Christmas Markets cruise
Visit the Beautiful Christmas Markets of Germany and Austria 
MS Amadeus Princess/ MS Amadeus Classic
Magic at Advent 

Departures on MS Amadeus Princess:
 01Dec, 13Dec 2008 from Nuremberg to Vienna 

or   07 Dec 2008 from Vienna to Nuremberg

Visit the world-famous Christmas Markets of Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna 

Christmas markets have been popular in Southern Germany for over 700 years, providing opportunities for local craftsmen to show off their wares  in  atmospheric settings when towns and villages lie under a carpet of snow. This is a cruise is offered on MS Amadeus, one of the most modern and comfortable river cruise ships. Visits to traditional Christmas markets provide opportunities for Christmas shopping while you encounter sleepy villages and romantic towns adorned in magical Christmas decorations emitting aromas of ginger breads, hot ciders, toasted almonds  and other flavors and sounds of  romantic Old Europe.

Day 1

Embarkation on to the AMADEUS PRINCESS in Nuremberg begins at 3.00 p.m. When you have found your way round your floating hotel our cruise managers invite you to take a welcome cocktail in the Panorama bar before our special welcome dinner. The vessel remains in Nuremberg overnight.

Nuremberg is a city with a long and varied history.  Our sightseeing tour this morning will give you an impression of the city’s cultural and historical importance.  Then you visit the world famous Christmas market in the old quarter of Nuremberg. During lunch on board, the AMADEUS PRINCESS casts off downstream towards Regensburg.

Your cruise ship reaches the fine Bavarian city of Passau, which lies at the confluence of three rivers (the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz) while you are still enjoying the substantial breakfast served on board. You may join the morning’s city walk to get to know this delightful miniature city. The AMADEUS PRINCESS will leave Passau at about 4.00 p.m, and continue downstream.

In the morning we reach the mythical region of the Wachau. The AMADEUS PRINCESS halts at Melk/Emmersdorf, and you have an opportunity to join the "Beauties of the Wachau" excursion, which consists of a visit to the town of Dürnstein (guided tour on foot) and to the imposing Benedictine abbey of Melk, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. 
The AMADEUS PRINCESS meanwhile proceeds to Weissenkirchen, where everyone re-embarks, and heads off in the direction of Vienna during lunch.  You can spend a pleasant afternoon on board, letting the fascinating scenery of the Wachau float by. 
You reach the world famous Danube metropolis of Vienna at about 5.00 p.m. There will be an opportunity to drive into the centre of the city by coach, and to visit the Christmas market near Vienna’s city hall. 

In the morning you can join our Vienna sightseeing tour, during which you can admire the Hofburg palace, the impressive Vienna opera house, the majestic inner ring road and St. Stephen’s cathedral. In the afternoon there will be an excursion to the "Schönbrunn castle", where there will be a performance in the Marionette theatre. 
On the final evening of your cruise the captain of the AMADEUS PRINCESS invites you to his special dinner, and the ship’s orchestra will not fail to inspire most of the passengers to round off their cruise on the dance floor

Disembarkation by 9.00 am.
End of the cruise

City/Town

ARR.

DEP.

Details and Optional Excursions

NUREMBERG

-

Check-In from 3 p.m.  

NUREMBERG

-

12.00

City tour of Nuremberg with visit to the famous Christmas Market of  Nuremberg

REGENSBURG

22:00

City walk and visit to Christmas market

PASSAU

City walk and visit to the Christmas Market

EMMERSDORF
WEISSENKIRCHEN
VIENNA

10:30
12:30

"Beauties of the Wachau and Gluhwein party" Euro 39 p.p.
Visit of the Christmas Market

VIENNA

City Tour Vienna
Visit of the Schonbrunn Palace incl.marionette theatre and visit to the Christmas market in front of the Schnbbrunn palace (Euro 59 p.p.)
Concert Panorama Bar

VIENNA

Deck

HAYDN

STRAUSS

MOZART

Prices in €

€ 170

€ 240

€ 290

€ 180

€ 250

€ 305

City/Town

ARR.

DEP.

Details and Optional Excursions

VIENNA

-

Check-In from 3 p.m.  
Concert Panorama Bar

VIENNA

-

23.00

City tour of Vienna and visit to Christmas Market
"Schonbrunn palace incl. marionette theatre" and visit to the Christmas Market in front of the Schonbrunn Palace

MELK/EMMERSDORF

14:00

"Beauties of the Wachau"

PASSAU

City Walk Passau
Concert in the Panoramabar after the dinner

REGENSBURG

22:00

City walk Regensburg
in the evening: transfer to the Christmas Market

ROTH

City tour of Nuremberg (by bus from Roth) and visit to the Christmas Market