What Travel Advisors Need to Know about Danube River Cruising

The Danube is one of the two most popular rivers in Europe for river cruising (tied with the Rhine). Its famous for its rich blend of pre-war Hapsburg and World War II history, its many connections to classical music, and its splendid Baroque art and architecture.

Originating in the Black Forest of Germany, the river flows eastward passing through nearly 10 countries on its way to emptying out into the Black Sea, near the Danube Delta in Romania.

Along the way, “travelers experience a blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy,” explains Charlotte Goldstein, VTA, owner of Charlotte’s Web of Travel and a river cruise expert.

The two marquis ports on the Danube are Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria – which Goldstein said is her favorite port on the river for its classical music legacy and the Baroque art and architecture that “sets it apart from more Gothic-influenced cities.”

Upper Danube vs Lower Danube River Cruising

The second longest river in Europe (after the Volga), the 1,770-mile Danube River is divided into two halves for the purposes of river cruising: the Upper Portion and the Lower Portion.

Upper Danube

The Upper Portion is where most Danube River itineraries are located, with stops in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. This is where you’ll find Budapest and Vienna, making the Upper Danube an easier sell to clients.

Other common ports of call on the Upper Danube are Vilshofen, a town in Germany that often serves as an embarkation port; Linz, Austria, which serves as the gateway for visits to Salzburg; Nuremberg, Germany with is strong World War II connections; Bratislava, Slovenia, which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary for two centuries; and the scenic Wachau Valley in Austria.

“For first-time river cruisers in Europe, I typically recommend the Upper Danube,” Goldstein said. “It offers a well-rounded introduction to the region’s cultural and historical highlights.”

Lower Danube

There are far fewer itineraries on the Lower Portion. These can include stops in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.  For instance, while AmaWaterways offers five itineraries that sail the Upper Danube, it offers only one on the Lower Danube.

Highlights of Lower Danube sailings are the Daunbe Delta, Europe’s largest natural wetland and a haven for birds; and the Iron Gates gorge, a scenic part of the river that separates Serbia and Romania.

Danube River Planning Notes

When planning a river cruise for your clients there are a few things to know. First, the vast majority of Danube River cruises are seven days. These can be combined, but there will typically be some repetition of ports.

Some cruise lines offer longer cruises that either travel the entire length of the Danube, visit more ports over more days, or combine the Danube with another river.

The Danube River’s High Season

High season on the Danube is mid-June to early September and then again in November/December for the Christmas Markets season. This when the ships will be at their most full, and its these sailings that clients will want to book further out.

High/Low Water Risks

The same way that ocean cruises can be impacted by bad weather, river cruises can be affected by high or low water, which can make it impossible for ships to sail. Too low and a river ship is at risk of grounding. Too high and the ships can get under bridges.

While both high and low water can occur at any time, Danube River cruises are most at risk for high water in the spring, generally from March to May. They’re most at risk for low water in the late summer and into early fall, generally from July to September. 

If your clients are thinking of sailing during these times, it is important to explain to them the risks and what each cruise line might do should a low- or high-water event occur.

Which Cruise Lines Offer Danube River Cruises?

All river cruise lines that operate in Europe offer Danube River cruises. That includes AmaWaterways, AMADEUS, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, Viking, VIVA, and the soon-to-launch Celebrity and Trafalgar river cruise lines.

Regardless of cruise line, the vast majority of ships are identical in terms of length and width, with the exception being two double wide ships – the AmaMagna and the Riverside Mozart. (AmaWaterways has another double wide ship – the AmaRudi – on order for 2027.)

The key differences between Danube River cruise ships and lines are their passenger capacity, décor, onboard amenities, and fare inclusions.

For instance, the Viking ships, like Viking Tor, have the highest capacity, holding 190 passengers, while Uniworld’s S.S. Beatrice holds only up to 152. Most river cruise ships sailing the Danube hold somewhere between these numbers with most holding between 156 and 166. (Doublewide ships can accommodate significantly more passengers.)

Find out What Each River Cruise Line Includes.

Compare Cabins on Each Major River Cruise Line.