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Christmas on the Danube River Cruise (Hungary), a cruise by Riviera Travel

Cruise · 7 nights · with Riviera Travel

Christmas on the Danube River Cruise

Seven nights on the Danube aboard Riviera Travel’s MS Riviera Reflection, spending Christmas in some of Central Europe’s grandest cities from Budapest to Vienna, including a festive stop at the famous Melk Abbey.

Duration
7 nights
Departs
22 Dec 2027
Sails from
Budapest
Returns to the same port
Ship
MS Riviera Reflection
From
£2,189
per person, sharing

Highlights

What makes this one worth it

  1. Guided tours of Budapest’s historic districts

  2. Visit to Melk Abbey’s Baroque interiors

  3. Choice of excursions to Salzburg or Linz on Christmas Day

  4. Classical recital aboard in Vienna

  5. Time in Christmas markets of Budapest and Vienna

About the trip

This Christmas cruise begins and ends in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, where the ship awaits decorated for the season. After a choice of panoramic or castle district tours revealing Budapest’s architectural contrasts, the journey glides north through the Danube Bend, passing riverside villages and hilltop fortresses.

The cruise stops in Bratislava, Slovakia’s compact capital, where a guided walk explores the castle and medieval gates before heading to Austria’s Wachau Valley. Here, a coach visit to Melk Abbey reveals baroque splendour, then there’s free time in the blue-spired town of Dürnstein. Christmas Day offers either a walking tour of Linz or a full-day visit to Salzburg, Mozart’s well-remembered birthplace, returning via the riverside town of Grein. Boxing Day in Vienna includes a coach tour, visit to Schönbrunn Palace and a live classical recital on board, rounding off with a final festive afternoon back in Budapest.

The ship, MS Riviera Reflection, is suitably decked for the holidays and provides a relaxed pace with plenty of time to admire the winter landscapes and seasonal markets. Passengers with an eye for detail will notice the care taken in onboard Stollen-making demonstrations and the Hungarian folklore show. The final Chef’s Dinner offers a quiet moment to digest both rich food and rich history.

48°N
The route in outline: places are joined in the order visited, not by the roads or sea lanes taken.
  1. 1 Budapest
  2. 2 Bratislava
  3. 3 Melk Abbey
  4. 4 Salzburg
  5. 5 Linz
  6. 6 Vienna

Itinerary

The route, day by day

  1. Day 1

    Budapest

  2. Day 2

    Bratislava

  3. Day 3

    Dürnstein

  4. Day 4

    Melk on Christmas Eve

  5. Day 5

    Salzburg or Linz on Christmas Day

  6. Day 6

    Vienna on Boxing Day

  7. Day 7

    Budapest

When to go

Departures and prices

Lowest price each month, per person.

Riviera Travel confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.

Need to know

Before you book

Price based on
Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
Travelling alone
Check with Riviera Travel
Flights
Not needed if you join at Budapest
What’s included
Check with Riviera Travel
Accessibility
Check with Riviera Travel

For full details of what’s included, check with Riviera Travel. See the full details on their site

Questions people ask

How long is Christmas on the Danube River Cruise?
Christmas on the Danube River Cruise is a 7 nights cruise holiday.
Where does Christmas on the Danube River Cruise depart from?
Christmas on the Danube River Cruise departs from Budapest.
Who operates Christmas on the Danube River Cruise?
Christmas on the Danube River Cruise is operated by Riviera Travel aboard MS Riviera Reflection.
How much does Christmas on the Danube River Cruise cost?
Prices for Christmas on the Danube River Cruise start from £2,189, subject to availability.

The operator

Riviera Travel

River cruises and escorted tours

A British operator that began in 1984 with a handful of tents in the south of France. Its tours and river cruises travel with a Riviera tour manager or cruise director looking after the group.

You book with Riviera Travel directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.

Journeys

Reading for the trip

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