Luxury Danube River Cruises
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10 best Luxury Danube river cruises
Compiled by

NadineDanube travel expert at TourRadar
- Danube Dreams with 2 Nights in Prague (Westbound) 2026
- Weihnachtsmärkte entlang der Donau
- Donaumetropolen zur Vorweihnachtszeit
- Danube Discovery 2026 (7 destinations)
- Christmas Cruise on the Danube - AMADEUS Riva (Passau - Passau)
- Christmas Cruise on the Danube - AMADEUS Nova (Passau - Passau)
- Grand Christmas & New Year's (2025) (Nuremberg to Budapest, 2025)
- European Jewels (2026) (Amsterdam to Budapest, 2026)
- Iconic Christmas Markets 2025
- European Holiday Markets (2025) (Vienna to Nuremberg, 2025)
Suite Ships® present panoramic suites along the Danube. Riverside highlights include Budapest's Parliament Building, Vienna's Opera House, and Wachau Valley vineyards, enhanced by gourmet dining and premium excursions.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Age Range Ages 8+ Ships Avalon ExpressionAvalon IlluminationAvalon ImpressionAvalon PassionAvalon Visionary River Danube Price Per Day $700 Operator Avalon Waterways From
- NZ$7,005+$386 upfront costs
Duration 4 days Destinations Passau, Vienna, Linz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German River Danube Price Per Day $183 Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$731
Duration 6 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German River Danube Price Per Day $198 Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$1,187
A-ROSA DONNA sails from Passau to Linz with stops at UNESCO's Wachau Valley, Vienna's imperial sites, and Melk's Benedictine monastery. Luxury cabins, gourmet dining, and complimentary drinks enhance the river adventure.
Duration 6 days Destinations Engelhartszell, Vienna, Bratislava, Krems an der Donau, Melk, Linz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA DONNA River Danube Price Per Day $264 Operator A-ROSA From
- NZ$1,581
AMADEUS Riva's luxury suites provide panoramic Danube views. The route from Passau through Wachau Valley to Vienna features gourmet dining, regional wines, intimate Café Vienna experiences and river terrace access.
Duration 7 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ship Amadeus Riva River Danube Price Per Day $543 Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- NZ$3,803
AMADEUS Nova presents panoramic cabin views and gourmet dining on the Danube. The journey features UNESCO Wachau Valley, Christmas celebrations, premium guided tours, regional wine pairings and an elegant Captain's gala dinner.
Duration 7 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Slovakia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German River Danube Price Per Day $543 Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- NZ$3,803
The S.S. Beatrice's lavish riverview suites set the stage for Danube exploration. Private Vienna concerts, exclusive Schönbrunn Palace access, and intimate wine tastings in Dürnstein highlight the route from medieval Regensburg to historic Budapest.
Duration 13 days Destinations Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Beatrice River Danube Price Per Day $813 Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $15,099
30% Off- NZ$10,569You save $4,530
S.S. Beatrice's elegant suites and gourmet dining enhance Danube cruising. Private tours of Melk Abbey, exclusive wine tastings in Wachau Valley, and intimate concerts in Vienna complement spectacular riverside scenery and historic castles.
Duration 15 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary Age Range Ages 16+ Ships River Duchess S.S. Beatrice River Danube Price Per Day $823 Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $12,999
5% Off- NZ$12,349You save $650
Luxury unfolds from Budapest to Nuremberg aboard AmaSonata or AmaMora. Premium staterooms offer comfort while unlimited wine and The Chef's Table dining delight guests. UNESCO-listed landscapes frame spectacular Christmas markets.
Duration 8 days Destinations Hungary, Austria, Germany Age Range Ages 12+ Ships AmaSonataAmaMoraAmaVerde River Danube Price Per Day $815 Operator AmaWaterways From
5% Off- NZ$6,522+$401 upfront costs
European Holiday Markets (2025) (Vienna to Nuremberg, 2025)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The cruise included interesting and informative tours at each town and district that we visited each day.”
