Cruises / Uniworld

Grand Highlights of the Danube

The diverse wonders of the great Danube River unfold on this comprehensive journey from west to east.

Your ship

S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene
S.S. Marlene

S.S. Marlene

154 guests 443 ft 57 crew Since 2027

Sailing through the waterways of Central Europe, the S.S. Marlene is an homage to German-born actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. Launching in 2027, the ship is sure to impress travelers with Dietrich’s distinctive flair, drawing inspiration from her time as an old Hollywood film star and, later, a cabaret artist. Guests who book a Grand Suite and the adjoining Deluxe French Balcony next door can see their stateroom transformed into an incredibly spacious 2-bedroom suite.

Deck plan

Deck planDeck plan

Cruise route

Cruise map
DanubeCentral EuropeAustria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia16 nights17 days

Overview

Become an expert on the Danube River’s many wonders as you admire the swirling colors of Passau’s famous confluence, pedal past the vineyard-lined banks of the Wachau Valley, and listen to the melodic sounds of “The Blue Danube” waltz echo through a historic Viennese concert hall during a private evening of classical music arranged just for Uniworld guests. Continue on to explore the UNESCO-designated architecture of Budapest, cruise through the magnificent Iron Gates, and enjoy a homecooked meal with a local family in rural Croatia.

This itinerary is a combination of Enchanting Danube and Highlights of Eastern Europe.

Day by day

Bucharest
DAY 1

Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania

Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel.

Bucharest
DAY 2

Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania

Get to know the bustling heart of Romania's capital city with a full day to explore Bucharest on your own.

Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark)
DAY 3

Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark)

Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity, elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings and surprising survivors dating from the 1500s. Today in Bucharest you'll enjoy a panoramic city tour and a visit to People's Palace. Later, you'll travel via motorcoach to Giurgiu, where your ship awaits.

DAY 4

Ruse

Ruse, Bulgaria

Bulgaria's foremost Danube port, Ruse is sometimes called "Little Vienna" for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings.

DAY 5

Vidin

Vidin, Bulgaria

Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It's your base for an unusual excursion today - a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can indulge in a tasting at a local winery.

Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac
DAY 6

Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac

Golubac, Serbia

Today's main attraction will be the spectacular scenery along the Danube, as you cruise a stretch of gorges known as the Iron Gates. Later, head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan's Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars, and Turks.

Belgrade
DAY 7

Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe's oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city's vibrant modern-day present.

DAY 8

Ilok, Aljmas

Vukovar, Croatia

Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, delicious local rustic food. You'll dock in Vukovar, Croatia's biggest port, at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers.

Budapest
DAY 9

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions - you can see it from a local's perspective on our walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary's capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West.

Budapest
DAY 10

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Enjoy a full day in Budapest at your leisure, perhaps stopping by the famous thermal baths, grabbing a drink at a ruin bar, or visiting one of the city's many museums.

Budapest
DAY 11

Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is an enchanting city that presents a vibrant mix of medieval and modern.

Bratislava, Vienna
DAY 12

Bratislava, Vienna

Vienna, Austria

Your ship sets sail from Bratislava later this morning and heads for Vienna today. You may relax onboard all day, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and taking in the scenery as the ship wends its way along the Danube River. When you arrive in Vienna, you'll cap off your day with a private concert at the House of Strauss.

Vienna
DAY 13

Vienna

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the "City of Waltzes" with a highlight tour of the city, as well as an expertly led tour of an extraordinary collection of art at the renowned Vienna Art History Museum.

Dürnstein, Melk
DAY 14

Dürnstein, Melk

Dürnstein, Austria

Dürnstein is one of our favorite towns along the Danube, a lovely place to wander cobblestone lanes, browse quaint shops, and maybe hike up to a ruined castle (with an intriguing tale all its own). You can also opt for a tasting or learn all about the world's costliest spice from the Wachau Valley's only saffron grower. Later, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinary baroque-style library. You have two ports of call in the incredibly scenic valley, Dürnstein and Melk, and an assortment of delightful ways to explore this lovely region.

