DanubeWaltz

An 8-Day Viking River Cruise Through the Heart of Central Europe

Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary

November 3, 2026 – November 10, 2026

The Danube doesn't just flow through history. It is history.

And we're sailing it properly.

Join us for an 8-day journey along one of the world's most iconic waterways — from the cathedral city of Passau to the grand boulevards of Budapest, with Vienna, Bratislava, and the breathtaking Wachau Valley in between.

This is not a bus tour racing between landmarks. This is a relaxed, all-inclusive river cruise designed the way travel should feel — unhurried, immersive, and taken care of from the moment you step aboard the Viking Ingvi.

The Experience

Imagine Vienna's imperial architecture glowing in the autumn light. A thermal bath in Budapest, where the city has been soaking away its troubles since the Romans arrived. The vineyard-terraced hills of the Wachau Valley drifting past your window as you sip local wine at dinner. An exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey — a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched above the Danube — that most travelers never see.

With guided tours at every port and the legendary Viking all-inclusive experience, everything is handled before you ever pack your bag.

Where You'll Go

  • Passau, Germany — Your departure point, where three rivers meet and a jaw-dropping cathedral organ fills the air

  • Linz, Austria — Austria's underrated third city, with a charming Old Quarter and thriving arts scene

  • Krems & the Wachau Valley — UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes and an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey

  • Vienna, Austria — The city Mozart called home. Palaces, coffeehouses, and classical music heritage

  • Bratislava, Slovakia — A compact, castle-crowned capital rich with Habsburg history

  • Budapest, Hungary — The "Paris of the East" — thermal baths, the Chain Bridge, and one of Europe's most dramatic skylines

Cruise & Accommodations

  • 8-day cruise visiting 4 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary)

  • River-view stateroom aboard the Viking Ingvi with all signature Viking comforts

Tours & Experiences

  • 6 guided tours included — one at nearly every port

  • Exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Panoramic tour of Vienna

  • Historic Bratislava city tour

  • Budapest city exploration — Buda's Castle District and the Chain Bridge

Culture Curriculum

  • Destination performances and enrichment lectures

  • Insights into Austro-Hungarian history and Danube river culture

  • Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school

  • Taste local wines of the Wachau Valley

  • Explore the traditions of Central European cuisine

Food & Drink

  • All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties

  • Beer, wine & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner

  • 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water

Everything Else

  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the ship

  • All port taxes and fees included

  • Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites

What's Included

The Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Passau, Germany Board the Viking Ingvi and settle in. Passau's famous Baroque cathedral and its three-river confluence set the tone for what's ahead.

Day 2 — Linz, Austria A stroll through Linz's cultural heart — the grand Hauptplatz, the historic Market Hall, and the Mozarthaus, with time to explore at your own pace.

Day 3 — Krems & the Wachau Valley An exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey, perched high above the Danube, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes, grand staircase, and UNESCO-listed history. Scenic cruising through the vine-covered Wachau follows.

Day 4 — Vienna, Austria A full day in one of Europe's greatest cities. Guided tours of Vienna's imperial architecture, and the chance to learn a few steps at a traditional Viennese dance school.

Day 5 — Vienna, Austria A second day to go deeper — the Kunsthistorisches Museum, a coffeehouse, Schönbrunn Palace, or simply wandering the Ringstrasse. Vienna rewards the unhurried visitor.

Day 6 — Bratislava, Slovakia Discover this compact, castle-crowned capital and its Habsburg-era palaces. Often overlooked, always surprising.

Day 7 — Budapest, Hungary Arrive in one of Europe's most dramatic cities. Cross the Chain Bridge, explore Buda's Castle District, and consider ending the day in a thermal bath — Budapest's oldest tradition.

Day 8 — Budapest, Hungary A final morning in the "Paris of the East" before disembarkation. Leave rested, inspired, and already planning your return.

Your Stateroom Options

Every stateroom aboard the Viking Ingvi is a river-view retreat. Choose the experience that suits you best.

