Special Events Cruises – Uniquely Riverside

It is hard to top the natural beauty of the Danube river. It has inspired great works of culture, none more so than the Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II. It is lined by majestic capital cities such as Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava as well as rolling hills covered by monasteries, vineyards and picturesque villages, making her Europe’s most famous river for a reason. One of its most impressive stretches is Austria's enchanting Wachau Valley, located between the towns of Melk and Krems, and best enjoyed from the deck of a river ship. For more than 30 kilometres you'll sail through a captivating cultural landscape and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site so attractive you won’t want to blink in fear of missing something enchanting. River cruise itineraries along the Danube are very popular and come in many variations and lengths. In 2025, together with returning favourites, Riverside Luxury Cruises is presenting its guests with a selection of Special Events departures focusing on religious and cultural celebrations, catering to unique interests, likes and passions to enhance your travel experience. 

Riverside Luxury Cruises’ Special Events on the Danube:

Danube Capitals with Wachau Valley & Easter in Vienna
Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary aboard Riverside Mozart
April 17 – April 23, 2025
Spend the Holy Week on the Danube to experience Easter festivities across different cultures in charming villages and vibrant capital cities. Begin in Passau, the City of Three Rivers, where you can join the locals for Good Friday services if you like. From there, encounter nature at its best as you cruise through the dramatic Schlögen Loop and the castle and vineyard-filled Wachau Valley. Stop in the quaint village of Grein, where Austria’s oldest theatre has plenty of fascinating stories, and Dürnstein with its distinctive blue and white tower and looming clifftop castle ruin. Finally, visit three Danube capitals in a row, with Easter Sunday in Vienna, Easter Monday in Bratislava, and two unforgettable days in Budapest, the Queen of Danube. You’ll feel beyond blessed during this exceptional cruise that spends Holy Week on the Danube.

Solstice in the Wachau with Danube Fireworks Illumination
Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria aboard Riverside Mozart
June 18 – June 22, 2025
Spend five incredible days cruising along the Danube through Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, with stops in Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein, and Vienna, and sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley. Celebrate the longest day of the year with a musical fireworks spectacular. Stay active with a bike tour of Budapest, or Slovakia’s oldest castle, Devín. Enjoy a home visit with a Slovakian family in a Carpathian village, including homemade refreshments, wine and music.

Danube Capitals with Hungary National Day Fireworks
Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary aboard Riverside Mozart
August 17 – August 23, 2025
Sail down the Danube River in time to celebrate Hungary’s national independence with parades, religious and folk traditions, first bread from the new wheat tastings, and fireworks. Visit Esztergom with its ornate basilica, ancient Visegrád, Mohács with its colourful Busó culture, Kalocsa (Paprica capital of the world), and of course, Budapest, Bratislava and the City of Music, Vienna. As you make a majestic entrance to Budapest, raise a glass of Tokaji aszú (Hungarian dessert wine) and toast the city’s beauty and proud history.

Danube New Wine Celebrations
Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary aboard Riverside Mozart
November 5 – November 11, 2025
Experience three regal Habsburg capitals, four welcoming historical towns and the incomparable Wachau Valley, with its terraced vineyards and apricot orchards. Bask in the cheery atmosphere as the locals celebrate the season’s grape harvest and St. Martin’s festivities — when the new wine is blessed and served for the first time. Enjoy a visit to Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, and Esztergom, the birth and coronation place of the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen, as well as the capital of Hungary until the 13th century.

Riverside Luxury Cruises’ Special Event on the Rhine:

The Rhine, the second longest river in Central and Western Europe (after the Danube), is famous for its history, culture and natural beauty, and just like the Danube, inspired many writers, painters and composers to immortalize it. It’s a major trade route, serving as a link between northern and southern Europe going back to the Roman times. Dotted by large cities, towns and fairy-tale villages with hundreds of castles, châteaux, fortresses, ruins and vineyards lining its banks and nearby hills.  

The Romantic Rhine Southbound
Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland aboard Riverside Debussy
April 30 – May 7, 2025
Eight days, four countries, and... one impressive, flaming river. Riverside Debussy joins a convoy of ships for the unforgettable Rhine in Flames festival in Bonn, a breathtaking display of fireworks on the river, complete with music and entertainment. Enjoy a visit to Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam or Cologne’s famous Cathedral. If you are feeling active, join an ebike adventure in charming Rüdesheim or a Black Forest hike in Breisach. Take a boat canal tour in charming Strasbourg, and a Riquewihr Village wine tasting tour in the unforgettable Alsace wine region. Disembark in Basel, the congenial meeting point of Switzerland, Germany, and France.

Riverside Mozart (162 guests), and the smaller Riverside Debussy (110 guests), redefine opulence on the water, offering an upmarket river cruise experience. Riverside Mozart's double-width stands out from almost every other river cruise ship on the Danube and allows plenty of space for facilities which most river vessels don’t have, like an indoor, counter-current swimming pool, Jacuzzi, a wraparound promenade deck and even a large gym with a sauna and steam bath. The ship's larger size also means the vessel has a higher space per guest ratio, features five onboard dining venues, as well as four lounges, two bars and public rooms designed in a way that nobody feels crowded. All guests enjoy Riverside’s signature personalised service from every staff and crew member,  included premium wines, Champagne and spirits, complimentary StarLink broadband Wi-Fi, use of bicycles (including e-bikes), ship transfers and daily small group shore excursions to immerse yourself in Europe’s history, cultures and landmarks. Gratuities for your guide and coach driver, as well as the staff onboard are already included in your fare.

Both ships feature all-suite accommodations with king-size beds convertible into two twin beds, bed linens made from the finest cotton, height adjustable dining/coffee table, a sofa, bar area with a minibar, Espresso coffee maker, flat-screen HD TV, USB sockets, luxurious terry bathrobes, slippers, walk-in closet, high quality toiletries, in-suite safe, 220 volt electricity and the services of a Butler who takes care of your every request. Additional inclusions such as laundry and ironing are available in the higher end suites.

The brand was recently awarded the “Best in Dining on a river cruise” in the prestigious Cruise Critic “Best in Cruise” awards for the second year in a row and the chefs will spoil you with exquisite dishes, using fresh, locally sourced produce. Your meals are expertly paired with exquisite wines from the same region. You will also have several dining venues to choose from. Find delicious tapas at the Bistro, Michelin-inspired à la carte selections at the Waterside restaurant, grilled fish and juicy steaks at the Vista Bar & Grill complete with picturesque views. For the ultimate Riverside dining experience, try the exclusive Vintage Room which comes with an upcharge of 295 Euros per person.

Europe’s newest cruise line offers 170 departures on 52 itineraries ranging from 3 to 23 nights, sailing on the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Moselle, Saône, and Main rivers. Whichever river you choose, the three ships of Riverside Luxury Cruises will bring you closer to your destination in style and comfort.

Contact your Travel Professional for details or visit here.