Join us aboard the wonderfully comfortable 100-passenger MS River Crown for this musical journey along the Danube.
With our friends at London Festival Opera and our elegant river vessel, we can promise you a marvellous experience. Our eight night journey between Regensburg and Budapest will be a celebration of Mozart’s life, and of the many great composers from this golden age of music. We will visit charming small towns and villages as well as the cities of Salzburg, Bratislava and Budapest, enjoying some of the finest works of music from the concertos of Mozart and the waltzes of Johann Strauss to opera and folk tunes in idyllic settings. We will also visit the city most celebrated for its musical heritage and Austria’s capital, Vienna, whose classical period was a golden age in Viennese musical life. Mozart lived here for the last decade of his life and exerted great influence on the musical life of the capital.
In addition to our excursions and music ashore, we will also enjoy exclusive gala performances by London Festival Opera on board the MS River Crown in the intimate atmosphere of the lounge. The life and times of Mozart as well as the music of this golden age will be brought vividly to life by our Guest Speaker who will accompany the trip.
River Crown
We are delighted to have chartered the elegant 100-passenger MS River Crown, a spacious and well-designed vessel which was built in 2008 and is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade in 2025. The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck, in one of the relaxing public areas or to simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
June Itinerary
Day 1 London to Regensburg, Germany.
Fly by scheduled flight to Munich. On arrival transfer to the MS River Crown in Regensburg. Moor overnight.
Day 2 Regensburg.
After breakfast enjoy a guided stroll around Germany’s largest and best-preserved Medieval city, Regensburg. See the twin-spired Cathedral Dom St Peter, the tower houses followed by a visit to the Turn and Taxis Palace. Return to the MS River Crown for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Passau.
Enjoy a morning walking tour of the ancient fairytale city of Passau, the meeting point of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers. See the old town and cathedral that houses one of the largest pipe organs in the world. After a short organ recital return to the ship for lunch. Sail in the late afternoon, and in the early evening London Festival Opera will present an Opera Soirée of Handel, Verdi, Gounod, Bizet and Puccini on board the MS River Crown. Arrive in Linz this evening and moor overnight.
Day 4 Linz for Salzburg, Austria.
From our berth in Linz we depart for Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famous for its architectural treasures and music festival. Our guided excursion will concentrate on Mozart’s family and his musical contemporaries, including a visit to the house known as Geburtshaus where he was born. We also take a walk through the lovely gardens of the Mirabell Palace. Before we leave, we will enjoy a special concert of music by a string quartet at the Mozarteum Conservatory. Return to the ship and sail this evening.
Day 5 Melk & Durnstein.
Today we will see the great Baroque Abbey of Melk, situated high above the Danube. On a morning excursion we will visit this imposing abbey including the Imperial Staircase, the Marble Hall and the abbey church followed by a performance by London Festival Opera featuring arias and ensembles from The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte, and Don Giovanni. We then sail on through the beautiful Wachau Valley and arrive later this afternoon in the pretty town of Durnstein, where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Enjoy some free time ashore to explore and perhaps sample some of the town’s delicious Marillenschnaps or strudel. Sail in the evening.
Day 6 Vienna.
After breakfast today depart for a guided city tour which will include the famous Ringstrasse, the Old Quarter and St Stephan’s Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon will be at leisure to explore independently or you may like to join the included visit to the Mozarthaus, a three storey museum where Mozart lived from 1784-1787, during which time he wrote the world-famous opera ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and three of the six Haydn Quartets. We will stand in the room where Mozart and Beethoven met and where Haydn told Mozart’s father “your son is the greatest composer I know in person or by name”. Return to the ship and enjoy a pre-dinner performance in the lounge by London Festival Opera of ‘A Night in Vienna’ including the works of Mozart, Johann Strauss and Lehár.
Day 7 Bratislava, Slovakia.
This morning we will take a guided walking tour of the city, formerly known as Pressburg, a former capital of Hungary. See the old quarter, the ornate Baroque Palace and the ancient city gates. Finish your tour with a visit to St Martin’s Cathedral where a string quartet will perform a concert of music by Mozart and Dvorak. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as we sail to Budapest.
Day 8 Budapest, Hungary.
