Hosted · December 2026
2026 Christmas Markets of the Danube
Festive markets, mulled wine and grand cities along the Danube with Amadeus — hosted from arrival to farewell.
Request detailsTake to the waterways for an unforgettable adventure — planned for you by a specialist who has personally sailed 95+ river cruises and lived in Europe for over 27 years.
Small-group departures with set dates, hosted by Dave from arrival to farewell. Limited cabins.
Festive markets, mulled wine and grand cities along the Danube with Amadeus — hosted from arrival to farewell.
Request detailsTerraced vineyards, port houses and slow sailing through Portugal's Douro Valley.
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Prefer to design your own trip? Browse by river and region — Dave plans it around you.
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Nearly four decades in travel, and more than 27 years living in Europe (Germany and Spain). Dave built his name as Warnemünde's number-one tour guide — recognised in Rick Steves' cruising guides and topping TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic — and was AmaWaterways' number-one passenger through 2022. Today he's a #2-ranking agent at OASIS Travel Network.
He has personally completed 95+ river cruises and 75+ ocean voyages, with first-hand knowledge of the ships, the rivers and the ports. That means custom cabin selection, special dining, price monitoring and the camaraderie of his “Royal Court” of repeat guests.
— Dave Natale, the River Cruise King
Schedule a Chat with DavePick a hosted departure or have Dave plan a sea or river cruise around you — and lock in exclusive rates and perks.
Personalised guidance on the right travel insurance for a journey like this.
Pre- and post-cruise experiences built on local knowledge and insider connections.
Perfect if you know what you want but would like Dave to secure the best rates, perks and exclusive offers on the major parts of your trip.
For travellers who want more than a great rate — full-service planning, expert guidance and custom arrangements end to end.
Everything in the Royal Treatment, plus your entire trip built and handled end to end — transfers, tours, air and the cruise itself.
The more you sail with Dave, the more the Court gives back.
An extra $100 per person in onboard credit.
Unlimited free air checks — plus a special surprise.
A complimentary Royal Treatment package, valued at $250.
Loyalty levels shown as currently listed — to confirm & complete with Dave.
Two decades of living in Europe — and the contacts that come with it — turn a cruise into a journey.
Most lines bookend your cruise with a single night in the city — rarely enough for places like Budapest, Lisbon or Amsterdam. I extend your trip with hand-picked hotels and private touring before and after you sail, so you actually see the place, not just the pier.
The standard coach tour is fine. The day you'll actually remember is usually somewhere else. Drawing on first-hand knowledge of every port, I arrange shore experiences worth your time — a private wine village, a dinner in a place you'd never find alone, the small group that becomes your travelling family.
Booked directly with the line, or through another agent, and wish you had someone in your corner? In most cases you can transfer an existing reservation to me — typically before final payment and within the line's transfer window. You keep your cabin and your price; you simply gain my service, my exclusive perks and onboard credit, and a real person watching your booking all the way to departure.
Transfer windows vary by cruise line — ask and I'll check yours.
Ask about transferring my bookingPrefer to explore yourself? My self-booking tool gives you live access to sailings, cabins and pricing across the major river and ocean lines, any time of day. The difference: even when you book it yourself, you still travel as one of mine — so the perks, onboard credit and exclusive offers I've negotiated come with you, and I'm a message away before you confirm.
“My favourite is seeing how you take such special, personal care of everyone… each guest thinks they are your very favourite person in the group.”
“We've had so much fun and met so many interesting people on his custom side trips that we eagerly sign up for the next trip before the current one is even over. There's no one like Dave.”
“Just the right mix of boating, seeing places, and good food and wine… probably the best of the river cruises so far.”
“We are so grateful to have found you — years of fabulous trips to remember and even more to anticipate. You are the best!”
Not stock photos — Dave's guests, having the time of their lives. And every traveller goes home with their own 51trips memory book of the journey.
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Truly, you can't go wrong on any of them — but each river has a unique aura, from the Hapsburg heritage of the Upper Danube to the castles of the Rhine, the chateaux and vineyards of the French rivers, the Douro Valley, the temples of the Nile and the Mekong. There are so many choices, none of them wrong, and Dave can help you find the best fit for your tastes and dreams.
Everyone has different tastes and budgets, and the River Cruise King has options for everyone — from entry-level and French-balcony cabins to step-out balconies, higher classes with more space, and suites with butler service. Dave will point you to the right line, ship and cabin.
Spring brings flora and fauna bursting forth, summer the great outdoors, autumn the harvests and colours, and Advent the Christmas markets. If the ships are sailing, it's a good time to go.
From time to time rivers run too low or too high. Cruise lines first do everything possible to continue your trip as scheduled, give a generous credit for any missed ports, and sometimes arrange a ship swap.
Most lines begin and end every river cruise with a specially designed land package, hosted by the same cruise manager with tours and transfers included. You can add nights for private touring, or combine the line's package with your own exploring.
Bookings are made through OASIS / Signature Travel Network — member of ASTA & CLIA. Your money is protected.
DNA Tours Ltd., Dublin, Ireland — a licensed travel business, not a faceless website.
You deal directly with Dave — 95+ river cruises, 27 years in Europe, recognised in Rick Steves' guides.
Start with a free consultation. You only book when the trip is right for you.
Tell Dave what you want, or get first access to new hosted departures and offers.