Find a Cruise
RIVER CRUISE
8N Danube - One Night Included Hotel Bucharest to Budapest 8 Nights • Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel to Budapest, Hungary • Celebrity Compass
NEW SHIP
Itinerary
Cruise Overview
Days 1-2 2 Day Pre-Tour
Day 2 Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel Departs at 7:00 pm
Day 3 Ruse, Bulgaria
Day 4 Vidin, Bulgaria
Day 5 Iron Gate - Scenic
Day 5 Donji Milanovac, Serbia
Day 5 Golubac, Serbia
Day 6 Belgrade, Serbia
Day 7 Vukovar, Croatia
Day 8 Mohacs, Hungary
Day 9 Budapest, Hungary Arrives at 8:00 am
Cruise Overview
Begin with an included overnight stay and shore excursion in Bucharest, Romania’s elegant capital, where grand boulevards, historic architecture, and a vibrant cultural spirit reveal the city’s timeless allure. The following day, travel to Oltenita to board your ship and set sail to Budapest, through the Iron Gates, one of Europe’s most dramatic river passages, where the Danube winds between towering cliffs and ancient stone. Continue to Vukovar, a city of renewal and grace where history and hope meet along the river’s edge. Conclude in Budapest, where the Danube glows beneath illuminated bridges, a striking finale to this unforgettable passage through Europe’s eastern heart.
Included Land Stay in Bucharest
This 8-night vacation includes a night at 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 at 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.
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.
Days 1-2 2 Day Pre-Tour
Tour Day 1
Wed, Aug 23, 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.
Tour Day 2
Thu, Aug 24, 2028
Bucharest > Oltenita
After a short stay in Bucharest, board a comfortable motor coach for a scenic ride to Oltenita where you’ll board the ship. As you travel, soak in the picturesque views of the Romanian countryside.
Begin your journey with a one-night stay in Bucharest at the InterContinental Athénée Palace, located in the heart of the city and ideally positioned for exploring its grand boulevards, cultural landmarks, and café-lined streets. The following day, you’ll travel by comfortable motor coach from Bucharest to Oltenita, enjoying views of the Romanian countryside as you make your way toward the Danube. Upon arrival in Oltenita, you’ll board your ship and begin your Lower Danube voyage.
Day 2 Bucharest (Oltenita) Hotel Departs at 7:00 pm
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 ship departs promptly at 7:00 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 3 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 4 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 5 Iron Gate - 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 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 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 6 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 7 Vukovar, Croatia
Set along the Danube, Vukovar carries a story of both beauty and endurance. Stroll past baroque townhouses that recall its days as a thriving port, then pause at memorials that honor the city’s struggle and rebirth. You might explore the Eltz Manor, now home to the city museum, where artifacts trace centuries of life on the Danube. In the markets, vendors offer fresh produce, cheeses, and handmade goods, while cafés along the riverfront invite you to sit and watch the current drift by. Vukovar’s spirit is one of resilience, where history is remembered and daily life moves forward with warmth. With Celebrity River Cruises, Vukovar becomes a poignant stop along the Danube.
Day 8 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 9 Budapest, Hungary Arrives at 8:00 am
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.
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