Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding. (D)
Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections
DISCOVERY Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire's glow in a Viennese cafe.
You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.
This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
Frescoes above the Wachau Valley
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein.
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theatre, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
Enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
Saint Stephen's, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers."
Later spend some free time in Passau's charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral.
You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Christmas Magic in Bavaria
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD.
Take time to browse Regensburg's sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
DISCOVERY You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming Thurn and Taxis Palace - one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria.
Enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
Legends and History Lessons
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning.
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample Favourite Bavarian fare-from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace-a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
Spend some free time on your own to browse Munich Christkindlmarkt and enjoy countless of their culinary delights, gingerbread or hot-mulled wine.
Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,D)
Living Heritage
A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg-medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes-from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum-the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)