Budapest Escape & Enchantment of Eastern Europe & Istanbul Budapest to Istanbul

The Budapest Escape & Enchantment of Eastern Europe & Istanbul Budapest to Istanbul is a 13-night Europe cruise aboard Emerald Sky, operated by Emerald Cruises. Departing Budapest on April 3, 2027, the voyage visits 10 ports. Fares start from $5,962 per person.

Length: 13 nights
Departs: Apr 3, 2027
Returns: Apr 16, 2027
Ports of call: 10

from $5,962

$458 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

See prices

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from $5,962 pp

Continues on Emerald Cruises's site

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Itinerary

Day 1 Apr 3, 2027 Budapest On one bank of the Danube is hilly Buda with its Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill; on the other, there’s flat Pest with its House of Parliament. These two beautiful districts couldn’t be more different. Perhaps that’s why it took until 1873 for the two cities on opposite sides of the river to merge and form Budapest. Right from the start, the landmark of this new metropolis was Buda Castle, a monumental structure that rises high above Budapest and provides mesmerising views across the city. In terms of monumental grandeur, the House of Parliament is certainly on a par with Buda Castle. Erected to mark the millennium celebrations of 1896, this gigantic building was completed in just 22 years. Considering it is 96 metres high, 268 metres long and 118 meters wide, with a total of 691 rooms, that’s an incredible achievement. Budapest is a place where you keep coming across echoes from days gone by. There are traces of Ottoman rule, the extravagant Habsburg era and Soviet socialism – different cultural influences that have combined to create a vibrant, lively city that’s a must-see destination. Budapest port guide Search cruises visiting Budapest

Day 6 Apr 8, 2027 Belgrade The meeting point of Central Europe and the Middle East is situated where the Sava flows into the Danube. This gateway to the Balkans is open, cosmopolitan and full of fun. By simply strolling through the city, you can travel back through the history of Belgrade, admire its architecture and encounter European modernism. And while you discover culinary specialties on every corner, your eye will be drawn to the magnificent influences of the Ottoman Empire, which gives way to socialist classicism on the next corner. Every visitor ends up in Belgrade’s medieval fortress sooner or later, which features moats and a beautiful park. It’s time for a little break. Belgrade port guide Search cruises visiting Belgrade

Belgrade photo — Day 6 Apr 8, 2027 Belgrade The meeting point of Central Europe and the Middle East is situated where the Sava flows into the Danube. This gateway to the Balkans is open, cosmopolitan and full of fun. By simply strolling through the city, you can travel back through the history of Belgrade, admire its architecture and encounter European modernism. And while you discover culinary specialties on every corner, your eye will be drawn to the magnificent influences of the Ottoman Empire, which gives way to socialist classicism on the next corner. Every visitor ends up in Belgrade’s medieval fortress sooner or later, which features moats and a beautiful park. It’s time for a little break. Belgrade port guide Search cruises visiting Belgrade

Day 10 Apr 12, 2027 Giurgiu A metropolis on the Eurasian Steppe and the capital city of Romania, Bucharest has its own unique sense of humour. Its citizens are typically quick-witted, sharp-tongued and self-deprecating. In visual terms, Bucharest is characterised by contradictions. There is an exclusive residential district to the north of the city, while in the centre you will find a lively mix of architectural styles, intersected by four well-maintained boulevards. In addition, Bucharest is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. To experience the orchestra live, fans can attend one of the popular concerts at the Ateneul Roman (Romanian Athenaeum), a magnificent building from 1885. A further highlight is the splendid Palatul Regal (Royal Palace). This building, which used to be home to kings, now houses part of the National Museum of Art of Romania.

Bucharest photo — Day 11 Apr 13, 2027 Bucharest Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which has 1,100 rooms. Nearby, the historic Lipscani district is home to an energetic nightlife scene as well as tiny Eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church and 15th-century Curtea Veche Palace, where Prince Vlad III (“The Impaler”) once ruled. Bucharest port guide Search cruises visiting Bucharest

Day 12 Apr 14, 2027 Istanbul A shore excursion on your MSC Mediterranean cruise can be the opportunity to discover İstanbul which stands astride two continents, Europe and Asia. As if its spectacular geographical location were not enough, it can also boast of being the only city to have played capital to consecutive Christian and Islamic empires, a role that has shaped the region’s history for more than 2500 years and bequeathed to İstanbul a staggering wealth of attractions. Most cruise visitors spend all their holiday time in Sultanahmet, home to İstanbul’s main sightseeing attractions: the church of Aya Sofya, the greatest legacy of the Byzantine Empire; the Topkapı Palace, heart of the Ottoman Empire; and the massive Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque). Here also are the ancient Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (housed in the former Palace of İbrahim Paşa), the eerily lit Yerebatan Sarnıcı, a fascinating Byzantine underground cistern, and the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the largest covered bazaar in the world. The monumental architecture, attractive parks and gardens, street-side cafés, and the benefits of a relatively traffic-free main road combine to make this area pleasant for both sightseeing and staying on an MSC Mediterranean cruise excursion. İstanbul’s Ottoman-era Grand Bazaar gets more than its fair share of souvenir-hungry visitors. The area around it, however, is relatively little explored, which is a shame as it holds some very worthwhile attractions, from the historic Cembirlitaş Hamamı, one of the best Turkish baths in the country, to the city’s very best mosque, the hilltop Süleymaniye Camii. The best single reason to head across to the Asian shore of the city is to experience a Bosphorus cruise. The views from the Bosphorus are superb, with domes and minarets dominating the skyline of the Old City, and skyscrapers the business districts beyond Beyoğlu. Istanbul port guide Search cruises visiting Istanbul

