What Travel Advisors Have to Learn about Danube River Cruising

The Danube is likely one of the two hottest rivers in Europe for river cruising (tied with the Rhine). Its well-known for its wealthy mix of pre-war Hapsburg and World War II historical past, its many connections to classical music, and its splendid Baroque artwork and structure.

Originating within the Black Forest of Germany, the river flows eastward passing by practically 10 international locations on its technique to emptying out into the Black Sea, close to the Danube Delta in Romania.

Along the way in which, “travelers experience a blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy,” explains Charlotte Goldstein, VTA, proprietor of Charlotte’s Web of Travel and a river cruise knowledgeable.

The two marquis ports on the Danube are Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria – which Goldstein stated is her favourite port on the river for its classical music legacy and the Baroque artwork and structure that “sets it apart from more Gothic-influenced cities.”

Upper Danube vs Lower Danube River Cruising

The second longest river in Europe (after the Volga), the 1,770-mile Danube River is split into two halves for the needs of river cruising: the Upper Portion and the Lower Portion.

Upper Danube

The Upper Portion is the place most Danube River itineraries are positioned, with stops in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. This is the place you’ll discover Budapest and Vienna, making the Upper Danube a better promote to purchasers.

Other widespread ports of name on the Upper Danube are Vilshofen, a city in Germany that usually serves as an embarkation port; Linz, Austria, which serves because the gateway for visits to Salzburg; Nuremberg, Germany with is robust World War II connections; Bratislava, Slovenia, which served because the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary for 2 centuries; and the scenic Wachau Valley in Austria.

“For first-time river cruisers in Europe, I typically recommend the Upper Danube,” Goldstein stated. “It offers a well-rounded introduction to the region’s cultural and historical highlights.”

Lower Danube

There are far fewer itineraries on the Lower Portion. These can embody stops in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.  For occasion, whereas AmaWaterways gives 5 itineraries that sail the Upper Danube, it gives just one on the Lower Danube.

Highlights of Lower Danube sailings are the Daunbe Delta, Europe’s largest pure wetland and a haven for birds; and the Iron Gates gorge, a scenic a part of the river that separates Serbia and Romania.

Danube River Planning Notes

When planning a river cruise to your purchasers there are some things to know. First, the overwhelming majority of Danube River cruises are seven days. These may be mixed, however there’ll sometimes be some repetition of ports.

Some cruise strains supply longer cruises that both journey all the size of the Danube, go to extra ports over extra days, or mix the Danube with one other river.

The Danube River’s High Season

High season on the Danube is mid-June to early September after which once more in November/December for the Christmas Markets season. This when the ships will probably be at their most full, and its these sailings that purchasers will need to e-book additional out.

High/Low Water Risks

The identical method that ocean cruises may be impacted by unhealthy climate, river cruises may be affected by excessive or low water, which may make it inconceivable for ships to sail. Too low and a river ship is prone to grounding. Too excessive and the ships can get beneath bridges.

While each excessive and low water can happen at any time, Danube River cruises are most in danger for top water within the spring, typically from March to May. They’re most in danger for low water within the late summer season and into early fall, typically from July to September. 

If your purchasers are considering of crusing throughout these occasions, you will need to clarify to them the dangers and what every cruise line may do ought to a low- or high-water occasion happen.

Which Cruise Lines Offer Danube River Cruises?

All river cruise strains that function in Europe supply Danube River cruises. That contains AmaWaterways, AMADEUS, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, Viking, VIVA, and the soon-to-launch Celebrity and Trafalgar river cruise strains.

Regardless of cruise line, the overwhelming majority of ships are an identical when it comes to size and width, with the exception being two double broad ships – the AmaMagna and the Riverside Mozart. (AmaWaterways has one other double broad ship – the AmaRudi – on order for 2027.)

The key variations between Danube River cruise ships and contours are their passenger capability, décor, onboard facilities, and fare inclusions.

For occasion, the Viking ships, like Viking Tor, have the very best capability, holding 190 passengers, whereas Uniworld’s S.S. Beatrice holds solely as much as 152. Most river cruise ships crusing the Danube maintain someplace between these numbers with most holding between 156 and 166. (Doublewide ships can accommodate considerably extra passengers.)

Find out What Each River Cruise Line Includes.

Compare Cabins on Each Major River Cruise Line.