Disembark (8am) and transfer to the airport in Munich
DAY 1, Saturday or Thrusday - Depart the USA Depart the USA for Hungary.
DAY 2, Sunday or Friday - Arrive in Budapest Arrive and transfer to your ship for embarkation. Balance of the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a gala welcome dinner on board and a scenic cruise of Budapest Overnight: Cruise Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday or Saturday - Budapest City Tour Your morning tour of Budapest begins in Pest and views the Parliament, Royal Palace, Heroes' Square, and Market Hall. Continue across the Danube via the Chain Bridge to the Buda Hills where you will view Matthias Coronation Church and Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill. In the afternoon, depart for the artisans village of Szentendre and enjoy time on your own upon arrival. This evening, enjoy dinner on board while sailing to Bratislava Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Tuesday or Sunday - Bratislava City Tour This morning arrive in Bratislava, capital city of Slovakia, and join a tour of the city that begins at the Opera House and continues to view such sights as St. Martin's Cathedral, Town Hall, and Michael's Gate. This afternoon cruise for Vienna Optional: Classical Viennese Concert (PM) Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday or Monday - Vienna City Tour Your morning tour of Vienna begins with a drive along the famed Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard, to the Hofburg Palace. Walk the courtyards to the Vienna State Opera House, continuing to view the Parliament, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural History, and City Hall. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure Optional: Best of Vienna (PM) Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday or Tuesday - Afternoon in Melk with Benedictine Abbey Tour This morning, cruise the Wachau Valley toward Melk. In the early afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the historic Benedictine Abbey, considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. This evening, sail for Passau Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Friday or Wednesday - Afternoon in Passau Enjoy morning sailing with afternoon arrival in Passau, where the Ilz, Inn, and Danube Rivers meet. Most known for St. Stephen's Cathedral and its historic Altstatd, or Old City district, the city boasts many fine examples of Baroque and Gothic architecture. Enjoy a brief walking tour, followed by time at leisure to discover Passau's charm for yourself. This evening sail for Regensburg Optional: Full Day Tour of Salzburg Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday or Thursday- Regensburg City Tour Enjoy the morning cruising the scenic Danube. This afternoon, arrive in Regensburg and enjoy a walking tour of the city that includes the Old Town Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral, the Roman Gates at Porta Pretoria, and one of the oldest stone bridges over the Danube. This afternoon set sail for Nuremberg and in the evening dine at the Captain's Farewell Dinner to celebrate your final night aboard Optional: Best of Bavaria (PM) Overnight: Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Sunday or Friday - Depart for the USA This morning, disembark and transfer to the airport in Munich for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast
Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
Classical Viennese Concert
Day #4
01 Mar 2009 - 05 Jan 2011 $69
What better way to dive into the heart of Viennese culture than to enjoy a delightful evening in the City of Music, the center of the Western musical world since Renaissance times. Attend a fantastic concert performance in the city and enjoy the ambiance of a world-class concert hall, the epitome of the refined life, as you appreciate the classical masterpieces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, two of Vienna’s most famous citizens. Listen in awe as the musicians bring to life the passionate strains of Mozart, a child prodigy who blossomed into one of history’s greatest composers and Strauss, the Waltz King, who composed the Blue Danube, arguably the world’s most famous waltz. The orchestral arrangement is accompanied by a professional dance performance, recalling the golden age of the 19th-century Viennese ballrooms. At intermission, sip a glass of sparkling wine and mingle with the audience before returning for the conclusion of the concert.
Best of Vienna
Day #5
01 Mar 2009 - 05 Jan 2011 $69
Enjoy a guided tour of one of the world's busiest opera houses, the Vienna State Opera*, where over 200 performances are staged every year. Originally constructed in 1869, the structure was completely remodeled following its destruction during the Second World War. Today, this premier opera house is home to the world's best opera orchestra, from which the esteemed Vienna Philharmonic recruits its members. See the grand entrance foyer and main staircase, the elegant tea salon and Marble Room, and the Gustav Mahler Room. Then, see the highlight of the tour, the magnificent Auditorium, with a view of the stage where notable personalities such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Felix Weingartner, Clemens Krauss, Karl Böhm, and Claudio Abbado have helped forge the opera's prestigious reputation.
