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RIVER CRUISE
Danube - Budapest to One Night Included Hotel Bucharest 8 Nights • Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel • Celebrity Compass
75% OFF 2ND GUEST
NEW SHIP
7N CRUISE + 1N HOTEL
Itinerary & Excursions
Cruise Overview
Day 1 Budapest, Hungary Departs at 9:00 pm
Day 2 Mohacs, Hungary
Day 3 Novi Sad, Serbia
Days 3-4 Belgrade, Serbia
Day 5 Golubac, Serbia
Day 5 Donji Milanovac, Serbia
Day 5 Iron Gates - Scenic
Day 6 Vidin, Bulgaria
Day 7 Ruse, Bulgaria
Day 8 Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel Arrives at 6:00 am
Days 8-9 2 Day Post-Tour
Cruise Overview
Sail from Budapest to Oltenita and end your cruise with an included night on land in Bucharest– all part of a journey through the wild beauty and storied past of the Lower Danube. Begin in Budapest, where the city’s domes and bridges shimmer above the water, then journey toward Serbia’s Golubac Fortress, a magnificent stronghold rising from the cliffs of the Danube Gorge. Continue through the Iron Gates, one of Europe’s most breathtaking river passages, where the river carves a path between towering limestone walls. End your cruise in Oltenita, travel to Budapest where you’ll enjoy an included shore excursion and a night in Bucharest — Romania’s vibrant capital — where grand boulevards, Belle Époque architecture, and a spirit of resilience define a city as dynamic as the river that leads to it. A journey through power, beauty, and the soul of the Danube.
Included Land Stay in Bucharest
This 8-night vacation includes a night the InterContinental Athénée Palace in the heart of Bucharest as well as a shore excursion. Begin or end your Lower Danube cruise with an included overnight in Bucharest. Guests will be transported to and from the ship in Oltenita to Bucharest for this experience. Bucharest is a city of striking contrasts, where grand boulevards and Belle Époque architecture meet bustling markets and leafy parks. Romania’s capital hums with history and reinvention, offering a lively gateway at the edge of the Danube journey.
Included Land Stay in Bucharest
This 8-night vacation includes a night the InterContinental Athénée Palace in the heart of Bucharest as well as a shore excursion. Begin or end your Lower Danube cruise with an included overnight in Bucharest. Guests will be transported to and from the ship in Oltenita to Bucharest for this experience. Bucharest is a city of striking contrasts, where grand boulevards and Belle Époque architecture meet bustling markets and leafy parks. Romania’s capital hums with history and reinvention, offering a lively gateway at the edge of the Danube journey.
River Danube
Sail the legendary Danube, where grand capitals and hidden villages unfold along vineyard-lined banks. From the imperial charm of Vienna and Budapest to the quiet beauty of towns like Dürnstein and Melk, each stop offers a deeper connection to Europe’s living history. These are some of the most scenic river cruises in Europe, perfectly paced, culturally rich, and unforgettable.
What's included in a Celebrity River Cruise
- Shore ExcursionsEnjoy your choice of one shore excursion every day.
- DiningMore places, more choices. All meals including a 24-hour option.
- DrinksSelect wine, beer, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks all day with the opportunity to upgrade.
- Wi-FiComplimentary Wi-Fi throughout your journey.
- Onboard ExperienceMore to do and more spaces to do them in.
Although itinerary call times are thoughtfully scheduled, in the unlikely event of a change, we will share details promptly and work diligently to minimize both the adjustment and its impact on your experience.
Day 1 Budapest, Hungary Departs at 9:00 pm
Where grand boulevards meet steamy thermal baths and ruin bars buzz behind crumbling facades, Budapest is a city of contrasts best explored through local eyes. Wander castle-lined hills, cruise beneath glowing bridges, or slip into centuries-old bathhouses that still shape daily life. Follow your curiosity into the city’s artistic soul, where a local painter leads you through tucked-away galleries and hidden ateliers. Between stops, you might pass the Hungarian Parliament Building or pause for coffee in a quiet courtyard where poets once lingered, hearing stories not found in any guidebook. Then you may find yourself soaking in the healing waters of a centuries-old bathhouse. However you move through it, Budapest reveals itself not as a place to visit, but as one to feel.
Your ship departs promptly at 9:00 pm, so we recommend arriving at least 2-3 hours early to smoothly navigate check-in and boarding. All ship amenities are open and ready, so kickstart your vacation with a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.
