Authentic Danube

Color Outside the Lines

If you’ve ever used color pencils, there’s a good chance they were Faber-Castell. One of the oldest family businesses in the world, Faber-Castell is a top maker of wooden pencils for writing, drawing, and all things creative. Visit their headquarters today, and you’re sure to find a little bit of artistic inspiration yourself as you explore the beautiful grounds, an actual castle. You’ll even get a peek behind the scenes to watch their pencils being made.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Nuremberg Panoramic City Tour

Nuremberg was never officially the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, but German rulers made this city their base for 500 years. They surrounded the medieval city with stout walls and built a great castle on a hilltop, which they expanded again and again over the centuries. Prosperous, secure and vibrant, Nuremberg lured artists and thinkers, merchants and scientists, for centuries.

Discover this archetypal medieval German city today as you trace the great ramparts and gate towers around the Old Town. Stroll through the castle gardens and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, then walk through a maze of cobblestone lanes down to the central Market Square, gathering around the well-named Beautiful Fountain, first erected in 1396. The red sandstone Church of Our Lady stands on the east side of the square—the 14th-century façade survived WWII bombing and, like much of Old Town, was meticulously reconstructed after the war, with the original stones plucked from the rubble.

Browse on your own following your tour; there is much to see and enjoy. The Germanisches National Museum is one of the largest museums in the world; in it, you'll find the first pocket watch ever made, the first globe produced in Europe, works by German artists and more. The half-timbered shops in Crafts Court, next to the King's Gate in the old wall, give you a sense of what it was like to buy goods in Renaissance Nuremberg—wooden toys, pewter cups and leather goods are for sale here, as are commemorative coins hand-stamped on a 15th-century press. Visit Dürer House, where Nuremberg's most famous native son, Albrecht Dürer, lived, or simply relax in a beer garden and enjoy the city's specialty sausages and dark beer.

Nuremberg City Tour with WWII Rally Grounds and Documentation Center Visits

Hitler considered Nuremberg the perfect expression of German culture (partly because of its significance in the Holy Roman Empire, which he called the First Reich), and so beginning in 1927, he chose to hold his massive rallies in the city. By 1933, his favorite architect, Albert Speer, had designed the vast Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where thousands upon thousands of Nazi troops saluted Hitler. (Leni Riefenstahl captured these events in her famous propaganda film Triumph of the Will.) Not all of Speer’s plans were executed, and some of his grandiose structures were bombed out of existence, but the remainder stand as vivid testimony to Hitler’s megalomania. A four-square-mile (10-square-kilometer) complex known as Zeppelin Fields contains parade grounds and a huge grandstand, the excavation site where a stadium for 400,000 people was begun—the hole is now filled with water—and the half-finished Congress Hall.

NOTE: The permanent exhibition at the Documentation Center will be closed until the fall of 2023. In its place, a special temporary exhibition may be available.

The Adventure Ball

A short drive outside of Regensburg, a giant wooden ball sits right on the shores of a beautifully blue Bavarian lake. Made up of twisting walkable paths, this “adventure ball” is the largest of its kind in the whole world. Explore this fun site with an expert guide, walk to the top of the ball for amazing views, glide back down to the bottom via the sphere’s “mega slide,” and take a short hike around the lake to learn about local plants and animals. With some free time at the end, you can stop for refreshments at the on-site restaurant, attempt the climbing wall, or test your skills at the balancing path.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Nights Out: The Regensburg Cathedral Choir

This evening, Regensburger Domspatzen will treat you to a private concert in their famous Gothic cathedral. Literally translated to “The Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows,” the Domspatzen is the oldest boys’ choir in the world, dating back to the 10th century.

Regensburg Walking Tour

People have been describing Regensburg as “old and new” for a thousand years. A single structure perfectly illustrates this: Porta Praetoria, the gate built by the Romans during Marcus Aurelius’ reign. The gate and adjacent watchtower have been incorporated into a much newer building, but the plaster has been removed to reveal the ancient stones laid so long ago.

As you walk through the cobbled lanes of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, the city’s 2,000-year history is similarly revealed: the Stone Bridge that made Regensburg a 12th-century trading powerhouse, the Gothic town hall where the Imperial Diet met for three centuries, the 13th-century fortified patrician houses and the spectacular Cathedral of St. Peter, whose magnificent 14th-century stained-glass windows alone are worth your walk.

You’ll have free time to explore on your own. It’s very hard to get lost in Regensburg because the spires of the cathedral are visible all over town, so don’t hesitate to roam. The historic quarter not only boasts almost a thousand beautiful old buildings, but also many cozy pubs and some great shopping. The ship is docked conveniently close, so it’s easy to drop your treasures off and go back for more.