Standard Stateroom — Category FFrom $2,599 per person (double occupancy) | $4,548.25 (solo) 150 sq ft · Main Deck · Half-height picture window Your comfortable home on the river. Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (twin configuration available), private bathroom with heated floor, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and all signature Viking amenities.

Standard Stateroom — Category EFrom $2,699 per person (double occupancy) | $4,723.25 (solo) 150 sq ft · Preferred river view · Half-height picture window Everything in Category F, in a preferred location.

French Balcony Stateroom — Category DFrom $3,299 per person (double occupancy) | $6,598 (solo) 135 sq ft · Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door Open your stateroom to the Danube breeze. The French balcony brings the river right to you — no balcony furniture, but full floor-to-ceiling views and fresh air on demand.

French Balcony Stateroom — Category CFrom $3,499 per person (double occupancy) | $6,998 (solo) 135 sq ft · Upper Deck · Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door The same French balcony experience in a preferred Upper Deck location.

Veranda Stateroom — Category BFrom $3,749 per person (double occupancy) | $7,498 (solo) 205 sq ft (includes private veranda) · Full-size private outdoor veranda Step outside onto your own private veranda and watch the Wachau Valley, Vienna's skyline, and Budapest's bridges float past. Glass-enclosed shower, premium Freyja® toiletries, and plush robes available on request.

Veranda Stateroom — Category AFrom $3,949 per person (double occupancy) | $7,898 (solo) 205 sq ft · Upper Deck · Full private veranda The full Veranda experience in a premium Upper Deck location.

Veranda Suite — AAFrom $5,499 per person (double occupancy) | $10,998 (solo) 275 sq ft · Separate sitting room · Full veranda + French balcony in sleeping quarters

Viking's true two-room suite experience. Your sitting room opens to a full private veranda; the sleeping quarters have their own French balcony. Suite privileges include:

  • Priority stateroom access at 12 PM

  • Welcome champagne on arrival

  • Complimentary Viking Air Plus services

  • Complimentary laundry & shoe shine service

  • Mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks, replenished daily

  • Daily fresh fruit basket

  • Premium in-suite bathrobes & slippers

  • Binoculars for scenic cruising

Explorer Suite — ESFrom $6,499 per person (double occupancy) | $12,998 (solo) 445 sq ft · Private wraparound veranda with panoramic views · Two full rooms

The flagship suite on the Viking Longship — and one of the finest ways to experience the Danube. A full wraparound veranda, a separate sitting room, and the sleeping quarters' own French balcony. Everything in the Veranda Suite, plus:

  • Complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package (unlimited premium wines, beers & cocktails for the full cruise)

  • Complimentary in-room breakfast service

  • Personal coffee brewer with premium coffee & tea

  • Cashmere blanket for the veranda

  • Private airport transfers in Europe

  • Complimentary Viking Air Plus flight customization

$25 deposit due at booking

Extend Your Journey

Pre-Cruise Extensions

Pre: Prague — 3 Nights From $999 per person (double) | $1,998 (solo) Begin your journey in one of Europe's most beautiful cities — medieval squares, Gothic spires, and a café culture that rewards slow afternoons.

Pre: Munich & Salzburg — 4 Nights From $1,799 per person (double) | $3,598 (solo) · Fully Guided A classic Central European opener: Oktoberfest architecture, Mozart's birthplace, and the Alps before you even board the ship.

Post-Cruise Extensions

Post: Budapest — 2 Nights From $699 per person (double) | $1,398 (solo) Stay on after disembarkation and explore the "Paris of the East" at your own pace — thermal baths, the Chain Bridge, and Buda's Castle District.

Post: Budapest Premium — 2 Nights From $1,399 per person (double) | $2,798 (solo) · An upgraded Budapest experience with premium accommodations and a private guided tour included. Don't wait on this one. Space Limited

Let’s Book!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Add-on air from $599 per person is available. Ask us and we'll quote options for your preferred gateway.

  • Expect crisp autumn temperatures — Central Europe in early November averages highs in the low 40s–50s°F. Pack layers and enjoy the fall colors along the Danube.

  • Yes — ask us about current solo supplement availability for each stateroom category.

  • This sailing departs on the Viking Ingvi, one of Viking's signature Longships built for European river cruising.