Many river cruisers seek out Budapest, Hungary’s bustling capital city, and it’s easy to understand why. When sailing through the heart of Budapest in the evening, a breathtaking scene unfolds: the impressive Hungarian Parliament Building and gothic Fisherman’s Bastion are defined by thousands of lights, while Buda Castle glows from its hilltop perch and the sparkling Chain Bridge reflects in the water below. To give guests ample time to completely immerse themselves in the “Pearl of the Danube,” Emerald Cruises has designed a new Danube River itinerary for 2024.
The 10-day Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest River Cruise aims to provide travelers with the best of both worlds. It takes guests to iconic ports across five countries in the heartland of Central Europe and also provides an extended stay in Budapest aboard one of Emerald Cruises’ modern Star-Ships. The itinerary is packed with immersive, locally-focused experiences, including a hearty Bavarian brunch on a farm in Passau, a hands-on torte-making workshop in Linz, and an exclusive classical concert in Vienna. Guests who love staying active while touring iconic sites like Bratislava Castle and Veste Oberhaus can choose from six distinct EmeraldACTIVE hiking and bike tours, and there’s even a fleet of bikes at the ready for those who want to explore at their own pace.
Visitors can enjoy three days in Budapest at the beginning or end of their sailing, providing ample time to tour the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center, explore the vibrant nightlife, and partake in culinary tours at the Grand Market. Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ships dock near the city center, making it easy for guests to explore the city at their own pace. Guests seeking more structured tours can opt for a retro tour of post-communist Budapest, which offers a deeper look into recent history, or a trip to one of the city’s famed Hungarian baths to experience the centuries-old practice of soaking in thermal waters that originate deep beneath the city.
The cruises are available from April through October 2024. The bookings for the Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest itinerary and other 2023 and 2024 Europe river cruises offer two-for-one fares and free roundtrip air when paid in full within 30 days of booking.
Emerald Cruises provides various river and yacht cruises across four continents. The first ocean-going vessel of the line, Emerald Azzurra, launched in March 2022, is a luxury yacht with a capacity of 100 guests and sails across the warm waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. In addition, the yacht will be available for the 2023/2024 season in the Caribbean and Central America. The Cruise Critic’s 2022 Editors’ Picks Awards named Emerald Azzurra as the Best New Luxury Ship in November 2022. The brand’s second luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, was launched in August 2023.
Furthermore, Emerald Cruises operates eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong River. The brand is known for its innovative ship designs, exceptional service, and emphasis on active shore excursions and onboard wellness offerings through its signature EmeraldACTIVE program. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, including Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours in Australia.
Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram at @EmeraldCruises.global. Additional information can be found by contacting your local travel advisor on Emeraldcruises.com or calling the consumer/travel agent reservations line at 844-428-8389. Digital brochure downloads are available on the website.
