The Danube from Black Sea to Budapest 2020

11 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest

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Begin your exciting vacation with one night in Bucharest, Romania, before embarking on your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest, Hungary. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boule-vards and historical treasures. Here, you’ll see the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. You’ll take part on an exciting excursion to the serene Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s guided sightseeing in Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, and take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views of the Iron Gates. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue your cultural journey on an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are countless memorable moments on this fascinating river cruise through Eastern Europe.
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River Cruise Map of The Danube from Black Sea to Budapest

Cruise at-a-Glance

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Day 1 Bucharest: Welcome to BucharestDay 2 Bucharest—Fetesti (Embarkation): Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome receptionDay 3 St. Gheorghe:Excursion to Danube Delta; km 0 celebration Day 4 Cernavodă. Excursion to Constanta: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum in ConstantaDay 5 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi: Guided sightseeing, visit Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, and the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi; or guided sightseeingDay 6 Vidin—Belogradchik:Guided sightseeing to Vidin’s fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik Day 7 Iron Gates—Donji Milanovac: Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates gorge; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological siteDay 8 Belgrade: Guided sightseeingDay 9 Osijek: Guided tour; concert performanceDay 10 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Guided tour and organ concert in PécsDay 11 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

Cruise

Avalon makes it easy to experience vacation your way with seamless extension options before and after your cruise. Your Way offers added nights in a selection of locales. From Budapest to Barcelona, you can spend a little or a lot more time getting to know more on shore with Your Way custom itineraries.

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Always Included

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind—offering expansive views and wider perspectives. That's why we've designed a cruise experience that's just a bit different.

Here are just some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships. See the Ship Amenities Section below for more information about the amenities in our fleet’s unique ships.

Throughout the Ship

Suites & Staterooms

Health & Fitness

Dining

Throughout the Ship:

Complimentary Wi-Fi
Panoramic windows
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day

Suites & Staterooms:

Comfort Collection Beds^SM with choice of mattress firmness
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Bathrobes & slippers
Premium L'Occitane bath products
Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
Individual climate control and in-room safe
USB Ports
Complimentary bottled water daily
And, much more.

Health & Fitness:

Bikes
Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
Fitness and wellness activities
Fitbits®
All through your Avalon Adventure Host^SM

Dining

FlexDining® for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Early and Late Riser breakfast options
Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations
Alternative light lunch at Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting)
Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
Daily four-course a la carte dinner in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Includes selections of regional recipes, Western dishes and vegetarian options.
Enjoy a tasting menu with a view in the Panorama Bistro - a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while lingering over several satisfying selections
Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
Panorama Lounge featuring premium spirits and Avalon specialty cocktails, along with local entertainment special guests
Cocktails available on the Sky Deck
Fresh fruit available throughout the day

Avalon Choice

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Plus independent exploration options and use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner

Day 1

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Welcome to Bucharest—the “Paris of the East”

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.

Day 2

(B, D)

BUCHAREST

Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History

Classic

Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Travel to Fetesti to board your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon.

FETESTI (EMBARKATION)

Your Balkan Adventure Begins

Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.

Discovery

After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE

Day 3

(B, L, D)

ST. GHEORGHE. EXCURSION TO THE DANUBE DELTA

A Mighty River’s Entrance into the Sea

Classic

Join a small-boat Guided Tour of the best preserved of Europe’s deltas-2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands.

Discovery

Enjoy a Special Celebration to mark Kilometer “0”—the end of the Danube River’s 2,845 km journey—from the source in the Black Forest to its delta into the Black Sea.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODĂ

Day 4

(B, L, D)

CERNAVODĂ. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA

Romanian Commerce and Cultural Legacies on the Black Sea

Classic

Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE

Day 5

(B, L, D)

ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

Fortresses and Fountains in Bulgaria’s “Little Vienna”

Classic

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR:

Active

Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host.

Sail to Svistov

Classic

Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Later, join your ship in Svistov.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN

Day 6

(B, L, D)

VIDIN

Rocks and Ruins—Things of Beauty in Bulgaria

Classic

Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC

Day 7

(B, L, D)

DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA—IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR

Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of the Iron Gates

Before lunch on board, you’ll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

Classic

Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

Day 8

(B, L, D)

BELGRADE

Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present

Classic

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK

Day 9

(B, L, D)

OSIJEK, CROATIA

History and Culture of Croatia

Enjoy a leisurely sailing morning or join an Optional Excursion to the city of Vukovar, Croatia’s undiscovered pearl

Classic

Join a morning Guided Walking Tour of the Croatian city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrđa, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions.

