DESTINATION

Set out on our incredible cruise along one of Europe’s most romantic rivers to enjoy a week filled with amazing architecture and breathtaking scenery on this state-of-the-art ship. Our 9-day Budapest to Passau cruise takes you on a journey of discovery into “Old Europe,” uncovering ancient abbeys, beautiful palaces, historic landmarks and stunning vistas. Vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, such as Budapest and Vienna, also highlight your trip to iconic sights and bustling city streets.!

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Unpack only once and enjoy the scenery of the beautiful rivers from a spacious cabin. The Scenic Pearl provides relaxed elegance and comfort. Enjoy the daily tours, have afternoon coffee or tea in the lounge, or take a walk on the sun deck while experiencing all that the rivers offer. Gourmet meals & wine enhance your experience. After touring, enjoy the music of on onboard musician.

Included Features:

ALL-INCLUSIVE 5 STAR CRUISING LUXURY:

• Round-trip air transportation from the New York area (NYC). Other gateways available. Fuel surcharges and air taxes are included (valid at time of

printing).

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5 STAR LUXURY CRUISING:
- Transfers from airport to the riverboat and from riverboat to the airport, with luggage handling for one checked bag per person.
- Services of a professional cruise director throughout the program.
- Luxurious accommodations for seven nights on a Scenic “Space Ship” including port charges
- Applicable entrance fees, admission charges according to itinerary and whisper system on all excursions.
- Daily gourmet meals onboard: a rich buffet breakfast, a festive lunch buffet, tea & coffee throughout the day and a multi-course dinner with free complimentary selection of wines, draught beers during meals and at the bar.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet
- Private 5* butler service for all cabins
- Welcome drink upon arrival.
- Onboard entertainment
- Wellness center, massages services available (extra cost).
- Electronically-assisted bicycles

 

Included shore excursions:

- Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers, tours and guided 

excursions.
- Headsets during excursions
- Daily shore excursion program to Budapest, Szentendre, Bratislava, Vienna, Melk Abbey, Linz, Passau (as outlined and included in the itinerary) during the cruise with local English-speaking guides. 
- In Amsterdam, participate in a sightseeing canal cruise and an excursion to the seaside village of Volendam
- Guided tours of Bamberg, Würzberg, Miltenberg, Rüdesheim, Cologne and Amsterdam;

Optional post tour excursion:
•    Optional 2-night post-extension to Prague, including a full day guided city tour and all transfers.. 

 

ITINERARY (subject to change / approval from the cruise company)
 

Day 1: Tuesday October 26, 2021 - Depart the USA: Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

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Day 2: Wednesday October 27, 2021: Arrive Budapest. Welcome to Budapest, one of Eastern Europe's most ancient cites. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by a Jet Vacations representative and transferred* to your deluxe Scenic cruise ship in Budapest. Unpack, relax in your room and explore all of the ship’s fantastic facilities. This evening, you have a special invitation to join a Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner where you will meet other guests, crew and the captain, and acquaint yourself with life on the river. (D)

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Day 3: Thursday October 28, 2021: Budapest. Widely known as one of the continent’s most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, Budapest is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway – the second oldest railway in the world. Today, your private guided tour takes you past the Royal Palace of Buda –home to the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, the National Library, Lion Courtyard, Matthias Well, and the statue of the Turul Bird, the mythological bird of the Magyars. The tour then continues to Fisherman’s Bastion, situated on Castle Hill, where you can admire the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city, before moving on to see Matthias Church and the iconic Chain Bridge. As one of Budapest’s most symbolic landmarks, the Chain Bridge, designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark, links Buda and Pest, and was considered one of the world’s engineering marvels at the time of construction. Lunch onboard. In the afternoon, join a tour to Szentendre or you may remain onboard to explore beautiful Budapest. Travel by coach to Szentendre, the small baroque town located at the gateway to the famous Danube Bend. Built on medieval ruins, Szentendre is considered to be an Artists’ Village or Painters’ Town. On arrival, set out on a guided stroll around the historical center and admire the cobblestoned streets, and baroque houses and churches. Stop to try some “langos” (fried Hungarian flat bread), and after your tour, enjoy free time to visit some of Szentendre’s many museums. Free time to explore the famous Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum or the Confectionery Museum, with its marzipan figurines, or opt to go shopping for some typical Hungarian souvenirs. Back on the ship in time for dinner onboard. Tonight, get a glimpse of Budapest’s night lights and illuminated bridges from the top deck as you sail towards Bratislava. Overnight on board. (B, L, D).

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Day 4: Friday October 29, 2021: Bratislava - Vienna. Spend the whole morning sailing and relaxing, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard your deluxe cruise ship before arriving in Bratislava early afternoon. In the afternoon, set out on a guided tour of the old town of Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic. Highlights will include the including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. Here, you will also find Bratislava’s Town Hall, a complex of three buildings erected in the 14th and 15th centuries, Michael’s Gate, one of the oldest of the town’s structures, and nearby, the narrowest house in Europe. Enjoy dinner onboard the ship and spend more free time exploring Bratislava by night on your own. Later-on in the night, the ship will sail the Danube in route to Vienna. (B, L, D)

