We welcome all of you, but let me start with some quick realities:

• River cruises are very popular.
• Christmas Market river cruises are even more popular.
• Most 2026 river cruises are sold out, especially for groups.
• 2027 river cruises have extremely limited space remaining for groups.
• We literally took the last group space available for the 2027 sailings on the Danube with Amadeus River Cruises. Only Eleven cabins remain. We held them all.
• So, really, how popular are river cruises? "Because I can usually book a last minute trip to Mexico a week or two away." Well, a statistic that I am familiar with is that #1 Well-KNOWN Brand of river cruises, Viking, was 64% sold out on ALL 2026 sailings as of September 24, 2025. By the end of 2025, that number is over 70%.
• Celebrity River Cruises launched the sale of their 2027 sailings, 33 of them, in early October of 2025. They sold out of all in FIVE HOURS, for 2027.
• William & Shelley run a travel brand called "River Cruise Experts". This is William's #1 expertise.
• We are currently selling some 2028 river cruises as of December 2025.

We have until EXACTLY February 25, 2026 to lock in YOUR reservation to experience the magic of the Christmas Markets River Cruise with us for 2027.

After this date, it will be subject to availability, but expected to be incredibly limited, if any.

To Lock In Your Reservation, it is just a 10% deposit on the river cruise, which is non-refundable. Final payment is due July 2027.

Nuremberg, Germany To Vienna, Austria

7 Magical River Cruise Days

Immerse yourself in a real winter fairytale as you embark on a magical journey along the Danube. Visit the enchanting Christmas Market in Nuremberg and at Palais Thurn und Taxis. In the famous Wachau region, delight in the region's finest wines, warmed to perfection, as you toast to the joyous season at the mulled wine party on board.

Along the way, explore sleepy little towns that seem straight out of a storybook. Wander through quaint streets adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, and let the serene riverscapes captivate your senses.

Nuremberg - Embarkation from 4:00pm

Welcome to a wintery Nuremberg, home to the famous Nuremberg lebkuchen (gingerbread)! Your magical Advent journey to the most beautiful Christmas markets along the Danube starts here. After embarking, you have the opportunity to meet the cruise director at a Welcome Cocktail, and thereafter a generous Welcome Dinner awaits you in the Panorama Restaurant. Your ship remains anchored in Nuremberg overnight.

Stay in Nuremberg Over Night

Nuremberg

 Famous Christmas Market in Nuremberg

A morning sightseeing tour through a festively decorated Nuremberg takes you past all its main attractions. Don’t miss the trip to the famous Nuremberg Christmas market, where culinary specialties, artisan crafts and regional products are on offer.

At lunch time, you return to your ship, which heads towards Regensburg.

Stay Nuremberg

Departure at 1:00pm

Excursions

Nuremberg with visit to the Christmas Market

Regensburg

 Christmas Market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle

At breakfast time, you reach the Bavarian town of Regensburg, which boasts one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Germany. A guided city walking tour will show you the city’s most beautiful side, and in the afternoon a visit to the Thurn and Taxis Castle is guaranteed to put you in a festive mood. This is the site of one of the most beautiful Christmas markets of the region, which you should on no account miss. Alternatively, you can visit Weltenburg Abbey. Thereafter you will return to your AMADEUS ship, which leaves Regensburg after dinner.

Stay Regensburg

9:00am - 9:00pm

Excursions

Regensburg walking tour

Christmas Market Thurn & Taxis Palace

Passau

 Visit to St. Stephan Cathedral

In the morning you arrive in Passau, the romantic “City of Three Rivers”. After breakfast, we offer you a guided walking tour through this picturesque town where the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers meet.

After lunch, you can visit the festively decorated Christmas market in Passau, and thereafter your ship weighs anchor and sets sail for Austria.

Stay Passau

9:00am - 3:30pm

Excursions

Passau walking tour and organ concert in the Cathedral

Visit Christmas Market in Passau

Melk / Emmersdorf

Vienna

 Baroque Melk Abbey & Mulled Wine Party

When you awake, you can enjoy a wonderful view of one of the most beautiful landscape regions in Austria – the Wachau. Emmersdorf is the starting point for a trip through this wintery region, which will include a visit to Melk Abbey. Or visit the wine-growers village of Dürnstein as alternative. At the end of both tours, we invite you to a glühwein (mulled wine) party on board, while your vessel continue its journey to Vienna, which you will reach in the early evening. You can attend the concert “Sound of Vienna”, where the “Alt Wien” Salon Orchestra will entertain you with Viennese classics.

Stay Melk / Emmersdorf

8:00am - 12:30pm

Excursions

Melk Abbey - A Baroque Jewel

AMADEUS Experience: Mulled Wine Party on board

Stay Vienna

Arrival at 6:30pm

Excursions

"Sound of Vienna" classical concert (Cat. B)

Vienna

 Visit to Schönbrunn Palace and Christmas Market

Today will be devoted entirely to the magical, wintery Danube city of Vienna. Enjoy a city sightseeing trip from the comfort of a tour coach, which will take you to the most beautiful sights and elegant buildings in Vienna. After lunch, we recommend a visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, where an atmospheric Christmas market awaits you. Here, the pervasive pre-Christmas atmosphere and the aromas of lebkuchen (gingerbread) and roasted almonds combine in an unforgettable, authentic Advent experience. 

In the evening, an elegant Gala Dinner takes place on board, during which you can enjoy a wonderful Advent ambience.

Stay Vienna

Over Night

Excursions

Vienna - Imperial Discovery Tour

Visit to Schönbrunn Palace

Vienna

 Disembarkation after breakfast

After breakfast on board, you disembark and begin your homeward journey. We wish you a pleasant and safe journey, and a happy festive season! We hope to welcome you again soon!

Stay Vienna

Over Night

We reserve the right to make amendments to the timetable and program.