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Danube Delights River BearCruise!

Budapest to Munich, 8-days: July 5 – 12, 2025

Emerald Star

The Emerald Star

 

Experience an unforgettable cruise down the iconic Danube,

 through the heart of old Europe with walking tours, with invitations into the homes of locals, plus sightseeing excursions that showcase the magnificence of yesteryear. Wow!!

This incredible itinerary crosses into four countries, offering a unique perspective into their past and present simultaneously.

Guided walks along the cobblestone streets of Germany tell their own story, and city tours of Vienna and Budapest exemplify how the past can shape the future. Celebrate the ancient as it co-exists with the modern in the Austrian and Hungarian capitals, and gain a personal understanding of why the iconic Danube has acted as inspiration to so many.

EXTRA: Our BearCruise clients will have the option to add on a 4-day post-cruise trip to Prague, Czech Republic

Optional Trip to Prague – $570 Per Person for double occupancy, $910 for single occupancy.

 

Budapest, Hungary BearCruise

Budapest city skyline with the Parliament of Budapest Building

Your Daily Agenda:

Day 1: Budapest

Welcome to Budapest, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, before enjoying plenty of free time to explore the Hungarian capital at your leisure.

This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.

  • Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.
  • Meal: Dinner
Day 2: Budapest

Architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda to the west and Pest to the east offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliestcities in Eastern Europe.

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Buda Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama view of the Danube banks.

  • Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • Hike to Buda Hill
  • Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
  • Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Bratislava

This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in the sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo- Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theater.

If you’re feeling more active, you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, which provides the perfect setting for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months.

This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn more about their traditions and culture over coffee and cake.

  • Walking tour of Bratislava
  • Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
  • Hike to Bratislava Castle
  • Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
  • Carpathian wine route (extra expense) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Vienna

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. The Austrian capital is an art-lover’s dream, and your guided tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

If you’re feeling more active, then you may opt to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, the famous Viennese amusement park, home to the traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel.

  • Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • Guided bike tour in Vienna
  • Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
  • Tastes of Vienna (extra expense)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Krems - Dürnstein

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Visible from great distance, it’s one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys and attracts visitors from all over the world and provides epic panorama views.

Afterwards, your Star-Ship will sail through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Dürnstein.

Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein, passing terraced vineyards, castles and ruins along the way, before arriving where your Star-Ship is docked in Dürnstein In the afternoon we arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. You’ll have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region.

  • Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
  • Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
  • Guided bike tour along the Danube
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Engelhartszell - Passau

After a morning of sailing along the Danube, we will take you into the heart of Passau. Nicknamed the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning the “the city of three rivers”, it is situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers.

Your included guided tour of Passau will unveil its noteworthy Gothic and Baroque architecture. Or, if you’re feeling active, you could join a bike tour along the River Inn, one of the three rivers converging in Passau.

After your tour, enjoy some free time to explore Passau at leisure, before an evening spent sailing towards Regensburg.

  • Guided tour of Passau
  • Guided bike tour along the River Inn
  • Excursion to the Bavarian forest (extra expense)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Regensburg

This morning we arrive in Regensburg, a city built on the site of an ancient Roman fort. Your guided walking tour of Regensburg will showcase its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval center, where narrow cobbled lanes and tall façades help to define tthe character of this enchanting Bavarian city.

Alternatively, you could join a bike tour to the Walhalla monument which towers high above the slopes of the Danube. From here you can enjoy a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band on board.

  • Guided tour of Regensburg
  • Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Regensburg - Munich

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Roman architecture and eclectic culture with you.

  • Meal: Breakfast
Day 8 - Optional Trip - Regensburg to Prague

In Regensburg disembark your Star-Ship to be transferred to Prague, home to some of the world’s most pristine
collections of architecture from across the ages. Included is a comfortable three-night stay in this incredibly beautiful city.