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Day 5: Saturday October 30, 2021: Vienna. Awake gliding the waters of the blue Danube and arrive early afternoon in beautiful Vienna. Austria’s vibrant city and a fantastic fusion of old and new. Known as ‘The City of Music’ because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also regarded as ‘The City of Dreams’ as it was home to Sigmund Freud, the world’s first psychoanalyst. After lunch onboard, we take you on an icon-filled coach panoramic tour along the Ringstrasse where you will see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Town Hall. Enjoy a visit of a former home of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hofburg Palace (also known as Vienna Imperial Palace). Dating back to the 13th century, the Hofburg Palace is today the seat of the Austrian president. It houses the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection, all of which you can visit. Admire the ceremonial rooms and residential apartments used by Francis Joseph and Sisi, and discover what life was like at the Vienna Court. Then at the Imperial Silver Collection, be wowed by the impressive array of silver dinnerware that belonged to the imperial family. Dinner onboard. SPECIAL CRUISE FEATURE: This evening, enjoy a Viennese classical concert performance consisting of Opera, dance, and beautiful classical music at the renowned Schönbrunn Palace. The ship will sail later on in the evening. (B, L, D)

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Day 6: Sunday October 31, 2021: Dürnstein – Melk Abbey. In the morning, arrive in Dürnstein, where you will have time to explore this lovely town on your own. You will marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Above town you'll spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Afterwards, you will return to the ship for lunch and sail through the great Wachau Valley towards Melk Abbey, the famous 900-year old Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries, located above the town on a splendid rocky outcrop, overlooking where the Danube joins the picturesque Wachau Valley. Melk Abbey boasts the finest Italian architecture, elaborate gold leaf walls, a 640- foot Imperial Corridor and fabulous fresco ceilings. SPECIAL CRUISE FEATURE: a guided tour of Melk Abbey including an organ concert. Return to the ship and evening sailing to Linz. (B, L, D)

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Day 7: Monday November 01, 2021: Linz - Passau. Wake up in Linz, home of the famous “Linzer tort”. This morning, visit Linz and the surrounding area. Linz features the largest church in Austria is the Linz Mariendom, which is also called "New Cathedral" church is an integral part of the Linz cityscape, an architectural masterpiece! Onto the Linz Castle, located on a hill above the old town of Linz directly on the Danube which offers a beautiful view of the old town of Linz. Then make your way to the Sankt Florian Abbey is one of the largest and best-known Baroque monasteries in Austria. The magnificent, almost intact preserved baroque buildings with the abbey basilica are simply worth seeing! After lunch, enjoy the rest of the day and evening cruising the Danube towards Passau. Dinner onboard. (B, L, D)

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Day 8: Tuesday November 02, 2021: Passau. Breakfast onboard your ship in Passau, then disembark for a guided city tour which takes you on an in-depth exploration of this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and llz, Passau is known worldwide as "The Three Rivers City". On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys before emerging to find the perfect view of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress. Originally designed to serve the Bishop of Passau in 1219, it is today home to a fascinating museum, restaurant and open-air theatre. Lunch onboard. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Passau. This evening, you have a special invitation to attend the Captain’s Gala Dinner, where you will join your fellow guests. (B, L, D)

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Day 9: Wednesday November 03, 2021 - Departure day:  Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking. Coach transfer back to Munich airport for your flight home. (B) End of our services.

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​END OF SERVICES

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2 NIGHT POST PRAGUE EXTENSION

Day 9: Wednesday November 03, 2021: Passau – Prague: After breakfast, transfer by deluxe coach to your hotel in Prague. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Prague. (B)

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Day 10: Thursday November 04, 2021: Prague: Breakfast – Full-day tour of Prague. Stroll to Wenceslas Square – one of Europe’s most famous public spaces. Hear how this bustling avenue has presided over key moments in Czech history, including the protests of the 1968 Prague Spring and 1989 Velvet Revolution. Explore the colorful stalls at the Havelska Market and trace the narrow, cobbled passages of the Old Town, passing graceful Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings. Arrive into Old Town Square and snap pictures of the Astronomical Clock, the world’s oldest, still functional astronomical clock. Then follow your guide into the Jewish Quarter as you learn about Prague’s rich Jewish history. The city was one of a handful in Europe to keep its synagogues during World War II, and several still stand resplendent along the elegant streets. Walk onto Charles Bridge, the oldest most iconic bridge in Prague founded by the Emperor Charles IV. Next, ride a public tram up the hill to Prague Castle, the world’s largest ancient castle complex. Packed with palaces, churches and squares, the UNESCO-listed castle takes a day to explore fully, so your tour concentrates on its showpiece — St Vitus Cathedral. Marvel at the soaring Gothic church inside and out, and hear how it served as the coronation site for Czech monarchs until 1836. (B)

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Day 11: Friday November 05, 2021: Departure day: After breakfast, pick up at your hotel in Prague and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US. (B). End of our services.

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Notes: Onboard currency is the Euro. The ship’s captain reserves the right to modify the cruising itinerary to ensure the safe navigation of the vessel.  This cruise is dependent on the sea and tides and arrival, departure and stop over times may be adjusted accordingly.  All taxes and fuel surcharges are included and correct at the time of printing, but subject to change. The price does not include beverages except the ones mentioned above, shore excursions that might be offered in addition to our daily included shore excursion program, gratuities/tips for guides/drivers and onboard staff such as maids, waiters, and maitre d’, wellness/spa center, airline luggage overage fees, passports fees, visas as well as items of a personal nature.

 

PRICING:
*Price is in US$, per person based on double occupancy, in your choice of cabins (Email us for pricing), chartering the vessel with a minimum of 100 passengers on board.  Single supplement is an additional 50% of the double occupancy price. Flights are not included and available from all U.S Gateways.