Art and Music of the Blue Danube

The Art and Music of the Blue Danube is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard MS George Eliot, operated by Riviera Travel. Departing Budapest on July 1, 2026, the voyage visits 7 ports.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Jul 1, 2026
Returns: Jul 8, 2026
Ports of call: 7

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Itinerary

Day 1 Jul 1, 2026 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 2 Jul 2, 2026 Esztergom, Hungary This former royal seat is the cradle of the Hungarian nation – and a very attractive one at that. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Adalbert, a neoclassical basilica that stands high above the city, is particularly worth visiting. Esztergom can look back on a long history. Celts settled on the prominent Várhegy (Castle Hill) back in 150 BCE. The Romans also built a settlement there after conquering the region. At one point, the city was part of the Ottoman Empire, whose rulers also recognised the value of its strategic location right on the Danube. All of these influences are still apparent in Esztergom today – and they are what makes it so special.

Day 3 Jul 3, 2026 Bratislava Slovakia’s capital is situated exactly at the point where the country meets Austria and Hungary. This makes it the only capital city in the world that borders more than one neighbouring country. Due to its location, Bratislava has been an ethnic melting pot since ancient times. This influence can be seen in every corner of the city. Cultures meet and merge together. The streets of the old town – lined with well-preserved baroque and rococo city palaces – are filled with the sound of people speaking different languages. And it almost seems as though the music of the Habsburg era still echoes through the city. Bratislava port guide Search cruises visiting Bratislava

Bratislava photo — Day 3 Jul 3, 2026 Bratislava Slovakia’s capital is situated exactly at the point where the country meets Austria and Hungary. This makes it the only capital city in the world that borders more than one neighbouring country. Due to its location, Bratislava has been an ethnic melting pot since ancient times. This influence can be seen in every corner of the city. Cultures meet and merge together. The streets of the old town – lined with well-preserved baroque and rococo city palaces – are filled with the sound of people speaking different languages. And it almost seems as though the music of the Habsburg era still echoes through the city. Bratislava port guide Search cruises visiting Bratislava

Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Durnstein The small town is part of the Lower Austrian cultural landscape of Wachau, is located directly on the Danube and is surrounded by vineyards. Those arriving by ship have a beautiful view of the two main attractions of Dürnstein: The ruins of the Kuenringerburg towering high above the city, in which Richard the Lionheart was held for several months in 1192/93, and the Dürnstein monastery. The latter is a monastery of the Augustinian Canons which was closed at the end of the 18th century and is known for its blue and white bell tower. Durnstein port guide Search cruises visiting Durnstein

Durnstein photo — Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Durnstein The small town is part of the Lower Austrian cultural landscape of Wachau, is located directly on the Danube and is surrounded by vineyards. Those arriving by ship have a beautiful view of the two main attractions of Dürnstein: The ruins of the Kuenringerburg towering high above the city, in which Richard the Lionheart was held for several months in 1192/93, and the Dürnstein monastery. The latter is a monastery of the Augustinian Canons which was closed at the end of the 18th century and is known for its blue and white bell tower. Durnstein port guide Search cruises visiting Durnstein

Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Melk Melk has acquired a nice name: The gateway to the Wachau. Anyone approaching the historic city on the Danube will see Melk Abbey very early on, towering high above the river. This is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit in all seasons. The impressive baroque ensemble has been looked after by the monks of the Benedictine order since 1089. Culture, faith and science come together in the splendid rooms of the monastery. Melk port guide Search cruises visiting Melk

Melk photo — Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Melk Melk has acquired a nice name: The gateway to the Wachau. Anyone approaching the historic city on the Danube will see Melk Abbey very early on, towering high above the river. This is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit in all seasons. The impressive baroque ensemble has been looked after by the monks of the Benedictine order since 1089. Culture, faith and science come together in the splendid rooms of the monastery. Melk port guide Search cruises visiting Melk