From the Opera House, board your bus and wind your way up Kahlenberg via the scenic Höhenstrasse. The mountain sits at the northeastern foothills of the Eastern Alps and rises well over 1500 feet. Ascend an alpine forest road to reach the remarkable Kahlenberg Vista Point. From here, enjoy an arresting panoramic view of Vienna stretched out below, with the placid Danube cutting through the city. Be sure to bring a camera, as this offers a photographic opportunity of a lifetime. Afterward, continue on to Grinzing, where you'll have the opportunity to experience true Austrian Gemütlichkeit, which is a sense of cosiness, belonging, and unhurried enjoyment, at a local Heuriger. Heurigen sell only their own wines and provide a warm, welcoming environment for guests. Here, taste a few of the local wines and enjoy the atmosphere.
*When the Vienna State Opera is not available due to closure, a visit to the Haus der Musik or another musical venue will be included
Full Day Tour of Salzburg
Day #7
01 Mar 2009 - 05 Jan 2011 $99
Full day excursion to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famous cultural setting for the Sound of Music. Once ashore, enjoy a walking city tour to see some of the most historic sights for which Salzburg is known, including Mirabella Palace, the house where Mozart lived, Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg Cathedral, and St. Peter's Cemetery. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and time at leisure to explore the streets of Salzburg on your own.
*The optional excursion to Salzburg and the included Passau city tour operate simultaneously. Passengers that purchase the optional excursion to Salzburg will not have the opportunity participate in the included Passau city tour.
Best of Bavaria
Day #8
01 Mar 2009 - 05 Jan 2011 $59
This tour consists of visits to two remarkable places. Start off with a tour of Liberation Hall, a monumental building commemorating the wars of liberation against Napoleon in the early 19th century. With a commanding view over the Danube Valley, this massive structure in the style of a Greek temple in the round dominates Mount Michelsberg. The interior walls are covered with splendid marble, and the floor bears the moving inscription “May the Germans never forget what made necessary the Struggle for Freedom and by what means they won,” the words of King Ludwig I, who personally financed the completion of this great work. The next stop is Weltenburg Abbey, spectacularly located at the narrowest navigable point on the Bavarian Danube, the Danube Gorge, the oldest monastery in Bavaria. Founded around 620 AD, the Abbey has grown to include not only the spectacular Asam Baroque church but also the oldest monastery brewery in the world with almost 1000 years of brewing tradition. You will be able to taste some of these delicious beers that have made this brewery famous.
Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
The MS Royal has 68 spacious outside cabins (160 sq ft) and 4 suites (230 sq ft) each fully air-conditioned with private bath facilities, shower, telephone and satellite color TV. Mozart Deck cabins are equipped with French balconies, Strauss Deck cabins with panoramic windows, and the Haydn Deck cabins with windows. Ship facilities include the Panorama Restaurant, Amadeus Club (library), Sun Deck, Fun Pool and Golf Putting Green, a walking track, Lido Bar, Panorama Lounge, an E-mail Station, On-board Shop, Hairdresser, Nautik Cafe, Fitness Center and Wellness Spa.
Year Built: 2005
Restaurant
Length: 360 feet
Lounge
Width: 37 feet
Bar
Cabins: 68
Fitness Center
Crew: 40
Sundeck
Rates: From $1,199 to $2,499 based on sailing dates from March 7th-Oct 24th 2009
Upgrade costs per person: Cat C $200 Cat B $400 Cat A French Balcony $600 Suite $900 Add 2 nights Budapest from $300 Add 3 nights Prague from $600 including transfes
Call 800-640-4899
Prices always lower than the cruise lines .
There are many superb and well-trained travel agents, but there are also many who know little to nothing about river cruising. They may have been wonderful to work with when planning your business travel, or land vacations, but the might not have the specialized knowledge about river cruising to supply you with equally good service in that area.
We have sailed the ships, slept in the beds, taken the shore excursions and eaten the food. Our prices are lower than the cruise lines.
