$11,499—26-nt Europe river & ocean cruise inc flights & stay

This journey focuses on Europe’s core, linked into one continuous route that finishes in Athens. Prague leads into the Danube, then out to the Mediterranean. By the time you arrive, the whole trip feels connected. You begin in Prague, then follow the Danube on Emerald Dawn, with each stop approached from the water, placing you directly in the centre of each destination. Mornings start quietly. Evenings stretch a little longer. By the time you reach Barcelona, the pace resets before opening out again.  Sun Princess takes over for a 14-night Mediterranean sailing, shifting you into a broader rhythm. It combines river and ocean cruising into one continuous journey, moving between two very different travel styles. The Mediterranean sailing follows the southern coastline through Marseille, Corsica, Genoa and La Spezia, with time to explore further afield. Rome and Naples come next, before the route continues east to Crete, Kusadasi and Mykonos, finishing in Athens. At 26 nights, there is enough time to settle into each part of the journey without rushing. Flights, hotels, transfers and excursions are included. You are not thinking about logistics. You are already there.

Imagine Cruising’s river-and-ocean holidays have consistently performed well, and this departure comes with exclusive savings for Travelzoo members. So it's now $11,499 per person for this 26-night holiday.

What's included

• International flights from Australia* to Prague, return from Athens
• 2 nights at the 4-star Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat Prague^ with breakfast
• 7-night Emerald Cruise from Regensburg (Munich) to Budapest onboard the Emerald Dawn
  • Ports of call: Regensburg (overnight), Passau, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest (overnight)
  • 20 meals, including 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Traditional Bavarian band and Hungarian folklore performances onboard
  • Guided sightseeing and active excursions, including:
    • Guided tour of Passau
    • Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
    • Guided bike tours along the Danube River, the River Inn, Danube Island and to the Walhalla monument
    • Walking tour of Bratislava
    • Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
    • Guided coach tour of Budapest
    • Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
    • Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey with wine tasting
    • Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle, Bratislava Castle and Gellert Hill
  • All tipping and gratuities
  • All port taxes and government taxes
• Flight from Budapest to Barcelona
• 1 night at the 4-star Hotel SB Icaria Barcelona^ with breakfast
• 14-night full-board ocean cruise from Barcelona to Athens onboard the Sun Princess
  • Ports of call: Marseille (Provence), Ajaccio (Corsica), Genoa (Cinque Terre), La Spezia (Florence/Pisa, overnight), Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples (Capri & Pompeii), Crete (Chania), Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Mykonos
  • Accommodation in the cabin category you booked
  • All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants)
  • Most entertainment onboard
  • All port and government charges
• Transfers throughout

When

This itinerary departs Australia on 4 August 2027.

Book by 4 May 2026.

Cabin upgrades

Featured prices are based on an Emerald E cabin for the river cruise and an Inside cabin for the ocean cruise. Members also enjoy an exclusive $500 per person off cabin upgrades. Upgrades start at $1000 per person:

• +$1000 for an Emerald D cabin on the river cruise and an Outside cabin on the Sun Princess
• +$3500 for a Balcony C cabin on the river cruise and a Balcony on the Sun Princess
• +$5000 for a Suite S on the river cruise and a Suite on the Sun Princess

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

Holiday snapshot

Australia* - Prague - Regensburg - Passau - Melk - Dürnstein - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest - Barcelona - Marseille - Ajaccio - Genoa - La Spezia - Civitavecchia (Rome) - Naples - Chania (Crete) - Kusadasi - Mykonos - Athens - Australia*

Itinerary highlights

You begin in Prague, where Gothic spires, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square introduce a city rich in atmosphere, with winding streets and historic architecture setting the tone.

In Regensburg, a preserved medieval centre of narrow lanes and stone towers sits along the Danube, where you board your river cruise and ease into life on the water.

Through Passau, three rivers meet beneath baroque facades and cathedral domes, creating a striking riverside setting.

Along the Wachau Valley, Melk’s hilltop abbey rises above the river while Dürnstein’s blue tower and vineyard-lined hills define one of the Danube’s most scenic stretches.

In Vienna, grand boulevards, imperial palaces and café culture shape the experience, blending art, music and refined tradition.

Across Bratislava, a compact old town of cobbled streets and castle views offers a quieter, more relaxed pace along the river.

In Budapest, the Danube divides Buda and Pest, where Parliament, historic bridges and thermal baths create one of Europe’s most visually striking capitals.

Arriving in Barcelona, Mediterranean light, Gaudí architecture and a lively waterfront mark the transition from river to ocean cruising.

In Marseille, old port energy meets Provençal character, with harbourside cafés, markets and access to the rugged Calanques coastline.

At Ajaccio, Corsica’s mountainous interior meets a relaxed seaside town shaped by French influence and Napoleon’s legacy.

Through Genoa, grand palaces, historic lanes and a working port reveal a city defined by its maritime past.

From La Spezia, access to Cinque Terre opens up colourful cliffside villages linked by coastal paths and sea views.

At Civitavecchia, Rome unfolds in layers of ancient ruins, baroque landmarks and iconic sights reached within a day.

In Naples, the city’s energy contrasts with nearby Pompeii, where preserved streets and ruins sit beneath Mount Vesuvius.

Arriving in Chania, Venetian architecture, a picturesque harbour and access to Crete’s rugged landscapes create a distinct island atmosphere.

In Kusadasi, the ancient city of Ephesus brings classical history to life through vast ruins, colonnaded streets and amphitheatres.

On Mykonos, whitewashed buildings, narrow lanes and windmills overlook bright blue water, offering time to explore or unwind by the sea.

In Athens, the Acropolis rises above a city where ancient history and modern life intersect, bringing the journey to a powerful close.