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Christmas Cruise on the Danube

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River View
$2,739
Balcony
$3,310
Suite
$4,814
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
7 Days
 Cruise Starts
Passau
 Cruise Finishes
Passau
7 Day Christmas Cruise on the Danube Itinerary (Amadeus)
Countries Explored: Germany, Austria, Slovakia
Cruise Line
Amadeus
Ship
Departures
Passengers
158
Crew
46
Launched
2023
Cruise Code
XPP

Overview

Christmas is such a great reason for gathering and feeling connected! Celebrate Christmas in a whole new way – on board our festively decorated AMADEUS cruise ship. Dreamy villages gleam and river capitals such as Vienna and Bratislava beckon with a cheerful welcome. Enjoy Christmas stories, decorating the Christmas tree, and a joyous celebration on board. On Christmas Eve, join a traditional mass in charming Dürnstein on the banks of the Danube.

Itinerary

Embarkation from 4:00pm

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.

Christmas Market in Salzburg's old town

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.

Visit to Melk Abbey & Mulled Wine Party

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 or to Göttweig Abbey. 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.

Visit Schönbrunn Palace

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).

Captain's Gala Dinner

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.

Walk through the old town in 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.

Disembarkation after breakfast

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! We hope to welcome you again soon!

Trip Inclusions

  • Luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice: Spacious Mozart Suites with a walk-out balcony, stateroom cabins on Mozart and Strauss Decks with drop-down Panorama Retractable Windows offering a wide-open view (except Amadeus Brilliant)
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding)
  • Bottled water in every stateroom

  • Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack
  • Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner onboard
  • Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the Amadeus Club
  • Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
  • All gratuities on board are included in your cruise fare

  • Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director
  • AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions
  • Variety of enriching onboard programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, local cultural performances, and music by our onboard musicians
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration
  • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
  • All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare
Amadeus Riva
Amadeus Riva

The newest ship in the fleet, Amadeus Riva will offer guests a choice of 12 suites and 67 exterior cabins across four decks that feature mostly walk-out balconies or lowerable panoramic windows. Read more

On Board Inclusions
On Board Inclusions

The ambiance onboard invites you to relax in the morning before your discovery tours and unwind in style at the end of a full day's activities. Read more

Excursions
Excursions

Amadeus' excursion programs allow you to decide how you'd like to get to know each destination. Select from a wide range of optional inspiring and eventful shore excursions. Read more

Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining

Amadeus' exclusive menus reflect the traditions and cultures of regional cuisine and at the same time are diverse enough to satisfy an international appetite. Read more

Optional Shore Excursions Excursion Packages can be only pre-booked. Individual excursions can be booked onboard.

Introductory Excursion Package $322

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 5 - Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube
  • Day 2 - Passau walking tour
  • Day 3 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 4 - Vienna - Imperial discovery tour
  • Day 6 - Linz walking tour with Linzer Torte tasting

Intermediate Excursion Package $618

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 5 - Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube
  • Day 2 - Full-day Salzburg with lunch
  • Day 3 - Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel
  • Day 4 - Vienna - Imperial discovery tour
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace
  • Day 6 - Linz walking tour with Linzer Torte tasting

Individual Excursions

You can also pre-purchase individual excursions or prchase them onboard during your river cruise. View Excursions

  • Day 5 -
    Bratislava - Beauty on the Danube$100
  • Day 2 -
    Passau walking tour$42
    OR Full-day Salzburg with lunch $267
    Visit Christmas Market in Linz $0
  • Day 3 -
    Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel$107
    Visit to the Christmas Mass in Dürnstein $0
  • Day 4 -
    Vienna - Imperial discovery tour$80
    Visit to Schönbrunn Palace $125
  • Day 6 -
    Linz walking tour with Linzer Torte tasting$50

Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Exclusive Savings
Monday 22 Dec 2025
Sunday 28 Dec 2025
Ship Amadeus Riva
River View
Save $56
$2,739
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $68
$3,310
View Cabins
Suite
$4,814
View Cabins
Exclusive Savings
Monday 22 Dec 2025
Sunday 28 Dec 2025
Ship Amadeus Riva
River View
$3,151
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $88
$4,304
View Cabins
Suite
$9,627
View Cabins
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 Amadeus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Amadeus. These 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.

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