Day 9 - Prague Guided Touring

This morning, join a walking tour of Prague to explore its vivid history through its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
architecture, with each style encapsulating a slice of the city’s past. After passing through castle courtyards, you will visit
St. Vitus Cathedral, we walk down the Castle steps with a wonderful view over the city of Prague and continue to Charles
Bridge to reach the Old Town of Prague. We finish the city sightseeing tour in front of the famous Astronomical Clock at
Old Town Square where you have the chance to explore Prague on your own.  An Emerald Plus feature is coffee & cake at Lobkowicz Palace

Day 10 - Prague on your own time

Today is yours to spend exploring Prague at leisure, perhaps uncovering the secrets of Josefov, the Jewish Quarter and
Malá Strana, one of the most historic regions in the city. Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day and
to answer any questions that you may have.  Add on an optional tour called Tastes of Czechia (extra expense).

Day 11 - Farewell to Prague

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and leave Prague’s idyllic centre for your transfer to the
airport, taking memories of ancient wonders and idyllic panoramic views of UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas with
you.

The Emerald EXPERIENCE:

  • Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship
  • Stylish Accommodations on board our Star-Ship
  • All Meals included while on board, including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany lunch & dinner on board
  • Complimentary tea & coffee on board
  • Complimentary bottled water in your suite or stateroom, restocked daily
  • A variety of onboard evening entertainment
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
  • An excursion almost every day
  • Complimentary bicycles on board
  • First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
  • Earn EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty points
  • All port charges and overseas transfers
  • All gratuities are included

Trip Highlights:

  • 7 nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship

  • Guided coach tour of Budapest

  • Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

  • Hike to Gellert Hill

  • 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)

  • Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship

  • Walking tour of Bratislava

  • Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

  • Guided hike to Bratislava Castle

  • Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner

  • The services of an Emerald Cruises cruise director

  • Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

  • Traditional Bavarian band on board

  • Guided bike tour in Vienna

  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board

  • Port taxes and charges

  • Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey

  • Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

  • Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle

  • All tipping and gratuities

  • Guided tour of Passau

  • Guided bike tour along the Danube River

  • Guided bike tour along the River Inn

  • Guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument

Pricing:

Category
Description
Deck
Group Fare
Pay In Full Fare

E

Emerald Stateroom – SOLD OUT
Riviera $3,145 $2,145

D

Emerald Stateroom Riviera $3,445 $2,445

C

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite Vista $4,145 $3,145

B

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite Vista $4,345 $3,345

A

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite Horizon $4,445 $3,445

S

Grand Balcony Suite Horizon $5,495 $3,995

SA

Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite Horizon $6,595 $5,095
         
         
 

All prices are per person, double occupancy.  Within 90 days of sailing, all fares are non-refundable.

Click here for here for cabin plans and descriptions.

Click here for the Emerald Star deck plan.

Single occupancy rares pay a single supplement of 25% to 45% above the per person price for the Group Fare above. Single occupancy is not eligible for the Pay In Full rate reduction.  Please request a quote if you are interested.

Group Fare Option
Pay $500 non-refundable per person deposit at time of booking, and pay the cruise balance 90 days prior to sailing.

Pay in Full Fare Option
Save $1000 (or $1500 for Grand Balcony or Owner’s Suite)  per person discounts on the cruise price.  $1000 is non-refundable in the event you cancel; however, the remaining balance is refundable up to 90 days (April 5, 2025) prior to sailing.

    1. Pay total at time of booking OR
    2. Pay $500 deposit and then pay in full prior to 10 months (September 5, 2024)  of sailing OR
    3. Pay $500 at time of booking and then pay in full within 30 days of booking or before 90 days prior to sailing (whichever comes first)

Post Cruise Trip to Prague – $570 Per Person for double occupancy, $910 for single occupancy..  All guide and driver gratuities are included.

Explore Danube Delights, from Budapest to Munich.

Our clients can add an optional cruise to Prague!

BearCruise Guys Have Fun!

BearCruise guys have all the fun!

Vienna Opera House

Boatin’ Bears have Fun!

Emerald Sky Panorama Balcony Suite
A view of quaint New England beauty.
Beautiful stateroom options

When you book with BearCruise, you get all the BearCruise Extras: nightly cocktails, group dining, private shore excursions  and events!

A view of quaint New England beauty.
Wish you were here!!!

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