Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise - Westbound 2026
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Please see below brochure cabin pricing
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- Cat. 1
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$4990
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- Cat. 2
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$5290
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- Cat. 3
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$5690
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- Cat. 4
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$5890
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- Cat. 5
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$6290
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- Cat. 6
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$6440
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- Cat. 7
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$6790
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Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement on European River Cruise
Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement on European River Cruise
Promotion Details
Contact one of our Tour Specialists for more information. Offer valid on new bookings only. Savings vary per cabin category on select river cruises. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount. Capacity controlled and may be removed at any time without notice. Certain restrictions may apply; ask at time of booking.
Both the young and young at heart delight aboard a weeklong Danube river cruise filled with European holiday festivities onboard and ashore... Your family will discover Europe's time-honored holiday traditions in historic cities and towns along the Danube featuring the sights, flavors, and music of the season. Sightseeing is designed for all generations to enjoy together – in Oberndorf, home of "Silent Night"… at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and magnificent Melk Abbey... in Old Town Bratislava with medieval games and a scavenger hunt… and in Budapest, "the Pearl of the Danube." And you'll toast the season during a Tauck Exclusive evening at a private palace in Vienna with dinner, a performance, and a waltzing lesson!
- Day 1Vienna, AustriaTue, Dec 22, 2026
Cruise begins: 2:00 PM, Vienna, Austria. A transfer is included from Vienna International Airport or Vienna's Main Train Station to your riverboat, all decked out for the holidays! Guests who enjoy a pre-cruise stay in Vienna will receive a transfer from Tauck's hotel to the riverboat. Join us for a sightseeing tour, taking in the elegant boulevards, palaces, museums, opera house, and other impressive buildings built during the days when Vienna was the home of emperors who ruled much of Europe. The catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral have nothing to do with combing cats. They're the spooky underground cemetery that you'll visit today, too. This evening onboard ship, enjoy your captain's fun welcome reception followed by dinner. Then you're off to one of Vienna's most enchanting holiday markets, glittering with lights and sparkling with treats!
Meals: Dinner - Day 2Budapest, HungaryWed, Dec 23, 2026
Disembark your riverboat for a tour of one of Europe's most architecturally stunning cities. Budapest was once two separate cities divided by the Danube, Buda and Pest, now linked by the majestic Chain Bridge. Your family will go on a walking tour through the castle district and take in the amazing views from Fisherman's Bastion. See elegant Andrássy Avenue, monumental Heroes Square, and City Park. When you reboard your riverboat, your Tauck Directors and Cruise Director have fun activities planned for your family to share! Set sail for Bratislava.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 3Bratislava, SlovakiaThu, Dec 24, 2026
Your riverboat arrives this morning in Slovakia's capital city, Bratislava. Head to Old Town to try your hand at some medieval games and enjoy an interactive walking tour in this car-free historic center with a scavenger hunt. Your afternoon is free. This evening onboard your riverboat, Slovak performers entertain your family with a taste of local culture.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 4Vienna, AustriaFri, Dec 25, 2026
This morning, enjoy a firsthand look at the Habsburg emperors' home life during your guided visit at Schönbrunn Palace, once their magnificent summer residence, boasting 1,441 rooms and exquisite gardens. This afternoon is free for exploring Vienna as you please; shuttles between your riverboat and central Vienna run throughout the afternoon. Then, it's time to dress up for a Tauck Exclusive evening at Palais Pallavicini, one of Vienna's few private palaces, where you'll enjoy a champagne (or juice) reception, dinner, a performance, and a waltzing lesson for a wonderful night of family fun.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 5Krems, AustriaSat, Dec 26, 2026
Your riverboat sails through scenic Wachau Valley wine country before docking in Krems. Disembark for your choice of excursions. One possibility is to visit Melk Abbey, a sprawling Baroque edifice high on a hill overlooking the Danube. Softly golden in the winter light, Melk Abbey is filled with centuries of treasures. It's been a beacon of learning for generations and is still home to a secondary school today. On a guided tour, your family will love imagining going to school in these magnificent surroundings. According to the abbey's Christmas legend, the Virgin Mary and the Christ child made a miraculous visit to the abbey, where a young novice juggled oranges and entertained the infant so much that he clapped for joy and Mary gave the baby to the priest-in-training to hold. Your family's other choice is a walking tour in the charming riverside Old Town of Krems, set against a striking backdrop of terraced vineyards. This evening, warm up for your visit to Salzburg tomorrow with The Sound of Music karaoke.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 6Salzburg, AustriaSun, Dec 27, 2026