DISCOVERY Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS

Day 10

(B, L, D)

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS

Underground Tombs and Soaring Music

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

Classic

Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

Day 11

(B)

BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Visit the monumental Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the River Danube in Budapest

Cruise YourWay

The Danube from Black Sea to Budapest

Start Sooner, Stay Longer

Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

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Ship Details

Passion

Artistry II

Passion

Yet another beautiful Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2016. The Avalon Passion welcomes passengers to their home-away-from-home with two full decks of Panorama Suites, featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than industry standard and ideal for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access, complimentary computer use in public areas, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, an elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.

Included Amenities

Avalon Suite Fleet

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Panoramic windows throughout the ship
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Elevator
Non-smoking interior and staterooms

Fitness & Wellness

Fitness Center
Avalon Adventure Center
Your place for active gear and excursions, including

Bikes
Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
Fitness and wellness activities
FitBits®

^SM

Active shore excursions, both included and optional

Avalon Panorama Suites & Staterooms

Open-Air Balconies^SM and Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows in all Panorama Suites
Comfort Collection Beds^SM with choice of mattress firmness
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Bathrobes & slippers
Premium L'Occitane bath products & hairdryer
Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
Wide selection of free movie channels and English-speaking TV
Individual climate control and in-room safe
Full-size closet and mirror
Additional under-bed storage
Complimentary bottled water daily

Staterooms & Suites

Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. D, E) - 172 sq. ft.

Features

Comfort Collection Beds^SM
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Soft & firm pillows
Choice of bed configuration
Bedside tables with reading lamps
L'Occitane bath products
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Alarm clock
Bathrobes & slippers
Complimentary water
Individual climate control
Large mirror in bathroom
USB Ports
Full shower with glass door
Vanity and lighted makeup mirror

Luxurious mattress toppers
European-style duvets
Extra blankets
Nightly turn-down service
Hairdryer
Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
Direct-dial telephone
Well-stocked minibar
In-room safe
Elegant, contemporary design
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Two windows
Writing desk and chair

Panorama Suite (Cat. A, B, P) - 200 sq. ft.

Features

Comfort Collection Beds^SM
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Soft & firm pillows
Choice of bed configuration
Bedside tables with reading lamps
L'Occitane bath products
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Alarm clock
Direct-dial telephone
Well-stocked minibar
In-room safe
Elegant, contemporary design
Marble countertops in bathroom
USB Ports
6-person sitting area
Writing desk and chair
Sofa

Luxurious mattress toppers
European-style duvets
Extra blankets
Nightly turn-down service
Hairdryer
Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
Make-up mirror
Bathrobes & slippers
Complimentary water
Individual climate control
Large mirror in bathroom
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony^SM
Full shower with glass door
Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
Coffee table

Royal Suite - 300 sq. ft.

Features

Comfort Collection Beds^SM
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Soft & firm pillows
Choice of bed configuration
Bedside tables with reading lamps
L'Occitane bath products
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Alarm clock
Direct-dial telephone
Well-stocked minibar
In-room safe
Elegant, contemporary design
Marble countertops in bathroom
USB Ports
6-person sitting area
Writing desk and chair
Sofa
Double sinks

Luxurious mattress toppers
European-style duvets
Extra blankets
Nightly turn-down service
Hairdryer
Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
Make-up mirror
Bathrobes & slippers
Complimentary water
Individual climate control
Large mirror in bathroom
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony^SM
Full shower with glass door
Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
Coffee table

DECK PLANS

Artistry II

Cruise on Europe's most loved rivers with views that become part of your suite. The Avalon Artistry II delivers an intimate setting, along with two full decks of suites featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air BalconySM. Enjoy unmatched, seamless views of passing landscapes from your window-facing Comfort Collection bed for the ultimate in European river cruise views. With 200 square feet, Panorama SuitesSM are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, giving you the rare opportunity to wake each morning to the enchanting scenery and fresh breezes. Onboard amenities include complimentary computer use in public areas and Wi-Fi access, a Fitness Center, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and the delightful Sky Bistro.