Viking Cruises

Danube Christmas Delights

Length: 7 nights
Region: Danube
Countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany

This cruise runs from Budapest to Passau, stopping in Bratislava, Vienna, Krems and Linz. It covers four countries, with Christmas markets in Vienna, Linz and Passau.

Budapest · Bratislava · Vienna · Krems · Linz · Passau

Highlights

Vienna's Christmas markets
Göttweig Abbey from Krems
Sailing the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley

Day by day

Shown from Budapest to Passau. Direction and ports can vary by sailing.

Day 1
Budapest: boarding
Budapest, Hungary
Board the ship in Budapest. Christmas markets are open at Vörösmarty Square, St. Stephen's Basilica and Fő Square in Buda.
Tours: Budapest by Night
Day 2
Budapest: Castle District
Budapest, Hungary
See the Castle District, with Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Buda Castle, which was home to Hungary's kings for almost 700 years.
Tours: Panoramic Budapest at Christmas Time (included), Budapest Castle Hill Hike, Grand Market: Flavors of Hungary, Dohány Street Synagogue & Jewish Budapest, Budapest Thermal Bath, The Royal Palace & Gardens of Gödöllö
Day 3
Bratislava: Old Town and Christmas markets
Bratislava, Slovakia
Visit the Old Town markets below Bratislava Castle. Stalls in Hlavné Námestie sell local crafts, and a decorated Christmas tram runs between the fairs.
Tours: Bratislava’s Christmas Market & Organ Concert (included), Bratislava Beer Tasting & Dinner
Day 4
Vienna: Christmas markets
Vienna, Austria
Vienna holds markets at Schönbrunn Palace, Freyung, Am Hof and Belvedere, with crafts, music and choirs.
Tours: Panoramic Vienna & Christmas Market (included), Vienna’s Sights Up Close (included), Festive Schönbrunn Palace, Behind the Scenes at the Lipizzaner Stallions, Mozart & Strauss Concert, Heurigen Dinner
Day 5
Krems and the Wachau Valley
Krems, Austria
Krems is a university town known for Riesling and Veltliner wines. The ship also sails the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO site.
Tours: Göttweig Abbey at Christmas (included), Göttweig Abbey with Apricot Dumpling Demonstration
Day 6
Linz: Christmas markets
Linz, Austria
Visit the market on the main square and the nativity scene at the Volksgarten in the capital of Upper Austria, home of the Linzer Torte.
Tours: Historic Linz at Christmas (included), Austrian Countryside, Mauthausen Memorial Site, Český Krumlov at Christmas
Day 7
Passau: Christkindlmarkt
Passau, Germany
The market surrounds St. Stephen's Cathedral, which has Europe's largest pipe organ and hosts Christmas concerts during the season.
Tours: Christmas Traditions in Passau (included), Bavarian Farm & Countryside, Salzburg at Christmas
Day 8
Passau: departure
Passau, Germany
Leave the ship and travel home, or continue on a post-cruise extension.

Dates

Availability changes. Ask us to confirm. More sailings may be available.

2026

November 29Passau to Budapest

2027

November 27Budapest to Passau
November 27Passau to Budapest
November 28Budapest to Passau
November 28Passau to Budapest
November 29Passau to Budapest
November 30Budapest to Passau
November 30Passau to Budapest
December 1Budapest to Passau
December 2Budapest to Passau
December 3Budapest to Passau
December 4Budapest to Passau
December 4Passau to Budapest
December 5Budapest to Passau
December 5Passau to Budapest
December 6Budapest to Passau
December 7Budapest to Passau
December 7Passau to Budapest
December 11Budapest to Passau
December 14Budapest to Passau
December 15Budapest to Passau
December 18Budapest to Passau

2028

November 28Budapest to Passau
November 28Passau to Budapest
December 4Budapest to Passau
December 5Budapest to Passau
December 5Passau to Budapest
December 11Passau to Budapest
December 12Budapest to Passau
December 12Passau to Budapest
December 18Budapest to Passau

What's included

Stay

River-view stateroom
Queen-size bed with a twin-bed option
Private bathroom with shower and heated floor
Robes and slippers on request
Flat-screen TV with movies on demand

Dining

All onboard meals
Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Specialty coffees, teas and bottled water, 24 hours a day
Bottled water in the stateroom, replenished daily

Excursions

One shore excursion in every port of call
Visits to UNESCO sites
Destination Performances

Also included

Free Wi-Fi
Port taxes and fees
Enrichment lectures

Virtuoso benefits

Dedicated Onboard Host

A personal Virtuoso host sails with your group, present throughout the voyage to answer questions and ensure every detail runs exactly as planned.

Private Welcome Reception

An exclusive cocktail reception at the start of each sailing, arranged solely for Virtuoso Voyages guests with introductions facilitated by your host.

Shipboard Credit

$100 per stateroom on voyages under 14 nights; $200 per stateroom on voyages of 14 nights or more, to spend freely on dining, spa, or excursions.

Exclusive Shore Experience

A private shore excursion, VIP tour, or private car and driver whose itinerary is shaped entirely around your interests and pace — never a group schedule.

Specialty Dining

Complimentary reservations at specialty restaurants on select sailings, including chef's tastings and curated wine pairings on participating vessels.

Spa & Wellness Access

Select spa treatments, wellness credits, and onboard amenities included on participating voyages across our preferred cruise partners.

Get Started

Ask about this cruise

Tell us which Danube Christmas Delights sailing you have in mind. We'll check availability and add every benefit we can.

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