2026 : Grand Danube Cruise : 14- Night Cruise : Vilshofen to Giurgiu : ms AmaBella

Overview

CRUISE FROM : Vilshofen to Giurgiu

Journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Step back in time to explore the history and mystery living in the hillsides while cruising the Danube and through the Iron Gates. Legends of all kinds are waiting to be uncovered like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, built into the side of a mountain showcasing well-preserved medieval frescos. Experience the Romans' influence firsthand in Pecs, "the city of Mediterranean impressions," and through the taste of wine in Croatia. From the imposing capitals of Budapest and Vienna to towns lost in time, immerse yourself in the colorful folktales and traditions of the extraordinary people and places you visit along the way.

COUNTRIES: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia

RIVERS: Danube

Grand Danube Cruise At A Glance

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Included Features

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS

  • 14 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with twin balconies)
  • Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
  • Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
  • Bottled water replenished daily

    AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

  • Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land packages
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sun-deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
  • Fitness room, massage services and hair salon
  • Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances

    AWARD-WINNING DINING

  • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
  • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef's Table specialty restaurant
  • Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaine des Rotisseurs Dinner, Captain's Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • La Chaine des Rotisseurs exclusive dining experience
  • Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
  • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

    A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
  • Bike tours and hikes
  • Special interest tours
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration
  • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways

    Detailed Itinerary

    Day 1 : EMBARKATION - VILSHOFEN, GERMANY
    Board the ship in Vilshofen for your Grand Danube cruise. In the evening, be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration - an AmaWaterways exclusive. (D)

    Day 2 : Vilshofen - Passau, Germany
    Enjoy a free morning to walk around the quaint village of Vilshofen. Later, cruise to Passau, where you have the option of exploring it one of three ways. Take a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Or choose between a guided bike tour along the Inn River or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. (B,L,D)

    Day 3 : LINZ, AUSTRIA
    The ship arrives in Linz where you'll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you'll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city's famed 'Cultural Mile' and the Danube. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of Cesky Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion. (B,L,D)

    Day 4 : WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA
    Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you'll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Durnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you'll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. You can also choose to cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. In the evening, enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. (B,L,D)

    Day 5 : VIENNA, AUSTRIA
    The 'City of Waltzes' is a treasure trove and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visit St. Stephen's Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. (B,L,D)

    Day 6 : BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
    Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title 'Coronation City of Kings,' as you'll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special 'Tastes of Slovakia' tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

    Day 7 : BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
    Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' memorial. (B,L,D)

    Day 8 : BUDAPEST
    Visit the 19th-century Godollo Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Godollo Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csarda (farm) run by the carriage-driving world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century. (B,L,D)

    Day 9 : MOHACS - PECS
    Welcome to Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pecs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or choose a guided bike tour through Mohacs. For wine connoisseurs, you'll want to go instead to the Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)

    Day 10 : VUKOVAR, CROATIA
    Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar's famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)

    Day 11 : BELGRADE, SERBIA
    Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or hike to the well-preserved Belgrade Fortress with its conical towers. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Slivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO's list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage.' Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)

    Day 12 : SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES
    The Iron Gates are some of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. In the afternoon, visit Golubac Fortress - one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe and enjoy a tasting of locally sourced delicacies. (B,L,D)

    Day 13 : VIDIN, BULGARIA
    Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B,L,D)

    Day 14 : ROUSSE - GIURGIU, ROMANIA
    Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Alternatively, you may opt to travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the 'Little Paris of the East.' Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture. (B,L,D)

    Day 15 : GIURGIU - DISEMBARKATION
    Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

  • Call (209) 521-0800 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18749649

    Cruise Line
    AmaWaterways
    Duration
    15 Days
    Cruise Ship
    ms AmaBella

    Click for more information on this ship.

    DayPortArriveDepart
    Day 1Vilshofen  
    Day 2Passau  
    Day 3Linz  
    Day 4Weissenkirchen  
    Day 5Vienna  
    Day 6Bratislava  
    Day 7Budapest  
    Day 8Budapest  
    Day 9Pecs  
    Day 10Vukovar  
    Day 11Belgrade  
    Day 12Scenic Cruising Through The Iron Gates  
    Day 13Vidin  
    Day 14Giurgiu  
    Day 15Giurgiu  
    Dates/Pricing

    Click Quote or call (209) 521-0800 to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    03/23/2026$6,799.00* (USD)Quote
    04/20/2026$7,399.00* (USD)Quote
    05/18/2026$7,799.00* (USD)Quote
    06/15/2026$7,799.00* (USD)Quote
    11/02/2026$7,699.00* (USD)Quote
    11/30/2026$5,699.00* (USD)Quote
    Disclaimer

    Notes:

    ImportantDates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.

    Port Charges (included in cruise price)$500 per person.

    Single Supplement for Cruise50% of twin price; AA+ and Suite 100% of twin price.

    Single Supplement for Cruise (AmaMagna)50% of twin price; Grand Suite and Owner's Suite 100% of twin price.

    Single Supplement for LandA single supplement charge will be applied to pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions. Please call for pricing details.

    VisaA Turkish Tourist Visa is required for entry into Istanbul, Turkey. All guests traveling to Turkey must obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) prior to their departure date.

    BeddingPlease select bedding configuration at the time of booking. The choices are: Option A: Two twin beds Option B: One large bed (larger than queen size).

      
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