UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL DEPARTURE DATES:
Disney has recently announced that they will be embarking on European river cruises in partnership with AmaWaterways. While technically falling under the Adventures by Disney banner, the surprise unveiling is still certainly Disney Cruise Line related.
Seven scheduled river sailings along the Danube River in 2016 will first and foremost be a family-friendly way to visit Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
Like other Adventures by Disney group tours, these all-inclusive river journeys will be destination-centric, maximizing time spent in each port. Highlights according to Disney will include “revisiting scenes from the movie ‘The Sound of Music’ in Salzburg and exploring Devin Castle in Bratislava.”
(Copyright © Adventures by Disney)
“Celebrating 10 years in the family tourism industry, Adventures by Disney is always looking for new ways to deliver extraordinary vacation experiences that are both memorable and effortless for our guests,” said Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President of Adventures by Disney. “Recognizing the untapped potential and broadening appeal of the river cruising market, we worked with AmaWaterways to provide families with an immersive, personalized experience unlike anything we’ve presented before.”
AmaViola Riverboat
Bringing the magic of Disney aboard each of these special AmaWaterways cruises will be eight Adventures by Disney Adventure Guides in addition to the attentive crew of the new 170-guest AmaViola from AmaWaterways. While not a dedicated Disney vessel like say a mini Disney Fantasy, the riverboat is custom designed to cater to families.
(Copyright © Adventures by Disney)
Accommodation configurations feature six sets of connecting cabins plus some staterooms and suites that can sleep three and four to a room. Disney also says, “shipboard spaces are being reimagined to provide for specially designed activities geared towards kids, teens and adults.”
Activities will similarly bring touches of Disney to the AmaViola with wine tasting, fine dining, music, dancing and an onboard fitness center for adults; activity nights, movies, karaoke, relay games, life-size chess lessons, and video games for Junior Adventurers; and activities and theme nights specifically developed for teens.
Itinerary Details
These special 8-day, 7-night Adventures by Disney river cruises will set sail on July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, and Aug. 4 of 2016. Cruise highlights according to Disney include:
- Tour of Mirabell Gardens and adventures through a salt mine (Austria)
- Nighttime Illuminations Cruise (Budapest)
- Horse show at Lazar Equestrian Park (Hungary)
- Medieval activities at Devin Castle in Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Private marionette performance and strudel making demo at Schonbrunn Palace (Austria)
- Falconry show at Hohenwerfen castle (Austria)
- Walk along the tree tops at a unique outdoor adventure center in Kopfing (Germany)
- Oktoberfest event at a local brewery (Germany)
- Themed meals and culinary activities, such as interactive goulash and strudel making
- Biking in every port
Plus, two special holiday sailings will depart on Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, 2016, featuring “visits to the renowned Christmas markets in Budapest and Vienna, a Vienna Boys Choir Christmas performance in the Hofburg Palace Chapel and a special holiday menu lunch.”
(Copyright © Adventures by Disney)
Pre- and Post-Cruise Options
Adventures by Disney also offers an optional 3-day, 2-night extension before or after the cruise to additionally experience Prague, Czech Republic. There guests can enjoy “a cultural immersion tour of Prague with a local guide, dinner at Folklore Garden with traditional music and dance, a Prague river cruise featuring monuments and architectural highlights, a guided walking tour of the charming medieval UNESCO World Heritage site Český Krumlov, and more.”
For more information on these Disney river cruises, visit the Adventures by Disney website.
What is your opinion of Disney entering the river cruise market? Do you and your family plan to book a sailing? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below…