Munich Oktoberfest 2025 Danube River All-Gay Cruise
7 nights from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary 4 nights Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
September 17 (21) – 28, 2025
Lüftner Cruises Amadeus Riva
An experience you will never forget. Join us for the opening of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, followed by Danube river all-gay & bears cruise from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary, with stops in Germany Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. This classic cruise brings together glorious cities along one of the world‘s most beautiful stretches of rivers on a trip through the heart of Old World Europe. This quintessential cruise along the beautiful Danube begins in the “Three Rivers City“ of Passau at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers and takes you all the way to the “Queen of the Danube“ — the capital city of Budapest, which straddles the river with its hilly ‘Buda‘ featuring Fisherman‘s Bastion & castle district over to the flat ‘Pest‘ side with its iconic Parliament building.
Along the way travel through four of Europe‘s most important countries — Hungary, Slovakia, Austria & Germany.
Explore years of history and culture in the Imperial cities of Budapest, Vienna & Bratislava as well as the UNESCO protected Austrian Wachau Valley — blanketed with rolling hills, flourishing vineyards and picturesque villages. Experience the beauty along the Danube River.
While in Munich you will have excursions to some amazing places like the Neuschwanstein Castle (Disney's castle is modeled after that), Garmisch Partenkirchen, a beautiful town with the possibility to go up to the highest mountain in Germany, The Zugspitze. And Dachau, a historical place from World War II.
We secured a hotel for us, the Holiday Inn. Because of Oktoberfest, this hotel requires a 4 night stay. The Hotel for four nights for two people, including breakfast, WIFI, luggage pick up and transportation from the Oktoberfest to Passau comes to $1,499 per person based on double occupancy.
On September 21 buses will pick up our luggage in the morning at the hotel. We will then make our way to the Oktoberfest for Pink Sunday. In the afternoon buses will pick us up at the Oktoberfest and we will make our way to Passau where we board the vessel.
Munich Gay Oktoberfest
Every year, the cooler, shorter days of September and October usher in a much-welcomed transition for most beer drinkers. The flurry of summer activity dissolves into a drinking season both new and nostalgic: we swap patio draughts for Koozies and tailgates and sip ambers when the weekend arrives.
For the queer drinking community, however, there exists a certain melancholy when the explosive color of June Pride fades; as we return inside to our neighborhood gay bars and outside to our gay-league flag-football teams, we become aware that autumn brings with it the question of where LGBTQ+ people ought to find community when it is no longer “our” month. This answer is especially elusive in the craft beer community, but one idea lies in the German state of Bavaria, at the start of the largest international beer-centric event: Oktoberfest.
The first Sunday of the two-week long festival is host to the de facto gay party of the event, known in English as Gay Sunday and German as Rosa Wiesn. What started as a meetup amongst friends of the Munich Lion’s Club (MLC) in the 1970s transformed into the queerest day of the sixteen and takes place in the Bräurosl tent, where thousands of gay and lesbian fest-goers celebrate together. MLC is a gay leather and fetish collective that brings together queer folks of similar interests and advocates for the gay community.
Rosa Wiesn is the most well-known of LGBTQ+ happenings at the festival, and present-day Rosa Wiesn Oktoberfest spans over three days, includes shows and music, and attracts nearly 8,000 visitors per year. There are now three official events sponsored by MLC: the first Sunday in the Bräurosl tent, the last Sunday on the Bräurosl balcony, and the last Sunday in the Schottenhamel tent.
Your Ship - Amadeus Riva
Amadeus Riva embodies the spirit of adventure, cruising far and wide across countries and cultures. Discover the fine art of choice, both onboard and onshore, beginning with your cruise preference.
This vessel represents our commitment to a new generation of luxury cruising, showcasing our innovative and green designs that focus on sustainability, renewal, and wellbeing. You’ll find plenty of room to roam, from the River Terrace bar to the generous sun deck. Enjoy an afternoon on your private balcony or dance late into the night at the Panorama-Bar.
