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Uniworld

Danube Holiday Markets (2025)

Everyday Price From

£2,999

8 days

No Countries

Overview

Budapest has celebrated Christmas for a thousand years, since the reign of St. Stephen, the king who founded Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm. As you ramble through the Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Square, admiring the handmade porcelain, stop to watch as kürtos kalács (a pastry) is baked on rods over an open fire and then coated with sugar before it’s handed to you. In Bratislava, where a lively young art scene is revitalizing the compact city core, stalls abound with traditional Slovakian Christmas items such as medovníky (spiced ginger cookies) and šúpolie (figurines made from corn husks). Experience Uniworld’s exclusive “Taste of Christmas” program in the heart of Vienna during the day. Glorious baroque architecture, delightful concerts and ravishing scenery will make this Christmas season unforgettable as you sail through the holidays on the Danube. Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Locations Visited

Passau, Linz, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest

Countries Visited

Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany

Travel Style

All Inclusive, Luxury Cruise

Accommodations

7 nights included

Danube Holiday Markets (2025)

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Budapest (Embark)

Arrive at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

  • Meals

    Dinner

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. You’ll get a taste of this dynamic capital city with your choice of tours, and visit Budapest’s celebrated Christmas Market—one of the largest in Europe. Christmas has been celebrated in Budapest for a thousand years, since the time of St. Stephen, the king who founded the nation of Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm, but the city began as a Roman encampment almost a millennium before that. Over the centuries it was controlled by Germans, Austrians, Ottomans, and Communists, all of whom have left traces.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Welcome Dinner

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. You’ll learn more about Bratislava’s past from a local expert and also visit the local Christmas Market—a relatively new (and thoroughly delightful) tradition for Slovakians. How do you say “Merry Christmas” in Slovak? “Veselé Vianoce!” The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. The city straddles the mighty Danube and has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries. Unlike cities with venerable Christmas Markets, Bratislava just established its first holiday market in 1993. But the Slovakians have quickly embraced the seasonal traditions of their Austrian and Hungarian neighbors—and you’ll get to embrace them as well.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Renowned for its art and architecture, its classical music, its decadent pastries, and its lengthy list of famous former residents, the refined city of Vienna is a cultural treasure trove. Experience the city with your choice of tours, as well as something extra special—VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Enjoy a handful of delightful excursions that inspire the holiday spirit in this beautiful millennium-old town and surrounding valley—both of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

You’ll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck today as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian Mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful; UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape. Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the riverbanks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and vineyards and apricot orchards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced from grapes grown on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes were first planted 2,000 years ago.

Your ship docks at Linz, a modern yet historic city that extends across the shimmering waters of the Danube. From there, you’ll head to Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, which is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland this time of year. Fans of “The Sound of Music” may recognize locations from the Oscar-winning film in the city’s Old Town, the site of the grand cathedral and absolutely enchanting Christmas Market.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one—three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town with a guided stroll, then visit the local Christmas Market on the square in front of the cathedral. You’ll find a lot to enjoy here—from miniature houses and blown-glass ornaments to spun-sugar confections—in more than 70 stalls.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Farewell Dinner

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.

Disembark the ship in Passau. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Munich Airport for your flight home.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Continental Breakfast

Enhance your holiday season cruise with a 4-day stay in the winter wonderland of Kitzbühel. A popular resort town in the Tyrolean Alps, Kitzbühel is everything you want it to be: snowy, blissful, and full of boutique shopping and tasty bites. It even has its own charming Christmas market!

Featured Excursions do not require booking. Excursions that are listed as "Choose between..." must be booked onboard however there is no additional cost. Please refer to the excursion details below to view purchasing options for our Masterpiece Collection excursions where applicable. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

What's Included

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  • Dining

    • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
    • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
    • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
    • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
    • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
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  • Excursions

    • 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
    • Guided “Taste of Christmas” program
    • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
    • Use of Nordic walking sticks
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  • Accommodations

    • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stately S.S. Maria Theresa or the elegant River Princess
    • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
    • Free Wi-Fi
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  • Experiences

    • 4 countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
    • 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
    • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
    • Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
    • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
    • Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment

Extensions

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Winter in Kitzbühel Post-Cruise Extension

Enhance your holiday season cruise with a 4-day stay in the winter wonderland of Kitzbühel. A popular resort town in the Tyrolean Alps, Kitzbühel is everything you want it to be: snowy, blissful, and full of boutique shopping and tasty bites. It even has its own charming Christmas market!

Included in Your Stay:

  • 3 nights at the Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel (or similar)
  • Breakfast daily
  • All service charges, taxes, and porterage
  • Austrian Specialties Tour
  • Kitzbühel Christmas Market
  • English-speaking expert
  • Transfers throughout the extension are included

Extension availability may vary based on departure dates. Please check with our Reservations team for details. See our Terms & Conditions for additional considerations.

See Day to Day Itinerary Price: From £1,899

Ship Details

Suite
  • Lavishly appointed riverview suite (214 sq ft - 20 sq m) with a French balcony
  • Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment center and satellite
  • Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, backlit magnifying mirror & heated mirror, comfortable bathrobes and slippers
  • Additional amenities and services include in-suite butler service, packing and unpacking assistance, in-room breakfast, daily fruit and cookie plate and an elegant evening snack, Nespresso coffee machine and fine teas, fully stocked mini bar, bottle of wine upon request, shoeshine, and free laundry service

Note: In Suites 410 and 411, the bed frame cannot be separated.

River Princess

Dates & Prices

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Terms & Conditions

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy, is valid for select stateroom categories only.

Click on Terms and Conditions for details.

†The exact amount of the Costco Member Benefit will be calculated during the booking process.