Istanbul photo — Day 12 Apr 14, 2027 Istanbul A shore excursion on your MSC Mediterranean cruise can be the opportunity to discover İstanbul which stands astride two continents, Europe and Asia. As if its spectacular geographical location were not enough, it can also boast of being the only city to have played capital to consecutive Christian and Islamic empires, a role that has shaped the region’s history for more than 2500 years and bequeathed to İstanbul a staggering wealth of attractions. Most cruise visitors spend all their holiday time in Sultanahmet, home to İstanbul’s main sightseeing attractions: the church of Aya Sofya, the greatest legacy of the Byzantine Empire; the Topkapı Palace, heart of the Ottoman Empire; and the massive Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque). Here also are the ancient Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (housed in the former Palace of İbrahim Paşa), the eerily lit Yerebatan Sarnıcı, a fascinating Byzantine underground cistern, and the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the largest covered bazaar in the world. The monumental architecture, attractive parks and gardens, street-side cafés, and the benefits of a relatively traffic-free main road combine to make this area pleasant for both sightseeing and staying on an MSC Mediterranean cruise excursion. İstanbul’s Ottoman-era Grand Bazaar gets more than its fair share of souvenir-hungry visitors. The area around it, however, is relatively little explored, which is a shame as it holds some very worthwhile attractions, from the historic Cembirlitaş Hamamı, one of the best Turkish baths in the country, to the city’s very best mosque, the hilltop Süleymaniye Camii. The best single reason to head across to the Asian shore of the city is to experience a Bosphorus cruise. The views from the Bosphorus are superb, with domes and minarets dominating the skyline of the Old City, and skyscrapers the business districts beyond Beyoğlu. Istanbul port guide Search cruises visiting Istanbul

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 78-day span: $5,685 · range $5,685–$11,245

Lower than 100% of peers This longer-duration sailing's from-price per night is lower than 100% of comparable sailings.

same cruise line, destination, duration, and departure window · from-price per night · as of Jun 22, 2026

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

from $5,962

$458 / night

Fare rows

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,962

$458 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,962

$458 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,895

$915 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $6,667

$512 / night

Fare rows

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,667

$512 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,667

$512 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,769

$520 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,769

$520 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,867

$528 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,867

$528 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,211

$554 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,211

$554 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,248

$634 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,248

$634 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,555

$1,042 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,795

$1,061 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,025

$1,078 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,835

$1,141 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $17,275

$1,328 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 18, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Emerald Cruises and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Price history

60 days

Cabin grades

Oceanview

Lowest Oceanview $5,962 D Emerald Stateroom $5,962 E Emerald Stateroom

Suite

Lowest Suite $6,667 A Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite $6,867 B Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite $6,769 C Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite $6,667 S Emerald Grand Balcony Suite $7,211 SA Owner's One-bedroom Suite $8,248

Lines step between recorded price changes. Plot up to 6 grades at once.

Show all 14 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Emerald Stateroom	D	Oceanview
Emerald Stateroom	E	Oceanview
Emerald Stateroom	ES	Oceanview
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	A	Suite
Balcony Suite	AB	Suite
Panorama Balcony Suite	AP	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	B	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	C	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	P	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	R	Suite
Emerald Grand Balcony Suite	S	Suite
Owner's One-bedroom Suite	SA	Suite
Terrace Suite	T	Suite
Yacht Suite	Y	Suite

Ship

Your ship Emerald Sky 4★ **5,755** GT **182** guests Built **2014** Guiding you past some of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of countryside and through some of the continent’s most vibrant and enchanting cities; Emerald Sky ensures every minute of your holiday is exceptionally comfortable and enjoyable. From the spacious suites and staterooms to the contemporary, sophisticated public spaces, every inch of Emerald Sky has been considered. Navigating the rivers Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle; the Emerald Star, Sky, Sun, Dawn and Destiny can guide you through some of Europe’s most magical stretches of water and help you explore many of the continent’s most arresting and enchanting cities. The five sister vessels, boasting a modest capacity of 182 guests apiece, are all blessed with a selection of wonderful amenities and features. Our brand new Emerald ‘Star Ships’, the Emerald Dawn and the Emerald Sun, have made their debut voyages and have received high marks from our guests. You’ll enjoy all the same great features, including our open air system in the balcony suites and the indoor/ outdoor pool area, that make the “Star Ships” the 2014 Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick award winners for best new river ships. No matter which river cruise you choose, all your meals on-board the ship; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; on-shore excursions and touring; a special selection of EmeraldPLUS experiences; all travel and transfers from selected airports; and all tipping are included in the price. It’s what we like to call ‘Exceptional Emerald Value’. Step on to an award-winning ship where the spacious Sun Deck offers panoramic views of the stunning scenery. Relax in the fresh air while enjoying a light lunch and a glass of wine al-fresco on The Terrace. Enjoy insightful excursions in every port at no extra cost and we take care of tipping so you don’t have to think about it. You wouldn’t expect all this from a river cruise, but on an Emerald Waterways river cruise, you can look forward to it. Emerald Sky ship guide Search cruises on Emerald Sky

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Other sailing dates

Same itinerary, different dates. Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.

View	From pp	Departs
	from $6,132 $471 / night	Apr 15, 2027Voyage ECBI150427.1

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