26 November – 3 December 2014
Join Wine Diva Deb and celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a festive journey down the Danube.
Boarding in Nuremberg, AMAWaterways Brand New river cruise ship the MS AMASonata, you will cruise through the charming region where so many of today’s most beloved Christmas traditions originated. Experience a number of enchanting Christmas markets in places such as Regensburg, Salzburg, and Vienna, each with its own local flavor and traditions. Conclude your holiday cruise in Budapest.
2 Night Pre Cruise Prague Tour (Optional)
Join Wine Diva Deb on a private tour of Prague prior to the cruise on the AMASonata. Click here for details.
Cruise Details
| Date | City | Activity |
| Nov 26 | Nuremberg | Welcome aboard the MS AMASONATA. Get settled in today in your new home away from home. Tonight, gather on board your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship moors in Nuremberg overnight. |
| Nov 27 | Nuremberg/Continental Divide | Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, 900-year-old city ramparts, Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace courtroom where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Following your tour, you will have free time to visit the city’s fabled Christmas Market and enjoy some complimentary hot mulled Glühwein – the souvenir mug is yours to keep! After lunch, continue on to the Continental Divide at Hilpoltstein – Europe’s highest point at 1,332 feet above sea level – before descending through stair-step locks. |
| Nov 28 | Regensburg | Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and enjoy a guided walking tour of this exquisitely preserved medieval city. Marvel at the beautiful churches, the homes of wealthy families, and one of Germany’s oldest bridges across the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market, with its festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Afterwards, visit the “royal” markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas Market, where you can watch craftsmen at work. The ship departs this evening for Austria. |
| Nov 29 | Passau – Linz, Austria | After breakfast, you have two choices for how to spend the day. The first is a walking tour of picturesque Passau, a fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago, where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ. Afterwards, take some time to explore the town’s Christmas Market. Or take an optional full day excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” You will have time to visit Salzburg’s beautiful Christmas Market, renowned for local handicrafts and one-of-a-kind holiday presents. If you prefer to stay on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz. After arriving this evening, feel free to take a walk through this delightful town or browse for keepsakes at yet another charming Christmas Market. The ship departs around midnight and cruises overnight. |
| Nov 30 | Melk – Vienna | Today’s guided walking tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. You will see the famous library that inspired novelist Umberto Eco to write The Name of the Rose. During lunch, the ship cruises through the romantic Wachau Valley en route to Vienna, the “City of Music,” arriving this evening. Tonight, you may head into town to explore on your own or opt for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors overnight in Vienna. |
| Dec 1 | Vienna | This morning, start your excursion with a driving tour of Vienna. You will see the majestic Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the Christmas Market and holiday festivities at the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to Schonbrunn Palace, which has its own remarkable Christmas Market, or take a stroll along the Kärntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna’s famous pastries. The ship departs around dinnertime for Hungary. |
| Dec 2 | Budapest, Hungary | This morning, cruise past the beautiful towns nestled along the Danube Bend en route to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing tour takes you to Buda Castle, with its splendid view of the twin cities, as well as the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica. You have the balance of the day to explore the Christmas Market in the main square. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner, followed by a special “Illuminations Cruise” past Budapest’s glittering river front. The ship moors overnight in Budapest. |
| Dec 3 | Budapest | Disembark |
On Board Inclusions
- 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
- Most with French balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies
- Life enriching tours and excursions daily
- State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
- Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
- Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Multiple dining venues on select vessels
- Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
- Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, on board music performances and piano music
- Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours
- Services of professional Cruise Manager
- All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
- All local taxes
- All gratuities
2 Night Prague Tour (Optional)
Tour Includes:
- Airport shuttle transfer to Hotel in Prague
- 2 night’s Deluxe accommodation including taxes at Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa
- Prague City Tour (3 hours)
- Private Transfer from Prague Hotel to Nuremberg and the AmaSonato ship
- Visit to the famous Urquell Brewery in Pilsner (beer tasting included)
- Flights NOT included
Hotel Inclusions:
- Buffett Breakfast daily
- 1 Welcome drink / person upon arrival
- Bottle of mineral water in the guest room on daily basis
- Homemade chocolate Alchymist truffles with daily turn-down service
- Daily one hour wine tasting in Lobby Bar between 5-6 pm
- Unlimited relax in the Health Club (relaxation room, sauna, swimming pool, fitness)
- WIFI internet access in the guest rooms and the public area
2 Night Prague Itinerary
| Date | City | Activity |
| November 24 | Prague | Arrive into Prague Included transfer from Airport to Hotel Free day to relax and walk around or enjoy the spa at the hotel |
| November 25 | Prague | Walking City tour. During this tour we will see the most interesting sites on the side of the Old town. We will start at Wenceslas Square, following to the Royal Route to the Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter Josefov, and finally we will cross the Charles Bridge to the other side of the river. Admission not included in the price.Join the group for an optional dinner at the famous Alchymist Club and Restaurant a short 5 min walk from the hotel. 5 star rating on trip advisor. http://www.nosticova.com/en/alchymist-bar |
| November 26 | Transfer to Nuremberg | Board your luxury bus at 9:30 am for a private transfer from Prague to Nuremberg. 2 hour drive to Pilsner for a stop at the famous Urquell Brewery. Not enough time for a full tour but we can sample some beers (included) and enjoy lunch or you can walk around Pilsner for your own sightseeing adventure. Reboard the bus after a 2 hours top in Pilsner leaving at 1:30pm to arrive directly to our ship the AmaSonato for boarding on our 7 day river cruise. |
Pricing Details* (per person US$)
River Cruise
| Category | Deck | Stateroom | Price/person |
| E | Piano | Fixed windows | $2,660 |
| D | Piano | Fixed windows | $2,896 |
| C | Violin & Cello | French Balcony | $3,276 |
| BB | Cello | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $3,751 |
| BA | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $3,846 |
| AB | Cello | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $4,036 |
| AA | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $4,226 |
| AA+ | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $4,559 |
| Suite | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | $5,176 |
*Port charges of US$161 per person are additional
Prague Tour (optional, additional charge to river cruise)
$500 per person (double occupancy)
(Credit card fee of 3% will apply to Prague Tour only, no fees if paying by check)
 |
Purchase Prague Tour |
To Reserve your space
Send email to: winedivadeb@yahoo.com or call Wine Diva Deb on 206-617-6160.
River Cruise: Deposit of $400/person is required. Final payment is due 1 August 2014.
Optional Prague Tour: Full payment due by May 1, 2014.
All reservations based on double occupancy. Non refundable $25 booking fee will apply to all booking. Travel Insurance highly recommended as well as Personal & Medical Insurance.
Christmas Markets Notice: Note most Christmas Markets open around Nov. 25 and remain open until approximately Dec. 23. Check with each country’s tourist office for more information. The Nuremburg Christmas market will NOT be open on Nov 26 or 27, 2014.
| Cancellations | Cancellation Terms |
| From 15 Feb 2014 : 121 days prior to departure | US$200 pp loss of deposit |
| 120 – 90 days prior to departure | US$400 pp loss of deposit |
| 89 – 60 days prior to departure | 35% loss of price |
| 59 – 30 days prior to departure | 50% loss of price |
| 29 – 7 days prior to departure | 80% loss of price |
| From 6 days prior to/including departure date | 100% loss of price |
