7-night Europe cruise on Emerald Xara

The Christmas Markets on the Danube-Budapest to Munich is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard Emerald Xara, operated by Emerald Yacht Cruises. Departing Budapest on December 24, 2026, the voyage visits 8 ports.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Dec 24, 2026
Returns: Dec 31, 2026
Ports of call: 8

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Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 24, 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 3 Dec 26, 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 Dec 26, 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 Dec 27, 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 4 Dec 27, 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 5 Dec 28, 2026 Krems The 1,000-year-old city of Krems lies at the end of the Wachau valley. With its medieval buildings and the Steiner Tor – a city gate and popular landmark – it’s a lovely place for a leisurely stroll. Its historic monuments include the Bürgerspitalkirche, a church built in 1470 under Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. It has a high altar, which was created by Johann Bernhard Grabenberger between 1860 and 1882. Further sites of interest include the Kunsthalle Krems – a museum which focuses on contemporary art – and the Caricature Museum Krems. At the latter, regular special exhibitions as well as permanent exhibitions by the artists Manfred Deix and Gustav Peichl are sure to put a smile on your face. Krems port guide Search cruises visiting Krems

Krems photo — Day 5 Dec 28, 2026 Krems The 1,000-year-old city of Krems lies at the end of the Wachau valley. With its medieval buildings and the Steiner Tor – a city gate and popular landmark – it’s a lovely place for a leisurely stroll. Its historic monuments include the Bürgerspitalkirche, a church built in 1470 under Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. It has a high altar, which was created by Johann Bernhard Grabenberger between 1860 and 1882. Further sites of interest include the Kunsthalle Krems – a museum which focuses on contemporary art – and the Caricature Museum Krems. At the latter, regular special exhibitions as well as permanent exhibitions by the artists Manfred Deix and Gustav Peichl are sure to put a smile on your face. Krems port guide Search cruises visiting Krems

Day 5 Dec 28, 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 5 Dec 28, 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 6 Dec 29, 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 6 Dec 29, 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 7 Dec 30, 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 port guide Search cruises visiting Regensburg

Regensburg photo — Day 7 Dec 30, 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 port guide Search cruises visiting Regensburg

Day 8 Dec 31, 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 8 Dec 31, 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

Pricing

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

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Show all 14 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Oceanview Stateroom	D	Oceanview
Emerald Stateroom	E	Oceanview
Emerald Stateroom	ES	Oceanview
Balcony Suite	A	Suite
Balcony Suite	AB	Suite
Panorama Balcony Suite	AP	Suite
Balcony Suite	B	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	C	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	P	Suite
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite	R	Suite
Deluxe Balcony Suite	S	Suite
Owner's Suite	SA	Suite
Terrace Suite	T	Suite
Yacht Suite	Y	Suite

Ship

Your ship Emerald Xara 5★ **5,755** GT **128** guests Built **2015** The 2028-built superyacht Emerald Xara features 64 passenger cabins, 4 dining venues, a wellness complex (gym, 3 saunas, spa with 3 massage rooms), an aft Marina Platform (for watersports), and a Marina Deck with a sundeck served by the Marina Lounge & Bar. The yacht is equipped with 3 tender boats, 2 lifeboats, 2 Zodiacs (RIBs), an infinity swimming pool, and a Pool Deck with an infinity spa pool, sunbathing area, and bar. Additional venues include the Amici Bar Lounge (main lounge), Observation Lounge (bow-facing indoor lounge), Aqua Café (outdoor bar lounge), Sky Bar (outdoor poolside bar), and a Medical Center (Infirmary/Hospital). The vessel has 7 decks, 6 of which are passenger-accessible, with cabins located on 4 decks. Two midship elevators (lifts) provide access between all decks. Emerald Xara’s sisterships of the same class/design are Kaia (2026) and Raiya (2027). Emerald Xara ship guide Search cruises on Emerald Xara

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