Cruising the Danube means waking up to new cities every morning without the hassle of packing and unpacking. If you’re considering a luxury river cruise, here’s a straightforward look at what’s available in the next couple of years, using real sailings from Avalon’s top-rated fleet.
Avalon Danube Cruises 2025–2026: Dates, Details & Direct Experience
I never expected a river cruise to feel this flexible—or this social. I put my shirts on hangers the first morning and didn’t touch my suitcase again until it was time to leave. Each day started with a coffee that actually tasted good, often followed by a walk or a bike ride, sometimes by scrambling for the last pastry at breakfast. There’s a lot of hype about “luxury,” but what really stuck with me was how easy everything felt—especially compared to city-by-city land travel.
Below, I’ve laid out all the real Avalon departures for the next couple of years. Dates, prices, routes, and what’s included are front and center so you can scan for what fits your timeframe—and then compare details side-by-side.
Cruise Calendar: What’s Sailing When?
| Departure Dates | Cruise Name and Route | Nights | Price (from, pp) | Key Ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29–Dec 4, 2025 | Budapest–Vienna (Avalon Impression) | 5 | $4,017 | Budapest, Bratislava, Melk, Vienna |
| Dec 16–22, 2025 | Nuremberg–Vienna (Avalon Envision) | 6 | $4,993 | Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna |
| May 15–Jun 1, 2026 | Prague–Bucharest (Avalon Passion) | 17 | $10,158 | Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest |
| May 27–Jun 5, 2026 | Budapest–Prague (Avalon Visionary) | 9 | $6,368 | Budapest, Vienna, Engelhartszell, Prague |
| Sep 1–12, 2026 | Prague–Budapest (Avalon Illumination) | 11 | $6,885 | Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest |
| Dec 6–15, 2026 | Budapest–Prague (Avalon Illumination) | 9 | $7,118 | Budapest, Vienna, Regensburg, Prague |
December 2025: Short and Sweet — 5- and 6-Night Cruises
5 Nights: Budapest to Vienna on Avalon Impression
- Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 4, 2025
- Price: From $4,017 per person ($803 per night)
- Ports: Budapest → Bratislava → Melk → Vienna
- Includes: All meals with wine/beer, excursions with local guides, Wi-Fi, bikes, fitness center
- Why This Works: Great if you want a shorter trip paired with city stays. Bratislava is a quiet surprise, and the onboard service was smooth with no over-scheduling.
6 Nights: Nuremberg to Vienna on Avalon Envision
- Dates: Dec 16 – 22, 2025
- Price: From $4,993 per person ($832 per night)
- Ports: Nuremberg → Regensburg → Passau → Melk → Vienna
- Highlights: This route mixes small German towns with Austrian vineyards. The ship felt more spacious compared to other riverboats — a good pick if you like room to move around.
- Includes the same package as above: meals, drinks during meals, excursions, and more.
May to June 2026: Longer Journeys for Deep Exploration
9 Nights: Budapest to Prague on Avalon Visionary
- Dates: May 27 – June 5, 2026
- Price: From $6,368 per person ($708 per night)
- Ports: Budapest → Danube Bend → Visegrad → Vienna → Krems → Grein → Engelhartszell → Vilshofen → Regensburg → Prague
- Note: Adds quieter stops like Grein and the Schlögener Schlinge (Oxbow). Good for travelers who want off-the-beaten-path but with comfort.
17 Nights: Prague to Bucharest on Avalon Passion
- Dates: May 15 – June 1, 2026
- Price: From $10,158 per person ($598 per night)
- Ports: Prague → Regensburg → Vilshofen → Passau → Linz → Melk → Vienna → Bratislava → Budapest → Vukovar → Novi Sad → Belgrade → Golubac → Donji Milanovac → Vidin → Rousse → Oltenita → Bucharest
- Highlights: The full Danube experience through eight countries. Expect a mix of vibrant cities and lesser-known gems. It’s demanding but rewarding — great if you have the time and stamina.
September 2026: European Charm, From Prague to Budapest
11 Nights: Prague to Budapest on Avalon Illumination
- Dates: Sept 1 – 12, 2026
- Price: From $6,885 per person ($626 per night)
- Ports: Prague → Regensburg → Vilshofen → Passau → Linz → Melk → Vienna → Bratislava → Esztergom → Budapest
- Why Consider: A nice middle ground for those who want a longer cruise but aren’t ready for the 17-night option. Includes classic stops with good time in Vienna and Budapest.
