11 nights · Croatia · River cruise · Departs Zagreb (Croatia) · Visiting Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg · Aboard Scenic Cruises on the Scenic Amber
Image courtesy of Scenic Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Danube and Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, departing Zagreb.
| Cruise line | Scenic Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Scenic Amber |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 6 sailings |
| From fare | $4,660 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 169 |
| Cabins | 85 |
| Crew | 53 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 11 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, where Austro-Hungarian boulevards meet lively cafés and contemporary culture. Ride the funicular to Upper Town, then explore St Mark’s Church, the Stone Gate and handsome city squares. At Dolac Market, farmers sell seasonal produce beneath red umbrellas, steps from the cathedral and central streets. Allow time for a museum, a long coffee and štrukli, Zagreb’s beloved baked cheese pastry.
Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.
Bratislava rewards a day ashore with a walkable old town, a lively Danube waterfront and a castle above the river. Explore the lanes around Michael’s Gate, then climb to Bratislava Castle for wide views across the city and beyond. Pause at a café terrace before following the riverside promenade. Slovakia’s capital is compact, making its historic centre easy to discover on foot.
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Dürnstein is a small Wachau village with an outsized place in Austrian history. Its blue-and-white abbey tower rises above the Danube, while lanes of pastel houses lead to riverside cafés and apricot shops. Climb to the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held from 1192 to 1194 for broad valley views. Beyond the village, vineyards and orchards define this UNESCO-listed stretch of the Wachau.
Melk stands at the western end of Austria’s Wachau, a UNESCO-listed Danube valley. Its vineyards, apricot orchards and medieval towns make the river journey especially rewarding. High above the water, Melk Abbey commands attention with its baroque church, imperial rooms and celebrated library. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1089, it remains active and ranks among Austria’s most memorable cultural landmarks.
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, their contrasting waters framing one of Bavaria’s most handsome old towns. Walk its baroque lanes to St Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its historic organ. From the fortress of Veste Oberhaus, rooftops and rivers unfold in a memorable view. Passau rewards a leisurely call: explore on foot, pause beside the water, and watch three waterways shape the city’s character.
Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.
Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.
Published August 31, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
