Your Itinerary
FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE(D)
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)
Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG(B,L,D)
Christmas Customs and Cradle ScenesDISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG(B,L,D)
Legends and History Lessons CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
NUREMBERG EXCURSION TO MUNICH
Beer Songs and Bavarian Kings CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG(B,L,D)
Legends and History LessonsA day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Christmas Magic in BavariaJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU(B,L,D)
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers MeetCLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Sail to Linz this afternoon or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK(B,L,D)
Frescoes Above and Vineyards BelowCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna.Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
Royal Collections and Culinary Confections CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST(B,L,D)
Festivities and Finery CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs, or nightlife and don’t miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST(B,L,D)
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)