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Christmas Cruise on the Danube

15% Early Booking Discount for 2025
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Christmas Cruise on the Danube

From £969 pp

Join our Christmas Cruise on the Danube and celebrate Christmas in a whole new way on a river cruise board our festively decorated AMADEUS cruise ship. Enjoy the Christmas stories, decorating the Christmas tree, and a joyous celebration of Christmas Eve on board when the restaurant will prepare a special gourmet dinner, after which you will have the option of attending a traditional midnight mass.  You’ll love our Christmas on the Danube river cruise.

What’s included:

  • River-view stateroom or suite of your choice, most with French balcony or drop-down panoramic windows.
  • Elegant dining with all meals included (buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack).
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
  • 24-hour complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water.
  • Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner.
  • Special onboard entertainment including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and nightly music by the Amadeus Duo in the Panorama Bar.
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles.
  • Complimentary wifi onboard
  • Services of an experienced, multilingual Cruise Director.
  • All port taxes and local taxes.

Flight inclusive packages on request

  • Flights from the UK based on London economy.  Regional flights or rail available on request
  • Transfers to the ship from airport/railway station.

A full complement of optional excursions are available and may be pre-purchased as discounted packages in advance or on an ad-hoc basis on board.

Christmas Cruise on the Danube from Global River Cruising. Beautiful night shot of Bratislava city, Slovakia
Day 1 - Passau

Welcome to this magical Christmas cruise along the wintery Danube! You embark in the Bavarian “City of Three Rivers”, Passau, where a Welcome Cocktail with the AMADEUS-crew awaits you. At the start of your trip, the chef will spoil you with a festive Welcome Dinner. Your ship remains in Passau overnight.

Day 1 - Passau

Dinner

Day 2 - Passau - Linz (Salzburg)

After breakfast, get to know the most beautiful sights of Passau during the course of a city sightseeing walk. Alternatively, you can take part in a full-day excursion to the imposing Mozart-town of Salzburg, where you will visit the atmospheric Advent market in the old town, with its countless festive lights. After this excursion, you rejoin your floating luxury hotel, which has made its way to Linz in the meantime. You can end your day and wind down with a walk through the festive Christmas market in Linz.

Optional Excursions:

Passau walking tour OR Full-day excursion to Salzburg including Salzkammergut lunch and Christmas market

Day 2 - Passau - Linz (Salzburg)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Melk/Emmersdorf - Dürnstein (Christmas Eve)

Early in the morning, your ship arrives in Melk/Emmersdorf, which is situated in the beautiful Wachau region. You can take a detour to the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and the famous wine-growers village of Dürnstein, followed by glühwein (mulled wine) and lunch. Celebrate Christmas on board with us in a festive ambience. Take part in decorating the Christmas tree to the sound of contemplative carols, followed by the magical Christmas dinner on board. Those who wish can attend a Christmas mass in Dürnstein after dinner. Late at night, your cruise continues to Vienna.

Optional Excursion:

Visit to Melk Abbey OR Visit to Göttweig Abbey

Day 3 - Melk/Emmersdorf - Dürnstein (Christmas Eve)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Vienna (Christmas Day)

Christmas day is spent in the Austrian capital, Vienna, which will amaze you with its countless sights and imposing architecture. Don’t miss the city sightseeing tour in the morning! In the afternoon you can take part in an excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. A unique and charming Christmas market is located in front of the palace, inviting you to stroll past its countless decorated stalls and beguiling you with the divine aromas of punch and lebkuchen (gingerbread).ainz.

Optional Excursions:

Vienna – Imperial discovery tour
Visit to Schönbrunn Palace OR Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts

Day 4 - Vienna (Christmas Day)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Bratislava (Boxing Day)

Spend the morning in Bratislava, where your AMADEUS ship docked during the night. Discover this impressive Danube city during the course of a sightseeing trip in a comfortable tour coach and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the city from the castle hill. At midday you will return to your ship, which continues its journey downriver. An elegant captain’s Gala Dinner awaits you in the evening, bringing a fitting and festive close to the second day of Christmas.

Optional Excursions:

Bratislava – Beauty on the Danube

Day 5 - Bratislava (Boxing Day)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Linz

Spend the morning on board, enjoying the view of the passing wintery landscapes from the comfort of your five-star premium ship. At midday, you arrive in Linz – Austria’s third-largest city. In the afternoon, you can explore the city on your own, or, if you prefer, during the course of a sightseeing walk. In the evening, your ship weighs anchor and heads towards Passau.

