The Legendary Blue Danube River Cruise

• 23 Meals (8 dinners, 6 lunches, and 9 breakfasts)
• Airport transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Tours
• International Cruise Director and Mayflower Tours expert staff onboard, plus local English-speaking guides for shore excursions
• Experience the Danube River aboard the exclusively chartered MS Emerald Destiny river ship on a seven-night cruise
• Once onboard, unpack just once in your tastefully furnished river view stateroom with a window for panoramic viewing
• Visit five countries — Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic—while cruising the best of the Danube River including the beautiful Wachau Valley
• Included shore excursions escorted by local, English-speaking guides in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Passau and Regensburg
• All meals included onboard featuring local and international specialties served at one leisurely seating
• All onboard lunches and dinners are four courses and served with complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks
• Afternoon tea and late evening snack served daily in the lounge
• Complimentary WiFi onboard
• Spacious public areas with large picture windows in the lounge, bar and dining room
• Evening events and Insights onboard
• Enhanced touring experience with the use of individual audio headsets
• Walk-out balcony featured in the suites on the Horizon Deck
• "Inside balcony" with drop down window featured in the staterooms on the Horizon and Vista Decks
• After cruising we travel to Prague, Czech Republic, for a two-night hotel stay and touring
• $55 in Mayflower Money

• Concert performed onboard by local artists in Bratislava
• Included visit to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
• Insightful presentation on the history of the Danube River
• Culinary demonstration by the ship's chef

Day One — Depart the USA - Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Day Two — Arrive Hungary - Transfer to Mayflower Tours’ exclusively chartered river ship, The MS Emerald Destiny, your home for the next seven nights. Dinner onboard

Day Three — Budapest, Hungary - After breakfast enjoy an included city tour of Budapest. The city straddles both banks of the Danube linked by seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. The tour presents you with a fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary’s beautiful capital. Enjoy a photo stop at Gellert Hill, see historic Buda Castle, 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion and the marvelous Royal Palace. Enjoy free time before departing for Bratislava. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner onboard. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Four — Bratislava, Slovakia - The day starts with an included panoramic city tour of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and the former capital of Hungary. "All Aboard" the exclusively chartered Bratislava City Train for a unique touring experience. As the train winds its way through the streets up to Bratislava Castle, the guide will point out the beautiful buildings and historic sites along the way. See the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, the National Theatre, the Archbishop’s Summer Residence and the Blumental Church. Arriving at Vienna Gate, it’s a short stroll to a panoramic overview of the city from atop Castle Hill. During a leisurely paced walking tour through the historical center, see the Archbishop Palace, St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Main Square with its Old Town Hall, the Roland Fountain and the Opera House. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon in this remarkable town. This evening, enjoy a musical performance onboard by local artists. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Five — Vienna, Austria -  Discover all Vienna has to offer with an included orientation tour. For over 600 years, the magnificent baroque capital city of Vienna was the seat of the mighty Hapsburg Emperors, a heritage that has bestowed it with many dazzling palaces and monuments: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House and the majestic Ringstrasse. The capital is also known as the “City of Music” for having once been the home of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Johann Strauss. On your included excursion, see some of the famous sights of this impressive city and visit Shönbrunn Palace, with its magnificent interiors and landscape gardens. Enjoy leisure time in the city center in the afternoon. This evening, join an optional excursion for a musical concert in one of the famous music venues of the city. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Six — Dürnstein and Melk, Austria - After breakfast, join your local guide for a stroll through the pretty, medieval town of Dürnstein – “The Pearl of the Wachau” – set in Austria’s spectacular vine-terraced Wachau Valley. With its cobblestone streets and old burgher houses, it is dominated by the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its lovely blue façade. The ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, which served as a prison to England’s Richard the Lionheart in 1193, can be seen on the hilltop. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Wachau Valley as we cruise along the Danube River before arriving in Melk. Join an optional excursion to visit the glorious and magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, UNESCO World Heritage Site, which boasts a breathtakingly opulent Baroque interior. See the Marble Hall and Library with its thousands of identically bound books and also its terraced gardens. Later this afternoon, the ship departs for Aschach — the drop off point for tomorrow’s optional excursion. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Seven — Salzburg, Austria and Passau, Germany -  After breakfast join us on an optional excursion to Salzburg, Austria. You will travel by motorcoach to Mozart’s Salzburg where a guide will show you the sights of The Sound of Music and walks you along the famous Getreidegasse Lane, past Mozart’s birthplace. After the tour we drive to Passau, Germany where our ship has docked. Enjoy a walking tour of Passau prior to boarding your ship. This evening your ship departs for Regensburg. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Eight — Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities - After breakfast, we explore Regensburg on a guided walking tour. During a stroll through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we experience its beauty and history first-hand. This afternoon the ship departs for Nuremberg. Tonight, say goodbye to the captain and crew at the farewell reception and dinner. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard

