S.S. Helen, 29 Night Amsterdam to the Black Sea ex Bucharest, Romania to Amsterdam, Rivers

In 1992, the Main-Danube canal was built, paving the way for Uniworld to offer the first cruises that sailed all the way from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. Join us in returning to our roots as we connect the farthest-reaching waterways of the Rhine, the Danube, and their tributaries into one magnificent voyage crossing through the heart of Europe. Explore the myriad delights of nine diverse nations along the way—the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, the fine wines of Franconia and the Wachau Valley, palatial residences, and beautiful natural landscapes. With a full month to slow down and take it all in, each breathtaking moment has the time it deserves to become a treasured, lifelong memory.

Amsterdam to the Black Sea is a combination of Capital Cities of the Danube, Empires of the Lower Danube, and European Gems.

Day 1 – Bucharest
Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 – Bucharest, Constanța (Embark)
This morning, you’ll check out of your hotel in Bucharest and explore the city with a local guide before transferring to your ship in Constanța.

Day 3 – Constanța
Named for Roman Emperor Constantine, Constanța’s long history is one of shifting Greek, Roman, and Ottoman rule. This historic atmosphere pairs beautifully with the city’s breezy, coastal location and sun-soaked charm.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 4 – Hârșova
This ancient city has been uniquely shaped by its position on the lush Danube Delta environment. Home to over 300 bird species and a diverse array of mammals, reptiles, and fish, the Danube Delta is the largest and most well-preserved river delta in Europe.

Day 5 – Ruse
Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Ruse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings.

Day 6 – Calafat
Dock in Calafat, with Romania on one side of the Danube and Bulgaria on the other. Enjoy your choice between two excursions today: stay in Romania with a tour through the grand architectural highlights of Craiova or cross the river to Vidin, a port town that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests.

Day 7 – Golubac, Cruising the Iron Gates
Head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars, and Turks.
* Unwind onboard as you cruise the breathtaking Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long (134-kilometer-long) stretch of scenic gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains over eons by the Danube River.

Day 8 – Belgrade
Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present.
* This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 9 – Belgrade
As some of your fellow passengers depart and new ones join the journey, enjoy a day at leisure to relax onboard or explore Belgrade at your own pace.

Day 10 – Belgrade
Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present.
* A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 11 – Novi Sad
Though not a national capital, Novi Sad is the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina, an ethnically diverse region with no less than 6 different official languages. Novi Sad is known for its easygoing atmosphere and thriving urban arts scene.

Day 12 – Batina, Ilok
Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, deliciously rustic food.

Day 13 – Budapest
Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have a distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on a walking tour or cover more ground with a panoramic tour.

Day 14 – Bratislava
Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. The city straddles the mighty Danube and has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries.

Day 15 – 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.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 16 – Vienna
The day is yours to explore Vienna as you please, perhaps by visiting one of the many museums in town or sitting down with coffee and a slice of cake at traditional Viennese cafe.

Day 17 – 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 18 – 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 19 – 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.

Day 20 – Engelhartszell, Passau
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 21 – 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 22 – Roth, Nuremberg
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 23 – 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 24 – 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 25 – 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 26 – 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 27 – Mainz, Rüdesheim
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 28 – 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 29 – 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.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 30 – Amsterdam (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 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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