• Ocean cruise ships cannot sail on the Danube River
• River cruises are almost inclusive vacations - you only pay gratuities
• River cruises have almost everything big ships do, except the crowds
• The complimentary shore excursions and bicycles are fantastic
• You cannot get seasick on a river cruise!
• River cruise ships dock right in the center of town - no long bus rides

Cruise ships can take you too many of the world's incredible places, but they CANNOT take you on the majestic Danube.
If you've not experienced this extraordinary journey visiting the historic sites and places of this fabled Eastern European River, you've got a very special vacation ahead of you, one that should be high on your personal bucket list.
A cruise down the Danube River is a journey with universal appeal.
We all know that this is one of the most celebrated rivers in the world.
Who hasn't heard of "On the Beautiful Blue Danube", the world's most iconic waltz composed by Johan Strauss II? Remember the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey"? Who could forget the scene of the space ship docking with the space station with the strains of the Blue Danube Waltz playing in the background? So peaceful, so calm, yet with a beauty and grandeur all its own - not unlike a river cruise ship floating, no gliding, down the Danube River.
A Danube River cruise allows wine and beer connoisseurs ample exposure to fine European wineries and tastings, Music lovers more than enough time to embrace the home of the Waltz.
For history buffs, there's 2000 years of history around every corner and when you combine all of its attributes, a Danube River cruise will provide even the meekest photojournalist with incredible photo opportunities throughout each day.
You are sure to experience so much along the way that you will treasure the memories long after your vacation is over.
New cultures of course - for many of us Eastern Europe was a closed book for decades following World War II and the communist takeover - and other historic cities like Vienna, Austria which nonetheless nurtured the talents of musical geniuses such as Beethoven, Mozart, and of course Strauss.
Incredible scenery including the several gorges that make up the Iron Gates, a narrow and quite dramatic section of the river that forms a natural barrier between the countries of Serbia and Romania.
This section may be one of the most dramatic on any river in the world and is a area where you will want to be up on the Sun deck [the full-length, open top deck of the ship] with your tripod and camera as the vistas from the river are truly amazing.
If you're looking for quaint towns and medieval villages, incredible architecture, this cruise will fill your days with lasting memories.
One of our all-time favorite places, in fact, has several of these attributes.
I'm talking about the cobblestoned town of Regensburg, Germany, a small, unspoiled medieval gem of a town.
One of the oldest settlements on the Danube, Regensburg features Roman ruins such as the Porta Praetoria, an ancient gateway into the city, a virtually intact medieval old town center, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site - and yes with cobblestone streets and alleyways, and best of all the very picturesque Stone Bridge, a 12th century structure at the foot of which sits what many believe is the oldest restaurant in Germany, the historic Wurstkuchl.
Well, I have to admit, there is simply nothing better than washing down a tasty dish of their sausages with a cold, locally brewed beer! And, if you are a schnitzel or beef stroganoff lover, you will be in heaven.
One of our other Danube River favorites is the beautiful small town of Melk located in the heart of the Wachau Valley and home to the famous BenedictineAbbey bearing the same name.
Your included guided tour will captivate you with the rich history and unbelievable grandeur of the Abbey and the areas as well.
Think about the incredible places and architectural gems you would never see along the Danube if you were on a big cruise ship.
When you sail from Vienna to Nuremberg you'll enjoy Melk and the extraordinary Benedictine Melk Abbey built in the 12th century, the Italian Baroque town of Passau, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian Forest in route to Theresienthal.
No rush, no crowds, just a few shipmates to explore [generally between 120-160 passengers] and relax with along the majestic Danube as you enjoy the other wonderful medieval towns like Durnstein [a great guided walking tour], and one of the lesser know, delightful places along the river, Bratislava in Slovakia.
Most of the introductory river cruises along the Danube are 7-9 days in length.
To get the full enjoyment of this exceptional European vacation, we encourage you to enjoy a pre and/or post cruise package in both Prague and what many call the most beautiful city in Eastern Europe, Budapest.
If you have the time to enjoy a more leisurely vacation, then we suggest you speak to one of our Premier River Cruise experts about a longer itinerary, generally called; Grand European cruise, European Jewels or similar.
This is a more extensive 17-21 day river cruise vacation normally beginning in Amsterdam and ending in enchanting Budapest [or reverse].
Without a doubt, this is the best two or three week vacation you will ever enjoy and it's enhanced more by the fact that you only unpack and pack once.
It is guaranteed to provide a lifetime of memories in a very short time.
That said, do plan very early as the season is short and the demand for the better cruise lines [yes, there is a big difference in river cruise lines] is great! The more demanded cruise itineraries in Eastern Europe, along the Danube, Rhine and French river cruises along the Rhone and Saone in Provence or the Mekong in Vietnam can sell out almost a year in advance.
From start to finish, the Danube serves up an enticing, colorful, and intoxicating mix of cultures, architecture, tumultuous history, diverse cuisine, enchanting music, and captivating scenery.