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River cruises from Passau

The perfect starting point to explore the Danube

Passau is the ideal starting point for a river cruise on the Danube. Its location on the border with Austria makes it just a stone's throw from here to Germany's southern neighbors. On a Danube cruise from Passau to Budapest, you will cross three countries and get to know some of the most beautiful and historic cities and landscapes in Central Europe. Experience stunning architecture from different centuries in Budapest and Vienna. Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Baroque in the historic center of Passau and Melk Abbey. And admire the excellently preserved medieval architecture of Regensburg. But the many smaller towns on the banks of the Danube are also worth a visit. Moreover, the Danube is not only the second longest river in Europe, but also one of the most beautiful. Vineyards, orchards, grain fields and floodplain landscapes alternate here, so there is something new to discover on every part of the river. Last but not least, the Danube is also the perfect river for all lovers of fine food and drink. The sweet and savory specialties of Bavaria, Austria and Hungary are among the most popular dishes in all of Europe. On Danube cruises, beer drinkers and wine lovers alike get their money's worth.



City Highlights

Amsterdam is one of those cities that every traveler should visit at least once in their lifetime. No wonder millions and millions of tourists flock to the city on the canals every year to enjoy its abundance of attractions and cultural offerings. The best way to discover Amsterdam is to take a boat tour of the canals or a stroll along the unique canals. Art lovers are immediately drawn to one of the world-famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. Partygoers will find their happiness in the nightlife and red light district De Wallen. And beer drinkers should not miss the Heineken Experience.

The oldest city in the Netherlands exudes authentic Dutch flair with its gabled houses, small cheese shops and delicacies on the Grote Markt. Yesterday and today go hand in hand in the narrow streets. A visit to the Gothic Sint-Stevenskerk, including its crypt, and a stroll down Lange Hezelstraat shopping street should therefore be on your sightseeing itinerary. A freshly baked kibbeling in the wintry Kronenburgerpark is the perfect place to recover afterwards.

You should definitely take advantage of the stopover in Utrecht to see this beautiful Dutch city at your leisure. Whether you visit the famous Central Museum of Ancient and Modern Art or prefer to discover the provincial capital from the water on a relaxing canal cruise, you'll be amazed by the historic architecture and the many lovingly restored houses. The city's symbol, the 112-meter-high Utrecht Cathedral, towers majestically above the city center. Built between 1321 and 1382, it is the oldest and tallest church tower in the Netherlands. If you climb the 465 steps, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, take a pleasant stroll through the alleys and typical Dutch courtyards that Utrecht is known for. Or how about a visit to the colorful flower market? Utrecht is always worth a visit.

The Dutch city of Dordrecht is a former commercial city thanks to its location on the water. This past can still be felt in the city today. In the historic city center, at the harbor or in one of the many museums. The Grote Kerk and the 13th-century Augustinian monastery are also worth seeing. A walk through Dordrecht is the best way to discover the city's history.

The port city of Rotterdam is located in the Netherlands and is one of the most interesting places in the world. Modern architecture plays a major role here. The impressive sights include the horseshoe-shaped market hall with its huge range of goods and colorful crowds. Historic ships can be admired in the old harbor with the striking white house. The Witte de With street is a great place to stroll, store and party. The futuristic-looking central station, the Tüte, also invites pub crawls and shopping.

Emmerich is located on the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia and has a beautiful Rhine bridge and the Eltenberg, the local mountain. There is also a Rhine promenade for walking. If you want to learn more about the art of coffee, you can visit the Museum of Coffee Technology, which is famous in the town of Emmrich. Nearby is the town of Kleve, which is also well worth a visit with its swan castle, zoo and historic gardens.

Maastricht is a university city in the extreme south of the Netherlands. The city is characterized by its medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene. In the cobbled old town you will find the Gothic St. John's Church  and the Romanesque St. Servatius Basilica with an important collection of sacred art. On the banks of the Meuse River, which flows through the city center, stands the futuristic Bonnefanten Museum of Fine Arts.