Day Nine — Nuremberg to Prague, Czech Republic -  After breakfast onboard, disembark your ship and enjoy a tour of Nuremberg. Beginning with a panoramic tour by coach, your local guide will explain the importance of this city during the war as you explore a bit outside of the inner city and pass the Court House where the Nazi War Trials were held. Upon arrival in the city center, begin a walking tour through the Altstadt (old town) which stands in the shadows of the imperial castle. The local guide will lead you through this medieval city as you pass some of the amazing architecture, fortifications and stone towers from past centuries, including the Schöner Brunnen – Nuremberg’s star attraction: the gilded ‘Beautiful Fountain’ with its tiers of intricately carved figures. At the end of the tour, free time is provided for lunch on your own prior to the journey to Prague for a two-night stay. Dinner is included in Prague this evening. Breakfast onboard, plus dinner

Day Ten — Prague -  One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Prague also offers a cultural and historic past. On this morning’s panoramic discovery, you’ll get an overview of the city and learn of its history from the local guide. Drive by some of the famous squares of the city including Wenceslas, Charles and Lesser Town Square. You’ll also see the National Museum, National Theatre and Prague Castle, among other famous towers and landmarks. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or join the optional excursion of the Jewish Quarter. Your adventure is concluded but you’ll bring back memories of European history to last a lifetime. Breakfast

Day Eleven — Prague/USA - Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River. Breakfast

Itinerary is subject to change

Days Two through Eight - Aboard the MS Emerald Destiny

Days Nine and Ten - Hotel Premier Majestic Plaza or similar, Prague, Czech Republic

Deck Plan

The 180-passenger MS Emerald Destiny is a brand new deluxe river cruise vessel providing a stylish, spacious and unique ship from which to enjoy your river cruise! In addition to providing some of the largest staterooms and suites on river vessels, the ship also offers one-bedroom suites which boast a separate bedroom, spacious lounge area and full balcony. Other unique features onboard are a heated swimming pool (with a retractable roof) that transforms into a cinema in the evening! With the friendly staff and remarkable ship it’s sure to be a relaxing and enjoyable holiday!

• Built: 2016
• Speed: 15.5 mph
• Staterooms: 80
• Suites: 12
• Length: 443 ft.
• Crew: 47

• Features outdoor private balcony with sliding glass door; separate bedroom and lounge area with sofa, chair, coffee table, two dressers and walk-in closet; large bathroom with two basins, shower, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge

• Features outdoor private balcony with sliding glass door; Bathroom with shower, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge

• Features an indoor balcony with open-air system; Bathroom with shower, hair dryer; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge

• Features a small window (doesn’t open); Bathroom with shower and hair dryer; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge

• Dining Room
• Lounge with dance floor
• Sun Deck featuring deck chairs
• Elevator
• Daytime heated swimming pool and bar
• Reception lobby
• Hospitality Desk
• Evening mini-cinema
• Fitness room, hairdresser, massage therapy room
• Voltage: 220V
• Complimentary Wifi