We have the day to explore Hungary’s elegant capital city. Spend the morning on an excursion that will include the old quarter visiting the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Royal Palace (outside view). Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure to relax or sightsee independently or for those who wish there will be an included tour to the Liszt Ferenc Memorial Museum, located in the Old Academy of Music. Liszt spent a significant part of the last five years of his life here (from 1881 to 1886) and his furniture, portraits, books, pianos along with other personal belongings are on display.
Day 9 Budapest to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
October Itinerary
Day 1 London to Budapest.
Fly by scheduled flight to Budapest. On arrival transfer to the MS River Crown. Moor overnight.
Day 2 Budapest, Hungary.
We have the day to explore Hungary’s elegant capital city. Spend the morning on an excursion that will include the old quarter visiting the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Royal Palace (outside view). Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure to relax or sightsee independently or for those who wish there will be an included tour to the Liszt Ferenc Memorial Museum, located in the Old Academy of Music. Liszt spent a significant part of the last five years of his life here (from 1881 to 1886) and his furniture, portraits, books, pianos along with other personal belongings are on display. After dinner this evening, join your fellow travellers on deck to enjoy the wonderful “Budapest by Night” sailing as we depart towards Bratislava.
Day 3 Bratislava, Slovakia.
This afternoon we will take a guided walking tour of the city, formerly known as Pressburg, a former capital of Hungary. See the old quarter, the ornate Baroque Palace and the ancient city gates. Finish your tour with a visit to St Martin’s Cathedral where a string quartet will perform a concert of music by Mozart and Dvorak. Return to the ship and, as we sail towards Vienna, enjoy a pre-dinner performance in the lounge by London Festival Opera of ‘A Night in Vienna’ including the works of Mozart, Johann Strauss and Lehár.
Day 4 Vienna.
After breakfast today depart for a guided city tour which will include the famous Ringstrasse, the Old Quarter and St Stephan’s Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon will be at leisure to explore independently or you may like to join the included visit to the Mozarthaus, a three storey museum where Mozart lived from 1784-1787, during which time he wrote the world-famous opera ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and three of the six Haydn Quartets. We will stand in the room where Mozart and Beethoven met and where Haydn told Mozart’s father “your son is the greatest composer I know in person or by name”. Sail in the late evening.
Day 5 Melk & Durnstein.
Arrive this morning in the pretty town of Durnstein, where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Enjoy some free time ashore to explore and perhaps sample some of the town’s delicious Marillenschnaps or strudel. We then continue our short sail on to Melk through the beautiful Wachau Valley. On arrival we will see the great Baroque Abbey of Melk situated high above the Danube, and after lunch on board, our afternoon excursion will take us to this imposing abbey including the Imperial Staircase, the Marble Hall and the abbey church followed by a performance by London Festival Opera featuring arias and ensembles from The Marriage of Figaro, Così fan tutte, and Don Giovanni. Return to the ship and sail this evening.
Day 6 Linz for Salzburg, Austria.
From our berth in Linz we depart for Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famous for its architectural treasures and music festival. Our guided excursion will concentrate on Mozart’s family and his musical contemporaries, including a visit to the house known as Geburtshaus where he was born. We also take a walk through the lovely gardens of the Mirabell Palace. Before we leave, we will enjoy a special concert of music by a string quartet at the Mozarteum Conservatory. Return to the ship and sail this evening.
Day 7 Passau, Germany.
Enjoy a morning walking tour of the ancient fairytale city of Passau, the meeting point of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers. See the old town and cathedral that houses one of the largest pipe organs in the world. After a short organ recital return to the ship for lunch. Sail in the late afternoon, and in the early evening London Festival Opera will present an Opera Soirée of Handel, Verdi, Gounod, Bizet and Puccini on board the MS River Crown.
Day 8 Regensburg.