Optional Excursion:

Linz walking tour with Linzer Torte tasting OR Trip to the Pöstlingsberg

Day 6 - Linz

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Passau

After a generous breakfast on board, it is time to disembark and the entire AMADEUS crew wishes you a pleasant homeward journey and a happy New Year! Arrival 8am

Day 7 - Passau

Breakfast

Launched in 2022, the Amadeus Cara is designed to offer our guests an effortless combination of the vibrant energy of a river cruise day with an increasingly calm and intimate ship experience. The new ship offers 71 spacious deluxe cabins and 10 Amadeus suites in total. As on all ships built since 2011, the Amadeus Cara cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks also feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width.

All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.

Explore this ship in a virtual 360 degree tour

360° Tour

River Cruise Support

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • Panorama-Restaurant
  • Panorama-Bar and Lounge
  • Amadeus-Club
  • “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialities
  • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace”
  • Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard
  • Fitness Room
  • Hair Salon, Massage Room
  • Gift Shop
  • Laundry Service
  • Complimentary bicycles on board
  • Wi-Fi
  • Lift

Accommodation & Amenities

Stay in one of the elegantly appointed Classic Staterooms or Amadeus Suites and enjoy unexpected little luxuries.

Classic Staterooms

Be transported into a realm of chic comfort in one of the 18  staterooms. The beautiful 172 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.

French Balcony Cabins

Be transported into a realm of chic comfort in one of the 55 enlarged staterooms. The beautiful 188 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Balcony Suites

These 12 deliberately designed suites with a lounge area, offer outdoor seating to sip your morning coffee and 284 sq ft of space to relax. Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Balcony Suites

284 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Walk-out exterior balcony
  • Comfortable corner sofa
  • Luxurious bathroom en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe & hair dryer
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control

A-1 Stateroom

188 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

B-1  & B-4 Staterooms

188 ft² – Strauss (Middle) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

C-1 & C4 Staterooms

172 ft² – Haydn (Lower) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Panoramic window (cannot be opened)
  • Walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.

Launched in 2023, the Amadeus Riva is designed to offer our guests an effortless combination of the vibrant energy of a river cruise day with an increasingly calm and intimate ship experience. The new ship offers 71 spacious deluxe cabins and 10 Amadeus suites in total. As on all ships built since 2011, the Amadeus Riva cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks also feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width.

All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.

The Amadeus Riva will incorporate the very latest technologies in sustainable travel. The innovative ship’s engine not only enables highly efficient energy management but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions. The ship’s newly developed air filtration system with two-stage purification is equally innovative and modern.

Explore this ship in a virtual 360 degree tour

360° Tour

River Cruise Support

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • Panorama-Restaurant
  • Panorama-Bar and Lounge
  • Amadeus-Club
  • “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialities
  • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace”
  • Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard
  • Fitness Room
  • Massage Room
  • Gift Shop
  • Laundry Service
  • Complimentary bicycles on board
  • Wi-Fi
  • Lift

Accommodation & Amenities

Stay in one of the elegantly appointed Classic Staterooms or Amadeus Suites and enjoy unexpected little luxuries.

Classic Staterooms

The beautiful 172 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.

French Balcony Cabins

The beautiful 188 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Amadeus Suites

These 10 suites with a lounge area, offer outdoor seating to sip your morning coffee and 284 sq ft of space to relax. Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Balcony Suites

284 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Walk-out exterior balcony
  • Comfortable corner sofa
  • Luxurious bathroom en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe & hair dryer
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control

A-1 Stateroom

188 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

B-1  & B-4 Staterooms

188 ft² – Strauss (Middle) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

C-1 & C4 Staterooms

172 ft² – Haydn (Lower) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Panoramic window (cannot be opened)
  • Walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.

Similar in design to her sister ships Amadeus Cara and Riva, Amadeus Nova also introduces some new design features that make her feel even more spacious and airy. She combines the very latest sustainable technologies with additional amenities to truly provide an exceptional sailing experience

All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. Suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.

The Amadeus Nova will incorporate the very latest technologies in sustainable travel. The hybrid diesel-electric propulsions system, combined with powerful battery back up enables highly efficient energy management and significantly reduces CO2 emissions and almost entirely eliminates air pollutants. The ship’s newly developed air filtration system with two-stage purification is equally innovative and modern.

