Adventures by Disney revealed their 2021 slate of European river cruises which feature a unique opportunity during Rhine River voyages to travel to Papenburg, Germany for an inside look at the construction of the Disney Wish at the Meyer Werft shipyard. River cruise passengers who book the visit to the shipyard will go behind-the-magic at the building docks on a privately guided hard-hat tour led by a Disney Imagineer. This intimate, limited-capacity experience will be available at an additional charge on all 2021 departures.
In 2021, Adventures by Disney river cruise vacations will include the most sailings to date with 30 sailings along four enchanting European rivers: Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Seine. Select departures are reserved exclusively for families traveling without children, including Food and Wine and Oktoberfest-themed cruises, and festive holiday sailings wrap up the extended river cruise season.
Sailing with AmaWaterways, a premier luxury river cruise line, these all-inclusive vacations are filled with active, immersive experiences curated by the family travel experts at Disney. A team of specially trained Adventure Guides are master storytellers who bring each destination to life and provide a seamless, authentic experience marked by signature Disney service.
Rhine River Cruises
On Rhine River cruises, guests explore storybook villages in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Highlights include a toboggan ride through the black forest, high-adrenaline thrills at an indoor winter park, horseback riding through the French countryside and a voyage through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley offering up-close views of 30 majestic castles.
New on the Rhine River itinerary is a unique excursion to Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the newest Disney Cruise Line ships are being built. Guests who book this activity will go behind-the-magic at the building docks on a privately guided hard-hat tour led by a Disney Imagineer. This intimate, limited-capacity experience will be available at an additional charge on all 2021 departures.
This optional Papenburg Visit Add-on is best suited for those who have an affinity for Disney Cruise Line and the shipbuilding process. The experience will be available for guests 14 years or older and will cost $499 per person (includes gratuities and tax). Guests will travel to the town of Papenburg, known for its large shipyard, Meyer Werft, which specializes in building cruise liners – including the Disney Wish, one of three new Disney Cruise Line ships under construction. The side trip will include lunch at the historic Hotel Alte Werft, which is the former location of the Meyer Werft shipyard. While at Meyer Werft, guests will have a unique opportunity to explore the ships which are under varying stages of construction. The privately-guided walking tour will be led by a Disney Imagineer and members of the Meyer Werft team to learn first-hand about the ship building process. The tour visits the greater shipyard, including a visitor center, assembly buildings and the Disney Cruise Line-specific ship building area. A special Q&A session with a Disney Imagineer will be offered and as you’d expect, there will be time to shop at the Meyer Werft gift shop. There are some things to note: guests must wear casual, closed-toe shoes (no open-toe shoes or sandals). Photos are NOT permitted, except those taken by Adventure Guides in areas designated for photo ops within the Meyer Werft tour portion. Whisper audio units and safety equipment will be provided.
2021 Departures:
- May 27 – Jun 3
- June 10 – June 17
- June 17 – June 24
- July 1 – July 8
- July 8 – July 15
- July 15 – July 22
- July 22 – July 29
- July 29 – August 5
- August 5 – August 12
- September 30 – October 7
- October 14 – October 21
Danube River Cruises
Danube River sailings visit eight unforgettable destinations in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, where adventurers roam medieval ruins, scale treetop rope bridges and marvel at the rolling hills made famous in “The Sound of Music.”
2021 Departures:
- • June 21 – June 28
- June 28 – July 5
- July 5 – July 12
- July 12 – July 19
- July 19 – July 26
- July 26 – Aug 2
- September 20 – September 27
- September 27 – October 4
- December 20 – December 27
Rhone River Cruises
Rhone River vacations through the south of France transport guests to sun-soaked Provence, a region celebrated for its colorful culture, charming villages, lush vineyards and world-renowned cuisine. Interactive excursions include an art workshop inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, a private truffle-hunting experience and tasting, and kayaking beneath a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.
2021 Departures
- May 20 – May 27
- Jun 17 – Jun 24
- Jul 1 – Jul 8
- Oct 7 – Oct 14
Seine River Cruises
Seine River cruises celebrate the magnificence of rural France with visits to picturesque provincial towns, the historic beaches of Normandy, Monet’s House and Gardens, the dramatic cliffs of Etretat, and Paris – the “City of Lights.”
2021 Departures
- May 13 – May 20
- Jun 10 – Jun 17
- Jul 8 – Jul 15
- Aug 5 – Aug 12
- Sep 30 – Oct 7
Specialty, Seasonal, and Themed River Cruise Departures
The 2021 Adventures by Disney river cruise lineup includes a variety of specialty sailings that feature themed offerings onboard and onshore, in addition to the excursions and entertainment already built into each itinerary.
Throughout the year, select departures are reserved for families traveling without children. During these adult-exclusive sailings, guests 18 years of age and older enjoy all of the magic of an Adventures by Disney river cruise with the addition of tailored enhancements designed just for them. These dedicated sailings meet the increased demand among adult travelers for Adventures by Disney’s unique blend of sophistication, variety and adventure in a fun, comfortable setting.
Special adult-only vacations include themed Oktoberfest sailings on the Danube River and Food and Wine cruises on the Rhine River, each offering an extra serving of refinement and fun for culinary connoisseurs and “foodies” alike. Also on the Danube, festive Christmas Market cruises are a magical way for families to celebrate the holidays like never before. Each of these specialty vacations is offered twice in 2021.
- Danube River Cruise: Christmas Markets
- Dec 20 – Dec 27
- Danube River Cruise: Oktoberfest
- September 20, 2021 – September 27, 2021 (Arrive: Munich; Return: Budapest)
- September 27, 2021 – October 4, 2021 (Arrive: Budapest; Return: Munich)
- Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine
- Sep 30 – Oct 7
- Oct 14 – Oct 21
Pre- and Post-Cruise Itinerary Enhancements in Paris, Amsterdam and Budapest
Adventures by Disney guests can extend their European river cruise vacations with three-day, two-night stays in some of Europe’s most celebrated cities. These guided group itineraries are designed to maximize vacation time, highlighting “must see” attractions as well as lesser-known hidden gems. Two dedicated Adventure Guides lead guests in enriching, exciting activities the whole family can enjoy.
Paris Escape
The Paris Escape can be added to Seine and Rhone sailings to round-out vacations in northern or southern France. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the “City of Lights” from their seats at dinner in the Eiffel Tower, a private walking culinary tour, and an immersive visit to the Louvre Museum guided by a local expert and a special art detective activity for Junior Adventurers.
Amsterdam Escape
The Amsterdam Escape can be added as a post-cruise stay following Rhine River sailings to complete the cruise’s four-country journey. This itinerary features a bucket-list canal cruise, a culinary tour of the trendy Jordaan neighborhood and a visit to the Van Gogh Museum followed by an interactive painting workshop.
Budapest Escape
The Budapest Escape can be added to Danube River sailings as the perfect land complement to the Central European tour by water. The itinerary checks off the city’s must-see sites with a focus on enriching cultural experiences like sampling authentic Hungarian cuisine, riding in a tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw) and reveling in a performance at the Budapest Opera House.
Bookings for the 2021 Adventures by Disney River Cruises open to the public on January 29, 2020. For more details on these vacations please visit Adventures by Disney’s River Cruising page.