If you are looking for a memorable seasonal break, fly to Budapest after Christmas and enjoy a week of relaxation and sightseeing aboard the 100-passenger MS River Crown. Our wonderful floating hotel will transport you in comfort and style between Europe’s two greatest cities and our seven day voyage will include Esztergom and the Danube Bend, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg and the beautiful Wachau Valley. Take the opportunity to see in the New Year in the wonderful city of Vienna and be on deck as the mighty bells of St Stephen’s ring in the New Year. A highlight for may will be the concert at one of Vienna’s splendid music venues on New Year’s Day.
This will be a relaxing week as we slowly make our way through the very heart of Europe along a waterway that has influenced the course of history and even today provides a major artery for trade and travel from Germany to the Black Sea. Ashore you will see a wonderful mix of the historic and cultural diversity of the region, witness stunning scenery and visit picturesque towns and villages, all with their own unique history and adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations.
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.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Budapest, Hungary.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS River Crown and embark. Enjoy a welcome drink and music by a local Gypsy Orchestra prior to dinner this evening. Moor overnight.
Day 2 Budapest.
A morning city tour will include the highlights of the former twin cities of Buda and Pest. See the ornate Houses of Parliament, the beautiful Matthias Church and admire the view from the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion. In the afternoon, drive out of Budapest to Godollo, a small Baroque town where we visit the 18th century palace. This evening we hope to arrange an optional evening of music ashore (subject to schedules and availability).
Day 3 Esztergom & the Danube Bend.
Today you have the choice of staying on board as the MS River Crown cruises from Budapest to Esztergom. Alternatively, you may join the overland tour which will include the scenic and cultural highlights on Hungary’s Danube Bend and second city of Esztergom with its cathedral. This evening we continue cruising towards Slovakia.
Day 4 Bratislava, Slovakia & Vienna, Austria.
This morning there will be a guided walking tour of the pretty city of Bratislava, formerly known as Pressburg and a former capital of Hungary. See the old quarter, the ornate Baroque Palace and the ancient city gates. This afternoon, whilst cruising to Vienna, we will be joined by musicians who will provide entertainment into the evening for our New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Day 5 Vienna.
After a leisurely breakfast we will drive to one of Vienna’s grand music venues for a New Year’s concert. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon a city tour of Austria’s elegant capital will take us around the famous Ringstrasse and the Old Quarter including St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Day 6 Vienna.
Today there will be a choice of included tours from Vienna. Join a tour to the beautiful Vienna Woods, including the Roman City of Baden with its thermal springs, and Heiligenkreuz where the Medieval cloister houses the remains of the last Babenberger. Alternatively, you may wish to join an excursion to the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, the favourite summer residence of Maria Theresa. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.
Day 7 The Wachau Valley & Melk.
Today we reach the Wachau Valley, arriving in the morning in the picturesque 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, where on arrival we will see the great Baroque Abbey 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. In the evening join your fellow travellers for farewell drinks and dinner.
Day 8 Vienna to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
28 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck | £3695 | £3395 |
Premium with French Balcony Upper Deck | £3895 | £3595 |
Deluxe with French Balcony Middle Deck | £3995 | £3695 |
Deluxe with French Balcony Upper Deck | £4295 | £3995 |
Queen Suite with Balcony Upper Deck | £5295 | £4995 |
Standard Single with porthole | £3695 | £3395 |
Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck for sole use | £4695 | £4395 |
Tour Reference Code: RCRC281226
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard the MS River Crown on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port & airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, optional evening music event in Budapest.
Christmas & New Year on the Danube – Combination Cruise:
21st December 2026 to 4th January 2027
If you wish to celebrate both Christmas and New Year together, you can combine our Christmas on the Danube cruise with our New Year on the Danube. Details for the 14 night cruise can be viewed here.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
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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.
Travelling with You
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Professor Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski
Professor Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski graduated in History from Cambridge, before obtaining his doctorate from Oxford. He taught European history at Oxford and Queen’s University Belfast before moving to the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London, where he has been Professor of Polish-Lithuanian History since 2013. He is also Principal Historian of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw. Richard’s academic interests range across the history and culture of Europe, especially in the eighteenth century. An admirer of the baroque and classical styles in the arts, he delights in Mozart’s operas. He has published four single-authored books, four edited books, and many articles in scholarly periodicals and collections, and is in frequent demand as a speaker at international conferences.
Also of Interest
Across Europe by River
An epic river journey along the Rhine, Main & Danube aboard the MS River Crown with highlight performances by London Festival Opera
Itinerary at a glance
- Amsterdam / Rotterdam / Cologne / Koblenz / Rudesheim / Mainz / Miltenberg / Wurzburg / Bamberg / Nuremberg / Regensburg / Passau / Melk / Wachau Valley / Vienna / Bratislava / Budapest / Kalocsa / Pecs / Villany / Belgrade / Iron Gates / Veliko Tarnovo / Giurgiu
Three River Odyssey
A river journey between Budapest & Basle aboard the MS River Crown
Itinerary at a glance
- Budapest / Bratislava / Vienna / Wachau Valley / Melk / Passau / Regensburg / Nuremberg / Bamberg / Wurzburg / Miltenberg / Heidelberg / Strasbourg / Colmar / Basle
Christmas on the Danube
A festive voyage between Vienna & Budapest aboard the MS River Crown with Professor Richard Butterwick- Pawlikowski
Itinerary at a glance
- Vienna / Salzburg / Melk / Weissenkirchen / Esztergom / Budapest
Christmas & New Year on the Danube
A festive cruise aboard the MS River Crown with Professor Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski
Itinerary at a glance
- Vienna / Salzburg / Melk / Weissenkirchen / Esztergom / Budapest / Esztergom / Danube Bend / Bratislava / Slovakia / Vienna / Wachau Valley / Melk
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000