Rothenburg
- Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum
- Enjoy Würzburg's Christmas markets
Landmarks Old Main Bridge Würzburg Fortress Bishop's Residence Rothenburg Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum - Day 12
Miltenberg to Frankfurt
A guided tour shows you Miltenberg with its medieval half-timber homes and Germany's oldest inn. While sailing to Frankfurt, there's a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Miltenberg
- See medieval half-timber homes
- German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board
Landmarks Miltenberg - Day 13
Frankfurt
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning in Frankfurt. After that, it's time to head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
