Imperial Danube River Cruise: 7-Night Passau Round-Trip

It is a 7-night round-trip Danube cruise from Passau aboard the MS Fidelio. It sails from Bavaria through Austria to Hungary and back. Meals, guided shore excursions and an English-speaking cruise manager are included, and fares are per person in US dollars.

From Passau the ship calls at Durnstein in the Wachau Valley, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Melk before returning to Passau. You see three capital cities (Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava) in one week, plus the scenery of the Wachau.

Boarding is at the Lindau quay in Passau, starting at 4:00 PM on Day 1. After you settle in, there is a welcome gathering with fellow travellers, followed by dinner and your first night on board.

The ship reaches Durnstein around midday on Day 2. It is a medieval village in the Wachau Valley, and a short walk through the town gates brings you to Pranger Square, with views of the castle ruins where King Richard the Lionheart is traditionally said to have been held prisoner. In the afternoon the ship cruises through the Wachau's scenic landscapes.

On Day 3 a guided sightseeing tour of Vienna takes in the State Opera, City Hall, Parliament, the Burgtheater and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, and late in the evening the ship sails overnight towards Budapest.

The ship reaches Budapest early in the afternoon of Day 4. The Hungarian capital is split by the Danube into historic Buda and Pest, and its riverfront is one of the most striking in Europe. Guided shore excursions are included as set out in the itinerary.

Passau is known as the City of Three Rivers, because the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet there. It is a compact Bavarian old town close to the Austrian border, and because this is a round trip you start and finish in the same place, which keeps travel planning simple.

There are three categories. Category C is on the Lower Deck with a fixed window, Category B is on the Middle Deck with a panorama window, and Category A is on the Upper Deck with a French balcony. All staterooms have a private bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning and river views.

The lead fare is for Category C. Category B adds about US$350 per person, and Category A about US$750 per person. The exact fare for each category and departure is shown on this page.

Fares start from about US$2,249 per person sharing, in Category C. Port and tourist taxes and a fuel surcharge are added on top. The exact fare for each departure is shown on this page.

A single supplement of 50% of the per-person rate applies in Categories C and B, and 75% in Category A. Single fares start from about US$3,374 in Category C, and the exact single price for your date is shown on this page.

The fare includes your cabin, and full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) throughout. It also covers welcome and captain's events, guided shore excursions as listed in the itinerary (such as the Vienna city tour), an English-speaking cruise manager, onboard entertainment, port charges, and Wi-Fi where available.

International flights, travel insurance, gratuities and personal expenses are not included. Drinks outside the included selection and optional excursions are also extra. Port and tourist taxes of US$95 per person and a fuel surcharge of US$65 per person are added to the fare.

Departures currently on sale run from 29 March 2027 to 25 October 2027, covering spring, summer and autumn on the Danube. Live dates and fares are in the departure list on this page.

Flights are not included. Passau does not have its own major airport, so most travellers fly into a nearby hub such as Munich and continue by train or transfer. Because boarding opens at 4:00 PM on Day 1, arriving the day before is a good idea. Ask us if you need help with timing.

A 25% deposit secures your cabin, and the balance is due 65 days before departure. Port and tourist taxes and the fuel surcharge are included in your invoice.

Children are booked in two age bands, based on age at departure: under 5, and from 5 up to (but not including) 12. Child fares are confirmed on request, so tell us the ages and your preferred sailing and we will quote.

Melk is one of the ports of call on this cruise. The town is known for its vast Baroque Benedictine abbey, which sits high above the Danube at the western end of the Wachau Valley. The page's itinerary shows what is included there on your sailing.

Yes. An English-speaking cruise manager sails with the ship, and the included guided shore excursions are offered in English. Optional excursions can be added at extra cost.

You can email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610. A travel specialist or our AI assistant will reply. You can also book any date in the departure list on this page directly: pick your sailing and cabin category and reserve online.