Roermond is a city and municipality of 58,806 inhabitants in the Dutch province of Limburg, located on the border with Germany and close to Belgium. Roermond is best known for its Designer Outlet Centre, where there are many special discounts on exclusive brands and selected clothing. The inner city of Roermond is directly adjacent to the outlet center. Here you can stroll leisurely among small boutiques and cozy cafes.

Nearby Roermond is the city of Venlo, which, with 101,984 residents, has almost twice the population of its neighboring city. The small stores in the center are perfect for a day of shopping. If you are looking for art and culture, you should visit the Limburgs Museum, which tells a lot about the Limburg people and culture. Another point of reference is the Oude Markt in the center of Venlo, where you can find many restaurants, which are especially recommended if you are in the mood for a delicious wine in sunny Holland. 

North Holland's Alkmaar is also known as the cheese city of the Netherlands. So plan a visit to the traditional cheese market and cheese museum. Alkmaar also has a historic city center with many shopping opportunities, cafes and restaurants. You can easily explore Alkmaar on foot. But even more fun is a cruise along one of the canals, because like Amsterdam, Alkmaar is also known as a canal city. In a typical Giethoorn punter, you will sail under the many bridges and have plenty of opportunity to discover the city's many monuments. Once you have your feet back on the ground, we recommend a visit to the Beatles Museum in Alkmaar. Besides the Cheese Museum, which provides insight into the making of cheese, the Beatles Museum is another much-visited attraction in Alkmaar. If you have some time left, you can take a bike ride to the nearby beach.

Description and information on river cruises
in the Netherlands

On this river cruise through the Netherlands, you'll get to know three of the country's most beautiful and important cities. From Düsseldorf you will first visit beautiful Amsterdam, the country's largest and most unique city. A boat trip on the world-famous Amsterdam canals will amaze you. Enjoy the numerous small canals with their picturesque bridges and beautiful mansions along the banks. With its world-famous art museums, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam is also always worth a visit for art lovers. The second stop on the tour is Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands and a modern contrast to historic Amsterdam. The highlight of a visit to Rotterdam is undoubtedly a harbor tour, where you will get to know Europe's largest and busiest port. The third and final stop on your cruise through the Netherlands is Arnhem. Although not as well known as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the capital of the province of Gelderland is still worth a visit. Fashionistas will love the many boutiques in the fashion district. And animal lovers can spend a fun day at the country's most famous zoo, Burgers' Zoo.


This river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium will take you to three of the largest metropolises in the two Benelux countries. From Düsseldorf you will first travel downstream to Amsterdam. The charm of Holland's largest city lies in its unique ring of canals, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance. Discover the city's many narrow and crooked historic buildings by the water on a walk, bike ride or boat tour. From Amsterdam, travel on to Antwerp. Flanders' bustling metropolis combines history and modernity more harmoniously than almost any other city in Europe. Centuries-old buildings such as the Church of Our Lady, the Castle of Steen and the beautiful houses on the Grote Markt are combined here with many examples of modern architecture, such as the Museum aan het Stroom. Here, old Flemish masters meet a very lively contemporary art scene in the city's art museums. And don't forget to sample one of the hundreds of beers in Antwerp. Your river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium ends in modern Rotterdam. At the mouth of the Rhine River in the North Sea, you will not only experience Europe's largest port, but also ultra-modern architecture and a very interesting gastronomic offer.


