Europe River Cruises

Danube River Cruises to the Black Sea
from Germany, Vienna, and Budapest

Closed to tourists for many years the exotic lower reaches of the River Danube once again welcome visitors

With an overall length of over 1800 miles, the River Danube flows from its source in the Black Forest of Germany through eight countries to the Black Sea - it is the only major European river to flow from west to east.

From Nuremberg the Main-Danube Canal leads to the River Danube. The river flows through Austria to its capital Vienna and on to Budapest in Hungary.

From Budapest the Danube flows south through the Hungarian plains, and then turns east through Serbia.

The river passes through Belgrade with its ancient streets and Kalmegdan fortress above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The scenery becomes dramatic and the life more rural.

After passing through the spectacular ‘Iron Gate’, a dramatic Danube gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, the river forms a natural border between Bulgaria and Romania on its way to the Black Sea.

We offer 9 voyages to or from the Black Sea - from Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg and even a 21-night voyage from Amsterdam. Some of these one-way voyages also include nights in the Romanian capital of Bucharest with an optional excursion to Transylvania. Itineraries differ, and most cruises actually reach the Black Sea by coach excursion from a convenient river port.

Check out our River Danube to Black Sea cruises from the selection below

River Map of Europe
Follow the River Danube from Germany to the Black Sea on our zoomable map.

Cruising through Budapest - the River Danube

Golubac

Bran Castle, Transylvania

Cruises on the River Danube to the Black Sea

Avalon River Cruises

  • Includes travel from UK plus home pick-up service
  • Includes shore excursions
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner on board
  • Includes gratuities
  • Open seating for meals
  • Casual dress code
  • Mainly UK/US passengers

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsShipPrice From
Black Sea Discovery
2012: Save £250pp!
Budapest to Bucharest (or reverse)10Avalon Waterways Ships
£1669pp
Fly Cruise
Cruise the River Danube from Budapest through the Iron Gates to the Black Sea. Includes flights, transfers, excursions, plus hotel stays in Budapest and Bucharest
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Black Sea Discovery

A 10-night cruise holiday from Budapest to the Black Sea and passing through the scenic Iron Gates, visiting Kalocsa, Pecs, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Svistov and Varna, plus hotel stays in Budapest and Bucharest

Itinerary: Budapest (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Kalocsa (Hungary) - Pecs (Hungary); Novi Sad (Serbia); Belgrade (Serbia); Iron Gates; Svistov (Bulgaria) - Veliko Târnovo (Bulgaria) - Arbanassi (Bulgaria) - Rousse (Bulgaria); Silistra (Bulgaria) - Excursion to Varna, Black Sea; Oltenita (Romania); Bucharest (Romania). (On some dates a different itinerary applies)

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct; 2013 - Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct - More details

Blue Danube to the Black Sea
Save £750pp!
Vienna to Bucharest (or reverse)12Avalon Imagery
£2039pp
Fly Cruise
Cruise the length of the River Danube from Vienna to the Black Sea. Includes flights, transfers, excursions and hotel stays in Vienna and Bucharest
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Blue Danube to the Black Sea

Cruise the River Danube to the Black Sea, visiting Mohacs, Vukovar, Pecs, Constanta and the spectacular Iron Gates on a 12-night cruise holiday with hotel stays in Vienna and Bucharest

Itinerary: UK to Vienna; Vienna; Vienna; Budapest; Budapest; Mohacs; Vukovar; Belgrade; Cruising - The Iron Gates; Svistov - Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi - Rousse; Harsova; Oltenita - Bucharest; Bucharest - UK

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep - More details

Uniworld River Cruises

  • Includes travel from UK plus home pick-up service
  • Includes shore excursions
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with meals on board
  • Open seating for meals
  • Informal dress code
  • Mainly UK/US passengers

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsShipPrice From
Imperial Capitals of Europe Cruise
Save up to £675pp!
Istanbul to Vienna (or reverse)14Various
£3430pp
Fly Cruise
A great cruise holiday combining a 3 night stay in Istanbul with a cruise from Giurgiu in Romania through Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. Includes home pick-up, flights and drinks with meals on board.
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Imperial Capitals of Europe Cruise

A fascinating 14 night cruise holiday beginning with a 3 night stay in Istanbul and followed by a River Danube cruise form Giurgiu in Romania through Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovakia

