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Day by Day Summary and Map
Cruise Segment of Itinerary
Sunday - Dec 21, 2025
Day 1
Vienna, Austria
Cruise begins: 2 PM, Vienna, Austria. A transfer is included from Vienna International Airport or Vienna's Main Train Station to your riverboat, all decked out for the holidays! Guests who enjoy a pre-cruise stay in Vienna will receive a transfer from Tauck's hotel to the riverboat. Join a sightseeing tour, taking in the elegant boulevards, palaces, museums, opera house, and other impressive buildings built during the days when Vienna was the home of emperors who ruled much of Europe. The catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral have nothing to do with combing cats. They're the spooky underground cemetery that you'll visit today, too. This evening onboard ship, enjoy your captain's fun welcome reception followed by dinner. Then you're off to one of Vienna's most enchanting holiday markets, glittering with lights and sparkling with treats! ... Read More
Monday - Dec 22, 2025
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary
Disembark your riverboat for a tour of one of Europe's most architecturally stunning cities. Budapest was once two separate cities divided by the Danube, Buda and Pest, now linked by the majestic Chain Bridge. Your family will go on a walking tour through the castle district and take in the amazing views from Fisherman's Bastion. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, monumental Heroes' Square, and City Park. When you reboard your riverboat, your Tauck directors and cruise director have fun activities planned for your family to share! Set sail for Bratislava. ... Read More
Tuesday - Dec 23, 2025
Day 3
Bratislava, Slovakia
Your riverboat arrives this morning in Slovakia's capital city, Bratislava. Head to Old Town to try your hand at some medieval games and enjoy an interactive walking tour in this car-free historic center with a scavenger hunt. Your afternoon is free. This evening onboard your riverboat, Slovak performers entertain your family with a taste of local culture. ... Read More
Wednesday - Dec 24, 2025
Day 4
Vienna, Austria
This morning, enjoy a firsthand look at the Habsburg emperors' home life during your guided visit at Schonbrunn Palace, once their magnificent summer residence, boasting 1,441 rooms and exquisite gardens. This afternoon is free for exploring Vienna as you please; shuttles between your riverboat and central Vienna run throughout the afternoon. Then, it's time to dress up for a Tauck Exclusive evening at Palais Pallavicini, one of Vienna's few private palaces, where you'll enjoy a champagne (or juice) reception, dinner, a performance, and a waltzing lesson for a wonderful night of family fun. ... Read More
Thursday - Dec 25, 2025
Day 5
Krems, Austria
Bus Travel
Melk, Austria
Bus Travel
Durnstein, Austria
Your riverboat sails through scenic Wachau Valley wine country before docking in Krems. Disembark for your choice of excursions. One possibility is to visit Melk Abbey, a sprawling Baroque edifice high on a hill overlooking the Danube. Softly golden in the winter light, Melk Abbey is filled with centuries of treasures. It's been a beacon of learning for generations and is still home to a secondary school today. On a guided tour, your family will love imagining going to school in these magnificent surroundings. According to the abbey's Christmas legend, the Virgin Mary and the Christ child made a miraculous visit to the abbey, where a young novice juggled oranges and entertained the infant so much that he clapped for joy and Mary gave the baby to the priest-in-training to hold. Your family's other choice is a walking tour in the charming riverside Old Town of Krems, set against a striking backdrop of terraced vineyards. This evening, warm up for your visit to Salzburg tomorrow with The Sound of Music karaoke. ... Read More
Friday - Dec 26, 2025
Day 6
Linz, Germany
Bus Travel
Salzburg, Austria
Bus Travel
Oberndorf, Germany
Bus Travel
Linz, Germany
Wake up early for your full-day excursion to Oberndorf and Salzburg. Mozart was born in Salzburg, and his family home is still there. The Sound of Music was set in Salzburg, and you might recognize a few locations from the movie. Have lunch at a local restaurant, and then you're off on a choice of afternoon excursions. One choice will have your family discovering the story behind one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols in Oberndorf, the town where "Silent Night" was born in 1818, and hear some stirring music. Alternatively, enjoy some additional free time in Salzburg to explore as you please. Reboard your riverboat, and cruise to Passau. ... Read More
Saturday - Dec 27, 2025
Day 7
Passau, Germany
Dock in Passau, a picturesque city of narrow lanes, archways, and squares set on three rivers. You have a choice of activities. One is a walking tour of Old Town and a visit to a local cafe for a traditional sweets workshop. The family that owns the cafe has been making treats for the residents of Passau for four generations - and today they'll share some tips with your family. Another choice is to discover Old Town as you play a geocaching game with a local guide. Or go on a guided hike with a holiday theme and interactive storytelling. Back onboard your riverboat, join your captain for his farewell reception followed by dinner. Sail for Vilshofen. ... Read More
Sunday - Dec 28, 2025
Day 8
Vilshofen, Germany
Cruise Ends
Land Segment of Itinerary
Day 8 - Sunday - Dec 28, 2025
Day 8
Bus Travel
Munich, Germany
Your family holiday river cruise ends in Vilshofen. A transfer is included from your riverboat to Munich International Airport. Fly home anytime. Travel time to Munich is two hours, so flights should be booked with that in mind. Families enjoying a post-cruise stay at Tauck's hotel in Munich, Bayerischer Hof, will receive transfers from the riverboat to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport after their post-cruise stay. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport. ... Read More
Cruise and Land Value Offers that combine with this sailing.
Pricing Terms and Conditions
Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruise-only without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in U.S. dollars. Ponant Cruises rates are based on foreign currencies that are converted to USD based on today's exchange rates. Rates are subject to availability, can vary by ship and sailing date, and for new bookings only. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change without notice. Port charges are included. Prices do not include additional service charges; Travel Insurance; and applicable government taxes & fees unless otherwise specified in the offer. Surcharges and fees implemented by a travel supplier, even after the reservation is made, will be the sole responsibility of each traveler and is due and payable in full prior to departure. Certain promotions which may include amenities like shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities, drink packages or other packages may be available by category, room type or fare code and may not be combinable with other promotions. For any questions, please consult one of our cruise specialists for applicability and verification. All prices, inclusions & promotions listed on the web-site are current at the time they we published and are subject to change without advance notice. Arrivia, Inc., its subsidiaries, and partners are not responsible for last minute changes to price or itinerary by cruise lines, or for any errors or omissions in the content of this website.