Disney is no stranger to river cruising, but until next summer, its most notable foray will have been pun-infected tour guides on fake jungle rivers at its theme parks.
Starting in 2016, though, Adventures by Disney, the guided travel tour operation of Walt Disney Co., will partner with AmaWaterways for a series of river cruises in Europe.
“Recognizing the untapped potential and broadening appeal of the river cruising market, we worked with AmaWaterways to provide families with an immersive, personalized experience unlike anything we’ve presented before,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Adventures by Disney.
The cruises will be on board the 170-passenger AmaViola, which will debut in 2016, and is designed with families in mind, including connecting staterooms. The tour will feature four seven-night cruises slated for July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and one during the holidays on Dec. 22.
“You’re not going to see Minnie and Mickey on this trip,” said Adventures by Disney spokesperson Amanda Adler. “It’s about taking children on a cultural experience.”
The voyages on the Danube River will visit eight cities in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary including Vienna and Budapest.
Some of the options for travelers include celebrating Oktoberfest a little early on a tour of Alderbasbach Brewery in Vilshofen, Germany, exploring Devin Castle with a side of archery in Bratislava, Slovakia and touring the Melk Benedictine Abbey with marmalade, juice and wine tasting in Melk & Krems, Austria.
Other highlights include the option to visit a salt mine, see a horse show, enjoy a marionette performance and make your own goulash and strudel.
Each stop features two or three guided tours as well as the option to explore on bike. The holiday voyage will include visits to Christmas markets in Budapest and Vienna and a Vienna Boys Choir Christmas performance in the Hofburg Palace Chapel.
Adler said normal river cruises tend to skew older, while these special sailings by Disney will cater to all age groups. Each site visit features two tour guides, so that while adults may be touring a museum, the children might be going on an art scavenger hunt, for instance. Also, the tour doesn’t have an overtly Disney feel about it, she said.
“It’s more about coming up with experiences that are fulfilling for adults and for children,” Adler said. “There are Disney movie night and things of that accord that add a little more Disney flair, but they tie it into the destination that you’re visiting.”
The cost starts at $4,100 per person based on double occupancy while children are slightly less. That’s on par with other European tours offered by Adventures by Disney, said Adler. That cost includes everything but flight to the embarkation point including taxes, gratuities and all meals.
Guests who have traveled with Disney before will be able to book the trips beginning Tuesday while the general public can book beginning Wednesday by calling 1-800-543-0865 or going to AdventuresByDisney.com.
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