Lit up castle in Budapest

The Renown European Cruise Route Is Perfect For First-Time Cruisers

By Kristin Conard

VACATIONS

If you’re a first-time cruiser looking for something more intimate that still offers lots to do and see, consider booking a European cruise along the Danube River.
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, running from western Germany all the way to the Black Sea and passing by historic castles, countryside vistas, and grand cities.
A cruise on the Danube can take between two and three weeks, but you can also tackle just one section of the historic river. The most popular route is between Hungary and Germany.
Highlights of a Danube River cruise range from the historic and the musical to the delicious, including Dürnstein’s pale blue clock tower and the vineyards of the Wachau Valley.
Vienna is home to the legendary Vienna State Opera as well as beautiful palaces and cathedrals. The city is also the best place to try traditional wiener schnitzel.
Several cruise lines offer Danube tours. The Riverside Mozart is a luxury ship where every room is a suite, while Viking River Cruises offers an eight-day "Romantic Danube" cruise.