Vienna, Austria
The City of Waltzes
& Imperial Splendor
& Imperial Splendor
AMAWaterways · July 7, 2027
A Celebration
of Music
on the Danube
Seven nights through the imperial cities that inspired Mozart, Beethoven & Brahms — with a conductor St. Louis knows and loves
3
Imperial Capitals
7
Nights on the Water
4
Countries
1
Unpacking
All
Meals & Beverages Included
The Journey
Europe's musical
heartland, unveiled
The Danube was never merely a river — it was the current that carried the music of an empire. Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Salzburg all rose alongside its banks, and the world's greatest composers drew inspiration from these very shores.
This is not a typical river cruise. Curated exclusively for classical music lovers, every port, excursion, and on-board event is chosen to deepen your connection to the music that shaped Western civilization — with one of America's most accomplished conductors as your personal guide.
Live Performances & On-Board Musical Events
Special concerts and intimate sessions hosted by Steven Jarvi throughout the voyage
Melk Abbey Choir Performance
A private musical moment inside one of Europe's grandest Baroque monasteries
Bratislava Walking Tour with Musical Vignettes
History and music intertwined through the streets of the Coronation City
Full-Day Salzburg Mozart Tour
Walk in Mozart's footsteps through the city of his birth — Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square & more
Travel that connects you to the art, history & soul of a place.
Enchantment for Everyone
A Familiar Voice from St. Louis
You've heard him
at Powell Hall
If you've spent evenings in the seats of Powell Hall, there's a good chance Steven Jarvi's conducting has already moved you. As Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony from 2013 to 2016, Jarvi led over 100 events at Powell Hall — Classical Subscription weekends, the Live at Powell Hall concert series, family concerts, and education programs — becoming a warmly familiar presence in our city's musical life.
He also served as Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, whose performances were nationally broadcast on PBS. Now, he brings that same artistry and passion to the Danube — guiding you through the very cities and concert halls where the music he championed was born and first performed.
What makes Steven's presence on this cruise truly special is his deep, personal connection to this musical landscape. He studied in Vienna with principal members of the Vienna Philharmonic, and he has conducted opera and orchestral works rooted in this region for his entire career. Sailing with Steven means you won't just visit these places — you'll truly understand them.
Resident Conductor, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (2013–2016)
Music Director, SLSO Youth Orchestra — PBS-featured performances
Led 100+ events at Powell Hall, including Classical Subscription weekends
Trained in Vienna with principal members of the Vienna Philharmonic
Described as "eloquent and decisive" — The Wall Street Journal
Selected by Plácido Domingo for the Washington National Opera conducting program
Currently Music Director, Dearborn Symphony & Principal Pops Conductor, Toledo Symphony
Steven Jarvi
Your Music Host & Voyage Guide
Day by Day
Seven nights, seven
unforgettable ports
Day 1 · July 7
Wednesday
Budapest, Hungary — Embarkation
Board your AMAWaterways ship in the "Queen of the Danube." Settle in, meet your fellow music lovers, and take in Budapest's extraordinary riverfront skyline.
✦ Embarkation Day
Day 2 · July 8
Thursday
Bratislava, Slovakia
Cruise into the Coronation City of 11 Hungarian kings. Choose from a walking tour with musical vignettes, a Tastes of Slovakia culinary tour, a hike to Bratislava Castle, or a guided bike tour.
✦ Walking Tour with Musical Vignettes
Day 3 · July 9
Friday
Melk & Wachau Valley, Austria
Cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley, then arrive at Melk Abbey — a breathtaking Baroque monastery above the Danube. View medieval musical manuscripts and hear a live choir performance.
✦ Choir Performance at Melk Abbey
Day 4 · July 10
Saturday
Linz & Salzburg, Austria
Walk past the Mozart House in Linz, where he composed his Linz Symphony in just three days. Or spend the full day in Salzburg — Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market — following Mozart's footsteps.
✦ Full-Day Mozart Tour in Salzburg
Day 5 · July 11
Sunday
Vienna, Austria — Arrival
A morning of scenic cruising into the City of Waltzes. Afternoon horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic center or guided bike ride along the Danube Canal. Evening concert experience.
✦ Evening Concert in Vienna
Day 6 · July 12
Monday
Vienna, Austria — Full Day
A full day in the city that shaped Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Visit the Liszt Museum, the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, and the grand Ringstrasse Boulevard.
✦ Liszt Museum & Schönbrunn Palace
Day 7 · July 13
Tuesday
Passau, Germany
Arrive in the City of Three Rivers — home to one of Europe's largest cathedral organs, St. Stephen's Cathedral. A fitting penultimate port for a voyage dedicated to music.
✦ St. Stephen's Cathedral — One of Europe's Largest Organs
Day 8 · July 14
Wednesday
Vilshofen, Germany — Disembarkation
Disembark in Vilshofen, carrying the music, memories, and stories of eight extraordinary days along one of the world's most legendary rivers.
✦ Disembarkation
Optional: Budapest Pre-Cruise Extension
Arrive two days early for a deeper immersion in Budapest — Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Hill, the Hungarian Parliament, and the hidden cultural gems that most travelers never discover. Guided tour included. Flights not included.
July 5–7, 2027 · Two nights hotel · Guided tour of Budapest
$680
per person, double occupancy
$1,020 single occupancy
Everything Included
Effortless travel,
beautifully curated
7-Night Luxury Cruise aboard AMAWaterways
All Meals — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily
Complimentary Beverages (wine, beer & more)
All Shore Excursions & Guided Tours
Special Musical Events with Host Steven Jarvi
Melk Abbey Choir Performance
Port Charges, Taxes & Fees
Ship-Wide WiFi Access
Kelly's Personal Planning & Expert Guidance
Reserve Your Stateroom
$4,769
per person, double occupancy · starting price
Departure: July 7, 2027 — Budapest
Cruise line: AMAWaterways
4 Countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany
Multiple stateroom categories available
$400 per person deposit to reserve your stateroom
Flights not included. Travel protection strongly recommended. Contact Kelly for full stateroom pricing, availability, and to begin planning.
Schedule a Free Planning Session
or email kelly@enchantmentforeveryone.com
Your Travel Specialist
Travel designed
around you
Hi, I'm Kelly — a St. Louis-area travel specialist who believes the best trips are the ones that spark genuine wonder. I design journeys for curious travelers: people who want to go deeper than the highlights, connect with culture, and come home changed.
When I came across this AMAWaterways cruise hosted by Steven Jarvi — a conductor that so many of us here in St. Louis know and admire from his years on the Powell Hall stage — I knew it was something truly special. This is exactly the kind of curated, meaningful travel that I love to bring to my clients.
I'll handle every detail from start to finish: stateroom selection, travel protection, pre-cruise logistics, and on-trip support. You bring your love of music and your sense of curiosity. Let the Danube do the rest.