Restaurant
Floor to ceiling windows contribute to the sophisticated ambience of the AMADEUS main dining venue, the Panorama Restaurant. With an everchanging landscape as your view, relax in the spacious setting while enjoying gourmet cuisine and the highest standard of service by our well-trained, english-speaking staff.
Each course is served with a strong sense of pride; before the plate is set in front of you, the culinary team has been hard at work preparing a perfect blend of authenticity featuring our own twist on traditional dishes with contemporary flair.
Panorama Bar
Relax in elegance, comfort and luxury amid the versatile setting of the Panorama Bar and Lounge. The full-service bar offers our signature and custom cocktails, draught beer and a selection of premium regional wines sources from local vineyards. An assortment of beverages is served throughout the day, along with snacks and passed hors d'oeuvres during late-evening cocktail hours.
Visit the Panorama Bar for early-riser breakfast that includes several healthy options, and mid-morning for continental breakfast items. Dine on a lighter buffer-style lunch menu in this casual setting that is the perfect place to gather with new and old friends alike. In the evening, the Panorama Bar transforms into a celebratory atmosphere where live musical entertainment performs nightly and late night snacks are served.
Café Vienna
Immerse yourself in the origins of the unique Viennese coffeehouse tradition! The Café Vienna gives guests lavish room to imbibe delicious coffee variations or to indulge a sweet tooth with delectable confections.
Munich Oktoberfest 2025 Danube River All-Gay Cruise Itinerary
Date
Port
Meals
17 Sep
Munich, Germany
18 Sep
Munich, Germany
B
19 Sep
Munich, Germany
B
20 Sep
Munich, Germany
B
21 Sep
Munich / Passau, Germany
B, L, D
22 Sep
Passau / Regensburg, Germany
B, L, D
23 Sep
Linz, Austria
B, L, D
24 Sep
Emmerdorf / Durnstein / Vienna, Austria
B, L, D
25 Sep
Vienna, Austria
B, L, D
26 Sep
Vienna / Bratislava, Slovakia
B, L, D
27 Sep
Esztergom / Budapest, Hungary
B, L, D
28 Sep
Budapest, Hungary
B
Day 1 - Passau, Germany
This afternoon transfer from Munich to Passau, embark and settle in your cabin. This evening, meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a beautifully prepared Welcome Dinner.
Day 2 - Regensburg, Germany This morning, your vessel arrives in one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. On the morning tour, immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of the town, which boasts architecture from many different centuries and a 12th century bridge. In the afternoon, choose between a visit to the 600-year-old Weltenburg Abbey, which is situated on the banks of the Danube and houses the oldest monastic brewery in the world, and a trip to the 18th century Thurn and Taxis Palace with beer tasting at their traditional brewery. This evening, enjoy a special Bavarian theme on board with regional delicacies and live music.
Day 3 - Passau / Linz, Austria
The vessel returns this morning for a short stop at the three-rivers city of Passau, lying at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. In the morning, take a guided walking excursion. At St. Stephen’s Cathedral, see an organ with 17,774 pipes and 233 registers, the second largest in the world. Passau is also the starting point for the full day excursion to Salzburg with lunch at a local restaurant. For those remaining on board, relax on the Sun Deck and take in the scenery as the vessel moves toward its late afternoon visit to Linz. Join the walking tour and stroll on streets squares boasting unique churches, concert venues, and plenty of artists who come to the city to thrive. Before returning to the vessel, sample perhaps the famous Linzer Torte.
Day 4 - Emmerdorf / Durnstein / Vienna, Austria
Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, the Baroque Benedictine abbey of Melk awaits you this morning with its frescoes created by pre-eminent artists of the 18th century, and a magnificent library with priceless manuscripts. During lunch on board, the ship continues to Dürnstein, a picturesque wine growers’ village located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wachau Valley. Explore the village with a local guide or choose an excursion to a local vineyard to sample some of the region’s famous Grüner Veltliner wines. The ship arrives in Vienna later this evening and remains overnight.
