Cruise Features Included:    

• AmaWaterways Biggest and Best Ship - AmaMagna - We will be sailing on the AmaMagna which is AmaWaterways award-winning ship, with multiple lounges and 4 restaurants to choose from as well as some of the biggest river cruise cabins sailing in Europe with 53 suites that are 355 square feet or larger.  See below for more details.

• Christmas Markets - We will be visiting Christmas Markets in 5 ports in 4 different countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary) in addition to the regular tours offered as well as a few special events, including an Oktoberfest celebration in Germany and a Wine Festival in Austria.

• Luxurious River Cruise Experience - There is really nothing that compares to the luxury of a river cruise.  Experience the personalized VIP treatment on a small ship (only 196 passengers) pampered by the entire crew from the cabin stewards all the way up to the Captain.  Enjoy smooth sailing along the Danube River often docking in the heart of each town we visit for easy exploration.  Once you've tried river cruising with AmaWaterways, no other cruise vacation compares.

• Bus transportation - from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Newark) depending upon our group flight arrangements.

• Round trip flights - from nearby International Airport to Munich, Germany and returning from Budapest, Hungary

• Transfers to and from the Ship in Vilshofen, Germany and Budapest, Hungary - Our guide will meet us at the airport and escort us to the ship in Vilshofen, Germany.  Our motor coach will return us to the airport in Budapest after our cruise.

• 7-Day Luxurious Cruise on AmaWaterways MS AmaMagna - including gourmet meals, local entertainment and activities onboard the ship.

• Free-flowing complimentary local wine and beer - served at lunch and dinner, plus champagne with breakfast, a complimentary happy hour before dinner each night, and specialty coffees available around the clock.

• Tours Included at No Extra Cost - in each port, there will be a variety of tours available to join.  Tours are further divided into groups based on fitness level, ranging from gentle walkers, regular walkers, or active walkers.  All participants receive complimentary bottled water and a headset so you can hear the guide at all times.

• Bicycles Available - for organized guided bike tours in most ports or to check out and explore the area on your own. 

• Dedicated Fitness Instructor - onboard the ship who will lead daily exercise classes and other activities to help you burn off those calories and make room for your next delicious meal.

• Tour Hosts (Kelly and Tracy Shannahan) with you from start to finish.

• Several free gifts and mementos of your cruise from the Salisbury Cruise Club

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About The AmaMagna

As imagined by AmaWaterways’ Co-Founder, Co-Owner and President Rudi Schreiner, the “Godfather of River Cruising,” the one-of-a-kind AmaMagna is the flagship of AmaWWaterway's award-winning river fleet. Twice the width of traditional European river ships and offering the luxury of space, four unique dining venues and more leisure opportunities, the innovative AmaMagna has redefined the river cruise experience! Most accommodations are spacious suites measuring 355 to 710 sq. ft. with full balconies. In addition to the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, AmaMagna offers Jimmy’s, a family-style restaurant named for AmaWaterways’ late Co-Owner Jimmy Murphy, and the intimate Al Fresco Restaurant, serving up delicious vegetable-forward fare. Both a sun-deck pool and whirlpool invite guests to refresh and enjoy the views, while AmaMagna’s Zen Wellness Studio is an expansive space with a fitness center, two massage rooms and a refreshing juice bar.  The AmaMagna has quickly become the most luxurious cruise ship on the river.

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Included Benefits:

• Multiple Dining Venues, including the Main Restaurant, The Chef’s Table, Jimmy’s (family- style) and the Al Fresco Restaurant

• Hand selected wine and beer with meals, plus Sip & Sail cocktail hour most evenings

• Split-level lounge creating intimate pockets in which to relax unhindered

• Heated sun deck pool with whirlpool and sky bar

• Multi-functional, expansive Zen Wellness Studio with space to accommodate group exercise classes led by a qualified Wellness Host

• Unlimited Wi-Fi—at no additional charge

• Salon services, including manicures, pedicures, hair and massage (additional costs apply)

• Low draft with quieter, more fuel-efficient engines

• No parallel docking with other ships in most ports along the Danube

Stateroom Accommodations:

• Most accommodations are suites, ranging from 355 sq. ft. to 710 sq. ft., featuring step-out balconies

• Marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, soothing bath products, cotton bathrobes, slippers and hair dryer

• Grand Suites (474 sq. ft.) and an Owners Suite (710 sq. ft.) with spacious seating areas, beds facing the river, bathtub, separate shower and double sinks

• Generous closet, storage and shelf space with in-room safe

• Entertainment-On-Demand with high-speed Internet, movies, music and English-language TV

• Individually controlled air-conditioning

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Travel Itinerary:        
 

Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Travel Day

• Bus from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (perhaps Newark or Washington-Dulles) with a brief stop for dinner at WaWa before our overnight flight to Munich, Germany.  Flight details will be announced in February 2024 once our group flights are booked. 

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Sunday, December 1 - Vilshofen, Germany - Embarkation

• Board the ship in Vilshofen for your Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise.

• Then, join Vilshofen locals and fellow guests for a glass of beer and a traditional German pretzel ashore at a festive Oktoberfest celebration.

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Monday, December 2 - Passau, Germany

• During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments.

Tuesday, December 3 - Linz, Austria

• Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of excursions.

• The first is a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas markets.

• Or you could go on a guided bike tour along the Danube River.

• Alternatively, enjoy a full-day in Salzburg with a walking tour in the historic center, famous for its religious history, Baroque architecture, and as the birthplace of Mozart. While there, visit the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents.

• During the afternoon, you can visit the charming mountain town, Cesky Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.

Wednesday, December 4 - Melk and Spitz, Austria

• After reaching Weissenkirchen (Spitz), you’ll have a choice of excursions.

• Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Melk.

• For a more active adventure, bike along the Danube River or hike up to Dürnstein Fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive and enjoy incredible views of the river and village below.

• Alternatively, you can visit a local boutique where you’ll enjoy a tasting of special apricot treats.

• If you’re a wine connoisseur, you won’t want to miss the excursion to a local winery where you can sample some of the Wachau Valley’s finest wine.

Thursday, December 5 - Vienna, Austria

• The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center.

• If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride through Vienna.

• Then spend the afternoon at the Schonbrunn Christmas Markets and catch a glimpse of the giant sparkling Christmas tree

• followed by a free evening on your own to explore Vienna’s festive Christmas Markets

Friday, December 6 - Vienna, Austria and Bratislava, Slovakia

• Enjoy a Bratislava city tour, including a visit to Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market, or an invigorating castle hike from Vienna up to Bratislava castle and see such sights as the tree-lined Hviezdoslav Square, the narrow House of the Good Shepherd, Michael's Gate and the Old Town Hall.

• As an alternative, visit the Austrian palace of Schloss Hof, located near the Slovakian border.

Saturday, December 7 - Danube Bend and Budapest, Hungary

• Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition.

• The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river.

• Afterwards, you’ll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest.

• As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration.

Sunday, December 8 - Budapest - Disembarkation - Travel Day

• Disembark the AmaaMagna in Budapest and bid farewell as you prepare for your return flight home.

• After our flight, we will board our motor coach to Salisbury

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Cabins on the AmaMagna:

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A brief description of each cabin type is as follows:

• The Category E and D River View cabins are each 205 square feet in area and are located on Deck 1 (Piano Deck).  Category D cabins are located closer to the mid-ship stairs and elevator which is why they are slightly more expensive.  They have two relatively large fixed windows to allow plenty of light into the room, but they are located about 5 feet above the floor and above the water line so they don't offer much of a view.

• The Category AA and AB Outside Balcony cabins are each 252 square feet in area (which is 20% larger than most river cruise cabins) and are located at the end of the hallway on Deck 2 (Cello Deck - Category AB cabins) and Deck 3 (Violin Deck - Category AA cabins).  They have a full outside balcony which extends the width of the cabin and includes a table and a couple of chairs where you can sit to enjoy the crisp fresh air and scenery.

• The Category SA and SB Suite cabins are each an enormous 355 square feet in area (which is 50% larger than the largest Twin Balcony cabins on most AmaWaterways ships) and are located closer to mid-ship on Deck 2 (Cello Deck - SB Suite cabins) and the higher Deck 3 (Violin Deck - SA Suite cabins).  These cabins also feature a nice sitting area with couch and larger bathroom with a large step-in shower and double-sinks. They also have a full outside balcony which extends the width of the cabin and includes a table and a couple of chairs where you can sit to enjoy the crisp fresh air and scenery.

