An Escorted Christmas Markets Journey on the Danube Hosted by Norm Buchbinder and Derek Krabill of Valley Travel Associates

Traveling with hosts you know and trust adds a meaningful layer of comfort to a special journey like this one. Norm Buchbinder and Derek Krabill, owners of Valley Travel Associates, will be escorting the group and helping create a warm, well-supported experience from beginning to end.

Whether this is your first river cruise or one of many holiday journeys, traveling with experienced luxury travel advisors such as your hosts brings both reassurance and a personal touch to the experience.

Your sailing follows a classic Christmas Markets route through some of the most beloved destinations on the river. The currently listed ports for AmaRudi’s Christmas Markets itinerary include Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Spitz, Linz, Passau, and Vilshofen.

Sample itinerary highlights:
Vilshofen – Embark in charming Bavaria and settle into the rhythm of the river.
Passau – Baroque beauty and one of Germany’s most atmospheric old towns.
Linz – A gateway to Austrian culture and festive regional traditions.
Krems / Spitz – Wachau Valley scenery and the kind of smaller-town charm that feels especially magical in December.
Vienna – Imperial architecture, elegant cafés, and some of Europe’s most iconic Christmas markets.
Bratislava – A compact capital with old-world appeal and a delightful seasonal atmosphere.
Budapest – A dramatic finale, glowing with holiday lights and grand Danube views.

As part of our special group, your preferred cruise fare includes several added privileges not typically part of AmaWaterways’ standard fare, including prepaid crew and guide gratuities as well as a 24/7 open-bar beverage package. Together, these enhancements make the experience feel even more seamless and generous from the moment you step onboard.

Your AmaRudi journey also includes:

• Gourmet onboard dining inspired by regional flavors, along with international favorites
• Thoughtfully offered snacks throughout the day and afternoon tea
• A choice of included excursions in every port, with options suited to a range of interests and activity levels
• Complimentary bicycles onboard for both guided and independent rides
• High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Access to the Zen Wellness Studio, featuring a spacious fitness area, group classes, juice bar, spa treatment rooms, and wellness programming
• A beautifully designed Sun Deck with a heated pool and whirlpool, sun loungers, walking track, and full-size pickleball court
• Cultural performances and evening entertainment that add local character to the journey
• Self-service laundry facilities for added convenience
• Attentive service supported by a high staff-to-guest ratio

Our preferred group pricing offers an especially attractive combination of value and inclusions for guests joining this escorted AmaRudi journey with Valley Travel Associates. In addition to pricing that is currently below the published fares for comparable public AmaWaterways departures in the 2027 season, your fare also includes added benefits not typically included in Ama’s standard cruise pricing, including prepaid crew and guide gratuities and a 24/7 open-bar beverage package.

Cruise fare per person, based on double occupancy, inclusive of taxes, fees, and port expenses:

• Owner’s Suite: $13,418.34 - SOLD OUT
• Grand Suite: $10,688.34
• SA Expanded Balcony: $7,880.34 - LOW INVENTORY
• SB Expanded Balcony: $7,412.34 - LOW INVENTORY
• AA Balcony: $7,100.34
• AB Balcony: $6,944.34
• D Riverview: $5,618.34
• E Riverview: $4,449.12 - LOW INVENTORY

Payment schedule:

• Initial deposit at time of booking: 20%
• Second payment due February 1, 2027: 30%
• Third payment due February 1, 2028: 30%
• Final balance due July 1, 2028

Please note: All payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

We are pleased to offer a convenient online registration process through our secure platform. Guests may review the journey details and complete their reservation online, while still enjoying the personalized service and support of Valley Travel Associates.

After completing your registration, Valley Travel Associates will prepare and forward your reservation details, including deposit and final payment information, along with a quote for optional travel insurance. This gives you the opportunity to review everything carefully before moving ahead. Should you wish to proceed, we will then contact you to request your preferred payment method so that we may apply your deposit and secure your reservation.

AmaRudi’s Owner’s Suite offers the ship’s most rarefied sense of space and privacy, with a separate bedroom, an elegant living and dining area, exceptional wardrobe and storage space, a beautifully finished bathroom, and an expansive full balcony that lends the suite an almost residential ease — an ideal choice for guests who prefer the finest accommodations onboard and the quiet pleasure of having ample room to settle in, entertain lightly, and watch the river unfold in comfort.

AmaRudi’s Grand Suites offer a gracious balance of space and comfort, with inviting seating areas, generous wardrobe and storage space, beautifully appointed bathrooms, and full private balconies that make it easy to relax into the rhythm of the river — a lovely option for guests who appreciate a more expansive suite experience and the added ease of having room to truly unwind throughout the journey.

AmaRudi’s SA / SB Expanded Balcony accommodations strike a lovely balance between comfort and refinement, offering an open, spacious layout, an inviting sitting area, generous wardrobe and storage space, and a full balcony that makes it easy to enjoy the changing scenery in privacy — a wonderful option for guests who value a more expansive stateroom and the understated pleasure of extra room in which to unwind along the river. AmaMagna’s SA/SB accommodations are widely described as the “sweet spot” of the ship’s inventory, combining full balconies with a larger 355-square-foot footprint.

AmaRudi’s AA / AB Balcony accommodations are thoughtfully designed for comfort and ease, pairing a spacious, light-filled layout with comfortable seating, ample storage, and a full balcony that brings the river beautifully into view — an excellent option for guests who value understated elegance and the pleasure of enjoying each day’s scenery from the privacy of their own stateroom. AmaMagna’s AA/AB balcony staterooms are broadly described by cruise sources as the entry point to the ship’s full-balcony accommodations.

AmaRudi’s D / E Riverview accommodations are quietly comfortable and pleasingly well arranged, with inviting seating, ample storage, and fixed upper windows that bring in daylight and a distinctive close-to-the-river perspective. Affectionately, we refer to them as our “Swan View” rooms, as their waterline vantage offers a wonderfully immediate sense of the river outside — a lovely option for guests who prefer a cozy, well-designed stateroom and the understated charm of watching the journey unfold from just above the water. These categories are the entry-level accomodations.