On this river cruise from Düsseldorf, you will be introduced to Belgium's two largest and most famous cities, Antwerp and Brussels. The first stop on the river cruise is Antwerp, where history and modernity meet in concentrated form. With the Church of Our Lady, the Castle of Stone, the houses on the Grote Markt and numerous other magnificent buildings, the old town of the Flemish metropolis is one of the most beautiful historic centers in Europe. Antwerp is one of the most dynamic metropolises in Western Europe, where time has not stood still. Europe's second largest port, the world's largest diamond trading center and a vibrant art and fashion scene make Antwerp a hotspot of modernity. The journey continues to Brussels - the capital of both Belgium and Europe. Brussels also has a beautifully preserved historic center, with the magnificent Grand Place and medieval town hall at its heart. A visit to Brussels includes a tour of the most important European political institutions. And of course, don't miss the chance to taste a chocolate or two at one of Brussels' world-famous chocolatiers. On the way back to Düsseldorf you will visit Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. The gabled houses and small stores exude a very special Dutch charm.

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On this river cruise through the Netherlands, immerse yourself in some of the country's oldest and most beautiful cities. The first stop on the cruise is Nijmegen, the oldest city in the country. The main sights of Nijmegen are the Stevenskerk and the market square with the Boterwaag, the Sint-Stevenspoortje and numerous beautiful mansions. From Nijmegen you drive across the Meuse River to Maastricht, the southernmost city in the Netherlands. Maastricht is not only known for its beautifully preserved city center with the Romanesque Saint Servatius Basilica and Gothic Saint John's Church, but is also popular for its southern flair. Downstream on the Meuse, the trip continues through Roermond, with its many boutiques and quaint cafes, to Venlo, where you must have seen the Old Town Hall and the Limburgs Museum. Children will love spending their day in Venlo at Toverland amusement park or Klein Zwitserland play park. Via the old fortified town of Gorinchem, continue your river cruise to Dordrecht - one of the oldest cities in Holland - which, with its many waterways, exudes the typical charm of the country. Visit the Grote Kerk, the acclaimed collection of paintings in the Dordrecht Museum and the Augustinian monastery Het Hof. Your journey across the Rhine and Meuse rivers ends in Arnhem, which is best known as a museum town. Here you can choose from the wine museum, the water museum and the open-air museum.


This river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium is a voyage of discovery to some of the most beautiful cities in the two Benelux countries. From Düsseldorf you will travel to Amsterdam, where you can enjoy the unique charm of Holland's largest city along the canals. The mix of dozens of small canals, hundreds of bridges and countless leaning houses is what makes Amsterdam such a special city. Amsterdam's art and shopping scene are also among the best in Europe. Then you will be introduced to Hoorn, a typical Dutch coastal town on the shores of the IJsselmeer. In this enchanting port city, you'll breathe in the flair of the Golden Age and experience maritime history at every turn. Set off from Hoorn on a sailboat or take a trip on a steam train. From Hoorn travel on to Rotterdam, Holland's largest port city, where you can also experience Europe's largest port. A boat trip along the miles of quays is a very special experience. The next port of call is Ghent. In the Flemish university city, you will hardly be able to decide what to do first: a visit to the imposing Castle of the Counts, the majestic Saint Bavo Cathedral or the picturesque Belfry. Or would you rather stroll along the waterfront along Graslei and Korenlei? Ghent's medieval city center is without a doubt one of the most beautiful old towns in Europe. During your next stop in Antwerp, you can also visit numerous medieval sights. However, Antwerp is also a vibrant modern city with an extremely lively fashion and art scene. Your river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium ends in Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands.


On this cruise through the Netherlands, you will get to know many of the most beautiful provinces of the Netherlands. The first stop on your river cruise is Cuijk on the Maas, where you can experience history at the Ceuclum Foundation Museum, St. Agatha Monastery and St. Martin's Church. Via Roermond, you travel upstream along the Meuse to Maastricht. The capital of the province of Limburg has a great mix of historic sights, cultural highlights, cozy restaurants and trendy cafes. From Maastricht you travel to Antwerp, the heart of Flanders. Here you can not only store for fashion, art and diamonds, but also enjoy beautiful historic and modern architecture. In Dordrecht in South Holland, you can immerse yourself in the exciting past of a former trading town. The historic city center, harbor and Dordrecht museums bear witness to the city's great history. Via Rotterdam, where you will be amazed by the largest port in Europe, you will travel on to historic Gouda, whose Waaghuis, Town Hall and St. John's Church are among the most beautiful buildings in the Netherlands. In Gouda, learn all about the world-famous cheese at the Gouda Cheese Experience. The end of your cruise through the provinces of the Netherlands is also one of the highlights: Amsterdam. At the end of your cruise through the Netherlands, enjoy the unique flair of the Amsterdam canals with a glass of Heineken or a cup of coffee in one of the cozy cafes on the banks of the canals.