Day 5 - Vienna, Austria
There is much to see in Vienna: its imperial palaces, the Museum Quarter displaying works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists, the impressive buildings along the “Ringstrasse“, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the famous Vienna State Opera among many others. This afternoon, perhaps venture to Schönbrunn Palace, the sumptuous summer palace and gardens of Empress Maria Theresia and the Habsburg Empire. Cap off your Vienna experience with a “Sound of Vienna“ concert in a local hall. Listen to the “Alt Vienna“ orchestra play popular pieces from Vienna’s classical era. The vessel remains in Vienna until late this evening when it departs for Bratislava.
Day 6 - Bratislava, Slovakia
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, a jewel on the Danube and the capital of Slovakia. Explore the city on your own or with a guided optional tour through the city. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia. This afternoon you can choose to travel outside the city to the Schloss Hof Palace and Estate — the Imperial country estate of the Habsburgs acquired by the Empress Maria Theresa.
Day 7 - Esztergom / Budapest, Hungary Relax on board as the vessel makes its way to Budapest, Hungary. For those interested in exploring the Hungarian countryside, the optional excursion departs in Esztergom, with its basilica dedicated to Saint Mary, and continues to Szentendre, known for its art galleries and museums. Rejoin your vessel after it docks in Budapest in time for lunch. This afternoon, explore the fantastic Hungarian capital of Budapest on a panoramic tour. The unique Chain Bridge straddles the Danube, connecting the Buda side and its Fisherman’s Bastion, with the Pest side and its iconic Hungarian Parliament building.
On your last evening on board, the festive Captain‘s Gala Dinner and a lights cruise through the magnificently illuminated metropolis, accompanied by a spirited folklore performance, await you.
Day 8 - Budapest, Hungary After breakfast in Budapest, the entire Amadeus crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Munich Oktoberfest 2025 Danube River All-Gay Cruise Rates
Category
Description
Double Per Pers.
USD $
Amadeus Suite
Mozart Deck (301 - 312). AMADEUS Suite (284.2ft²) with walk-out exterior balcony: Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
$ 5,199
Category A-1
Mozart Deck (315 - 329). A-1 Cabin (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window: Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
$ 4,499
Category B-1
Strauss Deck (201 - 233). B-1 Cabin (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window: Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.
$ 4,199
Category B-4
Strauss Deck (234 - 237). B-4 Cabin (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window: Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
$ 3,999
Category C-1
Hayden Deck (101 - 112). C-1 Cabin (172.2ft²) with panoramic window:
Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
$ 3,499
Category C-4
Hayden Deck (114 - 117). C-4 Cabin (172.2ft²) with panoramic window:
Spacious bathroom, panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
$ 3,199
Munich Oktoberfest Pre-Cruise September 17 – 21, 2025
While in Munich you will have excursions to some amazing places like the Neuschwanstein Castle (Disney's castle is modeled after that), Garmisch Partenkirchen, a beautiful town with the possibility to go up to the highest mountain in Germany, The Zugspitze. And Dachau, a historical place from World War II. We secured a hotel for us, the Holiday Inn. Because of Oktoberfest, this hotel requires a 4 night stay. On September 21 buses will pick up our luggage in the morning at the hotel. We will then make our way to the Oktoberfest for Pink Sunday. In the afternoon buses will pick us up at the Oktoberfest and we will make our way to Passau where we board the vessel.
The fares above are per person USD, based on double occupancy.
Port Charges of $252 per person are additional.
Pre-paid Gratuities of $98 per person are additional.
Initial deposit is $1,000 per person. 30% June 1, 2024, 30% October 1, 2024, 30% January 1, 2025
Munich Oktoberfest Pre-Cruise Extension - $800 per person deposit required.
Single Travelers Single supplement of 100% applies to single occupancy bookings.
Traveling alone? Ask about our single roommate share program to help you avoid the single supplement charges. $300 non-refundable matchup fee applies.
Deposit is non-refundable. Cancelling between June 1, and September 30, 2024 penalty is 40%. Canceling between October 1 and December 31, 2024 penalty is 60%. Cancelling after January 01, 2025 penalty is 100%.