“From Hops Field to Beer Stein” Farm Visit

Hops vines grow up their strings in a field tower almost twice a person’s height. They’re grown for their flowers, which add a distinctive flavor to beer—but the fields they grow in add a distinctive flavor to the hops. You could call it terroir for beer, and you can delve into hops cultivation and hops brewing today. Travel through Bavaria’s Holledau region, the largest hops growing district in the world, and meet an enthusiastic ambassador of hops growing and beer making. She will give you a quick and lively history of hops in Germany—including Bavaria’s law governing the making of beer, which has specified since 1560 that the only ingredients permitted in beer are water, barley and hops—and lead you on a tour through the growing fields her family owns, followed by a craft beer tasting in the cozy barn turned beer hall. It’s a delicious way to get to know a fascinating aspect of the international farm-to-table movement.

Weltenburg Abbey Beer

You’ll find that some of the finest brews and Europe are produced by the humble monks and nuns of the continent’s many abbeys. Visit the Weltenburg Abbey today to learn about monastic brewing at the oldest such establishment in the world. Founded in the year 600, the abbey sits at the mouth of the Danube Gorge, making for a charming locale in which to enjoy a history lesson and a beer.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Bavarian Forest Adventure

Enter the Bavarian Forest, Germany’s first and largest national park, to discover an abundant wilderness covered in diverse flora and fauna. This area is home to several unique craft traditions, and you’ll have your choice of which ones you’d like to discover today.

Enjoy a tasting of local schnapps. In Germany, schnapps refers to any hard liquor, and each is distinguished by the ingredients it is distilled from. The word means “snap,” since schnapps is generally “snapped” back in the style of a shot.

From there, you’ll choose to either see how the local style of glassware is crafted, or for a more active outing, join us on a visit to a former Silver Mine. Ride up to the mine by cable car, get your helmet and dive deep into the mountain.

Into The Woods

Enter the Bavarian Forest, Germany’s first and largest national park, to discover an abundant wilderness covered in diverse flora and fauna.

You’ll explore the forest in one of two ways today. You can choose to join a family host to see how the local style of glassware is crafted. Or for those looking for a more active outing, join a family host on a visit to a former silver mine. Ride up to the mine by cable car, get your helmet and dive deep into the mountain.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Let’s Go: Scenic Bavarian River Biking

Set off on an invigorating bike ride venturing through Passau and Engelhartszell, led by one of our certified wellness instructors. Pedal through Passau's Old Town, past more charming villages, meadows and orchards. Wind your way through the lovely countryside, along the Danube’s right side, into the picturesque Danube Valley. These particular landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of Europe—characterized by expansive vineyards, tree-lined slopes, and castle-dotted hillsides—and seamlessly blend the region’s cultural, historical and natural components together.

Passau Walking Tour

The skyline of Passau is dominated by two buildings that owe their existence to the prince-bishops who ruled the city until 1803: the great fortress looming on a hill above the three rivers, home to the bishops until the 17th century, and the green onion domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. As you walk through the cobblestone streets toward those green onion domes, you’ll realize that Passau retains the layout of the medieval town.

However, many of the wooden medieval buildings burned to the ground in the 17th century, and the prince-bishops imported Italian artists to build a new cathedral and a magnificent new residence for the bishops themselves. As a result, these splendid structures flaunt Italian baroque and rococo style and ornamentation, complete with opulent gilding and wonderful frescoes. Your guide will introduce you to some of the architectural highlights—the rococo stairways of the New Residence; the cathedral; and the Town Hall, which boasts a magnificent atrium adorned with large paintings by Ferdinand Wagner—and make sure you get a close-up view of the point where the three rivers meet.

Pedal Passau

Head out on a cycling excursion on the famous Danube Bike Trail, venturing through Passau, Engelhartszell and other fascinating locales. This flat pathway hugs the river and offers spectacular views of Germany’s lush scenery. The Danube Bike Trail is one of Europe's largest, following stretches of the Danube in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Ilz River Splash

Enjoy an afternoon on the water with the chance to try out rowing, canoeing or paddle-boarding on the Ilz River, nicknamed the “Black Pearl,” due to the moors and bogs at its river basin that give the water a mesmerizing black color. The Ilz is a paradise for kayakers and paddle boarders alike and allows people of all experience levels to have fun here.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Treasure Hunt Trek

Join a local geocaching guide on a unique discovery of Passau’s historical and hidden spots. Pay close attention to clues and hints as you make your way from one station to the next, uncovering important historical information about your current location. Each station also includes a special activity for kids.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

All Hands on Deck

The Wachau is one of the prettiest river valleys on earth. Today, leave our ship behind and board a smaller boat to see this stretch of the Danube from a whole new angle. Sail down the river with a local guide along for the ride, enjoy some beverages onboard, and take in the incredible view with your family and new friends.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Melk Abbey with Library Visit

The Babenbergs, a great medieval ducal family that controlled a wide swath of Austria before yielding to the Habsburgs, were the first to erect a castle on the hill above Melk, which they subsequently gave to Benedictine monks. These monks, some 900 years ago, turned it into a fortified abbey—and the greatest center of learning in Central Europe. Their library was celebrated far and wide (and still is; Umberto Eco paid tribute to it in his best-selling novel The Name of the Rose). Medieval monks there created more than 1,200 manuscripts, sometimes spending an entire lifetime hand-lettering a single volume. Today the library contains some 100,000 volumes, among them more than 80,000 works printed before 1800. This beautiful complex, completely redone in the early 18th century, is a wonderful example of baroque art and architecture, and the views from its terrace are spectacular. As you walk through the abbey’s Marble Hall with your guide, look up at the ceiling fresco painted by Paul Troger: Those classical gods and goddesses represent Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, allegorically bringing his people from dark to light and demonstrating the link he claimed to the original Roman Empire.

