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Baroque abbeys above misty riverbanks, imperial palaces glowing gold, and dancing auroras over Arctic fjords – this dual voyage unites Emerald and Cunard.
Sail the Danube in the effortless comfort of Emerald Star, where each turn of the river reveals a different chapter of central Europe’s history, from imperial architecture to fairytale abbeys and timeless medieval old towns. Time ashore blends easily with quiet moments on board, as the ever-changing landscape drifts gently by.
Then, from Southampton, embark Queen Mary 2 for a voyage in search of the Northern Lights, tracing Norway’s dramatic coastline to remote Arctic ports beneath star-strewn skies. Hotel stays in Budapest and Southampton ease the transition between river and ocean, offering a rare pairing of two exceptional cruising worlds in one seamless holiday.
Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.
Day 2: London: Hotel Stay
Touching down in England’s capital, check into your hotel for an overnight stay. London sprawls along the Thames with timeless grandeur, its royal palaces and historic streets setting the tone for the journey ahead.
Day 3: Southampton: Embark Ship
Today, you’ll step aboard Cunard’s elegant Queen Elizabeth. Delight in gracious service, refined amenities, sumptuous dining venues, and an array of enriching pursuits as Queen Elizabeth embodies timeless sophistication and understated grandeur.
Days 4 - 6: Relax At Sea
Day 7: Narvik: Overnight in Port
Sailing into Norway’s Arctic north, Narvik sits framed by snow-capped peaks, its dramatic wartime history and mountain scenery making it one of the most striking stops of the voyage.
Day 8: Narvik
A second day in Narvik offers further opportunity to explore this rugged fjord town, from its harbourside setting to the surrounding mountains, before continuing on through the Arctic landscapes.
Day 9: Tromsø: Overnight in Port
Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø sits within the aurora zone, its harbourside setting and distinctive Arctic Cathedral making it one of the most atmospheric stops of the voyage.
Day 10: Tromsø
A second day in Tromsø offers further opportunity to explore this Arctic outpost, from its waterfront promenade to the surrounding fjords, before continuing your search for the Northern Lights.
Day 11: Relax At Sea
Day 12: Bergen
Bergen’s colourful wharf, Bryggen, forms one of Norway’s most recognisable views, its wooden buildings and narrow lanes tracing centuries of maritime trading history.
Day 13: Stavanger
Set against shimmering fjord waters, Stavanger blends a lively harbour with a preserved old town, where whitewashed timber houses line cobbled lanes. As the gateway to the Lysefjord and famous Pulpit Rock, it balances coastal charm with rugged adventure.
Day 14: Relax At Sea
Day 15: Southampton - London: Disembark & Munich Hotel Stay
Disembark and transfer to London for your flight to Munich, where you’ll check into your hotel for an overnight stay ahead of the second leg of your journey.
Day 16: Passau: Embark Ship & Overnight in Port
Transfer to the river and embark Emerald Star, your floating base for the coming days. Settle in as the ship prepares to trace the Danube north through the heart of central Europe.
Day 17: Passau
At the meeting point of three rivers, Passau charms with its Italian-influenced old town and pastel-hued waterfront, a fitting final flourish before the Danube leg draws to a close.
Day 18: Linz
Austria’s third-largest city blends a handsomely preserved old town with a forward-looking arts scene, offering a different rhythm to the grander stops earlier in the cruise.
Day 19: Melk
Perched above the river, Melk is dominated by its baroque abbey, a striking landmark that has watched over the Danube valley for centuries. Wander the quiet streets below at your leisure.
Day 20: Vienna
Once the seat of the Habsburg empire, Vienna greets you with grand imperial architecture, elegant coffee houses, and a musical heritage that still fills its concert halls today.
Day 21: Bratislava
Slovakia’s compact capital reveals a charming old town of pastel facades and cobbled lanes, watched over by the hilltop silhouette of Bratislava Castle above the Danube.
Day 22: Budapest: Overnight in Port
Straddling the Danube in dramatic style, Budapest dazzles with grand boulevards, thermal baths and a skyline of domes and spires, making it one of the most spectacular overnight stops of the voyage.
Days 23 - 24: Budapest: Disembark Ship & Fly Home
Your holiday complete, today you’ll bid farewell to your ship and head to the airport for your flight home
*Advertised pricing is based on per person twin share, correct as of 10 August 2026.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
