We are contemplating a 7-10 day cruise in May on the Danube and/or Rhine river. I am drawn to embarking in Budapest and spending a few days there before heading up the river to perhaps Vienna and beyond.

Does anyone out there have any experience booking cruises like this. What are some of the hints to gain the best deal, decent cabins, prices, etc. Wherever I go I flash my military ID, University Professor ID, senior citizens card, and AAA card to see which, if any, discounts are offered.

Any advice would be appreciated.

From England, thank you very much, indeed.

Having cruised both the Rhine/Moselle and Danube I would recommend NOT using Viking. ( We didn’t, but have heard some horror tales). I can’t imagine for one moment that flashing any of those cards get you anything in Europe. Repeat customers get small discounts and a few extras. In our experience cabins are not huge on any of the ships compared to cruise liners and have little real difference except type of window. You don’t spend long in your cabin anyway. Look at cruise lines that offer the best trips ashore as part of the package, Some charge extra and some have very large groups when going ashore.
Vienna is well worth visiting. On the Danube we started our cruise near Prague and ended in Budapest. Not as scenic a trip as on the Rhine and Moselle but lots of beautiful towns and cities en route. Lots of Chinese now around everywhere.

AMAwaterways and Viking are offering Free air right now from emails and brochures we’ve recently received. Must book in September. Tempting Danube itineraries.

We did a Rhine cruise a couple years ago on Amawaterways and were very pleased with the boat, the crew, and the food. Would not hesitate to recommend Amawaterways. Here is a link to our blog:

Rhine Blog

Safe travels

I did some research on a Danube River cruise a few years ago and had a hard time finding one that left from, or ended in, Vienna. Only AMA had a short cruise. Vienna is just wonderful.