S.S. Helen, 14 Night European Gems ex Amsterdam, Rivers to Vienna, Austria

Treat yourself to the ultimate sampling of central European delights. Start on the Rhine River, where you’ll be granted early entry to a mesmerizing digital art experience in Amsterdam, hike amongst the treetops of Bamberg, and sample altbier in Düsseldorf. Cross Germany via the Main River to make your own wine in Franconia and explore a grand countryside estate, where you’ll be welcomed by the Baron who calls it home. Two full days in Vienna, with overnight stays to allow for deeper discoveries, are the crown on top of this unforgettable travel experience.

Day 1 – Amsterdam (Embark)
Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 – Amsterdam
The Netherlands’ largest city, Amsterdam has been an international port and financial center for 400 years, endowing it with a lively cosmopolitan feeling to match its historic architecture.
* This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 3 – Düsseldorf
Discover Düsseldorf, a small city with a big-city atmosphere—picture a modern setting where plentiful green spaces merge with cutting-edge architecture, art, luxury shopping, an exciting bar and restaurant scene, and a penchant for the avant-garde.

Day 4 – Rüdesheim, Mainz
Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine this morning as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley. Later, explore the enchanting town of Rüdesheim. Like many cities along the Rhine, Rüdesheim dates back to Roman times, when the Rhine was the northern border of the empire. Today, Rüdesheim is famous for its beauty and its entertaining alley of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse.

Day 5 – Miltenberg
The perfect German village calls for a day full of quintessential German experiences. Resting on the left bank of the Main, Miltenberg is classically quaint with its charming squares, farmland, biking and pedestrian paths, impressive castles, and one of Germany’s oldest inns.

Day 6 – Würzburg
Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe.

Day 7 – Volkach
Your day brings you to Volkach and the heart of the Franconian wine country. It’s a region full of overwhelming natural beauty, rooted communities, marvelous flavors, and villages that have been making wine for countless generations.

Day 8 – Bamberg
Bamberg has often been regarded as one of Germany’s most attractive settlements, with its picturesque architecture, intersecting canals and rivers, and charming stores and restaurants. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one.

Day 9 – Nuremberg, Roth
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.

Day 10 – Regensburg
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.

Day 11 – Passau, Engelhartszell
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.

Day 12 – Dürnstein
Dürnstein is one of our favorite towns along the Danube, a lovely place to wander cobblestone lanes and browse quaint shops. For your included tour today, opt for a tasting of organic wines or a private visit to Schloss Stetteldorf.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 13 – Vienna
The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections, and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore.

Day 14 – Vienna
Enjoy a full day exploring Vienna at your leisure. Your Cruise Manager is an excellent resource for local recommendations, whether you’re looking to do a little shopping, take a stroll through one of the city’s attractive parks, have a slice of cake with coffee at a classic Viennese café, or anything else your heart desires.

Day 15 – Vienna (Disembark)
Check out and disembark the ship this morning. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Vienna International Airport for your flight home.

Named for Helen of Troy, the S.S. Helen will marry the natural beauty of the Danube region with the Greek values of philoxenia (hospitality) and connection to nature, inviting guests to relax in a serene atmosphere of modern, Mediterranean elegance with subtle nods to Classical antiquity and the influence of Greek culture on European aesthetics. Guests who book a Grand Suite and the adjoining Deluxe French Balcony next door can see their stateroom transformed into an incredibly spacious 2-bedroom suite.

Leading the Way since 1976 We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

The Original Floating Boutique Hotels We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

The Highest Quality in All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small® “No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.

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S.S. Helen - Moselle Deck

S.S. Helen - Danube Deck

S.S. Helen - Rhine Deck

S.S. Helen - Sun Deck

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