--- type: cruise schema_type: TouristTrip id: eaa040d7-c677-4791-8d8d-57b463157aa9 slug: 2355694 voyage_code: ECBI270927.1 cruise_line: Emerald Cruises ship: Emerald Astra departure_date: return_date: nights: 13 embarkation_port: Budapest disembarkation_port: Istanbul starting_price_usd: bookable: false last_updated: 2026-10-19T12:03:05Z --- # Budapest Escape & Enchantment of Eastern Europe & Istanbul Budapest to Istanbul > Emerald Cruises · Emerald Astra · Sep 27 – Oct 10, 2027   (13 nights) ## Quick Facts | Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | **Cruise Line** | Emerald Cruises | | **Ship** | Emerald Astra | | **Duration** | 13 nights | | **Departure Date** | N/A | | **Return Date** | N/A | | **Embarkation Port** | Budapest | | **Disembarkation Port** | Istanbul | | **Starting Price** | N/A USD per person | | **Voyage Code** | ECBI270927.1 | ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Budapest **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views. ### Day 2: Budapest **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views. ### Day 3: Budapest **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views. ### Day 4: Kalocsa **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Kalocsa is a town in Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary. It lies 142 km south of Budapest. It is situated in a marshy but highly productive district, near the left bank of the Danube River. Historically it had greater political and economic importance than at present. ### Day 5: Vukovar **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Vukovar is a city in eastern Croatia. It contains Croatia's largest river port, located at the confluence of the Vuka and the Danube. Vukovar is the seat of Vukovar-Syrmia County. The city's registered population was 26,468 in the 2011 census, with a total of 27,683 in the municipality ### Day 6: Belgrade **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Belgrade is the capital of the southeast European country of Serbia. Its most significant landmark is the Beogradska Tvrđava, an imposing fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers. The fort is a testament to the city’s strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires, and it's now the site of several museums as well as Kalemegdan, a vast park. ### Day 7: Golubac **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Golubac is a village and municipality located in the Braničevo District of the eastern Serbia. Situated on the right side of the Danube river, it is bordered by Romania to the east, Veliko Gradište to the west and Kučevo to the south. ### Day 8: Vidin **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in north-western Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Romania and Serbia, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin ### Day 9: Rousse **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Ruse, is the fifth largest city in Bulgaria. Ruse is in the northeastern part of the country, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, approximately 75 km south of Bucharest, Romania's capital, 200 km from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and 300 km from the capital Sofia. ### Day 10: Giurgiu **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Giurgiu is a city in southern Romania. The seat of Giurgiu County, it lies in the historical region of Muntenia. It is situated amongst mud-flats and marshes on the left bank of the Danube facing the Bulgarian city of Ruse on the opposite bank. ### Day 11: Bucharest **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which has 1,100 rooms. Nearby, the historic Lipscani district is home to an energetic nightlife scene as well as tiny Eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church and 15th-century Curtea Veche Palace, where Prince Vlad III (“The Impaler”) once ruled. ### Day 12: Istanbul **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics. ### Day 13: Istanbul **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics. ### Day 14: Istanbul **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics. ## Pricing Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy in USD. | Cabin Type | Starting Price | |------------|----------------| | Ocean View | $6,513 | ## Cabin Options ### Outside Cabins **Emerald Stateroom** (Code: D) Marrying exceptional comfort with refined and practical design, the staterooms are spacious and luxurious retreats that provide ample room to accommodate two guests. A picture window welcomes in the natural light, beautifully framing the surrounding landscape. Suite: 162ft² (15m²) **Emerald Stateroom** (Code: E) Marrying exceptional comfort with refined and practical design, the staterooms are spacious and luxurious retreats that provide ample room to accommodate two guests. A picture window welcomes in the natural light, beautifully framing the surrounding landscape. Suite: 162ft² (15m²) **Emerald Single Stateroom** (Code: ES) Our Owner’s One-Bedroom Suites boast their very own bedroom which closes off from the rest of the suite. A separate lounge area and outdoor balcony, complete with open-air system, allows you to enjoy the views of your surroundings whatever the weather. These suites also include a selection of specia... ### Suite Cabins **Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite** (Code: A) These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and inf... **Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite** (Code: B) These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and inf... **Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite** (Code: C) These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and inf... **Grand Balcony Suite** (Code: S) These generously appointed suites offer an inviting vantage point for watching the sunset. Floor-to-ceiling windows on your private balcony, complete with an open-air system and sleek glass partition, let you soak up the ever-changing landscape. Thoughtful touches include an in-suite Nespresso™ mach... **Owner's One Bedroom Suite** (Code: SA) Our Owner’s One-Bedroom Suites boast their very own bedroom which closes off from the rest of the suite. A separate lounge area and outdoor balcony, complete with open-air system, allows you to enjoy the views of your surroundings whatever the weather. These suites also include a selection of specia... ## Ship Information ### Emerald Astra Emerald Astra will mark the next evolution of Emerald Cruises’ award-winning river fleet. Designed to mirror the sleek elegance of the line’s luxury superyachts, the ship features a modern, grey-tinted glass exterior and will welcome 180 guests. The updated design focuses on both style and functionality, offering guests’ favorite amenities such as the pool/cinema