Sail the Danube in 2025
JOIN US FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VOYAGE & CREATE MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFE TIME ON THE DANUBE IN 2025
Discover the allure of cruising through picturesque waterways, immersing yourself in captivating destinations along the route. Enjoy breathtaking views of historic landmarks, quaint villages, and stunning landscapes. Savor exquisite dishes paired with fine wines as you glide along the serene waters. Explore charming ports of call, each with its own unique charm and allure. Plus, with onboard entertainment and enriching activities, this will be an unforgettable journey.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Mandy Armstrong The Travel Agent Next Door
I first sailed the Danube in 2022 and was captivated by its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and cultural experiences. After having sailed with Emerald cruises in 2024, I knew that they would offer my guests a wonderful river cruise experience at a fantastic price point.
The photo above was taken going through one of the locks on my first Danube cruise! I'm excited to experience the Danube and Emerald with you and help you come home with amazing memories and a camera full of great photos!
SPACE IS LIMITED!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
DETAILED ITINERARY
June 6, 2025 - Overnight Flight from Canada to Budapest - Flight details to be determined.
Photo: Budapest (credit 12019/Pixabay)
June 7, 2025 - Budapest - Welcome to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Budapest. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show. Meals: Dinner
June 8, 2025 - Budapest - Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene while touring the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have plenty of time for exploration. If you’re feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike to Gellert Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand and are best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. Optional excursions available at an extra cost: Excursion to Szentendre or Hungarian Bath Experience. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photo: Bratislava (Credit: Walkerssk/Pixaby)
June 9, 2025 - Bratislava - Relax on board as we sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural centre. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are yours to explore with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre, including the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legend that looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in a Renaissance style. Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board. Optional excursions available at an added cost: Carpathian Wine route. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
June 10, 2025 - Vienna - Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces, some of which you will be able to see during your guided coach tour of the Ringstrasse. Following this, embark on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre and its surrounding classical architectural styles, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that have existed here since the turn of the 20th century. If you’re feeling more active, then perhaps choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to the Danube Island. Optional evening activity at an extra cost: Exclusive Viennese evening concert. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Sailing the Danube (photo: Mandy Armstrong)
June 11, 2025 - Weissenkirchen - Melk - Effortlessly suspended in time, Weissenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture. Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world. Or enjoy a guided bike tour along the Danube River. Optional excursion at an additional cost: Visit to Schallaburg Castle. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
June 12, 2025 - Linz – Ceský Krumlov - This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz, where you’ll be transferred by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Ceský Krumlov, a town built around a 13th-century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colourful façades of buildings, as you learn about how they have survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ceský Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic façades. Optional activity available at an extra cost: Walking tour of Linz with a Linzer Torte making. Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Czesky Krumlov (photo: Mandy Armstrong)
June 13, 2025 - Passau - Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This important historic trading centre borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures. Experience life on a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialities. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty. Optional activity at extra cost: Bavaria Live. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
June 14, 2025 - After breakfast, it’s time to disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines with you. Meals: Breakfast
(This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. Please refer to Emerald's terms and conditions for further information.)
INCLUSIONS:
- Airport transfers to and from your luxury Star-Ship in destination
- 7 nights accommodation on board the Star-Ship
- 19 meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners, including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Bottled water restocked daily
- ESPA luxury toiletries on board
- First-class service from an English-speaking crew
- Included excursions almost every day
- EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE experiences & activities
- Knowledgeable local guides
- Wi-Fi on board
- Bicycles on board
- Earn EmeraldEXPLORER points
- All port charges and taxes
AND gratuities are included!
Special Group Bonus: 100 Euros per person to spend onboard!
WHAT IS THE COST?
Your price will depend on the stateroom category you choose, plus which promotion you take advantage of (see promos below.)
FIRST CHOOSE YOUR CABIN:
(All rates listed above are based on double occupancy, and do not include flights.
Port taxes in the amount of $445 per person are included in the above prices.)
THEN CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE PROMOS TO SAVE EVEN MORE:
(Please be aware that the Fly Economy promotion applies only to flights that are ticketed for less than $1800. Ticketing is done by Emerald at approximately 8 months prior to departure.)
Talk to Mandy about which promotion will be best for you!
