Your journey begins in the picturesque city of Budapest, one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873, when a newly built bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between.

This afternoon, board your all-inclusive ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your suite. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception. Your ship will remain docked here overnight, so you can go onshore to enjoy the festive atmosphere and legendary nightlife. 

Discover a different perspective on Budapest with a variety of fascinating activities to choose from today.

Scenic Freechoice:
Discover Budapest with your Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Budapest in Depth: Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that are separated by the Danube. See the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. Afterwards, visit a local Christmas market to soak in the festive spirit.

Guided hike of Buda: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike through the Buda district of the city. On your walk, see Várkert Bazár and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture.

Hungarian culinary market walk: Explore the Grand Central Market, a treasure trove of Hungarian flavours. Sample local specialties and hear fascinating stories about Budapest’s food culture.

Hospital in the Rock: Experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock, built as a secret hospital during WWII and was later converted to a nuclear bunker.

Enjoy a full day cruising the majestic Danube River towards Vienna, the Austrian capital. Perhaps recline in the Salt Therapy Lounge, enjoy an aperitif on the Sun Deck or make new friends in Panorama Lounge, before arriving in the evening and being treated to a magical concert experience, exclusive for Scenic guests.

Scenic Enrich
Classical concert at Palais Lichtenstein: Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein this evening as you relish an exclusive private classical concert. Enjoy a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra. You’ll be seated in Vienna’s largest secular Baroque hall, an ornate space where royals and nobles have sat for centuries. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Wake this morning with Vienna on your doorstep. A city full of grandeur, Austria’s imperial capital is famous for having the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and for the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Slow down and spend a full day exploring Vienna or venture further afield admiring the spectacular scenery of Vienna. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Today offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Central Vienna exploration: The city centre of Vienna is brimming with history, elegance and diverse architecture. During this tour your expert local guide will delight you with stories from the city before allowing you free time to explore as you wish.

Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, one of the most prominent dynasties in European history. As you wander its countless ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lived here and marvel at its impressive gardens.

Kunsthistorisches Museum: Discover a wealth of artistic treasures in Vienna’s premiere art museum. The museum is an architectural masterpiece in itself. Created by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer to showcase the imperial art collections of the Habsburgs, its design mirrors that of the Naturhistorisches Museum with a grand facade featuring a prominent central dome, ornate reliefs, and statues representing major figures and cities in art history. 

A departure in the early hours of the morning means you’ll have the opportunity to experience the beauty and glory of a traditional European midnight mass.

Merry Christmas! Spend this special day admiring the spectacular scenery as you cruise towards the German border over a gourmet Christmas feast and special celebrations. Expect plenty of festive fun, frivolity and fizz.

Set at the meeting point of three rivers and close to the border with Austria, Passau was an important trading point for centuries. It was also a significant town in the Holy Roman Empire, and the charming Old Town was mostly built by powerful prince-bishops in an Italianate style.

Scenic Freechoice:
Take your pick from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Full day excursion to Salzburg: Cross the border into Salzburg, Austria, a storybook city surrounded by alpine peaks and best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. On a guided tour, learn about its art and music scene, visit Mozart’s birthplace, and see the vast Hohensalzburg Fortress. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and some free time.

Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: Journey to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov, a World Heritage site brimming with charm. Explore with your local guide, admire the well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

Highlights of Passau: Join your local guide on a walking tour. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral, originally built in the year 450 but destroyed by fire in 1662 and rebuilt in the Baroque style. Other highlights include the Veste Oberhaus fortress, and beautifully preserved old town streets hosting museums, galleries, and cafes.

You will arrive in Regensburg today. Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore. Its medieval old town is one Germany’s largest and it’s also a World Heritage site.

Scenic Freechoice:
Be immersed in Regensburg with your choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions today:

Regensburg walking tour: Your expert local guide will show you the old stone bridge, the Church of St. James, and the Porta Praetoria all while sharing the customs and traditions of the region during the festive period.