After breakfast enjoy a guided stroll around Germany’s largest and best-preserved Medieval city, Regensburg. See the twin-spired cathedral Dom St Peter, the tower houses followed by a visit to the Turn and Taxis Palace. Return to the MS River Crown for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
Day 9 Regensburg to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Munich airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £300 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
June Itinerary
Prices per person based on double occupancy| 9 to 17 June 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4195 | £3895 |
| Premium with French Balcony Upper Deck | £4395 | £4095 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4995 | £4695 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5295 | £4995 |
| Queen Suite with Balcony Upper Deck | £5995 | £5695 |
| Standard Single with porthole | £4195 | £3895 |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck for sole use | £5495 | £5195 |
October Itinerary
Prices per person based on double occupancy| 2 to 10 October 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4195 | £3895 |
| Premium with French Balcony Upper Deck | £4395 | £4095 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4995 | £4695 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5295 | £4995 |
| Queen Suite with Balcony Upper Deck | £5995 | £5695 |
| Standard Single with porthole | £4195 | £3895 |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck for sole use | £5495 | £5195 |
Tour Reference Code: RCRC090626/RCRC021026
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Eight nights aboard the MS River Crown on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions & music events as described • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Performances by London Festival Opera • Gratuities • Transfers • Port & airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Deck Plan
River Crown
We are delighted to have chartered the elegant 100-passenger MS River Crown, a spacious and well-designed vessel which was built in 2008 and is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade in 2025. The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck, in one of the relaxing public areas or to simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 100
Length: 135 metres
Width: 11.40 metres
Draft: 1.60 metres
Year built:2008 / Refurbished: 2025
Cruise speed: 22 km/h maxAIR-CONDITIONING
Cabins/suites and public areas are heated and have air-conditioning.
ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of an emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.
CABIN SIZES & FACILITIES
All cabins/suites are spacious and welldesigned and feature an en-suite bathroom, individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, writing/dressing table, television, telephone, safety deposit box, hairdryer and mini-bar.
The five Standard Single Cabins are located on the Main Deck and measure 12 square metres. These cabins feature a single bed and portholes that do not open.
Premium Cabins are located on the Middle and Upper decks and measure 15.5 square metres. They feature a double bed with two separate mattresses that be configured as twin or double. Premium cabins benefit from a French balcony providing wonderful views and access to fresh air. The bathroom has a shower and sliding doors of frosted glass.
Deluxe Cabins are located on the Middle and Upper decks and measure 22 square metres. The fixed double bed is located diagonally to the front of the window and there is a separate seating area. The spacious marble bathroom has a shower and a natural light window.
Queen Suites are located on the Upper Deck and measure 30 square metres. The suites feature both a French balcony and a separate balcony with chairs and a table, and a living room area with a separable sliding door. The fixed double bed is located diagonally to the front of the window. The spacious marble bathroom has a separate bath and shower as well as a double wash basin.
THE CLUB
The Club area on board comprises of two small lounges on the Upper Deck and is the perfect location if you are seeking somewhere quiet to relax with a good book and a tea or coffee whilst admiring the passing scenery.
DAILY PROGRAMME
A daily programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities, is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening.
DRESS CODE
During the day, comfortable and casual attire is appropriate. Evening attire is smart casual though you may like to bring something a little dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners.
DRINKS
Complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner on board. Water is provided during breakfast, lunch and dinner and bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily. Tea and Coffee is available 24-hours day in the Atrium Lobby.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage is 220V and sockets accept European-style two round pin plugs. In the bathroom there is a 110V socket which may be used for electric razors only. We recommend that you bring an international adaptor. For safety reasons, the use of electrical irons or other devices such as kettles, are not permitted on board.
EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
In the unlikely event of an emergency during your cruise, please remain calm and follow the instructions of the crew. We request that all guests carefully review the safety instructions on the inside of their cabin door.
FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers are fitted in all corridors. Should you detect fire or smoke please alert the reception desk immediately and await instructions from the crew.
FIRST AID
A number of the crew members are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned once a day and you will be provided with an evening ‘turn down’ service.
LAUNDRY
Laundry service is available on board. Laundry bags and a price list can be found in the closet of your cabin. Once you have filled out the laundry form, please include it in the bag and place it on your bed in the morning before you go to breakfast. Laundered items will be returned the next day. Dry cleaning services are not available on board.
LIBRARY
A selection of fiction and travel literature is available in the book cases located in the Atrium Lobby. A selection of fiction and travel literature is available on a self-serve basis.
LIFT
There is a lift on board that services the Upper and Middle decks.
LOUNGE & BAR
The Lounge & Bar is located on the Upper Deck and is open from 10.00 am until at least midnight offering a fine selection of drinks and bar snacks. Floor-to-ceiling panorama windows, beautiful rosewood panelling and warm and inviting decor provide a convivial atmosphere for conversation among fellow travellers. Relax in the comfortable sofas and chairs and listen to the onboard lectures or the musician playing background music on the piano.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed into the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave any items on board the ship, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.