Wake up early for your full-day excursion to Oberndorf and Salzburg. Mozart was born in Salzburg, and his family home is still there. The Sound of Music was set in Salzburg, and you might recognize a few locations from the movie. Have lunch at a local restaurant, and then you're off on a choice of afternoon excursions. One choice will have your family discovering the story behind one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols in Oberndorf, the town where "Silent Night" was born in 1818, and hear some stirring music. Alternatively, enjoy some additional free time in Salzburg to explore as you please. Reboard your riverboat, and cruise to Passau.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 7Passau, GermanyMon, Dec 28, 2026
Dock in Passau, a picturesque city of narrow lanes, archways, and squares set on three rivers. You have a choice of activities. One is a walking tour of Old Town and a visit to a local café for a traditional sweets workshop. The family that owns the café has been making treats for the residents of Passau for four generations – and today they'll share some tips with your family. Another choice is to discover Old Town as you play a geo-caching game with a local guide. Or go on a guided hike with a holiday theme and interactive storytelling. Back onboard your riverboat, join your captain for his farewell reception followed by dinner. Sail for Vilshofen.
Meals: Breakfast - Day 8Munich, GermanyTue, Dec 29, 2026
Your family holiday river cruise ends in Vilshofen. A transfer is included from your riverboat to Munich International Airport. Fly home anytime. Travel time to Munich is two hours, so flights should be booked with that in mind. Families enjoying a post-cruise stay at Tauck's hotel in Munich, Bayerischer Hof, will receive transfers from the riverboat to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport after their post-cruise stay. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019
Inclusions
Both the young and young at heart delight aboard a weeklong Danube river cruise filled with European holiday festivities onboard and ashore...Your family will discover Europe's time-honored holiday traditions in historic cities and towns along the Danube featuring the sights, flavors, and music of the season. Sightseeing is designed for all generations to enjoy together – in Oberndorf, home of "Silent Night"… at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and magnificent Melk Abbey... in Old Town Bratislava with medieval games and a scavenger hunt… and in Budapest, "the Pearl of the Danube." And you'll toast the season during a Tauck Exclusive evening at a private palace in Vienna with dinner, a performance, and a waltzing lesson!
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - An evening at a private Viennese palace - with dinner, entertainment, and a waltzing lesson
- Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors, and Tauck Cruise Director
- Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,443
- Visit to Oberndorf, birthplace of the carol "Silent Night"
- Time to explore Mozart's Baroque, alpine hometown of Salzburg on your own
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019
Ship Information
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Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?
Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?
While this trip was nice, it was a little bit boring. We had day trips in the morning. One of the excursions took us to a small town in Austria. It took 1 hour 45 minutes to get there and return. We had a 45 minute tour. Then there was lunch but there wasn\'t much else to do. We left at 9 a.m. and returned at 5 p.m. When we went to Vienna there were great tours in the morning but not enough time to do an on our own tour in the afternoon because of the bus schedule. If you like to do nothing in the afternoon or eat or drink or read then you will like this tour. If you are an adventure traveler, River cruising isn\'t great. The food was mediocre. The service was great.
Tauck was very professional and offered a high quality of a travel experience albeit for a premium price.
Tauck was fabulous -- ship was beautiful and the staff was above and beyond in every area!! Food and drinks were great!! Loved the Itinerary -- we went 2 days early and stayed 2 after and Tauck made sure all was taken care of -- picked up upon arrival and car to airport upon departure. Local guides were great with a fun sense of humor.
I loved the fact that everything was included(drinks, tips, etc.) It is always an undue burden to have the right amount of tip money for all at each guided tour and end of trip. Tauck also gave many extras that although may not have been a great expense(ice cream and or a drink), it was appreciated. Great company. will definitely travel with them again.
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Tauck is incredible. I would recommend them to anyone. They think of details I would never have imagined... down to the coins it takes to use a restroom at one of the Christmas markets in Salzburg.