December 2026: End of Year Treats, 9-Night Cruises
9 Nights: Budapest to Prague on Avalon Illumination
- Dates: Dec 6 – 15, 2026
- Price: From $7,118 per person (~$791 per night)
- Route and inclusions mirror the May 2026 Illumination cruise.
- Recommended for travelers wanting a winter cruise with lots of city lights and festive markets.
Tips for Booking and Planning
- Book early — some of these routes sell out a year in advance, especially over holidays and Christmas markets.
- Expect a mostly older crowd (60+), so consider the social vibe if traveling solo or with younger companions.
- Bring small euro bills for tipping guides and crew directly.
- Check cabin locations — mid-deck balconies offer better light and views than lower decks.
- Watch for weather warnings, especially low water levels in spring or fall that can change docking plans.
Real Pros and Cons (Straight from Travelers)
| Aspect | Positives | Potential Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Service/Crew | Attentive, quick to learn preferences, great with food allergies | Sometimes staff/entertainer personalities can be off-putting |
| Food/Drinks | Plentiful, varied, free local wine at meals | Quality is high but special requests sometimes missed |
| Inclusions | Lots included—drinks, WiFi, multiple excursions | Specialty drinks outside meals, gratuities not always covered |
| Activities | Flexible—bike rides, kayaking, hiking, sightseeing | Big excursion groups sometimes overwhelm less active guests |
| Atmosphere | No dress code, relaxed schedule, open seating | |
| Cabins | Clean, comfortable, panoramic beds in suites | Entry-level staterooms can be tight, showers are compact |
| Ship Amenities | Free coffee stations, fitness center, bikes | Deck furniture/hot tub sometimes limited or out of order |
| Social Scene | Mixed ages, not just senior guests, families welcome |
Why I Chose Avalon (And Would Again)
I’m not a die-hard cruise person. But, on Avalon, I actually borrowed one of the ship’s bikes in Vienna and spent the day pedaling out to Schönbrunn Palace. No hassle, no extra charge. A few days later, half the group was hiking; some went kayaking; and, yeah, some of us started sampling wine before noon. You don’t need to follow the crowd—there’s plenty of breathing room to do your own thing.
Honestly, I had always assumed river cruises were for people who wanted to avoid effort. Turns out, if you want effort, you can get plenty—but you get relaxation, too. The best abs workout was battling the shower door in my compact cabin. But every morning brought something new right outside my window, literally.
What You Really Get (Inclusions Breakdown)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with free local wine, beer, or soft drinks at meals)
- Sparkling wine at breakfast
- Certified local guides for excursions—options for active, discovery, or classic styles
- Free WiFi throughout the ship
- Bikes and active gear available
- English-language entertainment and movies
- L’Occitane bath products, Comfort Collection Beds
Not Included:
- Airfare and transfers (unless it’s a special promo)
- Drinks beyond meal times
- Premium excursions
- Prepaid gratuities
- Travel insurance
How to Choose: Traveler Logic
- If you want to visit Christmas markets, aim for the late November or December cruises—Budapest and Vienna feel especially festive but do expect chilly weather.
- For a full sweep of Eastern Europe, including the Balkans and lower Danube, choose the 17-night Prague–Bucharest route. It’s long, but you see more than any short itinerary will ever cover—and you’ll have bragging rights.
- If you’ve only got a week, the 6-night or 9-night sailings are well-paced, not rushed.
- Cabin location matters. Mid-deck suites have the best views. Lower deck rooms are quieter but lack daylight and can feel a bit submarine.
- Book early. Itineraries overlap, and popular routes can sell out 12–18 months ahead.
Ready to Sail?
Check live rates, route maps, and available suites — book your Avalon river cruise on CruiseDirect, with over 350 cruise deals available.
River cruising surprised me. It’s not the group bus tour I worried it might be. You move at your own pace, you eat well, and you always know where to find coffee or wine. Each night, you’re already “home”—and the landscapes don’t stop changing, even if you decide to stay in bed and watch it all from the window.
If you want clean, smooth travel with European scenery on tap and just enough luxury, Avalon’s Active & Discovery itineraries and classic Danube routes deliver. And who knows… maybe you’ll end up racing the crew to the top deck for sunset — or just napping with the river rolling by.