• The Category GS Grand Suite cabins are larger and wider coming in at a whopping 474 square feet, and are located on Deck 3 (Violin Deck) closer to mid-ship offering a shorter walk to the reception desk and access stairs to the Sun Deck, as well as the forward activity areas (the lounges and restaurants).  These cabins also feature and even larger bathroom with both a step-in shower and a bathtub along with the double-sinks. They also have a full outside balcony which extends the width of the cabin and includes a table and a couple of chairs where you can sit to enjoy the crisp fresh air and scenery.

• The Category OS Owners Suite cabin - This is owner Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst's cabin on the AmaMagna, but you can book it for this cruise.  It's the biggest cabin on the river at 710 square feet - twice the size of the Category SA and SB Suite cabins.  This cabin is located on Deck 3 (Violin Deck) and features several sitting areas, 1 and a half bathrooms and a walk-in closet.  The Master Bathroom has both a shower and a bathtub with double sinks and more.  And the huge balcony features several chairs, tables and lounge chairs.  There's plenty of room in this cabin to spread out and relax or have another couple or two visit for cocktails before or after dinner.  It's the ultimate in luxury!

 

Cost and Payment Schedule:

 

Total Cruise Package Prices - includes Ground and Air Transportation and More

• Category E - River View Cabins - $4,900 per person

• Category D - River View Cabins - $5,500 per person

• Category AB - Outside Balcony Cabins - $6,650 per person

• Category AA - Outside Balcony Cabins - $6,800 per person

• Category SB - Suite Cabins - $7,000 per person

• Category SA - Suite Cabins - $7,400 per person

• Category GS - Grand Suite Cabins - $9,600 per person

• Category OS - Owners Suite Cabin - $11,400 per person

Total cruise package price is based on double occupancy (2 people in the cabin)

We can also accommodate singles in their own cabin with very reasonable single-supplement charges, especially in Category D and E (call or email for pricing)

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Payment Schedule

• $1,000 per person Deposit Due Upon Registration

• Half of Remaining Balance - Due on April 15, 2024

• Final Balance - Due on August 15, 2024

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Travel Protection Plan (Optional but Recommended) - Salisbury Cruise & Travel, LLC encourages the purchase of either a Worldwide Trip Protector Policy or a Worldwide Trip Protector Edge Policy from Travel Insured International (TII) to cover your cruise for cancellation (due to illness or injury), trip interruption, trip delay, baggage loss or delay, accident/sickness medical protection, emergency evacuation and more.  While we are no longer able to offer a Group Policy, we encourage you to purchase your policy through our agency by clicking here Link to Worldwide Trip Protector Plan Application and then clicking on "Get a Quote".   More details are available on the TII website.   Some benefits are time sensitive so we encourage you to purchase travel protection at the time of initial deposit if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. Travel protection must be purchased before final trip payment.

Download the Cancellation Penalties and Protection Plan Information here.

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Finally, we recognize that this cruise is more than a year away.  Once you have paid your deposit, your next payment won't be due until August 15, 2021 with final payments due on December 15, 2021.  In addition, if your plans change and you should need to cancel, you will receive a full refund up until April 30, 2021.  Thereafter, cancellations for qualifying reasons can be reimbursed by filing an insurance claim with Travel Insured.  I recognize that some of you may be a little leery of foreign travel given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however certainly by April of 2022 there should be a vaccine and medicine available to treat the Coronavirus and it will once again be safe to travel the world.  And of all the cruises we have planned, we believe that our river cruises are among the safest given the limited number of passengers and crew onboard, the tightly-controlled tours arranged by AmaWaterways, the sparsely populated ports that we will be visiting and the fact that our group will likely comprise a substantial portion of the total passengers on the ship.  We hope that you decide to join us on this cruise.

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Please Email Us for More Information

or

Download the Registration Form.

or

See More Details About the Ports and the Ship for our European Christmas Markets Cruise 2024 on the Danube River by viewing our complete PowerPoint presentation from January 2023.  Check it out at: 

Christmas Markets Cruise PowerPoint

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