Kerryn, traveled in December
S.S. Beatrice's lavish suites feature Savoir® beds and premium amenities along the Danube. The scenic Wachau Valley, exclusive wine tastings in Dürnstein, and organ concerts at Augustine church enhance the journey. Gourmet dining and unlimited beverages included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Vienna, Durnstein, Wachau, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, Nuremberg Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Beatrice River Danube Price Per Day $1,237 Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
5% Off- NZ$9,899
Luxury Danube River Cruise Reviews
- Danube Classics Vienna 2026
We had a generally good experience. Most new passengers board in Engelhartszell, but 17 passengers boarded the ship in Vienna. We boarded in Vienna and didn’t receive new passenger orientation, which includes basic ship, safety and excursion presentations. The crew was very friendly, although it was primarily a German language oriented cruise lines.
What our customers ask about Luxury Danube River Cruises
What is the best time of year for a luxury Danube River cruise?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer ideal conditions for Danube River cruising with mild weather and manageable crowd levels. The Christmas Market season from late November through December brings a special atmosphere to cities like Vienna and Budapest. While summer brings warmer temperatures it also draws larger crowds. March-April and October-November attract fewer visitors and often feature better rates. A TourRadar traveler noted, "Our September cruise had perfect weather for exploring, with comfortable temperatures and gorgeous autumn colors along the Wachau Valley."
What level of personalized service can I expect on a luxury Danube cruise?
The staff-to-guest ratio on luxury Danube vessels can reach 1:3 ensuring attentive service throughout your journey. Guests receive butler service in select suites round-the-clock concierge support and custom shore excursions. Vessels like the S.S. Beatrice provide individual wellness programs and cultural experiences designed for each guest. A TourRadar traveler remarked: "The attention to detail was impeccable - the staff remembered our preferences from day one and anticipated our every need."
What type of accommodations can I expect on a luxury Danube River cruise?
Each room offers river views with options ranging from Classic Staterooms to grand Royal Suites. The S.S. Maria Theresa features Savoir® Beds from England dressed in Egyptian cotton linens while the Avalon Expression's Panorama Suites measure 200 square feet - 30% larger than typical river cruise cabins. Most suites include panoramic windows or private balconies. As one TourRadar traveler noted, "The accommodations were absolutely stunning - our suite on the S.S. Maria Theresa felt like staying in a floating palace with incredible attention to detail."
What are the most exclusive excursions offered on luxury Danube River cruises?
Guests can access Vienna's Art History Museum before it opens to the public attend private Mozart performances and join intimate wine tastings at historic estates. Budapest offers chances to dine with local families or tour Parliament privately. Uniworld's "Morning with the Masters" tour in Vienna and visits with the Count of Clam at his 12th-century Austrian castle showcase the unique access available. A TourRadar traveler shared, "The exclusive morning access to Vienna's museums before crowds arrived was worth the premium alone - we felt like royalty."
What kind of culinary experiences are offered on luxury Danube River cruises?
Each ship provides multiple restaurants serving regional dishes made with local ingredients. The AmaMagna features four distinct dining venues including the Chef's Table while the S.S. Maria Theresa offers wine-paired meals and cooking classes. One TourRadar traveler commented: "The cuisine was outstanding - from Michelin-star level dinners to authentic local specialties paired with premium regional wines."
What is the typical price range for a luxury Danube River cruise?
Expect to pay between 4400 USD to 5400 USD per person with daily rates from 450-575 USD. Uniworld's 8-day "Danube Holiday Markets" cruise starts at 4599 USD while Avalon Waterways offers a 9-day "Active & Discovery" cruise for around 4408 USD. These rates cover luxury rooms gourmet meals expert guides and special access experiences. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "While not inexpensive, the value received on our Uniworld cruise was exceptional - the inclusions and service level justified every penny."