Small Ship Cruising --
Nature and Cultural Cruises
Cruise West
European River Cruises
Contact Stoney Creek Travel
877-658-2582
Weaverville / Asheville, NC
Cruise West Amadeus Diamond: European Itinerary
Cruise West's small ship Amadeus Diamond holds 148 guests. All staterooms have river views and 80% of the rooms have windows that stretch the entire length of the stateroom. Rooms are between 170 and 304 square feet. They feature climate control, TV, phone, and infotainment. The ship has a open dining, putting green, fitness center, hair dresser, doctor, masseuse, e-mail station, walking track, and lounges.
The brand new small ship Amadeus Diamond sails a Danube River itinerary and Central Europe: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia. Discover preserved European medieval towns and beautiful landscapes. Tour romantic castles, quaint villages, and regal cities.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Vienna, Austria
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to the ship for welcome cocktails and dinner. Overnight aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond in the Vienna harbor. D
Day 2: Vienna
Take a city tour of the heart of old Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head back to the ship to enjoy lunch onboard. The afternoon is at your leisure to discover more of Vienna on your own. Prior to embarkation your Danube River mood is set by a classical music performance onboard. BLD
Day 3: Budapest, Hungary
Take a city tour of Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube,” including the castle district. The afternoon is at your leisure. Depart in the evening as you experience the beauty and lights of “Budapest by Night.” BLD
Day 3: Kalocsa, Hungary
Excursion to the Hungarian Puszta with lunch at a traditional horse farm with horse show entertainment. Your evening entertainment is a Hungarian operetta program onboard. BLD
Day 4: Osijek, Croatia and the River Drava
Take a city tour of Osijek before touring through the Croatian Danube Basin to visit a famous vineyard near Vukovar where you’ll taste some delightful wines. BLD
Day 5: Belgrade / Kostolac, Serbia
Your city tour of Belgrade includes a visit to the Kalemegdan Fortress and Museum, housing exhibits of archaeological excavations. Board a bus to Viminacium, a former Roman settlement complete with Roman baths, period attire and a museum. Reboard your ship in Kostolac for an evening of Serbian folk music onboard. BLD
Day 6: River Cruising
Spend the day cruising the river, passing the famous Iron Gate, the most attractive stretch of the Danube. BLD
Day 7: Svistov / Rousse, Bulgaria
Today’s excursions are to Veliko Tarnovo with its unique architecture and Arbanassi, known for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Travel by bus to Rousse to reboard your ship. In the afternoon cruise to Somova with lectures on the Danube Delta flora and fauna from a specialist. This evening is the Captain's farewell toast and dinner. BLD
Day 8: Somova / Hirsova, Romania
Take an excursion to the Danube Delta, the best-preserved Delta in Europe and the largest reed bed in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 320 species of birds and 45 freshwater fish. Enjoy breakfast at the Nunnery of Saun and lunch at the 5-star Grand Hotel Rex. Take a tour of the historic city and harbor of Constanta. Later this afternoon visit Murfatlar, one of Romania’s best-known wineries for wine tasting. BLD
Day 9: Hirsova / Bucharest, Romania
Transfer to Bucharest by bus where you’ll overnight. Enjoy lunch and take a city tour of Bucharest, the magnificent boulevards and city center, including a visit to the Patriarchic Church and the Village Museum, one of Europe’s oldest outdoor museums. BLD
Day 10: Bucharest / Home Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue on to your Transylvania Post-Cruise Program. B
Optional Day 1 Post Cruise: Bucharest, Romania
Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to the hotel for welcome briefing and dinner. Overnight at the hotel. D
Optional Day 2 Post Cruise: Hirsova / Bucharest, Romania
Your morning tour of Bucharest includes visits to the Patriarchic Church and Village Museum with lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Hirsova to board the MS Amadeus Diamond. Join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Toast, and a lecture on the Danube Delta flora and fauna and dinner. Depart in the late evening. BLD
Optional Day 3 Post Cruise: Somova / Hirsova, Romania
A morning excursionto the Danube Delta, the best preserved Delta in Europe and largest reed bed in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 320 specites of birds and 45 freshwater fish. Enjoy breakfast at the Nunnery of Saun and lunch at the 5-star Grand Hotel Rex before touring the historic city and harbor of Constanta. Later this afternoon visit Murfatlar, one of Romania’s best-known wineries for wine tasting. BLD
Optional Day 4 Post Cruise: Rousse, Bulgaria
Enjoy the morning's scenic river sailing and dock in Rousse, the 5th largest city in Bulgaria, in the afternoon. You'll have time to explore on your own. A Bulgarian Evening Program follows dinner onboard. BLD
Optional Day 5 Post Cruise: Rousse / Svistov, Bulgaria
Travel to Veliko Tarnovo with its unique architecture and Arbanassi, known for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Visit the ruins of Castle Tsarevets and walk the old trade street, which sheltered craftsman through the Revival Period. BLD
Optional Day 6 Post Cruise: River Cruising
Spend the day cruising the river, passing the famous Iron Gate, the most dramatic stretch of the Danube. BLD
Optional Day 7 Post Cruise: Belgrade / Kostolac, Serbia
In the morning dock in Kostolac. Board a bus to Viminacium, a former Roman settlement complete with Roman baths, period attire and a museum. Continue on to Belgrade where your tour includes a visit to the Kalemegdan Fortress and Museum, housing exhibits of archaeological excavations. Reboard your ship and cruise toward Osijek. BLD
Optional Day 8 Post Cruise: Osijek, Croatia and the River Drava
Take a city tour of Osijek before touring through the Croatian Danube Basin to visit a famous vineyard near Vukovar where you’ll taste some delightful wines. Reboard your ship in Mohacs and enjoy a Hungarian operetta evening onboard. BLD
Optional Day 9 Post Cruise: Budapest, Hungary
Today’s tour of Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube,” includes the castle and historic districts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is at your leisure. As you depart in the evening, experience the beauty and lights of “Budapest by Night.” BLD
Optional Day 10 Post Cruise: Vienna, Austria
Enjoy a full day of scenic cruising to reach the Vienna pier. This evening's entertainment is a classical music performance. BLD
Optional Day 11 Post Cruise: Vienna
This morning tour the heart of old Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is at your leisure. This evening's highlights are the Captain's Farewell toast and dinner. BLD
Optional Day 12 Post Cruise: Vienna / Home
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue on to your Prague Post-Cruise Program. B
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
2009 Rates & Dates
The price charts show the pricing for available departure dates and stateroom categories for each itinerary. Their rates vary depending on whether you are traveling in peak, value or the shoulder season. If you have any questions about an itinerary or would like to proceed with a booking, contact us toll-free at 1-877-658-2582.
Cruise Only
July 16 (Chairman's Cruise) and October 21: Category A = $5199 / Category AA = $5499 / Category AAA = $5799 /
Suite = $6099
October 13 (Photography Cruise): Category A = $4899 / Category AA = $5199 / Category AAA = $5499 / Suite $5799
The cost includes $425 per person which covers taxes / port charges / fees and onboard services. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of your departure.
Danube River itinerary and Central Europe: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia.