Itinerary: London - Istanbul; Istanbul; Istanbul; Istanbul - Bucharest - Giurgiu; Rousse (Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi); Cruising the Iron Gates; Belgrade; Vukovar (Osijek); Mohacs (Pecs); Budapest; Budapest; Bratislava; Vienna; Vienna; Vienna - London

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct - More details

Eastern European Explorer
Save £675pp on 27 Sep departure!
Vienna to Bucharest (or reverse)14Various
£3570pp
Fly Cruise
A cruise through 7 countries from Vienna to Bucharest on the River Danube, ending with a 2 night hotel stay in Bucharest. Includes home pick-up, flights and drinks with lunch and dinner on board
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Eastern European Explorer

A 14-night River Danube cruise through 7 countries from Vienna to Budapest visiting the capitals of Eastern Europe and ancient sites, and ending with a 2 night hotel stay in Bucharest

Itinerary: UK to Vienna; Vienna; Bratislava; Budapest; Budapest; Vukovar (Osijek); Belgrade; Kostolac; Cruising the Iron Gates; Vidin (Belogradchik); Rousse (Varna); Rousse; Giurgiu - Disembark - Bucharest; Bucharest; Bucharest to UK

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct - More details

Viking River Cruises

  • Includes travel from UK
  • Includes shore excursions
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with meals on board
  • Open seating for meals
  • Informal dress code
  • Mainly UK/US/EUR passengers

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsShipPrice From
Passage to Eastern Europe
Exclusive Blue Water Holidays Discount of £50pp!
Budapest to Oltenita (or reverse)10MS Viking Primadonna
£1945pp
Fly Cruise
Cruise the River Danube towards the Black Sea through Eastern Europe, with hotel stays in Budapest and Bucharest. Includes full travel package from the UK
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Passage to Eastern Europe

A 7-night River Danube cruise through Eastern Europe towards the Black Sea, with a 2-night hotel stay in Budapest and a 1-night hotel stay in Bucharest, visiting the highlights of Hungary, Romania and Serbia including Kalocsa, Vukovar and Belgrade

Itinerary: Budapest; Budapest; Budapest; Kalocsa; Vukovar; Belgrade; Iron Gate and Kostolac; Vidin and Belogradchik; Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi; Oltenita and Bucharest; Bucharest

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov - More details
Departures in: 2013 - Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov - More details

AMA Waterways

  • Cruise only, package possible
  • Includes shore excursions
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner
  • Open seating for meals
  • Casual dress code
  • Mainly UK/US/AUS passengers

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsShipPrice From
Black Sea Voyage
2013: Save 10% on all 2013 departures!
Budapest to Rousse (or reverse)7Various
£1575pp
Cruise Only - Package possible
Cruise the Danube River through Eastern Europe from Budapest towards the Black Sea, through Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria with shore excursions including Belgrade and Bucharest
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Black Sea Voyage

A 7-night River Danube cruise through Eastern Europe, visiting the capital cities of Belgrade and Budapest, and cruising through the magnificent 'Iron Gates' to Rousse for a visit to the Romanian capital of Bucharest.

Itinerary: Budapest (Hungary); Mohacs (Hungary) - Pecs (Hungary) - Vukovar (Croatia); Vukovar (Croatia) - Novi Sad (Serbia); Belgrade (Serbia); Cruising the Iron Gates; Vidin (Bulgaria); Bucharest (Romania) - Rousse (Bulgaria); Rousse (Bulgaria)

Departures in: 2012 - Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct; 2013 - May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct - More details

Grand River Danube Cruise
2013: Save 10% on all 2013 departures!
Rousse to Passau (or reverse)14Various
£3090pp
Cruise Only - Package possible
Cruise the River Danube through Eastern Europe to Austria and Germany, through the dramatic Iron Gates and scenic Wachau Valley, visiting capital cities and medieval riverside towns on included shore excursions
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Grand River Danube Cruise

Enjoy this 14-night River Danube cruise through Eastern Europe to Austria and Germany, visiting the capital cities of Bucharest, Belgrade, Budapest and Vienna, along with historic towns and villages along the way on included shore excursions

Itinerary: Rousse (Bulgaria); Giurgiu (Romania); Vidin (Bulgaria); Cruising the Iron Gates; Belgrade (Serbia); Novi Sad (serbia) - Vukovar (Croatia); Mohacs (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Bratislava (Slovakia); Vienna (Austria); Durnstein (Austria); Linz (Austria); Passau (Germany); Vilshofen (Germany)

Departures in: 2012 - Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct; 2013 - May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct - More details

