5Nights

Danube Christmas Dream 2026

Christmas-lit shopping street in Vienna at night, with strings of lights and chandeliers stretched between the historic residential buildings.
Mother and child are looking at a shop window with a Santa Claus figure together, the child is holding a lollipop and the mother a piece of pastry.
Blick über Wien mit verschneiten Dächern und dem gotischen Turm des Stephansdoms bei klarem Himmel

Highlights of the Danube XMAS Cruise

A gift with the dark blue ribbon of the Danube.

From Passau to Bratislava, Vienna and Melk to Passau.

It’s just one day before Christmas, and yet you have time to take a leisurely visit to a picturesque village and afterwards enjoy a long spa treatment? An A-ROSA river cruise lets you forget the stress of Christmas and concentrate on your own personal wish list. Here a light blue abbey tower, there the picturesque landscape of the Wachau valley decked in a white frost. Through to festive Vienna, where you can decide what will best get you in the Christmas spirit: a carriage ride to the palace, white Lipizzan horses or Mass in St Stephen’s Cathedral? And finally, to put the icing on the very successful Danube Christmas cake, a visit to the divine Melk Abbey.

Autumnal view of Melk Abbey in Austria, surrounded by colorful foliage and the Danube in the foreground.

Melk

The UNESCO World Heritage Wachau lies in the Danube valley and enchants you with its beautiful landscapes. And of course, a visit to the landmark of the Wachau, the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, should not be missed. Cities and nature have a special interplay here.

Blick auf den Wiener Weihnachtsmarkt bei Nacht. Im Hintergrund sind historische Gebäude, im Vordergrund sind Weihnachtsmarkthütten und ein festlich beleuchteter Tannenbaum.

Vienna

Vienna has many wonderful places. On probably each sparkles another Christmas market and entices with the smell of cinnamon, punch and sweet specialties! Christmas music plays everywhere, and traditional handicrafts tempt you to store against an imperial backdrop. And between all the lively excitement: time to just let yourself drift.

raus!

SPA-ROSA

Everyone has a different way of relaxation: in their cabin, in the sauna, on the sun deck, reading, walking or admiring the views. What can you do, except trying it all!

Itinerary

Route map Danube Christmas Dream with the ports Passau, Melk, Vienna, and Bratislava.
Route map Danube Christmas Dream with the ports Passau, Melk, Vienna, and Bratislava.

Passau is the departure point for your exciting Danube cruise. A university city, it combines old-town charm and ecclesiastical history with a young, modern vibe. As the ship departs, enjoy the thrill of heading off along the Danube for the first time – and look forward to your cruise, with its many experiences, picturesque natural scenery and magnificent towns and cities. Welcome aboard!

Winterliche Landschaft in Passau mit schneebedeckten Bäumen und Gebäuden, spiegelnd im ruhigen Fluss

Your Christmas Eve ends in Bratislava. Look out for the Christmas Express! In the Slovakian capital, it's not just the houses and streets that are lavishly decorated, but also the tram. It runs its route through the capital while Christmas music is played on board. Merry Christmas!

Christmas-decorated square in Bratislava with illuminated stalls at night.

Bratislava is also the place to be on Christmas Day. Start the day off peacefully amongst baroque and rococo, palaces and palisades, art and coffee houses. Treat yourself to a delicious hot drink to warm up!

Woman and child with hat and scarf smiling at a Christmas market at night with string lights in the background.

Meet Empress Sisi on Boxing Day and marvel at Schönbrunn Palace! You can also visit the Spanish Horse Riding School. There's no better way to experience culture and, above all, you'll have plenty to share when you get back home.

Christmas-lit shopping street in Vienna at night, with strings of lights and chandeliers stretched between the historic residential buildings.

"Gateway to the Wachau": Step into the UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the Danube valley from above. The town of Melk with its impressive Benedictine monastery sits majestically enthroned on a hill and offers you a breathtaking view. A perfect blend between city and nature.

Autumnal view of Melk Abbey in Austria, surrounded by colorful foliage and the Danube in the foreground.

Passau is the departure point for your exciting Danube cruise. A university city, it combines old-town charm and ecclesiastical history with a young, modern vibe. As the ship departs, enjoy the thrill of heading off along the Danube for the first time – and look forward to your cruise, with its many experiences, picturesque natural scenery and magnificent towns and cities. Welcome aboard!

Metal star with small triangular cutouts, emitting warm light, next to pine branches in a blurred background.

A-ROSA Premium all inclusive

Enjoy your most beautiful time with maximum comfort and with the all-round carefree package: A-ROSA Premium all inclusive.