Day 2 Mohacs, Hungary
Mohács sits at a bend of the Danube where Hungarian history and folklore come vividly alive. Walk through its streets to hear stories of the great battles fought here, then step into workshops where artisans craft the wooden masks used in the town’s famous Busójárás carnival. The air often carries the scent of paprika from family kitchens, and market stalls brim with embroidered textiles and handmade crafts. Along the river, fishermen mend their nets as boats drift past, keeping centuries-old traditions intact. Nearby, the Danube-Drava National Park opens into wetlands alive with birdlife and quiet trails. With Celebrity River Cruises, Mohács offers an intimate glimpse of Hungary, a place where memory, culture, and everyday life still meet at the water’s edge.
Day 3 Novi Sad, Serbia
Set along a broad curve of the Danube, Novi Sad blends imperial history with a lively creative spirit. Cross the bridge to Petrovaradin Fortress, where cobbled paths lead to sweeping river views and hidden art studios tucked inside old stone walls. In the city below, wander Liberty Square with its pastel façades and Gothic spire, then follow boulevards into streets alive with cafés, bookshops, and music spilling out of small clubs. Markets brim with local produce, while nearby vineyards produce wines that have been poured here for generations. From fortress walls to riverside promenades, Novi Sad feels like Serbia at its most welcoming. With Celebrity River Cruises, you’ll discover a city that embodies the cultural heart of the Danube.
Days 3-4 Belgrade, Serbia
Where the Danube and Sava meet, Belgrade feels both ancient and alive, its fortress walls guarding centuries of history. Wander through Kalemegdan Park, pausing at cannon-lined overlooks where the rivers merge and the city unfolds below. Step into the buzzing heart of Belgrade to find open-air markets, art-filled side streets, and floating splavovi, river barges turned into cafés and music clubs that hum late into the night. In the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija, cobblestones echo with poetry and the scent of grilled meats drifts from traditional kafanas. As dusk settles, the fortress glows against the sky, and the rivers mirror the energy of a city that never stops reinventing itself.
Day 5 Golubac, Serbia
Where the Danube narrows into the Iron Gates Gorge, Golubac greets you with a fortress that seems carved from legend. Nine towers stand guard above the river, their stone walls echoing with centuries of battles and shifting empires. Walk through the ramparts to hear tales of knights and kings, or stand on the battlements as the Danube stretches toward forested cliffs. Beyond the fortress, trails of Djerdap National Park invite you into landscapes alive with birdsong and hidden views of the gorge. Pause for a drink along the river, where fishermen cast their lines and the fortress glows in the fading light. With Celebrity River Cruises, Golubac is not just a historic site, it’s an unforgettable threshold into the wild beauty of the Danube.
Day 5 Donji Milanovac, Serbia
On the Danube’s widest bend, Donji Milanovac rests in the heart of Serbia’s Iron Gates Gorge. Here the river opens into calm waters framed by forested cliffs, a backdrop that has sheltered life for thousands of years. Explore the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, which reveals to you traces of Europe’s earliest civilization, or walk the river promenade, watching fishermen cast their nets as swans drift past. Nearby, wooded trails lead into Djerdap National Park, alive with bird calls and hidden views of the gorge. You may even pause for coffee in a family-run café or share stories with locals who have lived here for generations. With Celebrity River Cruises, Donji Milanovac is more than a stop, it’s a moment of stillness in the Danube’s dramatic flow.
Day 5 Iron Gates - Scenic
The Iron Gates Gorge is the Danube at its most breathtaking, a natural border between Serbia and Romania where the river carves through towering limestone cliffs. As you sail, the water narrows and mountains rise steeply on either side, creating a sense of awe that has stirred travelers for centuries. The colossal rock carving of Decebalus, last king of Dacia, watches over the water, while Trajan’s Table marks the reach of the Roman Empire. Eagles glide above as the ship enters the great Iron Gates Lock, an engineering marvel that lifts you through one of Europe’s most dramatic river passages. With Celebrity River Cruises, passing through the Iron Gates is more than a scenic stretch, it’s a moment of pure wonder where nature, history, and human ingenuity converge.
