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Uniworld

Ultimate European Journey (2026)

Everyday Price From

£8,594

£9,549

24 days

No Countries

Overview

Prepare for the cruise of a lifetime as you travel the length of Europe through eight nations, exploring wonders of the Old World and the New, the East and the West. Sail the romantic Rhine, the serene Main and the captivating Danube, witnessing dazzling natural beauty and incomparable architectural feats. Visit no fewer than five capital cities (Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest) and a dozen towns and villages, with time to explore each. Enjoy numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the castle-dotted Upper Middle Rhine Valley and the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. From Amsterdam to Bucharest, you’ll visit the best of Europe with its spectacular architecture and stunning history on this truly remarkable journey. Ultimate European Journey is a combination of Highlights of Eastern Europe and European Jewels.

Locations Visited

Bucharest, Ruse, Vidin, Golubac, Belgrade, Vukovar, Budapest, Vienna, Weissenkirchen, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Rüdesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam

Countries Visited

Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania

Travel Style

Cruise, All Inclusive

Accommodations

23 nights included

Ultimate European Journey (2026)

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Amsterdam (Embark)

Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. 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

Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Welcome Dinner

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Featured Excursions:

Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine this morning as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley. Later, experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region from the Rüdesheim mini-train, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. Like many cities along the Rhine, Rüdesheim has a lengthy history that stretches back to Roman times. These days, the town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse and its impressive Niederwald Monument.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Vibrant Frankfurt, often referred to as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, boasts world-class museums, soaring skyscrapers, cozy wine taverns and lovely parks. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that instead.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Step into a fairytale version of the Middle Ages in Rothenburg and visit a medieval castle that’s been described as a miniature Versailles. Spend a relaxing day onboard as your ship wends its way along the Main River between Würzburg and Bamberg. It’s something of a truism to say that this route takes you from wine to beer, and you’ll see the transition as you sail past the vineyard-covered slopes around Würzburg toward Bavaria’s famous beer-brewing center, Bamberg. Along the way, you’ll pass delightful little villages and romantic castle ruins, drift under lovely old bridges, and have plenty of time to observe the fascinating variety of vessels plying the river, from heavily loaded barges to jaunty little pleasure craft.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Dinner

Featured Excursions:

Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

You’ll spend the rest of the day on the peaceful Main River, cruising past quiet Franconian hamlets and picturesque countryside. It’s the perfect time to indulge in the many comforts of your luxury ship while watching some of Europe’s loveliest scenery glide by.

Head up to the top deck or find a seat with a good view—you won’t want to miss seeing the ship navigate its way through a marvel of modern engineering, the Main-Danube Canal. A formidable set of locks, 16 in all, lifts your ship to the crest of the European “continental divide.” Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches, and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history. You’ll choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. You can join a tour of a secret Nazi art bunker hidden underground, or you can accompany a local expert to the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Bavaria’s first capital, Regensburg, owes its impressive historical lineage and rich architectural heritage to 600 years as a Free Imperial City, a fact recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Today, you’ll discover how the beautifully preserved medieval city coexists with a vibrant modern urban center.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn, and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Embark on a tour of the city's imperial highlights and a visit to Hofburg Palace or a visit to an interactive multimedia experience featuring the work of Mozart.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Farewell Dinner

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city’s most important landmarks.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Enjoy a day of leisure exploring beautiful and historic Budapest.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Continental Breakfast

    Dinner

Featured Excursions:

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Welcome Dinner

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience onboard today, during which a local speaker will present an engaging lecture on the history of the Roma people in Hungary, accompanied by a vibrant musical performance. In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Underground Budapest

Head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars, and Turks.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

Unwind onboard as you cruise the breathtaking Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long (134-kilometer-long) stretch of scenic gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains over eons by the Danube River. These gorges, which act as a natural border between Serbia and Romania, are among the most dramatic and beautiful sights in all of Europe. This was one of the swiftest and most dangerous stretches of the river before two dams were built: Iron Gate I and Iron Gate II. Construction on the dams began in 1964 and took 20 years to complete; they have dramatically altered the area’s landscape, raising the water level by 114 feet (35 meters) and drowning several islands and villages.

Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It’s your base for an unusual excursion today—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can indulge in a tasting at a local winery.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Lunch

    Dinner

This morning, you’ll disembark the ship in Giurgiu and drive through the countryside to Bucharest, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour and a visit to People’s Palace. Tonight, you’ll relax in the comfort of a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, Romania’s capital and its cultural and economic center.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

Get to know the bustling heart of Romania's capital city with a full day to explore Bucharest on your own.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

Check out of your hotel this morning. If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport for your flight home.

  • Meals

    Breakfast Buffet

    Continental Breakfast

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

  • What's Included image

  • Dining

    • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
    • 24 breakfasts, 19 lunches, 22 dinners
    • 2 Captain's Welcome and 2 Captain's Farewell Receptions
    • 2 Welcome and 2 Farewell Gala Dinners
    • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
  • What's Included image

  • Excursions

    • 21 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English speaking local experts
    • Guided “Let's Go” and “Village Day” programs
    • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
    • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
  • What's Included image

  • Accommodations

    • 21-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the imperial S.S. Beatrice or stunning River Duchess
    • 2 nights in Bucharest at The Marmorosch Bucharest hotel (or similar) with breakfast
    • 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
  • What's Included image

  • Experiences

    • 8 countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, the Netherlands
    • 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites
    • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
    • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
    • Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment

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
River Duchess

Dates & Prices

Results: 7 / 7
Start Date  /  End Date
10 May, 2026 03 Jun, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
empty
empty
Deluxe £11,549 £10,971
Classic £10,349 £9,831
Cruise Itinerary:
Amsterdam to Bucharest
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
29 May, 2026 22 Jun, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
empty
empty
Deluxe £11,549 £10,394
Classic £10,349 £9,314
Cruise Itinerary:
Bucharest to Amsterdam
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
21 Jun, 2026 15 Jul, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
empty
French Balcony £12,749 £11,474
Deluxe £11,149 £10,034
Classic £9,949 £8,954
Cruise Itinerary:
Amsterdam to Bucharest
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
10 Jul, 2026 03 Aug, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
Suite £17,449 £15,704
French Balcony £12,449 £11,204
Deluxe £10,849 £9,764
Classic £9,549 £8,594
Cruise Itinerary:
Bucharest to Amsterdam
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
02 Aug, 2026 26 Aug, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
Suite £17,449 £15,704
empty
Deluxe £10,849 £9,764
empty
Cruise Itinerary:
Amsterdam to Bucharest
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
21 Aug, 2026 14 Sep, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
Suite £16,510 £14,859
French Balcony £11,510 £10,359
Deluxe £9,910 £8,919
empty
Cruise Itinerary:
Bucharest to Amsterdam
Ship(s):
River Duchess
Start Date  /  End Date
28 Aug, 2026 21 Sep, 2026
 
Flights Included
Current Deals:
2026 Early Booking Savings
Flights Included
2026 River Heritage Club Savings
Click to see more
empty
empty
Suite £20,049 £18,044
Deluxe French Balcony £14,049 £12,644
French Balcony £12,849 £11,564
empty
Cruise Itinerary:
Bucharest to Amsterdam
Ship(s):
S.S. Beatrice

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.