Viking Cruise’s Unforgettable Romantic Danube

The Romantic Danube Viking River Cruise we took was the week of the US Thanksgiving holiday. River cruising was new to us, and risk of upsetting the family, we decided to give this cruise a try (they were all very encouraging—phew!). It was not advertised as a Christmas Market cruise; however, there were several markets open or in the process of opening. What a treat! We didn’t know what to expect from a river cruise, and we were delighted! The small ship with less than 200 people was perfect. We met so many wonderful people, the staff were warm and friendly, and the experience was memorable.

Day One: Regensburg, Germany & embarkation

We spent a few days pre-cruise in Munich and boarded the train to Regensburg from there. Arrival to the port from the train station via taxi was easy and convenient. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived on the Viking Egil. After a smooth check-in, we dined on a scrumptious lunch on board. Viking includes one excursion per port in their fare, which is usually a local guide-led walking tour. It is immediately apparent that these guides are passionate about their city. Our included walking tour of Regensburg set off within a few hours of our arrival. This was a great introduction to the city and its history. The architecture was stunning. Regensburg is one of the few cities that sustained minimal damage during World War II. The nearly intact city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 2: Optional historic Nuremberg excursion & depart for Passau, Germany

We opted to take the historic Nuremberg excursion, and it did not disappoint. Our knowledgeable guide was a Nuremberg native and a journalist who provided incredible insight into the city and its history. The feeling of standing on the platform of the grounds on which Nazi rallies were staged was chilling. Our guide led us around the city, and we enjoyed a wonderful German lunch at what used to be a hospital. We had plenty of time to explore Nuremburg at our own pace.

Day 3: Passau, Germany

Passau is known as “City of Three Rivers” as the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz converge here. It is a charming little city that has experienced innumerable floods. We were disappointed that the organ at St. Stephen’s Cathedral was being renovated (scheduled to be completed in 2027) as this, in our opinion, is the highlight of the city. It is the largest church organ in the world, with 17,974 pipes and 233 registers. It will be a good excuse to return!

Day 4: Scenic sailing, Wachau Valley & Krems, Austria

On the way to Krems, we enjoyed sailing the Danube, floating by incredible castles, monasteries, and abundant wineries that dot the shoreline. Gottweig Abbey is a working monastery of over 900 years, where Benedictine monks work and worship. We selected this excursion for Krems. My favorite spot at the Abbey was the small chapel on the property that was decorated for the Christmas season. While the Abbey church is magnificent, this small chapel was incredibly peaceful and beautiful in its own right. Purchase a bottle of apricot wine in the gift shop to bring back to your stateroom!

Day 5: Vienna, Austria

We arrived in Vienna during the late afternoon. After dinner on the ship, we decided to venture into the city on our own. Vienna is a charming city, and we were pleasantly surprised to see that festive decorations were already hung, and a small Christmas market was open in the St. Stephen’s Cathedral square. The light displays, including hanging chandeliers and walls of lights, were magical, putting us in a festive mood. We couldn’t wait to see more during the day!

Day 6: Vienna, Austria

After enjoying the included guided tour of Vienna and lunch back on the ship, we were so excited to visit the Lipizzaner Stallions. This tour was sold out before we had a chance to book our excursions. When we arrived on ship and mentioned my disappointment to the cruise director, she said “leave it with me”. Every time we saw her, she provided an update. She was able to work with one of the sister ships in port and got us in! The Lipizzaners are special beasts with a heartwarming history. Although they were not performing, it was still a treat to see them (but don’t pet them, no matter how much they ask). Recommended reading: “The Perfect Horse” by Elizabeth Letts.

Heurigen Dinner: We really didn’t know what to expect but thought this excursion sounded fun. Because of the time of year, our dinner was served in the restaurant. We were entertained with live music, exceptional wines, and overflowing platters of food. Needless to say, the coach ride back to the ship was lively!

Day 7: Scenic sailing, Danube Bend & Budapest, Hungary

We sailed past rolling hills, ancient castles, and charming villages on our way to Budapest as our cruise director provided commentary about the region.

Budapest is as stunning as the pictures suggest. The Hungarian Parliament Building from the river is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Best of Budapest excursion was our favorite of the cruise! We explored the Buda side with our wonderful local guide. She started the tour by walking us to The Shoes on the Danube Bank, which was a sobering reminder of the past evil that was inflicted on innocent people. It took the phrase “put yourself in their shoes” to a whole different level. Other highlights were the Zwack factory and museum, where Unicum has been produced since 1840. Our tour guide taught us the traditional Hungarian toast (Egészségedre!)—which means “To your health”—and the proper way to execute it. We stopped at the Szamos Chocolate Museum for a tour and sampling of the best chocolate. For lunch, our guide took us to a local restaurant, where we devoured chicken paprikash and gnocchi. It was my favorite meal of the entire trip!

Day 8: Budapest, Hungary & debarkation

We were sorry to say goodbye to our home away from home. The disembarkation process and transfer to Budapest airport was smooth. We were able to continue to relax in the lounge while waiting for the transfer and say goodbye to our new friends!

My husband and I spent two days in Munich before the cruise, which we booked on our own. In hindsight, we realized that booking a pre-cruise extension with Viking would have ensured a smoother beginning to our trip. We made a costly error purchasing the train tickets to Munich from the airport. My husband didn’t understand the directions and unknowingly purchased a ticket for one adult only. We were fined €60 for the missing second adult ticket. Opt to pay the fine online if ever in this situation.

Our Viking River Cruise was an excellent first river cruise experience. Viking provides top-notch accommodation and service. It is a great option for multigenerational families with children over the age of 18, as well as couples and friend groups. The optional excursions provided enough variety to suit multiple interests. Each port included an excursion provided by true local guides, who were their authentic selves and patiently answered all our questions about their lives and culture.

Going through the locks is an experience that never gets old.

In Vienna, the ship does not dock directly within the city as the other port stops do. If you wish to wander Vienna on your own, you will need to take a 10-minute walk to the train station and then take the train to Stephansplatz. We didn’t expect to have to navigate public transportation into Vienna; however, it is very safe and manageable. Public transportation is only necessary if you want to venture around Vienna on your own. Transportation is included in excursions.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.