Name: The Blue Danube River Cruise with Vienna Extension
Brand: Riviera Travel

Overview

Discover Northern Europe and Baltic Sea over 14 nights aboard the MS Riviera Resplendence - sail with Riviera Travel from Cologne. The route takes in 3 ports including Koblenz, Nuremberg, and Bratislava, with a new destination to discover at every turn. From exploring ashore to relaxing on board, every day of this Northern Europe and Baltic Sea cruise brings a new experience to savour. With fares from £4,199 per person, this is a wonderful way to experience Northern Europe and Baltic Sea by sea.

Riviera Travel

Riviera Travel is one of the oldest and most reliable river cruise operators in the world, with 40 years of experience running guided and escorted tours, a land and water all around the world, including river cruises.

Riviera Travel operates a unique cruising experience, partnering with local guides and experts to create a programme of guided tours and river cruises, bringing like-minded travellers together and offering a selection of authentic and bespoke travel experiences.

The operator runs river cruises on European waterways like the Danube, Rhine and Douro, but also the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze. Championing escorted tours and guided holidays, Riviera Travel line also specialises in solo travel, providing a safe, friendly and social environment for travellers going it alone.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Cologne

Cologne has roots going back to Roman times. Dominating the skyline is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s largest Gothic churches. Don’t miss a visit to see its soaring spires, intricate façades and stained-glass windows.Beyond the cathedral, Cologne’s Old Town features cobbled streets lined with colourful medieval houses, cosy beer halls and cafés where the local Kölsch beer is served. The city has a vibrant cultural scene, with museums dedicated to Roman history, modern art and chocolate.The Rhine promenade is a good option for a relaxed walk and a chance to check out the city’s bridges.

Day 2

Koblenz

Koblenz occupies a strategic position where the Moselle River meets the Rhine, known as the Deutsches Eck (German Corner). The imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress overlooks the city, offering expansive views of the twin rivers and surrounding hills.The old town’s pedestrian streets have baroque churches, historic town halls and riverside promenades with cafés and markets. Visitors can take a cable car linking the Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for river and city views.

Day 3

Rüdesheim

Day 4

Mainz

Mainz is known for its Roman heritage and inspiration, which is visible in archaeological sites and the Mainz Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The city is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, with a museum dedicated to his revolutionary legacy.The old town has colourful half-timbered houses, busy markets and inviting cafés where you can enjoy local wines. The Rhine promenade is perfect for relaxed walks with views of passing river traffic and bridges.

Day 5

Miltenberg

Day 6

Würzburg

Day 7

Bamberg

Day 8

Nuremberg

Bavaria's second biggest city is well worth visiting. Its Christmas Market offers a wealth of handcrafted ornaments, and many visitors are drawn by the city's beer cellars. For those interested in history, there is a considerable amount to explore, including the Palace of Justice, where the Nuremberg trials were held.

Day 9

Regensburg

This pretty German city is remarkably well-preserved, with landmarks including a notable cathedral and a bridge that has inspired fascinating local lore. It’s also a beer lover’s paradise, with atmospheric spots to try the local varieties, complemented by traditional sausage and sauerkraut.

Day 10

Passau

Owing to its position at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, this German city has enjoyed a long history as a religious and commercial centre. Today, you can peer into its storied past and learn about its prince bishops' courts and mysterious guilds. Also, St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the biggest organ outside of the USA.

Day 11

Melk

This city is full of historical treasures, but Melk Abbey, renowned for its Baroque architecture, makes it a must-visit destination on the Danube.

Day 12

Vienna

The Austrian capital is full of old-world charm. Art lovers marvel at the works of the old masters while the musically inclined head to a gilded concert hall to listen to a world-class orchestra or a ballroom for a Viennese Waltz workshop. For foodies, there's plenty to surprise and delight, from the high-ceilinged coffeehouses to the traditional wine bars that embody gemütlichkeit (the Austrian answer to hygge).

Day 13

Bratislava

Known as 'the little big city', Bratislava is smaller than most other European capitals, but still has plenty to do. From castles and clock towers to cocktail bars and 'the UFO Bridge', it's full of mysteries you'll want to unravel.

Days 14-15

Budapest

Many Danube cruises start or end in Budapest, and the Hungarian capital remains a highlight for passengers. It’s a crowd-pleaser of a city, with something for everyone – muscle-melting thermal spas for those seeking relaxation, museums packed with artefacts for the culturally curious and ruin bars for travellers searching for an offbeat adventure.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Miltenberg

Day 6

Würzburg

Day 7

Bamberg

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

This city is full of historical treasures, but Melk Abbey, renowned for its Baroque architecture, makes it a must-visit destination on the Danube.

Day 12

Vienna

Day 13

Bratislava

Days 14-15

Budapest

178

Passengers

Crew

2025

Launched

135m

Length

12m

Width

12kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

MS Riviera Resplendence

The brand-new MS Riviera Resplendence provides the perfect balance of contemporary and cosy, with some of our biggest-ever suites.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Burgundy,RiverRhone & Provence

Not having river cruised for over ten years ,&with two other companies. This was a truly good holiday. Organisation, staff & ambience all excellent. Food was delicious with wide variety of choice too & service in dining room very good . Thank you to Riviera for this memorable trip.

Riviera Travel MS Lord Byron

Reviews

Fantastic

Great ship made very welcome by the crew Well planned and informative tours

Riviera Travel MS Robert Burns

Reviews

Christmas starts here

A Rhine river cruise to the Christmas markets. Riviera take the strain out of travelling then you step aboard and drop all your cares. The ships are extremely comfortable and the service efficient but not intrusive. The cabins are basically hotel rooms that float! So nice to lie in bed and watch Germany pass by. The food was of a very high standard, well presented and the accompanying wines and drinks were fantastic.Riviera can always be trusted to organise excursions well and their tour managers are always prepared to go that extra mile to ensure your trip is perfect! Give them a try.

Riviera Travel MS Thomas Hardy

Reviews

Absolutely brilliant, beautiful ship and excellent staff.

As above: excursions extremely interesting, with extremely knowledgeable guides,who made the history of their country come alive. Food consistently excellent and housekeeping staff always smiling and polite. When things didn't go to plan there was always an alternative which was well thought out and put into action.

Riviera Travel MS Riviera Radiance

Reviews

2023-09-20 12:18:09

I'm partly disabled, but the crew was fantastic, and had help where I needed it, instantly. This was my third time with Rivera Travel and I've loved everyone, looking forward to next year's cruise with Rivera Travel on the Rhine to Switzerland. You just unpack your case the once, and your clothes and bedroom go with you to see many different places, it's lovely waking up to a new view from your room. so relaxing. The ship was lovely a clean, and the food was to die for, no disappointment at all. By the second day, the crew could remember your name, even what drinks you liked to drink, nothing was too much bother. Lovely friendly atmosphere, I'm so pleased I chose to travel with Rivera Travel, looking forward to next year. See you soon, Margaret

Riviera Travel MS Douro Splendour

Reviews

2023-06-02 12:58:10

Xmas cruise on Danube was fine for us but our companion , a single elderly lady , was not catered for on excursions at all

Riviera Travel MS William Shakespeare

Reviews

2023-02-15 21:56:05

Riviera Travel MS Oscar Wilde

Reviews

2022-11-09 17:52:56

A fantastic cruise, great crew, wonderful inclusive shore trips. The only problem was a school minibus to take 14 of us from Lisbon airport to Porto, there was not enough space for the luggage, so we ended up with 8 cases in the aisle between the seats. Once we got to the vessel the welcome made up for the journey.

Riviera Travel MS Douro Elegance