The Danube isn’t just a river—it’s Europe’s main artery. Ten countries. Nearly 3,000 km. Castles, vineyards, grim Communist concrete, and opera houses glowing at night. You can float past it all while sipping Grüner Veltliner on the deck of a sleek river ship. But which ship? Which company? And how much is it going to set you back? Here’s the breakdown.
Big International Cruise Lines
Viking River Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises.com)
Viking basically owns the river. Their Longships are everywhere—46 nearly identical vessels, 135 meters long, max 190 guests. Cabins are sensible: Veranda Staterooms (20 m²) and Suites (36 m²). Their thing is consistency: Aquavit Terrace (retractable roof), Nordic-style spa, library/lounge, sun deck track. Trips range from an 8-day “Romantic Danube” to the monster 15-day Grand European Tour.
AmaWaterways (www.amawaterways.eu)
A little flashier. Their crown jewel is the AmaMagna—double the width of a standard ship, only 196 guests, and four legit restaurants. There’s a Zen Wellness Studio, a pool, even a marina for kayaks. The rest of the fleet (AmaLea, AmaBella, etc.) feature twin-balcony rooms and splashy décor. Future additions: AmaSintra (2025) and AmaSofia (2026).
Avalon Waterways (www.avalonwaterways.com)
Avalon’s thing? Suite Ships. Rooms with wall-to-wall windows that slide open into balconies. Ships like the Avalon Vista (166 guests) and Avalon Impression keep it sleek with Sky Decks and “Active & Discovery” excursions—kayaking, biking, food tours.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (www.uniworld.com)
Uniworld leans into luxury. Small ships—150 guests on SS Maria Theresa, 136 on River Duchess—with over-the-top interiors (think boutique hotel on water). French balconies, curated art, and ridiculously attentive service. In 2026, they’re launching the Emilie with Grand Suites for people who think yachts are too small.
CroisiEurope (www.croisieurope.com)
Family-owned, French, and far less “American tourist” in vibe. They run 50+ ships, each smaller (100–180 guests). Example: MS Symphonie II (106 guests), Douce France II (135 guests). Think French cuisine, wine, and itineraries you can pick à la carte.
Local Operators (City-Based)
Not everyone wants to commit to a week or two on the water. The local guys fill the gaps.
- Passau: Wurm & Noé’s “Barefoot Boat” (€18.50 city loops, €29.50 lock cruises).
- Vienna: DDSG Blue Danube runs short city cruises and full-day Wachau trips (€32–37.55).
- Budapest: MAHART PassNave is the workhorse—cheap day trips (€15–20), dinner cruises with drinks (€25–30). Legenda Ltd. runs themed evening cruises with live commentary.
Popular Routes
- The Classic: Passau → Vienna → Budapest (8 days).
- Circle Cruises: Roundtrip from Passau, 4–6 days, dipping into Austria and Slovakia.
- Christmas Markets: Seasonal, usually December, with mulled wine, gingerbread, and twinkly lights.
- Mini-Cruises: Vienna city loops (1–3.5 hours), Budapest evening cruises (2–3 hours with prosecco).
Pricing: From Pocket Change to “Oh Wow”
Here’s the truth: the Danube can be as cheap as a city bus ride—or as pricey as a honeymoon.
Price Ranges by Category
| Category | Duration | Operators | Price Range (per person) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget sightseeing | 1–3 hours | DDSG (Vienna), MAHART (Budapest), Barefoot Boat (Passau) | €10–€50 | Simple seat, maybe a drink, great views |
| Mid-range river voyage | 4–8 days | A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Avalon | €1,000–€3,000 | Room, meals, excursions, light entertainment |
| Luxury & premium | 8–15 days | Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld | €3,000–€7,000+ | Suites, fine dining, alcohol included, Wi-Fi, concierge, sometimes butlers |
Sample Operator Prices (2025)
| Experience | Operator | Duration | Price Range (pp) | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Sightseeing | DDSG Blue Danube | 1–3.5 h | €32–€37.55 | Vienna |
| Dinner Cruise | MAHART PassNave | 2–3 h | €25–€30 | Budapest |
| Wachau Valley Day Cruise | DDSG Blue Danube | 8 h | €76–€89 | Vienna |
| Christmas Market Cruise | CroisiEurope (MS Primadonna) | 4 days | €1,100–€1,400 | Passau |
| “Romantic Danube” | Viking Longships | 8 days | €2,700–€3,500 | Passau |
| AmaMagna Danube Discovery | AmaWaterways | 7 days | €4,000–€4,500 | Budapest |
| “Enchanting Danube” | Uniworld SS Maria Theresa | 8 days | US $3,059–3,599 | Passau |
Final Take
The Danube isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you just want a sunset cruise with a glass of wine, you can get it for under €20. If you want caviar, private tours, and a suite larger than your first apartment, Uniworld or AmaMagna will happily take your money. Viking sits in the middle—polished, predictable, everywhere.
So pick your vibe: budget sightseeing, a mid-range adventure, or full-on luxury. The river doesn’t change—it’s the ships and the style that make the difference.