Avalon Waterways offers 12 itineraries on the Danube, ranging from four- to 18-days. Because these itineraries take place on the same river, there are going to be repeat ports on each itinerary, but there is more variation to these itineraries than those offered by some other river cruise companies.
Avalon Expression on the Danube River in Austria’s Wachau Valley. Photo Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
The Danube is a good choice for first time river cruisers because of the amount of ground covered. Sailing the upper Danube, guests are able to visit up to four countries, and on the lower Danube guests may visit up to five countries. If guests wish to do the Danube From The Black Sea To Germany itinerary, which essentially combines the lower and upper Danube itineraries, they will visit seven countries.
The other reason the Danube is so appealing to travelers is because of the cities that they visit along the river – Vienna, Linz, Budapest, Bratislava, and Budapest, along with many other small villages. It’s worth mentioning that Avalon offers one four-day itinerary. This may be a good option for someone who wants to sample river cruising, without committing to seven or eight days on board.
So, now that we know what the Danube has to offer, let’s see what Avalon has to offer on this famed river.
Avalon’s 12 Danube Itineraries:
A Taste Of The Danube – 4 days from Vienna to Budapest
Countries visited: Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary
Stops in: Vienna, Melk, Dürnstein, Bratislava, and Budapest
No overnights.
Short and sweet, this four-day cruise is perfect for cruise guests looking to dip their toes into the world of river cruising. For past cruise guests, this itinerary could also be an easy extension to a land tour, or another river cruise.
The Blue Danube Discovery – 8 days from Budapest to Nuremberg
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, and Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, and Nuremberg
Overnights in: Vienna
This eight-day sailing takes passengers up the Danube. One of the most popular Danube itineraries, this itinerary makes stops in Regensburg and Nuremberg, sailing through the Main-Danube Canal.
Danube Symphony – 6 days from Passau to Budapest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary
Stops in: Passau, Linz, Ybbs, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest
Overnights in: Ybbs
This six-day itinerary takes guests through four countries, however passengers will spend the most time in Austria stopping in Linz, Ybbs, Krems, and Vienna.
Danube Dreams – 8 days from Deggendorf to Budapest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary
Stops in: Deggendorg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, and Linz
This eight-day cruise is another popular Danube itinerary. Docking in Linz gives guests a chance to explore this Austrian city, or to venture to either Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov. Overnights in Vienna and Budapest provide passengers with the opportunity to see more of what those cities have to offer than they may see on a guided tour alone.
The Legendary Danube – 8 days from Nuremberg to Budapest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, and Hungary
Stops in: Nuremberg, Roth, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, and Budapest
Overnights in: Nuremberg, Vienna, and Budapest
Like the previous itinerary, this eight-day sailing gives guests the chance to explore Budapest and Vienna with overnights in each city. This itinerary starts further north than the previous, though, taking guests to Nuremberg and Regensburg but sacrificing a couple stops along the way such as Bratislava and Linz.
Active & Discovery On The Danube – 9 days from Budapest to Linz
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, and Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Visegrád, Vienna, Krems, Grein, Mauthausen, Linz, Engelhartszell, and Linz
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Grein, and Linz
As suggested by the name of the itinerary, this nine-day sailing is a great choice for active cruisers; however, there are still plenty of classic and discovery options for guests who aren’t as active or mobile. Like a few of the previous itineraries that we have looked at, this itinerary includes overnights in the big cities on the tour, as well as an overnight in Grein, where cruise guests will visit Clam Castle and meet the Count of Clam. We met him during the naming of AmaMagna in July 2019. The visit to Clam Castle, and meeting the Count, is a highlight for many guests on river cruises.
Balkan Discovery – 9 days from Budapest to Bucharest
Countries visited: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Budapest, Mohács, Osijek, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Vidin, Rousse, Oltenita, and Bucharest
Overnights in: Bucharest
This nine-day sailing is the first lower Danube itinerary that we have looked at so far on this list. Sailing through the lower Danube gives passengers the opportunity to cruise through the Iron Gates, a gorge on the Danube that separates Serbia and Romania. This sailing concludes in Oltenita, where guests will disembark and be bussed to Bucharest where they will overnight.
The Danube From The Black Sea To Budapest – 11 days from Bucharest to Budapest
Countries visited: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Bucharest, Fetesti, St. Gheorghe, Cernavodă, Rousse, Svishtov, Vidin, Donji Milanovac, Belgrade, Osijek, Mohács, and Budapest
Overnights in: Bucharest
Though this itinerary also takes place on the lower Danube, this 11-day sailing takes guests to four ports that the previous itinerary did not. This sailing will also take guests through the Iron Gates, and will conclude in Fetesti where guests will travel by bus to Bucharest for an overnight.
Danube Serenade – 14 days from Passau to Bucharest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Passau, Linz, Ybbs, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Mohács, Osijek, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Vidin, Rousse, Oltenita, and Bucharest
Overnights in: Ybbs and Bucharest
This 14-day itinerary is the most comprehensive itinerary that we have looked at yet, though there are three others that will get more comprehensive as we continue, combining both the lower and upper Danube itineraries for a mini-European tour. Guests will disembark in Oltenita where they will be transferred to Bucharest by bus.
Danube Splendors – 16 days from Nuremberg to Bucharest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Nuremberg, Roth, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Budapest, Mohács, Osijek, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Vidin, Rousse, Oltenita, and Bucharest
Overnights in: Nuremberg, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest
This 16-day sailing gives guests an opportunity to see even more of Europe as they sail from Nuremberg, through the Main-Danube Canal, all the way to Romania, near the mouth of the Black Sea. Guests will disembark in Oltenita where they will be transferred to Bucharest for an overnight.
The Complete Danube – 18 days from Bucharest to Nuremberg
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Bucharest, Fetesti, St. Gheorghe, Cernavoda, Rousse, Svishtov, Vidin, Donji Milanovac, Belgrade, Osijek, Mohács, Budapest, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, and Nuremberg
Overnights in: Bucharest and Vienna
Out of all of Avalon’s Danube itineraries, this 18-day sailing covers the most ground. Like the previous itinerary, guests will sail through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gates. This itinerary does miss some of the overnights offered on other itineraries; however, it keeps an overnight in Vienna. Guests will embark the ship in Fetesti after an overnight in Bucharest.
The Danube From The Black Sea To Germany – 18 days from Bucharest to Deggendorf
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria
Stops in: Bucharest, Fetesti, St. Gheorghe, Cernavoda, Rousse, Vidin, Donji Milanovac, Belgrade, Osijek, Mohács, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Passau, and Deggendorf
Overnights in: Bucharest, Budapest, and Linz
Last on our list, this 18-day itinerary is similar to the previous itinerary, minus the transit of the Main-Danube Canal. Sacrificing the ports of Regensburg, Roth, and Nuremberg, however, gives travelers the opportunity to visit Bratislava, Linz, and Deggendorf. Guests will embark the ship in Fetesti after an overnight in Bucharest.
Because Avalon offers so many different Danube itineraries, you are able to customize your vacation to your available time and liking. There are many similar itineraries that swap out a port or two, which gives you the chance to be selective about where you go and for how long. The range in length of the itineraries is also impressive. A short four-day sailing gives travelers the opportunity to get a feel for the Danube, while the longer itineraries of up to 18-days allow passengers a comprehensive tour of one fascinating part of the European continent.
To see how Avalon’s prices for Danube river cruises compare to its competitors see our price comparisons: Danube River Cruise Pricing Charts 2020
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