Linz (Salzburg)
DAY 15

Linz (Salzburg)

Linz, Austria

Mozart's birthplace of Salzburg is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland. Linz may be best known for its famous Linzer torte, but it's also a hotbed for the arts. See the sights with a local expert and visit a family at their farm in the countryside. Austria's third-largest city, Linz boasts a long history of trading and textile manufacturing, but these days it is perhaps best known for its electronic arts and annual festival.

Passau
DAY 16

Passau

Passau, Germany

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one, as three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame - Europe's largest pipe organ - or "Let's Go" with an invigorating riverside hike.

Passau (Disembark)
DAY 17

Passau (Disembark)

Passau, Germany

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Munich Airport for your flight home.

Included in your fare

Dining All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients 16 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 14 dinners C...
Excursions 13 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts State-of-the-art Quietvox p...
Accommodations 14-night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the S.S. Marlene 2 nights in Bucharest at The Marmor...
Experiences 8 countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia 6 UNESCO World Heritage...

Sailing dates & staterooms

Jul 2, 2027 - Jul 18, 2027

Bucharest to Passau · Available
Grand Suite
CAD 33,749
Available
Suite
CAD 23,669
Available
Deluxe French Balcony
CAD 16,649
Available
French Balcony A
CAD 15,029
Available
French Balcony B
CAD 14,849
Available
Classic
CAD 11,699
Available
2027 Early Booking Savings
Book by June 30, 2026 and save from 5% to 20% on select 2027 cruises.
Early Booking Savings is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2027 itineraries and departure dates only. Offer applies to full-fare bookings only and is valid for any stateroom category. Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed. All fares and savings listed are in Canadian dollars. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. Savings featured are based on the cruise-tour portion of bookings only, per person, and do not apply to the purchase of air tickets or other optional vacation add-ons such as optional pre and post extensions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires June 30, 2026.
2027 River Heritage Club Savings
Exclusive savings for Past Guests on all cruises, combinable with all promotions.
River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement). Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Restrictions may apply.

Oct 22, 2027 - Nov 7, 2027

Bucharest to Passau · Available
Grand Suite
CAD 33,254
Available
Suite
CAD 23,309
Available
Deluxe French Balcony
CAD 16,379
Available
French Balcony A
CAD 14,804
Available
French Balcony B
CAD 14,624
Available
Classic
CAD 11,519
Available
2027 Early Booking Savings
Book by June 30, 2026 and save from 5% to 20% on select 2027 cruises.
Early Booking Savings is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2027 itineraries and departure dates only. Offer applies to full-fare bookings only and is valid for any stateroom category. Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed. All fares and savings listed are in Canadian dollars. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. Savings featured are based on the cruise-tour portion of bookings only, per person, and do not apply to the purchase of air tickets or other optional vacation add-ons such as optional pre and post extensions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires June 30, 2026.
2027 River Heritage Club Savings
Exclusive savings for Past Guests on all cruises, combinable with all promotions.
River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement). Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Restrictions may apply.

Aug 1, 2027 - Aug 17, 2027

Passau to Bucharest · Available
Grand Suite
CAD 32,759
Available
Suite
CAD 22,949
Available
Deluxe French Balcony
CAD 16,109
Available
French Balcony A
CAD 14,579
Available
French Balcony B
CAD 14,399
Available
Classic
CAD 11,339
Available
2027 Early Booking Savings
Book by June 30, 2026 and save from 5% to 20% on select 2027 cruises.
Early Booking Savings is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2027 itineraries and departure dates only. Offer applies to full-fare bookings only and is valid for any stateroom category. Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed. All fares and savings listed are in Canadian dollars. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. Savings featured are based on the cruise-tour portion of bookings only, per person, and do not apply to the purchase of air tickets or other optional vacation add-ons such as optional pre and post extensions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires June 30, 2026.
2027 River Heritage Club Savings
Exclusive savings for Past Guests on all cruises, combinable with all promotions.
River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement). Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Restrictions may apply.
Fares listed are inclusive of all taxes and fees, including port charges of $720 per person; they are based on limited availability and are subject to change.
Prices shown per person in CAD, subject to availability. Final pricing, cabin availability and full terms are confirmed before booking.

CAD 11,339

from / person (CAD)

Book & pay securely
or request a quote below
Secure - your details are never shared.