Name: Danube Explorer
Brand: Emerald Cruises

Overview

This 7-night Emerald Cruises voyage departs from Budapest, bound for the waters of Germany and Austria. Your journey takes in 3 ports of call, including Bratislava, Weissenkirchen, and Nuremberg. Whether it's exploring towns and cities ashore or unwinding on deck, this Emerald Cruises sailing delivers variety at every turn. With fares from £2,655 per person, this is a wonderful way to experience Germany and Austria by sea.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises offers a modern, relaxed, super-premium all-inclusive cruising experience, with contemporary and elegant ships and bucket-list destinations.

Onboard, guests are able to dine at four all-inclusive and unique outlets, enjoying free-flowing alcoholic beverages at mealtimes. Flexibility is key, with its range of shore excursion packages, and every aspect of the trip is taken care of – including flights and transfers.

Cruise Itinerary

Days 1-2

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 3

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.

Day 4

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 5

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 5

Weissenkirchen

Day 6

Linz

Linz is a charming stop on a Danube cruise for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it's home to Austria's largest cathedral. Secondly, it has an impressive array of art and science museums. Last, but certainly not least, it's the home of the delicious Linzertorte, which is especially popular around Christmas.

Day 6

Cesky Krumlov

Days 7-8

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 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.

Days 1-2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

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 5

Weissenkirchen

Day 6

Linz

Day 6

Cesky Krumlov

Days 7-8

Passau

Day 8

Nuremberg

180

Passengers

Crew

2026

Launched

3544t

Tonnage

135m

Length

11m

Width

13kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

Emerald Astra

Cruise into luxury on the brand-new Emerald Astra

Emerald Astra is set to elevate the standard for luxury river cruising, offering guests an even more memorable experience through innovative, modern design and extended amenities available onboard.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Not 5 star

We didn't get the wow fact I was expecting it was a lovely clean yacht Entertainment was not the best very little of it considering it was almost Christmas. The staff were nice . Breakfast was ok , lunch was nice The evening meals not great . Room was big and clean it was a lovely experience, but for what we paid i would not do it again .

Emerald Cruises Emerald Sakara

Reviews

Eastern Europe on the Danube

The arrangements on the first day left a lot to be desired! We had been flown to Bucharest the day before and stayed in a lovely hotel with a large swimming pool. We were told cases to be ready by 7 a.m.and leave at 9.It was a cold,wet day so,after the city tour,we had 2 hours to waste in bad weather. We think the departure from the hotel should have been later(e.g.usual 11 a.m.checkout),done the city tour then gone straight to the ship. On board,the food and wine was good BUT often,if we as two people sat on a table for 4 or 6,we were not served until the table was full! I commented about this and we got better and quicker service for one day then it lapsed again! It was even worse if I sat by myself in the bar as I was then mostly ignored! The ports of call were interesting but mixed weather. The company still keeps calling the cabin!"Panorama Balcony" BUT the dictionary definition of balcony is"external"so an inside balcony with a window to open is NOT a balcony. I queried this with crew but was brushed off!

Emerald Cruises Emerald Luna

Reviews

Luxury at every level

We had an amazing cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia on Emerald Harmony. The boat itself is superb,, carrying a maximum of 84 passengers, though a particular cruise only had 54, with 40 crew. That means that passengers really get cared for and within 24 hours all the crew members knew our names and our preferences. The food is superb – fine dining every lunchtime and every evening, accompanied with high-quality wines. and the tourist gave a good balance of the typical things you would expect to see as a tourist (cities, palaces and temples) but also local village life, with the opportunity to meet up close with local people and to see the businesses run from their homes. It was an incredible exposure to culture of that part of the world. Emerald arranged everything superbly and we wouldn’t hesitate to travel with them again.

Emerald Cruises Emerald Harmony

Reviews

Very good

Food & crew excellent. A little diasppointed with the lack of daytime cruising. Only fault was with the travel arrangements to Lyon and return from Marseille. on both flights assistance for my wife who has difficulty walking long distances was not organised and on the return flight we were not even allocated seats together.

Emerald Cruises Emerald Liberte

Reviews