Explore this ship in a virtual 360 degree tour

360° Tour

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • Panorama-Restaurant
  • Panorama-Bar and Lounge
  • Amadeus-Club
  • “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialities
  • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace”
  • Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard
  • Heated outdoor pool
  • Fitness Room
  • Massage Room
  • Gift Shop
  • Laundry Service
  • Complimentary bicycles on board
  • Wi-Fi
  • Lift

Accommodation & Amenities

Stay in one of the elegantly appointed Classic Staterooms or Amadeus Suites and enjoy unexpected little luxuries.

Classic Staterooms

The beautiful 172 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.

French Balcony Cabins

The beautiful 188 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Amadeus Suites

These 10 suites with a lounge area, offer outdoor seating to sip your morning coffee and 284 sq ft of space to relax. Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.

Balcony Suites

284 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Walk-out exterior balcony
  • Comfortable corner sofa
  • Luxurious bathroom en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe & hair dryer
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control

A-1 Stateroom

188 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

B-1  & B-4 Staterooms

188 ft² – Strauss (Middle) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Drop-down panoramic french window
  • Mini-bar
  • Large walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe

C-1 & C4 Staterooms

172 ft² – Haydn (Lower) Deck

  • Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
  • Panoramic window (cannot be opened)
  • Walk-in wardrobe
  • Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
  • Flat-screen television
  • Individual climate control
  • Direct dial telephone
  • In-room safe
  • Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.
DepartShipEmbarkFrom  
Dec 22Amadeus CaraPassau£1352Cabin Upgrades
Lower DeckC-4172 ft², Fixed WindowsSold   
Lower DeckC-1172 ft², Fixed Windows£1352  
Middle DeckB-4188 ft², French Balcony£1648  
Middle DeckB-1188 ft², French Balcony£1778  
Upper DeckA-1188 ft², French Balcony£2004  
Upper DeckSuite284 ft², Outside Balcony£2422  
DepartShipEmbarkFrom  
Dec 22Amadeus RivaPassau£96915% Early Booking DiscountCabin Upgrades
Lower DeckC-4172 ft², Fixed Windows£969 Was £1140 
Lower DeckC-1172 ft², Fixed Windows£1191 Was £1401 
Middle DeckB-4188 ft², French Balcony£1450 Was £1705 
Middle DeckB-1188 ft², French Balcony£1561 Was £1836 
Upper DeckA-1188 ft², French Balcony£1760 Was £2070 
Upper DeckSuite284 ft², Outside Balcony£2130 Was £2505 
Dec 22Amadeus NovaPassau£96915% Early Booking DiscountCabin Upgrades
Lower DeckC-4172 ft², Fixed Windows£969 Was £1140 
Lower DeckC-1172 ft², Fixed Windows£1191 Was £1401 
Middle DeckB-4188 ft², French Balcony£1450 Was £1705 
Middle DeckB-1188 ft², French Balcony£1561 Was £1836 
Upper DeckA-1188 ft², French Balcony£1760 Was £2070 
Upper DeckSuite284 ft², Outside Balcony£2130 Was £2505 

Optional Excursions & Packages

Price A B
Passau walking tour £21
Full-day Salzburg including Salzkammergut and lunch £109
Visit Melk Abbey £53
Vienna – Imperial discovery tour £40
Visit to Schönbrunn Palace £58
Bratislava – Beauty on the Danube £39
Linz walking tour with Linzer Torte tasting £23
Pre-purchase Discount Price £150 £274

Single Cabins:  These Amadeus vessels do not have single cabins but sole occupancy is available at the following supplements to the cruise price excluding flights and transfers.

Solo Supplement:  Cat C4 & C1 15%; B4 30%; B1 50%; A1 60%; Suite 100%.

Flights inclusive prices based on direct flights from London. Other flight options or rail may be available, supplements may apply.


Why Choose this Cruise?

Celebrate Christmas in Continental Europe onboard a luxury floating hotel with wonderful staff and like-minded travelers.  Something truly different. Austrian family hospitality makes cruising a relaxed affair. Excursions can be added ad hoc to allow more independent exploration and free time for you. A European facing, luxury cruising experience with English the language onboard. One of our favourite river cruise lines. A European facing, luxury cruising experience with English the language onboard. One of our favourite river cruise lines and the one all the others have learnt from. You can find out more about Vienna and the Danube at Christmas.  Click here If you like this cruise, you can also add our New Year on the Danube cruise and be away throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

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