Bavarian beer tasting: Visit a series of traditional breweries, learn about the intricacies of brewing and sample a variety of distinctive Bavarian beers, from the crisp refreshment of Helles lager to the smooth richness of Dunkel and the fruity, spicy character of Weissbier.

Nuremberg is Bavaria’s second-largest city. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, this city is dominated by one of the most significant imperial forts of the Holy Roman Empire, the 12th century Imperial Castle, which was the preferred residence of German kings.

Scenic Freechoice:
Today it’s your Scenic Freechoice:

Walking tour of the Old Town: You will drive into Nuremberg’s city centre, where your local guide will take you on a walking tour to see the Imperial Castle which overlooks the city, St. Egidien’s church and market square.

World War II tour - Art Bunker visit: Take a guided walking tour of the city then visit the fascinating Art Bunker. Thanks to medieval cellars dug into the sandstone of Nuremberg's castle hill, much of the city's artistic heritage survived the devastating aerial bombardments of World War II. Learn how they were stored and about the masterpieces that were saved.

Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls: The historic city of Nuremberg is yours to explore during this active walking tour. Wander the cobblestone streets surrounding the Imperial castle and admire the impressive city walls that have stood strong since medieval times.

Cruise into Bamberg this morning and join a guided tour to explore the World Heritage-listed Old Town, which occupies an island on its own. Admire a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral and the Old and New Residences – an episcopal palace, a pretty ‘Little Venice’ and a 12th century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills.

Würzburg combines history culture and wine. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Würzburg is home to a World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th century Old Main Bridge, and three universities including Bavaria’s oldest.

Scenic Freechoice:
Today, explore your way with Scenic Freechoice:

Walking tour and Würzburg Residence: Guided city tour: Transfer to the centre of Würzburg where a local guide is delighted to show you their hometown. Here you’ll stroll towards the historic market square where you will have time to wander.

Romantic Road to Rothenburg: From Würzburg drive by coach to Rothenburg along the so-called Romantic Road, an important trading route during the Middle Ages. Take a guided tour in Rothenburg, famous for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, to see the Gothic and Renaissance City Hall as well as the famous City Councillors’ Tavern.

Dock in the historic town of Wertheim, on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy an orientation tour of Wertheim.

Afterwards, take a coach to the stunning town of Miltenberg. Here, your local guide will showcase the city during a walking tour through the beautiful cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses.

Ring in the New Year on board during a festive party hosted by the crew. Raise a glass of champagne with your fellow guests.

Happy New Year! Take things slowly today as you enjoy a full day cruising through the beautiful landscapes of the Rhine River. You may like to ask your butler to bring coffee and breakfast to your suite, so you can relax as the wintery landscapes slip by outside your window.

You will arrive in Cologne this morning. This is a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, unique beer culture, thriving auto industry and cathedral that dominates its skyline.

Discover Cologne on a walking tour. Wander the laneways of the historical Old Town, which are home to breweries serving up draft Kölsch beer and enjoy free time to visit the city's centrepiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral. You will have further free time afterwards to explore the city on your own. 

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of urban beauty. Look around and you’ll find architectural marvels, masterpiece-filled galleries, boats putting along 16th century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes and streets busy with cyclists. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, the World Heritage-listed waterways are lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose from a range of Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals, with some of the picturesque sights of the city visible from these historical waterways on this one hour cruise. Stay warm inside your canal boat as you take in the city from a different perspective.

City walking tour: Explore Amsterdam on foot today, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your guide will cover history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture.

Excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar: Windmills are an iconic feature of Dutch culture. As you travel out of town enjoy the sweeping countryside landscape and explore the nearby villages of Schermerhorn, home to a number of World Heritage-listed windmills dating back to the 16th century, and Alkmaar. 

It’s time to farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you a wealth of memories and festive cheer. 

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from what is stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

^Not available on all ships 
~Massage services are an additional cost.