Day 6 Jul 6, 2026 Vienna, Austria The Viennese have a special aura about them. They come across as a bit arrogant, but underneath it all they’re warm-hearted. You could say the same about the city itself. Once you’ve been there a few hours and settled in, you won’t want to leave again anytime soon. There are all those cafes to visit, where the traditional Viennese coffee-house culture is still very much alive and well. The city’s history, with its emperors, Elisabeth of Austria and the ostentatious Habsburgs, adds to its fascination. Then there’s the music of the First Viennese School – this city brought out the best in its composers, making its own special contribution to great masterpieces. What’s more, the Austrian capital also produces excellent cuisine. It’s no coincidence that the city’s famous Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte became popular all around the world. Vienna, Austria port guide Search cruises visiting Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria photo — Day 6 Jul 6, 2026 Vienna, Austria The Viennese have a special aura about them. They come across as a bit arrogant, but underneath it all they’re warm-hearted. You could say the same about the city itself. Once you’ve been there a few hours and settled in, you won’t want to leave again anytime soon. There are all those cafes to visit, where the traditional Viennese coffee-house culture is still very much alive and well. The city’s history, with its emperors, Elisabeth of Austria and the ostentatious Habsburgs, adds to its fascination. Then there’s the music of the First Viennese School – this city brought out the best in its composers, making its own special contribution to great masterpieces. What’s more, the Austrian capital also produces excellent cuisine. It’s no coincidence that the city’s famous Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte became popular all around the world. Vienna, Austria port guide Search cruises visiting Vienna, Austria

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 97-day span: $3,649 · range $3,649–$4,549

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Price information is not available.

Price history

30 days

○ = last seen (sold out or delisted).

Lowest fares with no residency, age, or service requirement — verify eligibility at booking. How our pricing works

Cabin grades

Suite

Lowest Suite $3,649 2 Superior Suite - Diamond Deck 3 Standard Cabin - Diamond Deck 5 Standard Cabin - Ruby Deck 6 Superior Suite - Emerald Deck

Lines step when the price changed; a gap means sold out or no public fare that day. Plot up to 6 at once.

Show all 26 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Not listed
Upper Deck Cabin	A+	Balcony
Standard cabin - Middle Deck	SMD	Balcony
Standard Cabin - Upper Deck	SUD	Balcony
Upper Deck - Standard Sole Occupancy	10	Oceanview
Emerald Deck - Sole Occupancy (Lower)	12	Oceanview
Emerald Deck - Sole Occupancy (With Suppl) (Lower)	13	Oceanview
Ruby Deck - Sole Occupancy (Middle)	15	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Diamond Deck	3	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Ruby Deck	5	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Emerald Deck	7	Oceanview
Middle Deck - Standard Sole Occupancy	8	Oceanview
Middle Deck - Standard Stern	9	Oceanview
Main Deck Cabin	A	Oceanview
Category A (Main Deck) - Double	AD	Oceanview
Lower Deck Cabin	B	Oceanview
Deluxe Balcony Suite - Diamond Deck	1	Suite
Upper Deck - Superior Balcony Suite Sole Occupancy	11	Suite
Emerald Deck - Superior Suite (Lower) Sole Occ	14	Suite
Superior Suite - Diamond Deck	2	Suite
Superior Suite - Ruby Deck	4	Suite
Superior Suite - Emerald Deck	6	Suite
Prestige Suite	PS	Suite
Suite - Middle Deck	SU	Suite
Vista Suite	VSM	Suite
Vista Suite	VSU	Suite

Ship

Your ship MS George Eliot 5★ **442** GT **132** guests Built **2025** The five-star MS George Eliot – named after one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century – is 110 metres of fine Swiss engineering and craftsmanship. As with all Riviera Travel cruise ships, MS George Eliot was built to the highest specifications and strict safety regulations by Scylla AG, world-renowned builders of the most modern cruisers in Europe. Guests are welcomed in the elegant lobby with its gleaming marble floor, well-lit by sophisticated lighting. Thoughtful design is on tasteful display throughout the ship – sustainable hardwood furniture, intricate wrought-iron work, and polished copper and brass are beautifully complemented by soft leather and sumptuous Italian fabrics. MS George Eliot offers the convivial ambience and personal service of a luxury boutique hotel. With 36 staff serving just 132 guests, the experience is far more intimate and enjoyable. There are 70 luxuriously appointed suites and cabins, which all feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, minibar, telephone and facilities for making tea and coffee. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. MS George Eliot ship guide Search cruises on MS George Eliot

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	from $3,649 $521 / night	Jul 27, 2026
	from $3,849 $549 / night	Aug 24, 2026
	from $3,649 $521 / night	Oct 5, 2026
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