7-night Europe cruise on Scenic Opal

The Danube Christmas Markets from Budapest is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard Scenic Opal, operated by Scenic River Cruises. Departing Budapest on December 8, 2026, the voyage visits 8 ports.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Dec 8, 2026
Returns: Dec 15, 2026
Ports of call: 8

Voyage code XNBU081226.2

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Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 8, 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 Budapest port guide Search cruises visiting Budapest

Day 3 Dec 10, 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 Bratislava port guide Search cruises visiting Bratislava

Bratislava photo — Day 3 Dec 10, 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 Bratislava port guide Search cruises visiting Bratislava

Day 4 Dec 11, 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 Vienna, Austria port guide Search cruises visiting Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria photo — Day 4 Dec 11, 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 Vienna, Austria port guide Search cruises visiting Vienna, Austria

Day 5 Dec 12, 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 Durnstein port guide Search cruises visiting Durnstein

Durnstein photo — Day 5 Dec 12, 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 Durnstein port guide Search cruises visiting Durnstein

Day 5 Dec 12, 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 Melk port guide Search cruises visiting Melk

Melk photo — Day 5 Dec 12, 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 Melk port guide Search cruises visiting Melk

Day 6 Dec 13, 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) Passau (Munich) port guide Search cruises visiting Passau (Munich)

Passau (Munich) photo — Day 6 Dec 13, 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) Passau (Munich) port guide Search cruises visiting Passau (Munich)

Day 7 Dec 14, 2026 Regensburg The breath of almost 2000 years can be felt in Regensburg. Spared from the destruction of past wars, the city on the Danube invites you to look and be amazed. The past was preserved here in a particularly impressive way. The medieval cityscape of the former free imperial city is characterized by numerous patrician buildings and residential towers from the 13th and 14th centuries. The stone bridge and the "Porta Praetoria" are particularly worth seeing. Anyone who wants to experience history is in the right place in the largest city in Eastern Bavaria. Regensburg Regensburg port guide Search cruises visiting Regensburg

Regensburg photo — Day 7 Dec 14, 2026 Regensburg The breath of almost 2000 years can be felt in Regensburg. Spared from the destruction of past wars, the city on the Danube invites you to look and be amazed. The past was preserved here in a particularly impressive way. The medieval cityscape of the former free imperial city is characterized by numerous patrician buildings and residential towers from the 13th and 14th centuries. The stone bridge and the "Porta Praetoria" are particularly worth seeing. Anyone who wants to experience history is in the right place in the largest city in Eastern Bavaria. Regensburg Regensburg port guide Search cruises visiting Regensburg

Day 8 Dec 15, 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 Munich port guide Search cruises visiting Munich

Munich photo — Day 8 Dec 15, 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 Munich port guide Search cruises visiting Munich

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 64-day span: $5,618 · range $5,618–$11,966

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Price information is not available.

Price history

30 days

We've tracked this sailing's fares every day for the past 69 days. Here's what each cabin type has cost.

Price history by cabin type
Cabin	Current	Lowest	Highest
Oceanview	$5,618	$5,618 · Jun 18	$11,966 · Jul 8
Suite	$7,031	$7,031 · Aug 16	$7,234 · Aug 13

Lowest and highest fares we've recorded for each cabin type.

○ = 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

Oceanview

Lowest Oceanview $5,618 E Standard Suite

Suite

Lowest Suite $7,031 A Balcony Suite BD Deluxe Balcony Suite C Balcony Suite

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 12 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Balcony Suite	A	Suite
Junior Balcony Suite	B1J	Suite
Deluxe Balcony Suite	BD	Suite
Junior Balcony Suite	BJ	Suite
Single Balcony Suite	BS	Suite
Balcony Suite	C	Suite
Standard Suite	E	Suite
Deluxe Balcony Suite	PD	Suite
Junior Balcony Suite	RJ	Suite
Royal Owner's Suite	RO	Suite
Royal Panorama Suite	RP	Suite
Royal Balcony Suite	RR	Suite

Ship

Your ship Scenic Opal 5★ **2,721** GT **169** guests Built **2015** Built in 2015 and 2016 to join our European fleet the Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber are the latest generation of Space-Ships, complete with vitality pool, sun deck and a range of exclusive dining venues. Every Scenic European river cruise begins aboard one of our boutique vessels or custom-built Space-Ships, so named for their spacious guest cabins, dining, and entertaining areas. Each of these four-deck Scenic Space-Ships includes numerous dining and sightseeing areas, as well as a lounge and bar area that offers panoramic views. Additionally, guests can soak up the rays at the Sun Deck swimming pool or retreat to the wellness center, which is equipped with a fitness area, beauty salon, and massage rooms. These ships are noteworthy for their luxury suites, which are outfitted with sun lounges, 32-inch high-definition TVs, and complimentary wireless internet access. The newest members of the Scenic Space-Ship dynasty; Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber afford ground-breaking levels of comfort, safety and luxury for the 169 guests they’re capable of transporting on Europe’s celebrated passageways. Representing the pinnacle in luxury river cruising, Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber are among the most spacious and technologically advanced vessels in Europe. Spread over four lavish decks, including the Sun Deck, Diamond Deck, Sapphire Deck and Jewel Deck; guests will relish every moment spent cruising Europe’s waterways aboard these majestic vessels. Each of these sister vessels have been fastidiously designed and crafted with your enjoyment and comfort in mind, so you’re guaranteed an unforgettable voyage. Boasting a roster of pioneering technologies designed to maximize the guest experience, as well as all of the lavish extras which have come to define our fleet of luxury 5-star Space-Ships; Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber represent the precedent of luxury river cruising on Europe’s esteemed waterways. Scenic Opal Scenic Opal ship guide Search cruises on Scenic Opal

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	from $4,669 $667 / night	Nov 30, 2027Voyage XNBU301127.2
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