AmaBella, Christmas Markets on the Danube ex Budapest to Vilshofen

7 Night Cruise sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen aboard AmaBella.

Day 1 EMBARKATION – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)

Day 2 BUDAPEST
Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B,L,D)

Day 3 BRATISLAVA – VIENNA
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Enjoy a free evening to explore Vienna on your own. (B,L,D)

Day 4 VIENNA
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, visit the market at Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. Cap the day off with “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Rathaus Christmas Market, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

Day 5 WEISSENKIRCHEN – WACHAU VALLEY – MELK
After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then taste some of the village’s distinctive wines. Or visit a local boutique to taste Durnstein’s special apricot treats, such as jams and chocolates. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. For those not biking to Melk, you’ll sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Melk. Once in Melk, you’ll visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey. (B,L,D)

Day 6 LINZ
Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube River. Or go on a full-day visit to Salzburg where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. During the afternoon, for those not going on the full-day Salzburg excursion, visit the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky Krumlov. (B,L,D)

Day 7 PASSAU
During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. (B,L,D)

Day 8 VILSHOFEN – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Vilshofen as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

The MS AmaBella offers the ultimate in custom-designed luxury. This 161-passenger vessel features a combination of amenities and design details never before seen on the great waterways of Europe. Featuring an impressive range of stateroom categories, dining options and public lounges, MS Amabella will transport you on the river cruise of a lifetime.

Their Story Proudly celebrating more than 21 years on the river, family-owned and operated AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by three families; however, their river cruise story began well before that. Co-Founder and President Rudi Schreiner was born in Vienna, at the heart of the Danube. His love of design drew him to architecture, but his even greater love of travel drew him to places far and wide. In 1975, he travelled to South America for a journalism assignment on the Amazon. It was here he designed his first ship, using what he could find to build a raft that would take him up and down the river during the next 7 months. Soon thereafter, he started working in travel, creating unique tour experiences in Europe.

A Turning Point Rudi started the North American operations for many of today’s major river cruise companies, developing itineraries and ships that would become the templates for what we know river cruising to be today. After years of success as a driving force in the industry, Rudi decided to start his own venture — one that would provide guests with a higher standard of luxury travel by river. That’s when he teamed up with Co-Owners and Co-Founders Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy to start AmaWaterways.

In 2016, Rudi was inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame and was honoured with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of devotion to the river cruising industry.

A Team of Pioneers Kristin was born in Germany and brings extensive experience in travel, river cruising and customer service to the company in her role as Executive Vice President. Jimmy Murphy was a brilliant travel entrepreneur, having built Brendan Vacations, one of the most successful tour operators in the U.S. Jimmy’s son, Gary, who also played a major part at Brendan, took on an executive sales role at AmaWaterways. Together with Rudi, a true team of pioneers emerged.

The Story Continues From the beginning, their goal was to create a river cruise company that they themselves would enjoy. To then, that meant the highest-quality, locally sourced food and wine; elegantly appointed ships with staterooms offering maximum views to enjoy the ever-changing countryside; and a crew who goes above and beyond, treating every guest like they are part of THEIR family.

With that in mind, for two wonderful decades, they have been building one-of-a-kind ships with added comforts and conveniences ranging from our signature view-enhancing twin balconies to the Chef’s Table specialty restaurant to their award-winning AmaMagna – redefining the river cruise experience. They continue to lead the way in innovation, pioneering the first sailings on Colombia’s Magdalena River in 2025. As they look ahead to the future, they are more committed than ever to offering innovative and sustainable ways for their guests to experience the rich culture and history found along the banks of the world’s most iconic rivers.

Select the Deck to view detail.

AmaBella - Piano Deck

AmaBella - Cello Deck

AmaBella - Violin Deck

AmaBella - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Single - Outside Stateroom

Located on Piano Deck with
Fixed Windows and approx 140 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

E - Outside Stateroom

Located on Piano Deck with a
Fixed window and approx 170 sq. ft.
All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

D - Outside Stateroom

Located on Piano Deck with a Fixed window and approx 170 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

C - French Balcony Stateroom

Located on Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, approx 170 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

BB - French Balcony & Outside Balcony Stateroom

Located on Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony approx 210 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes
All “Twin Balcony” Staterooms feature mini-bars
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

BA - French Balcolny & Outside Balcony Stateroom

Located on Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony approx 210 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes
All “Twin Balcony” Staterooms feature mini-bars
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

AB - French Balcony & Outside Balcony Stateroom

Located on Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony approx 235 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes
All “Twin Balcony” Staterooms feature mini-bars
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

AA - French Balcony & Outside Balcony Stateroom

Located on Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony approx 235 sq. ft.

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes
All “Twin Balcony” Staterooms feature mini-bars
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning

Suite

Located on Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony 350 sq. ft.

Suite Features:

Owner’s Suites are 255 sq. ft. with one Owner’s Suite “Plus” at 300 sq. ft.
All Suites include the “Twin Balcony” concept and mini bar
Owner’s Suite Plus features a sitting area, couch and large bathroom with separate bathtub

All staterooms have AmaWaterways’ exclusive Entertainment On Demand system, including complimentary Internet access, first run Hollywood movies and music library
Flat-screen Televisions with local and satellite channels
In room safe, hair dryer, ample closet space and direct dial telephone
Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding and terry bathrobes
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Individually controlled air-conditioning