Ocean cruises

Experience dynamic Budapest and imperial Vienna. Marvel at ravishing scenery as your luxurious ship glides through the Wachau Valley, celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful landscapes, into Germany and past charming Bavarian villages. Exclusive treasures are plentiful on this delightful journey.

This enchanting voyage provides a variety of ways to enjoy captivating destinations as well as plenty of time to relax onboard as you sail from Budapest to Regensburg.

Jewish Heritage Program (select sailings; Budapest to Regensburg direction only): Our Jewish Heritage Program is the only one of its kind on the rivers and allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more. Due to capacity restrictions, we recommend Jewish Heritage excursions be reserved in advance. Please note: due to site closures during Passover, the Jewish Heritage program will not operate on the following departure: Budapest to Regensburg: April 5. Tours that fall on Saturdays will not operate due to Shabbat, and some sites may be closed during other significant events, such as Passover.

The shimmering waters of the fabled Danube River flow for thousands of miles through the very heart of Europe, silent witness to centuries of artistic achievement and historical events. This perfectly composed journey provides an immersive cultural tasting menu of four equally beguiling countries—ideal for first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned travelers seeking to experience yet another dimension of these much-loved destinations.

Our locally-based destination experts will take you well beyond the "must-sees" of each region, offering fresh takes on classic sites, insider knowledge of delightful under-the-radar locales, and VIP access to places only a privileged few will ever experience—such as a private early-morning viewing of the acclaimed art collection of the Kunstkammer Vienna.

Generations Family Program (select sailings): Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they're also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.

In collaboration with The Explorers Club, this unique voyage will feature a team of two esteemed experts in their respective fields of Arctic study. Amanda Lynch is an Arctic atmospheric scientist and a distinguished professor and authority on polar climate systems, Indigenous environmental knowledge, and climate policy analysis. Charles Norchi, who serves as Professor of International Law and Director of the Center for Oceans and Arctic Law at the University of Maine, writes and lectures extensively on the Arctic, expedition law, and geopolitics. An Explorers Club Science Grantee will also be aboard Le Commandant Charcot, utilizing its dedicated laboratories and offering firsthand insights of ongoing research.

With the presence of Mike Louagie, photo ambassador.

After the long winter, a thick coat of ice preserves the shores of the East coast of Greenland . These shores have long been coveted by the great explorers and them approaching means being in tune with powerful yet fragile nature; only the present matters here. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot , designed for polar exploration, you will explore the hypnotic and icy landscapes of the Ammassalik and Blosseville regions . You will respectfully access these exceptional lands, which are inaccessible to traditional ships during the spring. The uncertainty here offers surprises and immaqa (perhaps, in Inuktitut) moments frozen in time. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, life thrives on the present moment.

The colorful traditional houses make the isolated villages stand out in the surrounding whiteness. The Inuit (men , in Inuktitut) follow the rhythm of the changing seasons and the ice, as they perpetuate their traditions, such as hunting on dog sleds. An outing alongside the last hunters of the polar region will have you intoxicated by various sensations aboard this ancient means of transport. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

As the midnight sun illuminates the white desert and the calving glaciers, you will walk through different states and forms of ice, a constantly evolving spectacle. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot or on the ice floe, you will have opportunities for exploration among the fields of ice and the scenery of the hummocks that are as sublime as they are chaotic. You will enjoy an outing by kayak or zodiac in a polynya (area of ??open water surrounded by ice), or a polar hike to approach the icebergs caught in the ice floe. From the enveloping refuge of the ship, you will be able to admire a flock of eiders flying above the horizon, a majestic blue whale hugging the waves, or the great nanuk – the polar bear – and its impressive silhouette.

On the East coast of Greenland, all notions of time and distance are forgotten. The only thing that counts is the intensity of the moment spent in the heart of the ice. “Delight in what comes up”, as Sylvain Tesson wrote in The Velvet Queen.

Find out more about the world of  Le Commandant Charcot  here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing program, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.

Dive deep into the region's culture, natural wonders, traditions, and historical significance in a one-of-a-kind experience along the Rhine. Delve into the region's world-renowned museums. Along the way, indulge in Central Europe's delicious cuisine.

Oh, and did we mention the scenery? Standing on the top deck of your ship, watching the ever-changing landscape turn increasingly dramatic, you'll understand why people have been raving about the Rhine River Valley for centuries—and there's definitely no cause to stop.

Jewish Heritage Program: Our Jewish Heritage Program is the only one of its kind on the rivers and allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues, and more. Due to capacity restrictions, we recommend Jewish Heritage excursions be reserved in advance. Please note: Tours that fall on Saturdays will not operate due to Shabbat, and some sites may be closed during other significant events, such as Passover.