MEALS
The restaurant is located on the Upper Deck and features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows so that you can enjoy the passing scenery as you dine. All meals on board are prepared by the highly skilled Executive Chef and his team and consist of European-style food. The restaurant has open seating, allowing you to sit where and with whom you like at each meal.
In the morning for early risers, tea, coffee and pastries are available from 06.30 am. Breakfast is served buffet style, lunch is a combination of a delightful buffet and hot dishes served to order and dinner is a served four course meal. In addition, house wine, beer and soft drinks are included at both lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is also provided with a choice of cakes and, to finish the day, snacks are available in the lounge in the late evening. If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department.
We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require, we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board please speak to the Chef or Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.
MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. Views from cabins may occasionally be restricted. On occasion other river cruise vessels may dock alongside the ship. This may restrict cabin views, and you may find that embarking and disembarking necessitates walking through another ship’s reception area, and/or for their passengers to do the same.
PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The ship offers a cash-free system during your cruise and purchases are charged to your onboard account. The day before your cruise ends you will receive an itemised invoice for any onboard charges incurred. Please review the invoice carefully before settling your bill. All onboard charges will be in Euros, payable with Visa, Mastercard, debit cards or cash at the end of the cruise. Personal cheques are not accepted. Regrettably, the ship is not able to offer a money-changing service on board as this would be contravening official regulations.
QUESTIONNAIRES
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you on board.
QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia has arranged for all passengers to have access to a ‘Quietvox’ audio system for use during the shore excursions. Further details shall be provided to you following your embarkation.
RECEPTION
Reception can be contacted 24 hours a day, except when the crew member on night watch duty is doing their intermittent security round during which a sign will be replaced at Reception.
SAFE
Your cabin is equipped with a small safe for your personal use. We recommend placing valuables in the safe whenever you are away from your room.
SUN DECK
There are loungers and armchairs available on the Sun Deck as well as a putting green and a giant chess board. To ensure your safety, the Sun Deck area may be closed in the evenings and when sailing through sections of the river where bridges are low. Please also note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms.
SMOKING
Smoking in your cabin or in any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Smoking is only permitted on the Sun Deck in designated areas.
TELEPHONE
To make an internal call please dial the corresponding cabin number. To make an external call, please contact Reception who will advise of the rates.
TOILETRIES
A selection of toiletries are provided including shampoo, shower gel, soap and tissues.
WELLNESS CENTRE
This is located on the Middle Deck. There is a spa area with a hairdresser as well as a sauna, Jacuzzi and shower area. The small gym has a variety of exercise equipment available for use.
WI-FI
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the cabins and public areas. There may be times when the internet connection is slow or not available such as when the ship sails through rural areas or locks.
Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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Deck Plan
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Deck Plan
Travelling with You
London Festival Opera
We are delighted to announce that our long-time associates, London Festival Opera, will be joining us for three performances during the cruise. Bringing together established opera singers from major British opera companies, London Festival Opera has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera and music performances in a wide variety of worldwide venues. They will perform a Mozart Opera Celebration featuring arias and ensembles from The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte and Don Giovanni, in period costume. Other opera concerts include ‘A Night in Vienna’ and an Opera Soirée on board the MS River Crown whilst we are moored in Passau and Vienna.
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David Pickard
David Pickard is one of the UK’s foremost and most respected arts practitioners. His 40-year career includes leading the BBC Proms, Glyndebourne and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, with roles at the Royal Opera House and the Regents Park Open Air Theatre among his earlier jobs. He combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of the classical music and operatic world with an engaging manner and a fund of stories about the highs and lows of live performance. David was educated at the King’s School, Ely, where he was a chorister, and then at St Alban’s School. He studied music at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, where he was awarded a Choral Exhibition. Although a keen amateur pianist and cellist, David realised early on that a performing career was best left to others, and on graduation embarked on the journey that would lead him to the Royal Albert Hall and ‘the best job in classical music.’
David Pickard will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 17 June 2026 -
Jamie Hayes
Jamie has directed many new opera productions, both at home and abroad. After training at RADA, he worked for Kent Opera, Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera, the BBC, the RSC and English National Opera. He has directed many opera productions for leading UK festivals as well as all our most distinguished musical conservatoires. His new opera productions overseas have appeared as far away as Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. Jamie is married to the opera singer Jean Rigby and they have three children. Jamie became an accredited lecturer with The Arts Society in 2022.
Jamie Hayes will be on the following tour dates: 2 to 10 October 2026
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000