APT River Cruises

  • Includes travel from UK
  • Includes shore excursions
  • Includes gratuities
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner (and lunch on Premier Plus cruises)
  • Open seating for meals
  • Casual dress code
  • Mainly UK/AUS/US passengers

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE
Cruise NameCruise RouteNightsShipPrice From
Black Sea Voyage
Exclusive 5% Blue Water Holidays Discount!
Budapest to Rousse (or reverse)7Various
£1950pp
Fly Cruise
From Budapest, this cruise follows the Danube towards the Black Sea and the Bulgarian riverside city of Rousse, taking in a Croatian wine region, the spectacular Iron Gates and fairytale Belogradchik. Includes travel package from the UK and drinks on board
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Black Sea Voyage

This superb 7-night cruise along the Danube through Eastern Europe sails towards the Black Sea, visits the capital cities of Belgrade and Bucharest and cruises through the natural wonder of the 'Iron Gates' before arriving in Rousse to visit Romanian capital Bucharest

Itinerary: Budapest (Hungary); Mohacs (Hungary) - Pecs (Hungary) - Vukovar; Vukovar - Novi Sad; Belgrade (Serbia); Vidin (Bulgaria); Rousse (Bulgaria); Rousse (Bulgaria)

Departures in: 2012 - Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct - More details

Grand River Danube Cruise
Exclusive 5% Blue Water Holidays Discount!
Nuremberg to Rousse (or reverse)14APT Aria Class river cruise ships
£3625pp
Fly Cruise
A leisurely cruise towards the Black Sea from Nuremberg, with visits to Regensburg, the splendid abbey at Melk, Vienna, the old town of Pecs, Belgrade in Serbia and the Baba Vida Fortress at Vidin. Includes travel package from the UK and drinks on board
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Grand River Danube Cruise

An unhurried, 14-night cruise along the scenic River Danube from Nuremberg in Germany all the way to Rousse in Bulgaria close to the Black Sea, with visits to medieval Regensburg, the magnificent abbey at Melk, Vienna, Mohacs, Croatian Vukovar, Belgrade and Bucharest

Itinerary: Nuremberg (Germany); Nuremberg (Germany); Regensburg (Germany); Passau (Germany) - Linz (Austria); Melk (Austria) - Vienna (Austria); Vienna (Austria); Budapest (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Mohacs (Hungary) - Pecs (Hungary) - Vukovar (Croatia); Vukovar (Croatia) - Novi Sad (Serbia); Belgrade (Serbia); Vidin (Bulgaria); Bucharest (Romania); Rousse (Bulgaria)

Departures in: 2012 - Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov - More details

Rivers of the Emperors - Amsterdam to Rousse
Exclusive 5% Blue Water Holidays Discount!
Amsterdam to Rousse21APT Aria Class river cruise ships
£5535pp
Fly Cruise
A fantastic and scenic journey through 8 European countries from Amsterdam on the North Sea Canal to the Danube riverport of Rousse close to the Black Sea, visiting the 2012 Floriade from Cologne. Includes travel package from the UK and drinks on board
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Rivers of the Emperors - Amsterdam to Rousse

An exciting journey north to south from Amsterdam to Rousse, this 21-night cruise crosses 8 countries on a voyage on the Rhine, Main-Danube Canal and the River Danube, and includes a visit to the 2012 Floriade Horticultural Expo

Itinerary: Amsterdam (Holland); Amsterdam (Holland); Cologne (Germany) - Koblenz (Germany) - Andernach (Germany); Rudesheim (Germany); Freudenberg (Germany) - Wertheim (Germany); Wurzburg (Germany); Bamberg (Germany); Nuremberg (Germany); Regensburg (Germany); Passau (Germany) - Linz (Austria); Melk (Austria) - Durnstein (Austria); Vienna (Austria); Vienna (Austria) - Bratislava (Slovakia); Budapest (Hungary); Budapest (Hungary); Mohacs (Hungary) - Pecs (Hungary) - Vukovar (Croatia); Vukovar (Croatia) - Novi Sad (Serbia); Belgrade (Serbia); Iron Gates; Vidin (Bulgaria); Giurgiu (Romania) - Bucharest (Bucharest); Rousse (Bulgaria)

Departures in: 2012 - May, Jul, Aug, Sep - More details

Blue Water Holidays, Bridge House, Brook Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP - 01756 706500
As a fully bonded member of ABTA (K9428) with an ATOL (9685), the Air Tour Operators Licence, we offer complete peace of mind when you  book your holiday through us.