$10,999—Save $7555 on all-inc river & Northern Lights cruise

From the Danube's historic capitals to Norway's Arctic wilderness, this 26-day journey explores two very different sides of Europe. Before highways and railways, the Danube connected kingdoms, carried merchants and helped shape some of the continent's greatest cities. Follow its bends to see how they've evolved. Budapest's Parliament glows above the river, while Vienna's grand cafés invite lingering. In Linz, a historic mountain tram climbs to sweeping valley views. Between them, vineyards and riverside towns make the journey itself a pleasure. The Gentleman, a chartered Dutch ship is your home for seven nights, with guided excursions, meals and unlimited drinks included. The next leg takes you to Amsterdam for a city stay before boarding Holland America's Rotterdam for 14 nights at sea. Farther north, nature tells a much older story. Ancient glaciers carved Norway's deep fjords between towering mountains. Colourful harbours and coastal towns give way to increasingly wild Arctic landscapes. Follow its rugged coastline across the Arctic Circle into Northern Lights country, where autumn's longer nights set the stage for nature's spectacular light show. Overnight calls in Tromsø and Alta give you time to search for curtains of green and violet across the sky. It's a lot of Europe to cover, but Imagine Cruising makes the logistics easy. Flights, stays in Budapest and Amsterdam, and transfers are all included.

Imagine Cruising's river-and-ocean holidays have long been popular with Travelzoo members. Our research found comparable cruises, flights, hotels and transfers would cost up to $19,054 per person. At $10,999, this package saves you up to $7555 per person, or 40%. That's effectively your international flights for free. Travelzoo members also get first access to this newly released 2027 departure.

What's included

• International economy flights from Australia* to Budapest, return from Amsterdam
• 1-night, 5-star stay at InterContinental Budapest^ w/breakfast
• 7-night, all-inclusive luxury river cruise aboard The Gentleman from Budapest to Passau
  • Ports of call: Budapest, Bratislava, Hainburg, Vienna, Dürnstein, Linz and Passau
  • Unlimited drinks, including specialty coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits
  • Premium Drinks Package, including selected spirits and cocktails
  • Unlimited Wi-Fi onboard (subject to availability)
  • Overnight stays in port in Budapest and Vienna
  • Included excursions:
    • Budapest Highlights
    • Walking tour of Bratislava
    • The Splendours of Vienna
    • Walking tour of Linz with Pöstlingbergbahn
• One-way flight from Munich to Amsterdam
• 2-night, 4-star stay at Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam^ w/breakfast
• 14-night cruise onboard HAL’s Rotterdam, roundtrip from Rotterdam
  • Ports of call: Ålesund, Trondheim, Tromsø, Alta, Åndalsnes, Bergen and Lerwick
  • All onboard meals (specialty dining excluded)
  • Onboard entertainment, including stage shows and live music
  • 24-hour room service
  • Daily housekeeping
  • All port fees and government taxes
• Transfers throughout

When

This itinerary departs Australia on 22 September 2027.

Book by 23 October 2026.

Cabin upgrades

Featured prices are based on an Inside cabin while cruising. We've also found savings on cabin upgrades. Upgrades start at $2000 per person:

• +$2000 for an Outside cabin
• +$4000 for a Balcony cabin

To find out more, see our partner's website.

Holiday snapshot

Australia* - Budapest - Bratislava - Hainburg - Vienna - Dürnstein - Linz - Passau - Amsterdam - Rotterdam - Ålesund - Trondheim - Tromsø - Alta - Åndalsnes - Bergen - Lerwick - Rotterdam - Australia*

Itinerary highlights

Budapest begins with a night at the 5-star InterContinental Budapest before boarding The Gentleman. An included tour visits Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Heroes’ Square and the Parliament district.

Explore Bratislava on an included walking tour through its compact medieval centre. Wander past Main Square, Michael’s Gate, historic streets, cafés and colourful architecture.

Cruise through Hainburg, an Austrian town on the Danube between Bratislava and Vienna. Its medieval walls, hilltop castle ruins and riverside setting frame the journey west.

An overnight stay in Vienna gives you more time in Austria’s elegant capital. See St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Ringstraße, the State Opera and Hofburg Palace on an included tour.

The riverside village of Dürnstein sits among the vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Explore its cobbled lanes, distinctive blue abbey tower and ruined hilltop castle.

Discover Linz on an included walk through its historic centre and Hauptplatz. Ride the Pöstlingbergbahn uphill for sweeping views across the city and Danube Valley.

Arrive in Passau, where three rivers meet beneath a colourful baroque old town. Disembark The Gentleman here before flying from Munich to Amsterdam.

Spend two nights in Amsterdam, staying at the 4-star Hotel Jakarta. Explore canal-lined neighbourhoods, museums, historic streets and lively cafés before continuing to Rotterdam.

Board Rotterdam in Rotterdam for your 14-night voyage north. Modern architecture, waterfront neighbourhoods and one of Europe’s great harbours define this Dutch city.

Art Nouveau architecture and a spectacular island setting distinguish Ålesund. Explore its colourful centre or take in panoramic views across the surrounding mountains and fjords.

Norway’s former Viking capital, Trondheim, blends colourful wooden neighbourhoods with centuries of history. See the imposing Nidaros Cathedral and historic warehouses lining the Nidelva River.

Cross the Arctic Circle before reaching Tromsø, with an overnight stay offering extended time ashore. Explore this lively Arctic city and look for the Northern Lights after dark.

Another overnight call gives you two days to experience Alta, deep in Norway’s Arctic north. Its location beneath the auroral oval makes it renowned for Northern Lights viewing.

Dramatic mountains rise around Åndalsnes, at the heart of some of Norway’s most impressive scenery. Discover deep valleys, soaring peaks and spectacular fjord landscapes.

Colourful wooden buildings line Bergen's historic waterfront, surrounded by mountains and fjords. Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen and the city’s famous fish market.

In the Shetland Islands, Lerwick combines rugged coastal scenery with strong Norse and Scottish heritage. Explore its historic waterfront, stone buildings and remote island landscapes.