France
Alpine chalets in winter, a Provençal house in summer.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises · S.S. Maria Theresa
S.S. Maria Theresa: a Danube family sailing for three generations
Budapest to Passau on a dedicated family departure: castles, chocolate and no sea days.
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Region
- European Rivers
- Guide price
- From £3,900 pp
- Best for
- Three generations · Families · Grandparents
Planning figure per person for the cruise itself. Final price depends on sailing date, suite and availability; flights, hotels and transfers are added in your proposal.
A seven-night Uniworld Danube river cruise on a dedicated family departure from Budapest to Passau, the itinerary we suggest for three generations who want cities, castles and calm water.
River cruises solve the problems that ocean cruises create for a mixed-age group: nobody is seasick, the ship docks in the centre of town, walks are short and flat, and the children see castles and Christmas markets rather than open sea. On Uniworld's dedicated family departures there is a programme for children and teenagers as well.
Budapest to Passau takes in Vienna, Bratislava, the Wachau valley and Salzburg from Passau or Linz. It is a week that works for a seven-year-old and a seventy-five-year-old on the same day.
Why we like it
- Dedicated family departure with activities for children and teenagers
- Docked in the centre of Vienna and Budapest
- No sea days, no tenders, short flat walks
- Inclusive fare with excursions
- Ornate, comfortable ship with around 150 guests
The ship
S.S. Maria Theresa carries around 150 guests on the Danube in Uniworld's signature ornate style: a lot of marble, gilt and silk, a small pool, one main restaurant and a bistro. Family departures add young crew and a children's programme.
Cabins we'd recommend
- Two or three suites on the same deck for a family
- A Grand or Royal suite for grandparents
- Lower-deck staterooms for value with children
What the fare includes with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Dining and drinks
- Excursions
- Gratuities and Wi-Fi
- Family activities on family departures
Everything else, flights, hotels before and after, transfers and private days ashore, we add around it. More on Uniworld Boutique River Cruises →
Like the look of this?
We'll tell you whether it's actually right for your party, and build the flights, hotels, transfers and extras around it.
Ask us about this cruise →No obligation. A specialist replies personally.
Who it's for
- Three-generation groups who want to stay together
- Grandparents with mobility concerns who want short walks and no tenders
- Families nervous about the open sea
- Anyone who wants several cities in a week
Who it isn't for
- Travellers who want a pool deck and open horizons
- Anyone who dislikes ornate interiors
- Families outside the dedicated family departures
Sample itinerary
Day by day
A representative itinerary. Ports and order vary by sailing date; we confirm the exact itinerary in your proposal.
- Days 1–2
Budapest
Two hotel nights with a private guide for the family: the castle district, the baths for the brave.
- Day 3
Board in Budapest
Embark and sail in the evening past the floodlit Parliament.
- Day 4
Bratislava
The old town on foot, a castle visit for the children.
- Day 5
Vienna
Schönbrunn for the children and the Kunsthistorisches for the grandparents, then Sachertorte for everyone.
- Day 6
The Wachau valley: Dürnstein and Melk
Castle ruins above the river, the abbey at Melk, and a cycling option along the bank.
- Day 7
Linz and Salzburg
A coach to Salzburg for the Sound of Music tour, or Linz on foot for the quiet.
- Day 8
Passau
The three-rivers town and its organ concert.
- Day 9
Passau to Munich
Disembark and transfer to Munich for a night, or the airport.
What we'd add
The voyage is only part of the trip.
- Flights to Budapest and home from Munich
- Budapest hotel nights with a family guide
- Private transfers
- A Munich night after
- Family celebration arranged with the ship
Like the look of this?
We'll tell you whether it's actually right for your party, and build the flights, hotels, transfers and extras around it.
Good to know
Questions, answered
How many family departures are there?
A handful each year, mostly in July and August on selected rivers. We check which carry the family programme before recommending dates.
Land & sea
Before and after the ship
Embarkation and disembarkation nights are part of the same plan. These are the places we would build around this European Rivers sailing.
Verbier chalet
Doorstep skiing, a chef, and a boot room that is warm.
Courchevel chalet
The Three Valleys from the front door.
Swiss chalet week
A catered chalet, a private instructor, and evenings already handled.
Also consider
Similar sailings
Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Barcelona to Rome with connecting suites, a real kids' programme and nobody dressing for dinner.
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Nice to Rome by yacht, with a marina off the stern and a children's programme that makes it work for families.
Seven Seas Grandeur: Greek islands with everything included
Athens round trip with excursions, drinks, speciality dining and flights in the fare.