Your desired cabin? Voilà! Sauna, fitness area, pool? Always at your service! Top culinary menus? Enjoy your meal! Attractive discounts on all massage and beauty treatments? Of course! Plus many other benefits that will always put a smile on your face, while you have nothing to do but think about your next wish.

  • Full BoardPlus: Comprehensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with live-cooking stations, embarkation snack, as well as daily tea and coffee time
  • Special Welcome (5 nights and more) & Farewell dinners (7 nights and more)
  • Tea, coffee and coffee specialities for breakfast, water, soft drinks, sparkling wine, as well as a selection of beer and wine included throughout the day, during bar opening hours
  • A-ROSA Best Price until 31 July 2025, Super Early Booking Discounts for bookings made until 30 November 2025 and Early Booking Discounts for bookings made until 28 February 2026 for cruises from March – October 2026 and bookings made until 31 August 2026 for cruises from November 2026 until January 2027.
  • Kids up to 15 years of age cruise for free on deck 1¹
  • One free change of reservation up to 30 days before departure
  • Comprehensive service concept with Guest Relations Management
  • Varied onboard entertainment for cruises of 7 nights or more with local performers
  • Room service in every cabin grade (during bar hours)²
  • A-ROSA App with information about your cruise
  • Special prices for additional services on board, e.g. SPA treatments, workshops³
  • English-speaking travel and hotel management
  • Transfer between airport or TGV train station and ship when arrival is booked through A-ROSA⁴
  • Toiletries as well as bathrobes on request


¹ Children up to and including 15 years of age travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one (two in Cat. G) supervising adult on Deck 1. From Deck 2 children receive a 30 % discount. Furthermore, children up to 7 years of age accompanied by 2 supervising adults can use a sofa bed free of charge on the A‑ROSA SENA in categories B - D. On the A‑ROSA ALVA, A‑ROSA ALEA & A‑ROSA CLEA children accompanied by at least one supervising adult receive a 30 % discount. The children’s discount is only valid for the cruise itself. Limited availabilities on all cruises.
² Drinks only, according to the room service menu. Except A-ROSA ALVA, A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA
³ Except A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA
⁴ If a flight or TGV booking is made through A-ROSA, the transfer is included. You will receive the relevant details with your travel information.

PLEASE NOTE: Transfer between railway station and ship on the Danube & Rhine can be booked for an additional fee.

Be quick and secure the A-ROSA Best Price - our early booking levels: 

  • Until 31 July 2025 A-ROSA Best Price
  • Until 30 November 2025 Super Early Booking Price
  • Until 28 February 2026 for cruises from March – October 2026 and bookings made until 31 August 2025 for cruises from November 2026 until January 2027

Choose exactly the cabin you like. If available, we will book your desired cabin with cabin number.

Dates & Prices

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category A cabin on the A-ROSA DONNA with a double bed and window, seating options, a desk and flat-screen TV, with luggage and bathrobes in the cabin.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category A cabin on the A-ROSA DONNA with a double bed, an additional bed, and a window, as well as seating options, a desk, and a flat-screen TV, with luggage and bathrobes in the cabin.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category A cabin on the A-ROSA DONNA with a double bed and window, seating options, a desk and flat-screen TV, with luggage and bathrobes in the cabin.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin with panorama window. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category B cabin on the A-ROSA DONNA with a double bed and window, as well as seating options, a desk, and a flat-screen TV, with luggage and bathrobes in the cabin.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin with Juliette balcony. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, fly screen, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category C cabin on the A-ROSA DONNA with a double bed and an open French balcony, as well as seating options, a desk, and a flat-screen TV, with luggage and bathrobes in the cabin.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

raus!

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category A cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and an additional bed, as well as a window, seating options, and a desk with a television.

Spacious and comfortable outside cabin with panorama window. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category B cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and panoramic window, as well as seating options and a desk with a television.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin with Juliette balcony. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, fly screen, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category C cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and an open French balcony, as well as seating options and a desk with a television.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

raus!

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category A cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and an additional bed, as well as a window, seating options, and a desk with a television.

Spacious and comfortable outside cabin with panorama window. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category B cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and panoramic window, as well as seating options and a desk with a television.

Spacious, comfortable outside cabin with Juliette balcony. Elegant design and first-class materials ensure an atmosphere of well-being. Cabin facilities: safe, air-conditioning, TV, fly screen, hair dryer, bathroom with shower and toilet, sauna towel, wool blanket, telephone, bathrobe (available on request at reception).

 

A category C cabin on a Danube ship with a double bed and an open French balcony, as well as seating options and a desk with a television.