Danube River Cruise Full Ship Celebration Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Danube River Cruise Full Ship Celebration Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Small Luxury Ship
2025: Sep2026: Sep
From $6,630 - $11,930 /person
Includes port fees
Prague to Budapest with 100+ Backroads Friends
Five incredible countries. Eight epic days. One river ship exclusively for Backroads travelers—all 100 or so of us! Sail and ride along the Danube past castles, onion-domed churches and legendary vineyards. Local beer, bratwurst and welcoming wine taverns await, enhanced by the camaraderie of plenty of friendly faces to clink glasses with. Join the peloton and let the fun begin!
Highlights
- Pedal on the world-famous Donauradweg (Danube bike path), with views of the region's diverse landscapes
- Visit an authentic Austrian brauhaus (brewhouse) and savor hearty regional specialties like delicious schnitzel—you'll eat and drink like a local!
- Connect with stunning sights and rich culture in Prague and Budapest, our fascinating gateway cities, and explore historical wonders in Vienna
- Celebrate your passion for cycling in the splendid Wachau Valley, passing vineyards of acclaimed Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners
StartPrague, Czech Republic
EndBudapest, Hungary
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-3
Meet your bike for the first time at a living-history reconstruction of a Bavarian village, a colorful start to our first ride along a former train route • Nothing like a bit of oompah music to get things started—enjoy an Oktoberfest-style celebration before we set sail • Cross over from Germany to Austria on two wheels • Stroll amid Italian baroque buildings in Passau, the City of Three Rivers • Join hundreds of local cyclists on Austria's famed Donauradweg (Danube bike path) • Explore the gingerbread-house streets of Linz • Choose an excursion to Salzburg or Český Krumlov—both spectacular World Heritage sites.
Nights 1-3
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Days 4-6
Bike or cruise the stunning Wachau Valley, where the Danube snakes between steep bluffs green with vineyards and apricot orchards • Behold stately Melk Abbey, commanding its hilltop since the 10th century • Stop for a taste of the local Grüner Veltliner • Discover Vienna, imperial city of the Hapsburgs and a hub of Central European culture and tradition • Follow bike paths in serene Donau-Auen National Park, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and herons • Ride between two capital cities—Vienna and Bratislava—passing remnants of the former Iron Curtain • Dine at a castle which once belonged to Hapsburg empress Maria Theresa • A local guide unlocks the myriad stories behind quirky Bratislava's sights.
Nights 4-6
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Days 7-8
Arrive in Budapest and discover the city's historic landmarks and hidden history on an urban walk • Hop on the metro—one of the oldest in the world—linking Buda and Pest, once two distinct sister cities facing each other across the river • Spend the afternoon exploring this remarkable capital with its posh coffee shops, hip ruin pubs, thermal bathhouses and countless museums • Join a ship full of fellow Backroads guests and leaders in a toast to this week's celebration!
Night 7
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The ships we sail on are like a floating luxury hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you’ve settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.
Backroads has booked the entire ship for this special sailing. This trip is a unique celebration of cycling and offers a much different Backroads experience with up to 150 guests (compared to an average of 16 guests on a typical Backroads trip). We anticipate couples, solo travelers, families and perhaps some small groups traveling together. You can look forward to a very social atmosphere with active travelers who share a common interest in seeing the world in the most interesting way possible. You’ll also be supported by a team of 20 Backroads leaders—eight on board and 12 land-based—plus 11 vans ready when you need them. Note: If a minimum group size is not met nine months prior to departure, this trip will proceed with non-Backroads guests sharing our ship.
If you’re new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don’t mind a set schedule of port departure times, you’ll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.
Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways’ captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow.
Each day you’ll have your own exclusive Backroads Trip Leaders, shuttles and fantastic biking routes, in addition to the AmaWaterways staff and activities. This trip is designed to be flexible, so if you prefer to take a day off from riding, you’re always welcome to shift gears and relax on the ship, explore on your own or check in with your Backroads leaders regarding one of the many AmaWaterways shore excursions.
Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.
In contrast to our usual land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast, so book as early as possible if this is important to you.
Accommodations
Small Ships, Big Adventures
Our small ships feel more like boutique retreats, offering an experience a world away from the typical large cruise.
Ship may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-7
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 13 customers
A great first (but not last) Backroads Biking trip!
My husband and I have always wanted to go on a bicycling vacation and this was a great one! We were able to explore big cities and small towns throughout Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary while not having to pack and unpack. Being a ship full of bike riders was great too - always something to talk about. With the choice of bikes ranging from performance road bikes to e-bikes, the terrain is accessible to all levels, and a lot of the routes were on desolate country roads or dedicated bike trails. Each bike was equipped with GPS, so you could never go too far astray from the route and the leaders did a great job of clarifying anywhere it might be confusing.
Our trip highly exceeded our expectations
Everything about the trip was amazing. The leaders went above and beyond to make the trip memorable. The food was delicious. The costumer care was top notch. The bikes were well maintained. The bike trails were well thought out. The leaders entertained us whenever there was any down time.
Amazing trip, amazing guides!
Leaders were fun, energetic, brilliant, could solve any issues with a great attitude and very flexible
A great combination of biking and small ship river cruising
This was my first trip with Backroads, and it was fantastic. They took care of everying, from excellent bikes and support, to experienced bike leaders and staff. It was also my first river cruise experience. The two companies worked together seamlessly. There were varying levels of cabin and price which I appreciated. I enjoyed meeting many new people, mostly from the U.S. and Canada. But many/most of the staff were from Europe, fluent in English and delightfully interesting. If I had a complaint, one of the waitresses mixed up our orders one evening, and took time to get things back on track. But I can't say it upset me.
Incredible First time Backroads trip
We planned this trip with another couple as a 30th Wedding anniversary and Empty Nest trip. We have never done any biking trip before, but wanted an active vacation and a chance to see this part of Europe. It was an excellent choice!! The furthest I had biked prior to this trip was 27 km, yet I had no problem biking the longest routes everyday (except one). The scenery was spectacular and I loved all the small villages we would bike through. Although there were 140 bikers on this trip, there were several days where it would just be the 4 of us biking together for most of the routes. The leaders with Backroads were outstanding! I was imagining chaos with 140 people all biking at the same time, but it was so well organized with every small detail looked after. The ship itself was outstanding. I couldn't believe how nice our rooms were (we had a balcony) and how nice the lounge and dining area was. The food and service was extraordinary. Thank goodness we were burning calories everyday. I think this is the only vacation I have been on where I enjoyed food and beverages and didn't gain weight!!! I now understand why almost everyone we met on the ship have done several Backroads trips. We are already planning our next one!!
Great trip in the old world.
Loved all the history and architecture of old Europe.
Trip of a lifetime!!!
The staff was so attentive, encouraging, flexible, knowledgeable and fun!! The people we met on our trip were wonderful. Each day was filled with new experiences and we have such amazing memories! The attention to detail was outstanding!!
MARAVILLOSO VIAJE
DE LO MEJOR!!!!!
A full ship of Backroads guests! AMAZING!
Verified Buyer
I loved sharing the ship with other active folks! The food was great and the biking was fun. Really nice not to have to unpack each night, but still see 5 countries.
Incredible experience!
Verified Buyer
I've been on several Backroads trips, but never a ship trip, and never a trip with this many guests, so I really didn't know what to expect. it turned out to be my favorite Backroads trip to date! The ship was spectacular, the leaders amazing (as always!), and it was a wonderful experience to be able to visit 5 countries on this trip, something that would not be possible without the ship. I would sign-up for another ship trip in a heartbeat, and another full ship trip in half a heartbeat. A truly great experience travelling with so many like minded folks.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip.
Note: Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
