One of my most enduring memories from our winter cruise on the Danube is from the morning we spent passing Dürnstein. We were making our way to Weißenkirchen, cruising on AmaMagna, when the fairy-tale-like town came into view, easily identifiable by its blue-and-white tower, known as Dürnstein Abbey. I had never seen Dürnstein so quiet and mystical, but then again, it was February – when few tourists wander the picturesque town.
Dürnstein projected an almost ethereal beauty as we passed. I had walked its cobblestone streets many times and even climbed to the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Do you know the story? On his way home from the Third Crusade, the King of England was captured near Vienna and held prisoner in Dürnstein Castle. He was to be handed over to the Holy Roman Emperor. According to legend, however, Richard’s loyal minstrel, Blondel, wandered through Europe singing a song that only he and Richard knew. While near Dürnstein Castle, Blondel sang his song – and from inside the castle, Richard sang back the next verse. This revealed Richard’s location, setting the stage for negotiations for his release at the steep price of 150,000 silver marks – about two to three years’ worth of England’s total income.
I knew the story, but as we passed, I could barely make out the ruins of the mist-shrouded castle. As AmaMagna quietly proceeded upriver, I watched Dürnstein disappear in our wake. Three miles upstream, AmaMagna docked in Weißenkirchen, where guests would disperse on afternoon tours to Dürnstein and Melk Abbey, farther upriver.
We saw no other river ships sailing the Danube during our seven-night cruise, although Viking and possibly others are operating this time of year. But as for river cruisers, we were alone on the Danube during our sailing.
What we discovered during our trip was that experiencing Europe in February offered unique opportunities. Few travelers venture to the Danube for river cruises at this time of year. In fact, as guests of AmaWaterways, Britton and I were among the first to join AmaMagna’s new winter river cruises on the Danube.
While it’s true that Christmas Market cruises have long been popular in November and December, with some extending into early January, those center around the festive holiday atmosphere – celebratory, bright, and bustling. February is far quieter.
Traveling in the off-season has both advantages and drawbacks. We discovered at least six reasons why you might want to consider it – plus one reason you might not.
Reasons To Consider Winter River Cruising
Better Airfare Value. My business-class flight from the U.S. was significantly cheaper than it would have been during shoulder or peak season. I used only 60,000 miles to fly KLM business class from Atlanta to Amsterdam. I would have paid four times that amount in award mileage had I flown during peak season. I could have purchased business class tickets for less too, but I prefer using points for booking one-way business class tickets and for the flexibility should I need to cancel and redeposit the miles. See my story about airline award ticket travel tips.
More Room At The Inn. I chose Amsterdam as a stopover to shake off jet lag before continuing on to Budapest. Upon arrival, I took the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal for just €5.20 – less than a 20-minute ride. From there, I wheeled my luggage to the Doubletree Hotel, a favorite for its location and amenities, including its rooftop bar overlooking the city. The next day, I took an Uber (€12) to the Waldorf Astoria, arguably Amsterdam’s most elegant hotel. I didn’t pay the €900-per-night rate, though – I used an award night from my American Express Aspire Card valid for one free night at any Hilton property. A no-brainer. Had I been traveling in summer, I likely wouldn’t have been able to redeem the voucher. If you’re interested in the American Express card I use, we both get points if you’re approved at this referral link, American Express Hilton Cards Be sure to read the fine print and make sure it’s the right card for your travel. It’s certainly been good to me.
Experience Europe When It’s Less Busy. The doorman at Amsterdam’s Waldorf Astoria told me I had chosen the best time of year to experience Amsterdam and the hotel. Summers, he said, bring overwhelming crowds, and the hotel is buzzing with activity. Things felt relatively quiet in this usually bustling city. I borrowed one of the hotel’s complimentary bicycles and pedaled for hours through Vondelpark and Westerpark, stopping for dinner at Ente – one of my favorite Amsterdam restaurants – before returning for a nightcap at the hotel. It wasn’t just Amsterdam that was less busy. All of the ports we visited during our cruise were uncrowded and quieter than in peak season.
Your Cruise Will Cost Less. AmaWaterways’ seven-night Best of Danube river cruises in February 2026 start at $2,199, compared to $4,349 in September. That’s slightly better than a two-for-one. You can check pricing for these cruises at this link.
Cooler Temperatures Make Sightseeing More Comfortable. Winter temperatures in this region range from 30–55°F, so layers and warm clothing are essential. But at least you won’t have to contend with summer’s heat. I’ve been in Vienna in September when temperatures soared into the 90s – making active time outside exhausting. On this trip, the weather has been mild. We even got sun in Vienna both days we were there as well as the three days we were in Budapest. In Bratislava, I pedaled a bike for nearly 25 miles under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 50s. Perfect cycling and touring weather.
A More Authentic European Experience. In Budapest, before boarding AmaMagna, we dined at restaurants that weren’t overly busy. That gave us the chance to have leisurely conversations with our servers – something that can be difficult during peak tourist season. The pace of life was slower and arguably more enjoyable than during the frenetic summer months.
The One Drawback: The Weather
For some, February may be too cold. But should that be a deal-breaker? In our case, the answer is no. We had one drizzly day, but it was never bitterly cold. As I write this, it’s 50°F and sunny in Budapest. When you combine the savings on air, hotel and cruise along with absence of crowds and busyness everywhere, winter river cruising may be just the ticket for many.
So, what about you? Would you consider river cruising in February? Let us know in the comments below.
Ralph Grizzle and Britton Frost, along with other media and travel advisors, were guests of AmaWaterways on this sailing.
This article was originally published by River Cruise Advisor.