Danube Explorer - Munich to Budapest

The Danube Explorer - Munich to Budapest is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard Emerald Sky, operated by Emerald Cruises. Departing Munich on November 17, 2026, the voyage visits 9 ports. Fares start from $2,769 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Nov 17, 2026
Returns: Nov 24, 2026
Ports of call: 9

from $2,769

$395 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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from $2,769 pp

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Itinerary

Day 1 Nov 17, 2026 Munich Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century Munich port guide Search cruises visiting Munich

Munich photo — Day 1 Nov 17, 2026 Munich Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century Munich port guide Search cruises visiting Munich

Day 1 Nov 17, 2026 Passau (Munich) Passau is known as a three-river city and is the first port on the Danube that is navigable by cruise ships. From here the big tours via Vienna, Bratislava and down to the Black Sea start. But the city itself also has a lot to offer, such as the opera house, the Ilz, a small river that is great for hiking, or St. Stephen's Cathedral and the old town hall. A visit to the Passau Glass Museum is particularly recommended, if you want to turn your back on the city, you can go to the Mariahilf pilgrimage church just outside. Passau (Munich) port guide Search cruises visiting Passau (Munich)

Passau (Munich) photo — Day 1 Nov 17, 2026 Passau (Munich) Passau is known as a three-river city and is the first port on the Danube that is navigable by cruise ships. From here the big tours via Vienna, Bratislava and down to the Black Sea start. But the city itself also has a lot to offer, such as the opera house, the Ilz, a small river that is great for hiking, or St. Stephen's Cathedral and the old town hall. A visit to the Passau Glass Museum is particularly recommended, if you want to turn your back on the city, you can go to the Mariahilf pilgrimage church just outside. Passau (Munich) port guide Search cruises visiting Passau (Munich)

Day 3 Nov 19, 2026 Linz (Salzburg) Baroque facades, numerous churches and, at the centre, the river. As you can see, it’s possible to describe Linz, Austria’s largest port city, in a single sentence. But that would be doing it an injustice, since there’s a whole lot more to Linz than buildings and water. In recent years, this former industrial hub has morphed into a European cultural stronghold. No matter whether it’s theatre, cinema, art or music, there’s both great demand and great support for culture here. The city also provides magnificent views – particularly in the evening – from the pilgrimage church on the Pöstlingberg hill. Linz (Salzburg) port guide Search cruises visiting Linz (Salzburg)

Linz (Salzburg) photo — Day 3 Nov 19, 2026 Linz (Salzburg) Baroque facades, numerous churches and, at the centre, the river. As you can see, it’s possible to describe Linz, Austria’s largest port city, in a single sentence. But that would be doing it an injustice, since there’s a whole lot more to Linz than buildings and water. In recent years, this former industrial hub has morphed into a European cultural stronghold. No matter whether it’s theatre, cinema, art or music, there’s both great demand and great support for culture here. The city also provides magnificent views – particularly in the evening – from the pilgrimage church on the Pöstlingberg hill. Linz (Salzburg) port guide Search cruises visiting Linz (Salzburg)

Day 4 Nov 20, 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 Nov 20, 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 4 Nov 20, 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 Nov 20, 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 5 Nov 21, 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 5 Nov 21, 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

Day 6 Nov 22, 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 6 Nov 22, 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 7 Nov 23, 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

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 83-day span: $2,643 · range $2,643–$3,952

Lower than 100% of peers This week-long 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 $2,769

$395 / night

Fare rows

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,769

$395 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,769

$395 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,083

$440 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,083

$440 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,416

$773 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,076

$868 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $3,952

$564 / night

Fare rows

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,952

$564 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,952

$564 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,080

$582 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,080

$582 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,760

$680 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,760

$680 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,700

$814 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,700

$814 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,906

$1,129 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,176

$1,168 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,606

$1,372 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's One-bedroom Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,586

$1,655 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 20, 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

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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Itinerary

Pricing

Current prices

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

Suite

Price history

Ship

Similar cruises

Other sailing dates

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