A river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium is hard to beat in terms of variety. There are beautiful historic sights in almost every city in both Benelux countries. However, many of the metropolises in the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam and Antwerp, are also known for their modern architecture. Art lovers will discover countless old and new masterpieces in the museums of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent and Maastricht. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing or kayaking on the many waters of the Netherlands and Belgium. It is common knowledge that both countries are a paradise for cyclists. And whether it's a Belgian beer in Antwerp, a bag of fries in Brussels or a coffee in Amsterdam - the bars, cafes and restaurants in Belgium and the Netherlands lead Europe when it comes to conviviality.


The starting point for a river cruise to the Netherlands is the state capital Düsseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia. Thanks to its excellent connections to the freeway network, major airport and important train station, Düsseldorf is easy to reach from all over Germany. The team at VIVA Cruises is happy to help all guests plan their trip to Düsseldorf.



VIVA TIARA_Bistro

VIVA All-Inclusive:
only the best for you

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With VIVA Cruises, all-inclusive means you can relax and enjoy yourself. Your physical well-being is taken care of with selected meals and drinks. In addition, we offer you relaxing care products. And if you need a good connection, use our WLAN. For otherwise good connections - especially with our on-board staff - the included gratuity takes care of that.

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Welcome with a
welcome champagne - for a wonderful
stay on board

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Full board with breakfast buffet,
lunch, dinner (multi-course
gourmet menus, served on site) and
snacks with free table choice and flexible
meals

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Cold and hot
high quality non-alcoholic drinks and a
selected range of alcoholic beverages;
see our bar menu.

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High Tea: once per trip a selection
sweet and savory treats such as
scones, sandwiches,
cupcakes, chocolates and macarons. Various teas
are also offered to match.

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Daily freshly filled minibar and
reusable water bottle in the
cabin

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Selected beauty products from
RITUALS

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Free WiFi on board - for undisturbed
reception

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Tips for the whole crew

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The right excursions for your river cruise

The guests aboard our top floating hotels are all different. That's why we develop an equally diverse excursion program for each of our fascinating itineraries. Whether you are an epicurean, a nature lover or an art lover, our selection of experiences will open up new perspectives for you on every voyage.


Arrival and departure to your VIVA ship

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Arrival and departure to your VIVA ship

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With VIVA Cruises, you feel you are in the best hands from the very beginning. That's why our service is not only limited to life on board, but starts right from the preparation of your trip.

Do you need parking for your vehicle, plan a comfortable arrival and departure by train or want support for a suitable flight?

On request, we are happy to organize your stress-free arrival and departure and transfers. Call us: +49 211 274 032 50 or send an e-mail to: info@viva-cruises.com

AMSTERDAM

Our berth in Amsterdam is usually located at Port of Amsterdam, Ruyterkade Oost IJ RO1. You will receive further information with your travel documents two weeks prior to your trip. 

If you are traveling to Amsterdam by your own car, we recommend the following parking garages nearby:

Piet Heingarage 
Piet Heinkade 59 
1019 GM Amsterdam 
Piet Heingarage | Amsterdam

IJ-oever Centrum 
Vriesseveem 9 
1019 GM Amsterdam 
IJ-oever Centrum | Amsterdam 



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River cruises in other countries

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