After your tour of the abbey, you’ll have time to explore Melk on your own, or you can take the motorcoach back to the ship.

Weissenkirchen Village Walk with Wine Tasting

You’ve seen the apricot orchards along the river banks; now taste the fruit. Begin with an easy walk to Weissenkirchen, which may be the prettiest village in the Wachau—and that’s saying quite a bit. Named for its famous white church, Weissenkirchen is simply picture-perfect. Its centuries-old wine estates, houses with colorful flower boxes, lovely gardens and apricot orchards make for a wonderfully idyllic setting between the river and the mountains. Later, sample some Wachau wines at a local winery where your guide will share various details about why these extraordinary wines are so unique.

Let’s Go: Vineyard Hike

If you're up for a hike, join a group on a hike up through the vineyards. A stairway at the church will take you past the ancient cemetery and up to the hiking trail that leads through the vineyards planted with Riesling and Grüner Veltliner grapes. You'll enjoy expansive views over the river valley as you approach your resting point. An easy walk back to the ship; instead of a reverse hike, you can comfortably stroll back into the village via a different route, passing many small vintners along the way.

Wachau Valley Wines by Boat

For a new perspective of the Wachau Valley’s outstanding natural beauty, join an intimate group of your fellow passengers onboard a small boat. Together you’ll embark on a serene sailing, perfectly enhanced with a tasting of wines produced in the very environment you’re admiring. Traveling along with you will be an expert on local wines, ready to share their insights as you sample each variety. Please note, this excursion is available on the Nuremberg to Vienna direction of this itinerary only.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Schönbrunn Palace Tour

Perhaps the apex of baroque design in Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace's gardens and structures form a perfectly integrated masterwork; it was Empress Maria Theresa's favorite palace, and she made it the social and political center of her empire, beginning in 1740. Your visit today will concentrate on the rooms occupied by Emperor Franz Joseph and his empress, Elisabeth (known as Sissi, she was enormously popular in her day). Franz Joseph restored the state rooms to their rococo splendor, but his private rooms reflect his rather severe nature, making for an illuminating contrast.

Magical History Tour

Watch as history comes alive on this exploration of the city at the interactive multimedia venue Time Travel Vienna. Discover Vienna’s eventful history in a unique way; Time Travel Vienna features a 5D cinema, animatronic wax figures, rides and multimedia shows equipped with extraordinary sound and light effects. After, you’ll embark on a humorous and expertly-led walk around the city that will bring you to the historic St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Schönbrunn Royal Experience

Learn more about the everyday life of the imperial family at the “Schloss Schönbrunn Experience” Children’s Museum. Dress up as a prince or princess, learn the secret language of fans, play with imperial toys or set the table for an imperial dinner. Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, is a stunning 1,441 room Baroque palace that’s revered as one of the most important architectural and historical monuments in the country. Marvel at its over 300 years of history that reflect the changing tastes of former monarchs and wander through its vast gardens.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Private Mozart and Strauss Concert

Vienna is linked inextricably with music. The list of great composers who lived and worked here is as long as it is glorious. Enjoy an evening of compositions by some of the most famous names on this list, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss. In one of Vienna’s historic halls, world-class professionals of modern-day Vienna, including singers, will enchant you with their music.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Spanish Riding School with Morning Training

Would you like to see up close what makes the Lipizzaner's so renowned? While the lineage of the white stallions certainly has its impact, the careful training they undergo is largely to thank for their remarkably graceful performances. Enter the Spanish Riding school this morning to witness their training in person, and be treated to behind-the-scenes insight on these famous show horses.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Vienna Culinary Walking Tour

Our culinary tour starts in a place of great significance to the people of Vienna, a coffee house. Viennese coffee house culture is a hallmark of local history, and even has UNESCO designation. Though the UNESCO designation refers to coffee house culture collectively, rather than a specific location, we’ve selected one of the city’s most traditional spots for enjoying a cup of coffee with a slice of cake. Next, we’ll walk to Graben Square, where we’ll sample homemade breads with an assortment of spreads and beer. And after that, it’s on to the Stephansplatz, the square surrounding the beautiful Saint Stephen’s Cathedral. We’ll stop by one of Vienna’s oldest cellar vaults at a nearby wine shop for an aperitif of a typical Viennese white wine.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.