This Week in Cruise: River Cruise Lines Gear Up for 2018

Its been a busy week for 2018 river cruises in Europe.

Crystal River Cruises added four new itineraries for its new Rhine Class ship, the Crystal Mahler. During April and May 2018, the ship will sail three seven-day Danube Serenade trips between Budapest and Vienna and one 11-day "Reflections on the Danube. The new itineraries depart April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 2018.

Looking farther ahead, Emerald Waterways has announced it will offer several holiday cruises in 2018.

Emerald said it will offer a 15-day Christmas Markets of Europe itinerary from December 4, 2018, to December 18, 2018, sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. The line will also offer a number of shorter, eight-day itineraries, including Danube Delights Christmas Market, departing December 8, 2018 and sailing from Budapest to Nuremberg, and the Danube Explorer Christmas Market, departing December 1, 2018, and sailing from Munich to Budapest.

Finally, Riviera Travel has announced a new 15-day Budapest to the Black Sea itinerary that will sail the Danube River through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Travelers will have the chance to visit an equestrian farm in Hungary, the site of a major battle in the Russo-Turkish War, and the Communist-era Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania. There will also be a chance to sail through the scenic Iron Gates Gorge.

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