Day 6 Vidin, Bulgaria
At Bulgaria’s northwestern edge, Vidin rises where the Danube bends, watched over by the medieval Baba Vida Fortress. Step inside its stone towers and you may ask locals to tell you the stories of crusaders and kings, then wander into the town’s shaded gardens and tree-lined boulevards. The city’s squares brim with market stalls selling fresh produce and handmade crafts, while domed churches and Ottoman mosques reveal its layered past. Along the riverfront, families stroll at sunset, echoing centuries of life tied to the Danube. With Celebrity River Cruises, Vidin offers both history and welcome, a place where fortress walls and river horizons frame Bulgaria’s enduring character.
Day 7 Ruse, Bulgaria
Ruse unfolds along the Danube with a quiet elegance, its 19th-century architecture earning it the name “Little Vienna.” Stroll through Freedom Square, where fountains play beneath ornate façades, and follow leafy boulevards lined with opera houses, galleries, and grand cafés that speak to Bulgaria’s cultural pride. Beyond the city, the journey continues inland to Veliko Tarnovo, the former medieval capital, where stone fortresses cling to forested hills and cobbled lanes wind toward panoramic views of the Yantra River. Nearby Arbanassi feels timeless, a village of whitewashed houses, carved wooden ceilings, and frescoed chapels that preserve centuries of artistry. Back along the Danube, Ruse offers markets, courtyards, and the ancient ruins of Sexaginta Prista — a city shaped, and continually renewed, by the rhythm of the river.
Day 8 Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel Arrives at 6:00 am
Your Lower Danube journey begins or concludes in Oltenita, gateway to Romania’s vibrant capital, with an included overnight stay on land in Bucharest. After a scenic transfer from the river, you’ll have time to experience the city’s striking contrasts, from grand boulevards and Belle Époque architecture to lively neighborhoods filled with cafés, galleries, and local life. Discover landmarks that reflect Bucharest’s layered history alongside moments that reveal its creative, modern spirit. Whether arriving at the start of your cruise or lingering at the end, this overnight experience adds depth and perspective to your time along the Danube, connecting the river to one of Eastern Europe’s most dynamic cities.
Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.
Days 8-9 2 Day Post-Tour
Tour Day 1
Thu, Aug 24, 2028
Oltenita > Bucharest
After disembarking from the ship, board a comfortable motor coach for a scenic ride from Oltenita to Bucharest. As you travel, soak in the picturesque views of the Romanian countryside. Upon arrival to Bucharest, you will check in for a one-night stay the InterContinental Athénée Palace in the heart of Bucharest.
After disembarking your ship, you’ll travel by comfortable motor coach from Oltenita to Bucharest, passing through the Romanian countryside as the landscape gradually shifts from riverbanks to city streets. Upon arrival, you’ll check in for a one-night stay at the InterContinental Athénée Palace, ideally located in the heart of Bucharest and perfectly positioned for exploring the city’s historic avenues, cultural landmarks, and vibrant café scene.
After disembarking your ship, you’ll travel by comfortable motor coach from Oltenita to Bucharest, passing through the Romanian countryside as the landscape gradually shifts from riverbanks to city streets. Upon arrival, you’ll check in for a one-night stay at the InterContinental Athénée Palace, ideally located in the heart of Bucharest and perfectly positioned for exploring the city’s historic avenues, cultural landmarks, and vibrant café scene.
Tour Day 2
Fri, Aug 25, 2028
Bucharest
Known as the “Little Paris” of Eastern Europe, Bucharest surprises with its mix of wide boulevards, ornate palaces, and vibrant neighborhoods alive with cafés and galleries. You may find yourself walking down Calea Victoriei, where Belle Époque façades rise beside modern storefronts, or step into the immense Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world. In the Old Town, winding streets brim with churches, bookshops, and lively beer halls, while nearby parks open to tranquil lakes and shaded paths. Stories of Romania’s royal past and its contemporary spirit live side by side here, shaping a city that feels both historic and forward-looking. With Celebrity River Cruises, Bucharest becomes more than a capital stop, it’s an energetic finale or beginning to your journey along the Danube.
Your ship:
Celebrity Compass
Inaugural dateAug 5, 2027
Occupancy172
Celebrity Compass redefines what a river ship can be, with spacious interiors, open-air lounges, and the first-ever Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites. Designed for flow and flexibility, every space invites you to stretch out, slow down, and take in the river from a closer, more personal perspective. With fewer guests, smarter technology, and a modern silhouette made for the waterways of Europe, this is where innovation becomes experience.
Learn more about the ship