Jewish Heritage River Cruise

Your Value-Added Jewish Heritage River Cruise Package Includes:

• 7 Night Cruise in Your Choice of Staterooms
• All Meals, Snacks and Room Service on Board Ship
• All Onboard Gratuities, Port Taxes and Government Fees
• Daily Jewish Heritage and Traditional Shore Excursions as offered for All Guests (a few options are available at additional cost, however, most are included)
• Wine, Beer, Cappuccino, Espresso and Soft Drinks Included with Lunch and Dinner in addition to Coffee, Teas and Iced Tea.
• All Entertainment on Board Ship
• Amazing Journeys Cocktail Parties
• Exclusive Onboard Group Events
• Bottled Water Provided in Each Cabin
• Use of Slippers and Bathrobe
• Use of Bicycles and Helmets Onboard (limited availability)
• Complimentary use of the Internet in Each Cabin and the Lounges (based on availability)
• Complimentary In-Cabin Movies
• Amazing Journeys Escort
• Shabbat and Havdallah Services
• Hospitality Desk Onboard
• VIP Treatment Throughout
• Gifts and Prizes to Participants 

Day 1 – Wednesday, August 6 – Vilshofen, Germany

Embarkation – Join your fellow passengers onboard our river cruise. We’ll begin with a celebration of “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches and enjoy traditional beers accompanied by Bavarian folk music, songs and dancing. The ship moors overnight. (B,D)

Day 2 – Thursday, August 7 – Vilshofen & Passau, Germany

Depart Vilshofen at 12 pm, arrive in Passau at 2:30 pm, depart Passau at 11:59 pm – This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before you cruise to Passau. This afternoon you will have your choice of two different excursions. The first option is to take a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairy tale city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ in the world. As an alternative, experience this majestic city on a guided bike tour along the Inn River to Weinstein (capacity controlled). The ship departs late tonight for Linz. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Friday, August 8 – Linz, Austria

Arrive at 7:30 am, depart at 11:59 pm – This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your Jewish Heritage excursion begins with a fascinating walking tour that takes you through the bustling Alter Markt. After stopping to see the façade of the New Synagogue, you will have a guided tour of the city’s Jewish Cemetery. As an alternative, you may take a Linz walking tour, which will take you along the Landstrasse to the city’s main square. You will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, Landestheatre and St. Martin’s, the oldest church in Austria. Later you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region (the Austrian Lake District), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden on the shores of Lake Tranusee and visit the Castle Ort. The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. After your city tour, enjoy some free time to explore the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The third choice is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. The tour includes a visit to the Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Square, and much more. Enjoy free time on your own before returning to the ship via a scenic drive through the majestic countryside of Austria’s Lake District. The ship departs late tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Saturday, August 9 – Melk & Krems, Austria 

Arrive in Melk at 8 am, depart Melk at 1:30 pm, arrive in Krems at 3:30 pm – Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning to Melk. A guided tour will take you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. You will have the choice of two excursions this afternoon. The first is a motorcoach ride to Dürnstein where you will take a walking tour of the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th-century town houses, shops, wine taverns, and the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche. Look for the ruins of a castle high above town, where Richard the Lionhearted was once held captive. As an alternative, enjoy a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein and back (capacity controlled). Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Sunday, August 10 – Krems & Vienna, Austria

Depart Krems at 3:30 am, arrive in Vienna at 8 am –  This morning’s Jewish Heritage tour will feature the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz, Sigmund Freud’s House, Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Quarter in Vienna’s 2nd District. As an alternative you may choose the city tour of Vienna, during which you will see the Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This afternoon you are free to stroll through the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors in Vienna overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Monday, August 11 – Vienna, Austria & Bratislava, Slovakia

Depart Vienna at 7:59 am, arrive in Bratislava at 1 pm, depart Bratislava at 9:30 pm – This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava, where you can choose a Jewish Heritage tour that includes a visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, Bratislava’s most famous Rabbi. Another option is a walking tour which includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. As an alternative, you can take a “Communist History Tour” of Bratislava, which includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and Soviet War Memorial. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. The ship departs late tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Tuesday, August 12 – Budapest, Hungary

Arrive at 9:30 am – Your tour begins with a short stop at Sankt Stephan Park to see the statues of Raoul Wallenberg and Gabor Sztehlo, both credited with saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during WWII. Afterwards, you may take a tour of the Jewish District, where you will visit the Dohany St. Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Tree of Life. Or join the Budapest city tour, which features Buda Castle (and a splendid view of the twin cities below), the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square and more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. After dinner, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest before mooring overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Wednesday, August 13 – Budapest, Hungary

Disembark – Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight taking with you new friends and memories of a fabulous vacation. (B)

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.

If final payment is paid by check, deduct $150 from the above rates.

A deposit of $500 for the cruise ($1000 for single occupancy) is due with your reservation. Full payment is due April 24, 2014. Rates are subject to change based on availability.  These rates are based on an all-inclusive, custom-designed package that differs from offerings seen in public advertising.

• We will match you with a roommate if desired.
• Early reservations receive priority cabin location.

We will sell-out. Don’t wait to sign up!

Please note – This is a group exclusive vacation package. We are unable to make any of our package components available to anyone who is not part of our Amazing Journeys group.

All cabins where we provide roommate matches are non-smoking.  Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time.  By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website.

Air: Airfare has not been included in the cruise rates.  Transfers to and from the ship are available at an additional cost.  Information will be sent to passengers as we move closer to the sailing date.

Cancellation Policy for the Cruise and Pre-Cruise Package: Prior to January 2, 2014, there is a $75 penalty for cancellation.  From January 3 – April 24, 2014, the cancellation penalty is the amount of the deposit for cruise and pre-cruise package.  From April 25 – May 28, 2014, the cancellation penalty is 25% of the total cruise and pre-cruise package price.  From May 29 – July 1, 2014, the cancellation penalty is 50% of the total cruise and pre-cruise package price. Cancellations made on or after July 2, 2014 and “no-shows” will receive no refund. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation after the start of the trip.

Cancellation insurance: Trip insurance is optional but highly recommended and is available through Amazing Journeys, LLC.  Information will be sent with your cruise confirmation.

Passport and Visa Requirements: All passengers must present a valid passport (valid for six months beyond the last date of travel) to board the vessel. At present time, no visas are required on this itinerary for citizens from the US, Canada and EU. If travelers are from countries outside of those mentioned, it is up to them to research and know if visas are required before embarking on this tour.

Currency Fluctuations: In case of currency fluctuations greater than 3%, Amazing Journeys reserves the right to adjust our prices accordingly in order to operate the tour.

Port taxes, Government Fees and Gratuities: Port taxes, government and immigration fees have been included in the rate.  Gratuities are also included in the rate.  Port taxes, government fees and gratuities are based on August 2013 rates and are subject to change.  Fuel surcharges were deleted from the rates due to a suspension in fees by the Cruise Lines. Should the cruise lines reinstate these fees, Amazing Journeys reserves the right to add them back at that time.

This cruise is operated by AmaWaterways.  AmaSonata registry: Switzerland.