AmaWaterways president Rudi Schreiner—a lifelong advocate of river cruising and lauded industry innovator and known as the “Godfather of River Cruising” -- began his deep connection with rivers growing up in Vienna, alongside the Danube. So, when asked to pick a favorite route, Rudi answered with ease, “The Danube flows through the heart of Europe, offering a river cruise that combines the charm of three capital cities—Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava—with the stunning beauty of the Wachau Valley,” said Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways. “These cities are close to each other, ensuring short cruising distances and ample time to explore. Vienna, with its rich history, classical music scene, charming wine villages, coffee houses, and imperial sites like Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palace, is a highlight. Easily accessible with roundtrip flights to Budapest, it’s a year-round itinerary, ideal for any season."
In honor of “Rudi’s favorite cruise,” AmaWaterways has announced a new “Best of the Danube” itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Budapest, with 15 departures in 2025 and 14 in 2026. Special early-season sailings (Rudi’s favorite time to see the Danube) are departing on February 23 and March 2, 2025 and Feb. 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 2026 on AmaWaterways’ Flagship, the award-winning AmaMagna. Later season departures in 2025 and 2026 will sail on AmaBella, AmaReina, AmaViola and AmaLea. Rudi will be hosting a special Best of the Danube Webinar on Wednesday, August 21 – details and registration are available at Webinar Registration (register.gotowebinar.com/register/3089223494722304597).
The seven-night itinerary takes guests through the capital cities of three countries - Austria’s Vienna, Slovakia’s Bratislava and Hungary’s Budapest - spending full days in each. Excursions are plentiful with bike and walking tours, food tasting opportunities, visits to cathedrals and palaces, hikes, and freely exploring some of Europe’s most popular sites – without the crowds. Highlights include sampling the traditional foods and beers of Slovakia; touring the UNESCO site of Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous active monasteries dating back to the 11th century; a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, heading to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard; and exploring the many treasures of Budapest with the city’s Castle District and breathtaking panorama views on the Buda side and the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building on the Pest side.
Onboard the state-of-the-art AmaMagna (Feb 23 and March 2 sailings), guests can relax in the heated Sun Deck pool and whirlpool, participate in various exercise and relaxation classes led by AmaWaterways’ dedicated Wellness Host, play a round of pickleball at the ship’s onboard court, enjoy a soothing onboard massage or salon service at the spacious Zen Wellness Studio, and much more. Guests can extend their river cruise experience with a two-night pre-cruise land package in Budapest that is fully escorted by AmaWaterways’ Cruise Managers.
Cruising with AmaWaterways includes fine dining in multiple venues, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks, a daily variety of small group excursions, including hiking, biking and special interest tours, high-quality Wi-Fi, a complimentary Wellness Program in Europe and on the Mekong with a variety of host-led fitness classes, and much more.
For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.
