Luxury Danube Riverboat Cruises
Save on European Cruise Vacations on Luxurious German Donau Boats
International travelers can save by booking luxury Danube (Donau) River cruise vacations in Europe on German boats operated by A-Rosa, Peter Deilmann, and Viking.
Luxury European riverboat cruises marketed in international markets are often more expensive than those sold in the European market. Germany is a huge market for Danube (Donau), Rhine (Rhein), Moselle (Mosel), Main, and other central European river cruises in all price classes from luxury to rather basic.
Companies such as Tauck World Discovery, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Amadeus Waterways, and Viking River Cruises that sell luxury Rhine River cruises internationally also operate on the Danube. International travelers can save money by booking German luxury boats but should bear in mind that the international cruises often include transfers, shore excursions, and more onboard services than the German packages do.
A-Rosa – Relaxing Luxury Cruises on the Danube
A-Rosa is a relatively newcomer to the European river cruise vacation. A-Rosa is very much upmarket but follows a much more relaxed, informal style than is traditionally associated with luxury European river cruises.
The emphasis on A-Rosa cruises is on relaxation and its luxurious boats are more like floating resorts than traditional riverboats. A-Rosa has no dress code or formal receptions. All meals are buffet style, with soft drinks free at meal times, and open seating in its restaurants with indoors and outdoors sections. The food variety and quality receive rave reviews. The wellness facilities on A-Rosa boats include gyms, pools, saunas, whirlpools, putting greens, and extensive spa beauty treatments.
- All gratuities are included on A-Rosa cruises – no further tipping is required onboard.
A-Rosa’s Danube River boats – the Mia, Bella, Donna, and Riva – were built between 2002 and 2004 and are instantly recognizable by the red lips and red rose painted on the stem of the boats. These very modern boats with huge atrium windows can carry up to 242 passengers. Cabins are relatively spacious and just over 15 square meter (160 square feet) – many have French balconies.
A-Rosa cruises on the Danube generally range from 4 to 7 nights and are mostly roundtrips from Passau. The minimum cost per person per night ranges from €75 to €160 (US$109-230).
Peter Deilmann Cruises – Luxury German Boats on the Danube
Peter Deilmann Cruises are famous in Germany for its luxurious river cruises and excellent service. Peter Deilmann is also known for its excellent food – six meals are served per day.
On the Danube, Peter Deilmann uses mostly the MS Mozart – a traditional European river cruise boat with a capacity of 207 passengers. Cabins at 20 square meter (215 square feet) are remarkably spacious for boats on European river cruises. Uniquely, a few inner cabins are also available and tend to sell out fast.
The MS Mozart has more extensive wellness services than those offered on smaller Peter Deilmann boats. The Mozart has a pool, whirlpool, gym, and sauna.
- One child under 12 sharing a cabin with an adult (or two adults in the few three-bed cabins) receive 50% discount on many Peter Deilmann cruises. This discount is not offered by all internet reservation services.
The MS Mozart’s Danube River cruises are mostly one-week returns from Passau. Cheapest fares are from €130 to €170 (US$190-250) per person per night.
Viking River Cruises – MS Primadonna on the Danube
Viking River Cruises is the world’s largest riverboat cruise company but market different cruises and boats to different international markets. The MS Primadonna, the first river catamaran built in Germany (1998), is a 148-passenger boat aimed at the German market using German as primary onboard language. (The MS Danube is mostly offered to English-speaking markets with packages including excursions, transfers, and drinks.)
The MS Primadonna is modern with huge windows and many suites have French balconies. Most cabins are 16 square meter (172 square feet) while a few small single cabins are available. The MS Primadonna has two whirlpools, a sauna, and bicycles for onshore exploration.
- All drinks, except coffee and tea with meals, are optional.
Notable discount offers on the Viking Primadonna are:
- A 25% discount is often available to passengers celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary devisable by ten or 25 in the year of the cruise.
- Family-friendly deals: one child can accompany adults in most cabins – free up to 3 years and half price from 4 to 12 years.
- In July and Augusts, a child under 12 may accompany an adult for free.
Viking’s Primadonna Danube river cruises are mostly one-week returns from Passau to Budapest, or 12-day cruises from Passau to Fetesti in Romania or vice versa. Minimum price per person per night ranges from €80 to €150 (US$116-220).
- In addition to these luxury boats, a vast number of very comfortable boats aimed at the German market offer cheaper Danube river cruises throughout the year. The Rhine is also a popular alternative for European river cruises and can be combined with Danube routes on longer cruises.
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