What do you get when you combine one of the hottest forms of European travel with one of the world’s most masterful creators of family vacation magic? A Disney-crafted European river cruise experience that keeps family members from eight to eighty engaged and enthralled. Adventures by Disney, the family touring arm of the mouse’s empire, has partnered with AmaWaterways to offer four 7-night family river cruising itineraries the Danube River aboard the new AmaVoila in 2016.

The four-country itinerary will sail between Vilshofen, Germany and Budapest, Hungary, with stops in Passau, Germany; Linz, Melk, Krems, and Vienna in Austria; and Bratislava, Slovakia on July 14, 21, and 28, 2016, plus a special holiday-themed sailing on December 22, 2016.

While the Disney commitment to a quality family experience is central, these river cruises will be different from the Disney Cruise Line ocean cruises in several ways. First, children under the age of four are not accepted and the recommended age is eight and above. There will be no babysitting service available and no Disney characters will be onboard.

Adventures by Disney Helps Families Learn and Explore Together

As with the land-based Adventures by Disney tours, these river cruises are designed to be highly engaging with many opportunities for families gain a better understanding of the local culture and history through hands-on activities and experiences. The itinerary maximizes time in port with several choices of excursions at each call that encourage interaction and learning. All excursions are included in the cruise fare, as is a fleet of bicycles available for independent exploration at any port. Some of the highlights are:

• Experience a live falconry flight show at 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Castle in Austria
• Take a riverside bike excursion through storybook villages and rolling vineyards of the Wachau Valley.
• Visit the Mirabell Gardens and other Sound of Music filming locations in Salzburg with a local expert guide.
• Spend a day at the Lazar Equestrian Park enjoying carriage rides, a petting zoo and seeing the famous Hungarian cowboys horse show.
• Make candles, try your hand at archery and other medieval adventures at Devin Castle in Slovakia.
• See a charming marionette demonstration and learn how to make apple strudel at the famous Schonbrunn Palace in Austria.
• Attend an Oktoberfest event in Germany.
• The December sailing will offer tickets to a spectacular holiday Vienna Boys Choir performance.

Onboard entertainment will also highlight the culture of each destination by bringing local dancers aboard to perform and teach a bit of their folk arts. Of course, tasting traditional food is always a favorite way to experience a new culture, so daily fine dining will include regionally sourced cuisine and wine. Plus interactive cooking classes will teach you how to take favorite local flavors home.

AmaWaterways Contribution to Family River Cruising

With the new build of the 170-passenger AmaVoila, AmaWaterways is reconfiguring cabins and repurposing public spaces to accommodate families. All staterooms have a view of the passing scenery – either a window, a French balcony or an outside balcony. Two new features are connecting cabins and sofas that accommodate a third or fourth guest. These features allow larger families to travel together in comfort.

Most river cruises don’t cater to children and teens, so in a nod to younger family members, the AmaVoila will have public spaces that can change purposes for the Adventures by Disney sailings. For example, the wine-tasting room can be used to host teen-only dinners. The lounge might be the venue for folk dancing classes or a games night, and the next evening become a karaoke bar or host a Disney movie screening.

Adventures by Disney Family River Cruising is All Inclusive

River cruises are traditionally more inclusive than ocean cruises and this family river cruise experience is no different. In addition to a deluxe stateroom, all fine dining meals onboard and a choice of multiple excursions at each port, Adventures by Disney includes all gratuities, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks onboard, bottled water in stateroom, select meals off the ship and complimentary Wi-Fi. All the essentials – and some very nice extra amenities – are included in one price. Anyone who has traveled with active teens knows the value of keeping them entertained, fueled and connected – and the pleasure of not being nickel and dimed to death doing it.

Adventures by Disney family river cruising is certain to be a homerun with multigenerational families who want to play, learn, and connect with each other on vacation. With only four sailings of 170 passengers – you do the math – they will definitely be booked up quickly. Don’t think twice about giving your family a European river cruise memory that will last a lifetime!