SPACE IS LIMITED!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly urge you to have Travel Protection in place before travelling, not only to cover out of country medical expenses, but also trip cancellation and trip interruption.
The Manulife Premium Protection Plan (PPP) - Covers you for full Medical (up to $10 million) and also Trip Cancellation/ Trip Interruption for 27 different reasons, paying 100% of your trip cost back to you if you need to cancel because of an unexpected event - and if your reason for cancellation isn't covered, you can still make a claim for 80% of the lost value of your trip anytime up to 7 days before departure (If you cancel 7 days-24 hours prior to your trip the Cancel for Any Reason benefit is capped at $2,500 per person.)
Rates are based on Trip Duration, Trip Cost and age at time of purchase. But as an example, to cover a tour cost of $5000 per person, for anyone 69 or under, the rate for PPP is $579 + 8 % PST per person. For ages 70-74, the rate would be $1250 plus 8% PST. (If you are age 70 or older, please reach out to Mandy to discuss other plans which may be available to you.)
The Manulife Premium Protection Plan MUST be purchased within 72 hours of making your deposit. After that, it is unavailable.
For your own peace of mind, Manulife has a ten day Right to Examine – if you purchase it and within 10 days find you have coverage elsewhere, they will issue a full refund of the policy amount.
Premium Protection Plan Summary:
Please click here to review the policy or request a copy and review it before purchasing your insurance.
If you are above age 69, contact Mandy to discuss your travel insurance options.
PAYMENT INFORMATION / TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Deposit - $500 per person, due immediately.
Final payment - February 25, 2025 (unless you are taking advantage of the early payment savings promo, in which case full payment will be due August 3, 2024.)
Cancellation Penalties:
90 days or more prior to sailing - loss of $500 deposit and any previously booked airfare
89-60 days prior to sailing - 35% of journey price and any previously booked airfare
59-30 days prior to sailing - 50% of journey price and any previously booked airfare
Less than 30 days prior to sailing - 100% of journey price and any previously booked airfare
SPACE IS LIMITED!
READY TO BOOK? CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
Want more information? Contact Mandy at 613-802-3684 or via the button below.
*Terms and Conditions: Offers valid for new bookings only made by July 11, 2024 and are non-transferable. Offers apply to above featured tour EWPA070625.2. A nonrefundable $500 per person deposit due at time of booking. Group discount, port taxes & fees included in above pricing. Promotions not calculated into above featured prices. Best Available Offer: Fly Economy for $795 + Save $800 per person or Save $1,800 per person applies to Category SA. Fly Economy for $895 + Save $600 pp or Savings of $1,500 pp applies to Categories S, C, B, A. Fly Economy for $895 + Save $400 per person or Save $1,300 pp applies to Category E and D. Best Available Offer applies when paying in full 10 months prior to departure. If full payment is not received 10 months prior to departure, the Best Available Offer will be removed from the booking without recourse. If choosing the savings, apply discount to the above featured prices. If choosing Air Promotion, maximum ticket value including taxes is $1,800 per person. Emerald Cruises reserves the right to ticket the airfare at 8 months prior to departure. Flights are booked in Economy class only on Emerald Cruises choice of airlines and routes. Included flights are booked from 11 major Canadian gateways: YHZ, YYZ, YOW, YUL, YQR, YXE, YWG, YEG, YYC, YVR, & YYJ. Flight departures from all other Canadian cities may be subject to additional surcharges. Flights are subject to availability of appropriate airline class and once sold out, surcharges will apply. Full airline terms and conditions apply at all times. Flexi Fare: Savings of $800 per person applies to Category SA, $600 savings per person applies to Categories S, C, B and A, and $400 savings per person applies to Category E and D. Flexi Fare requires full payment 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Best Available Offer and Flexi Fare are not combinable. Prices are in Canadian dollars, per person based on double occupancy. Pricing and promotions subject to change after July 11, 2024. Cabin availability subject to change. Future Travel Credit (FTC) holders with an air credit must rebook Best Available Offer with the air offer. Offers may be changed, cancelled or withdrawn at any time without notice. For full booking terms and conditions, visit emeraldcruises.ca. © EMERALD CRUISES | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BC CONSUMER PROTECTION #40178.
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