Riviera Travel The Blue Danube River Cruise

• Visit Esztergom Basilica and Melk Abbey
• Enjoy a Hungarian folklore show
• Get the chance to explore the sights of Salzburg including the Hellbrunn Palace

• Return flights and transfers
• 7nts on board a 5* ship
• Full board dining
• Superior (2025) or all-inclusive (2026) drinks package
• Complimentary on-board tea & coffee
• 9 experiences
• Services of an expert Riviera Cruise Director & Concierge
• All port charges
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
Fly to Budapest and transfer for your 5-star ship where you’ll have the rest of the day to settle into your cabin.

Day 2: Esztergom
Overnight, you’ll have sailed upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns. Take a guided tour of the town’s famous basilica, which sits overlooking the Danube, and marvel at its priceless religious artifacts. Return to the ship for lunch as the ship begins its afternoon sailing.

Day 3: Bratislava
This morning, explore Slovakia’s capital city on a guided tour, seeing its beautifully resorted Old Town and the 17th Century castle. In the afternoon, the ship cruises into Lower Austria, passing scenic views as you head to Dürnstein.

Day 4: Dürnstein and Melk
This morning, you have a choice of two tours in Dürnstein. The first takes you to see the Town Hall and the Krems Gate. The second is a more active excursion to the castle, involving a walk up a steep hill. Once at the castle, you’ll have time to explore the ruins and take in the views. After lunch, visit the remarkable Melk Abbey, still an active Benedictine monastery, before returning to the ship in time for dinner.

Day 5: Salzburg or Linz
The ship reaches Linz today, and you’ll have a choice of tours again today. You can stay in Linz, taking a guided walking tour to see the beautiful town square as well as the castle, now a museum. You’ll then have the afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you can join a full day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll spend the morning exploring the main sights before lunch and free time to explore more.

Day 6: Vienna
Enjoy a guided tour of Vienna with a choice of a panoramic coach tour or a coach and walking tour of the historic centre. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure before returning on board for a special Chef’s Dinner and an intimate live classical recital in the heart of Europe’s classical music capital.

Day 7: Budapest
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise through the scenic Danube Bend before arriving in Budapest for a guided sightseeing tour. Choose between a panoramic coach tour of the city’s iconic landmarks or an active walking tour of the Castle District and Fisherman’s Bastion, then round off the day with a live Hungarian folklore performance on board.

Day 8: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your return journey home.

Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
Fly to Budapest and transfer for your 5-star ship where you’ll have the rest of the day to settle into your cabin.

Day 2: Budapest
Explore Budapest on a guided tour, choosing between a panoramic coach tour of the city’s iconic landmarks or a guided walk through the historic Castle District and Fisherman’s Bastion. Later, relax on an afternoon cruise through the scenic Danube Bend before enjoying a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.

Day 3: Bratislava
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise before arriving in Bratislava for a guided tour of Slovakia’s charming capital, including Bratislava Castle, Michael’s Gate and the historic Old Town. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the city’s elegant squares, cafés and landmarks at your own pace.

Day 4: Dürnstein and Melk
Explore the magnificent Melk Abbey on a guided tour, enjoy free time in the charming riverside town of Dürnstein, then relax as you cruise through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, passing vineyards, historic villages and picturesque Danube scenery en route to Linz.

Day 5: Salzburg or Linz
Choose between a guided tour of Linz, with time to explore its charming Baroque old town before an afternoon cruise through the scenic Danube Valley, or a full-day excursion to Salzburg, featuring a guided tour and free time to discover the city’s historic landmarks and Mozart heritage.

Day 6: Vienna
Enjoy a guided tour of Vienna with a choice of a panoramic coach tour or a coach and walking tour of the historic centre. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure before returning on board for a special Chef’s Dinner and an intimate live classical recital in the heart of Europe’s classical music capital.

Day 7: Budapest
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise through the scenic Danube Bend before arriving in Budapest in the afternoon, which is free for you to spend as you wish exploring the city.

Day 8: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your return journey home.

Available on selected river cruises, The Riviera Moment is an exclusive experience created especially for Riviera guests.

The House of Strauss
On selected departures of this river cruise, you’ll visit this refurbished venue where Johann Strauss played and now houses a museum dedicated to him. Here you’ll

• Have private access to the House of Strauss
• Enjoy a welcome drinks reception and time to explore the Museum at your own pace
• Watch an exclusive classic concert performed in the historic Strauss Hall

For more information or for a list of applicable departures, call 0800 707 6229 or enquire

Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens
Join a local guide for a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, once a summer residence of the Hasburg Emperors. See the palace’s highlights including the state rooms and private apartments. Then, take some time to see the equally impressive grounds.
This optional excursions can be done during your free afternoon in Vienna

Please contact us for more information or to add to your booking (at an extra cost).

MS Geoffrey Chaucher

MS George Eliot

MS William Wordsworth 

MS Riviera Radiance

MS Riviera Resplendence

MS Riviera Reflection

Fact File

• Currencies: Euro, Forint
• Flight Time: Approx. 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
• Languages: German, Hungarian, Slovak
• Time Zone: GMT+1
• Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic

Exclusive prices available on request. Our Pricing Policy.