combination, multiple dining options, and a sun deck dedicated to relaxation and panoramic views. All interiors have also been enhanced with a sleek, contemporary design, ensuring a sophisticated and spacious atmosphere for travelers on Europe’s rivers. #### Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Passenger Capacity | 180 | | Crew | 52 | | Gross Tonnage | 0.0 | | Length | 443.0 ft | | Total Cabins | 91 | ## Onboard Amenities ### Food and Drink - **A beer for everyone**: Is there anything quite like taking a refreshing sip of a chilled beer to toast your meal ahead? Whether it be a draught beer or one of our carefully ... - **A generous cocktail menu**: Our expert bartenders are available throughout your cruise to mix up one of our many delicious cocktails. Emerald Cruises’ vast bar menu promises some... - **A range of dietary options**: Sample amazing vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options^. ^Please inform your crew of any dietary requirements. - **Delicious handpicked wines**: When it comes to wine, our expert sommeliers handpick a selection of the local area’s finest for you to enjoy throughout your time on board. From robu... - **Dine alfresco **: A beautifully decked area in the forward of our European Star-Ships, The Terrace provides a lovely retreat from which to enjoy a light snack or refres... ### Recreational - **Find your zen**: Exclusive to our Emerald Harmony, our Southeast Asia Star-Ship, we have introduced the Lotus Lounge, where dark wood tones and muted colours relax you... - **Getting your laps in**: Spacious on board pools provide plenty of room for swimming. ### Fitness - **Your well-equipped gym**: Keep up your workout regime in our well-equipped, modern gym. ### Other - **Activity manager & wellness coach**: Overseeing our EmeraldACTIVE experiences, join your activity manager for a range of fitness classes or active excursions onshore. Your wellness team i... - **Captain & crew**: With a wealth of knowledge and experience, your captain provides a safe and smooth sojourn along the awe-inspiring waterways of Europe, and our team e... - **Cruise Director & Hotel Manager**: Your cruise director is happy to assist you and share their experiences, ensuring you make the most of your European adventure, while your hotel manag... - **Culinary Experts**: Our professional chefs craft delectable dining options for breakfast and lunch, plus an indulgent evening à la carte menu. Enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisi... - **Hiking to the vineyards**: Enjoy a brisk hike as you explore the famed vineyards of Europe. ### Relaxation - **A dedicated space**: Settle into a professional massage therapy room designed around serenity. - **A place to relax**: Enjoy the serene poolside atmosphere, with exceptional panoramic views. - **A relaxing massage**: Unwind with a massage courtesy of our expertly trained masseuses. - **Every thoughtful detail**: From soft gowns to luxurious ESPA toiletries, you’ll enjoy unparalleled comfort. ## Ports of Call ### Budapest *Coordinates: 47.4984, 19.0408* Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views. ### Kalocsa *Coordinates: 46.5281, 18.984* Kalocsa is a town in Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary. It lies 142 km south of Budapest. It is situated in a marshy but highly productive district, near the left bank of the Danube River. Historically it had greater political and economic importance than at present. ### Vukovar *Coordinates: 45.3475, 18.9994* Vukovar is a city in eastern Croatia. It contains Croatia's largest river port, located at the confluence of the Vuka and the Danube. Vukovar is the seat of Vukovar-Syrmia County. The city's registered population was 26,468 in the 2011 census, with a total of 27,683 in the municipality ### Belgrade *Coordinates: 44.8206, 20.4622* Belgrade is the capital of the southeast European country of Serbia. Its most significant landmark is the Beogradska Tvrđava, an imposing fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers. The fort is a testament to the city’s strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires, and it's now the site of several museums as well as Kalemegdan, a vast park. ### Golubac *Coordinates: 44.638, 21.6773* Golubac is a village and municipality located in the Braničevo District of the eastern Serbia. Situated on the right side of the Danube river, it is bordered by Romania to the east, Veliko Gradište to the west and Kučevo to the south. ### Vidin *Coordinates: 43.9962, 22.8679* Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in north-western Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Romania and Serbia, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin ### Rousse *Coordinates: 43.8494, 25.9543* Ruse, is the fifth largest city in Bulgaria. Ruse is in the northeastern part of the country, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, approximately 75 km south of Bucharest, Romania's capital, 200 km from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and 300 km from the capital Sofia. ### Giurgiu *Coordinates: 43.9008, 25.9739* Giurgiu is a city in southern Romania. The seat of Giurgiu County, it lies in the historical region of Muntenia. It is situated amongst mud-flats and marshes on the left bank of the Danube facing the Bulgarian city of Ruse on the opposite bank. ### Bucharest *Coordinates: 44.4325, 26.1039* Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which has 1,100 rooms. Nearby, the historic Lipscani district is home to an energetic nightlife scene as well as tiny Eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church and 15th-century Curtea Veche Palace, where Prince Vlad III (“The Impale... ### Istanbul *Coordinates: 41.0124, 28.9759* Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rar... ## Booking Information - **Book This Cruise:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2355694 - **Compare Prices:** CruisePirate compares prices across multiple booking channels - **Price Alerts:** Set up alerts for price drops on this sailing - **Support:** Contact our AI-powered cruise assistant for personalized recommendations ### Why Book with CruisePirate? - Real-time price comparison across booking channels - AI-powered cruise recommendations - Transparent pricing with no hidden fees - Expert cruise search and filtering --- ## Technical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2355694 - **Markdown URL:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2355694.md - **API Endpoint:** https://pirate.travel/api/cruises/2355694/ - **Primary Image:** https://images.cruisepirate.ai/v3/static/cruise-lines/emerald-cruises/emerald-astra/ship/80661.webp - **Data Source:** CruisePirate Cruise Database - **Last Updated:** 2026-10-19 12:03:05 UTC