Be a part of this **BRAND NEW MAIDEN VOYAGE** !!!!
Join Msgr. William Kubacki as spiritual leader for a River Cruise on the Danube. This tour will include the deep Catholic heritage of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. This will be the very first cruise that would be operated on the Danube solely for Catholic Pilgrims, in which we all share the same values and beliefs. We are among only four Catholic tour operators offered this opportunity — absolutely unique opportunity to partake in the “Maiden Voyage”!
Please see the itinerary, flyer, and registration form for more information on the pilgrimage, the ship accommodations, and the shop amenities.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1: Sun Oct 8, 2023: DEPART USA
Departing flight from USA to Munich with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
Day 2: Mon Oct 9: ARRIVE Munich
Upon arrival at Munich Airport we will meet our tour escort and board the motor coach to the hotel for check in. Lunch on your own and free time at disposal, depending on flight arrival. Tonight we will have a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Munich (D)
Day 3: Tue Oct 10: Munich – Altotting – Passau
After breakfast at the hotel we will check out and depart for Passau. En route we stop in Altotting, one of Germany’s most celebrated Marian shrines. For more than 1250 years Altotting has been the spiritual center of Bavaria. We will have the opportunity to see the Basilica, St. Konrad’s Monastery and more. Celebrate Mass at the parish church of St. Philip and James. Lunch on your own. Continue to Passau to check in on the ship.
18:00 Ship departs Passau for Regensburg. 19:00 Dinner and overnight on the ship. (B, D)
Day 4: Wed Oct 11: Regensburg – Walhalla Memorial Temple – Passau
8:00 – 09:00 Breakfast on the ship.
09:30 Ship arrives Regensburg
09:45 Visit Regensburg to include old town and Cathedral. We have a guided tour of St Peter’s Cathedral , one of the most prominent examples of Gothic architecture in Germany for time to visit and reflect.
11:30 Celebrate Mass at a local church.
12:00 Return to the ship for lunch (included in the cruise package rate) or stay in town for lunch on your own.
13:30 Depart for Walhalla Memorial Temple for a tour of this pantheon-like monument on top of the hill commemorating important German figures.
19:30 Dinner on the ship. 20:00 Ship departs Regensburg to Passau (B, L, D)
Day 5: Thu Oct 12: Passau: full day excursion to Salzburg and Maria Plain (by bus) – Linz
7:00-08:00 Breakfast on the ship
08:00 Ship arrives Passau
08:30 Board the coach and depart for Salzburg (ship departs Passau at 10:00)
11:00-13:00 Enjoy a guided tour of Salzburg′s Old Town. View the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens and Salzburger Dom (exterior views only). Enjoy a break for lunch in town on your own with some free time.
15:00 Depart Salzburg to visit Maria Plain Shrine. Upon arrival celebrate Mass at Maria Plain Basilica (subject to confirmation) hosting the miraculous painting of the “Virgin with Child” by an unknown painter. It miraculously survived a fire in the Bavarian town of Regen undamaged.
16:30 Board the coach and depart for Linz riding through the picturesque lake region Salzkammergut.
18:30 Arrive Linz and rejoin the ship. Dinner and overnight on the ship.
22:00 Ship departs Linz for Emmersdorf. (B, D)
Day 6: Fri Oct 13: Emmersdorf (Melk) – Weissenkirchen – Vienna
07:00 – 8:00 Breakfast on the ship
08:00 Ship arrives Emmersdorf
08:15 Board the coach for Melk Abbey
09:00 Celebrate Mass at the Melk Abbey.
10:00 Enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey, the Baroque style structure is surrounded by a gorgeous town with Renaissance homes and winding streets reminiscent of the Middle Ages. The Abbey is the setting for Umberto Eco′s “The Name of the Rose.” Among the treasures housed here are paintings, sculptures, and decorative art from the 9th to 15th centuries.
11:00 Free time at Melk Abbey.
12:00 Board the coach and drive to Weissenkirchen
13:00 Lunch on the ship (included in the cruise package rate). Enjoy wine tasting in Weissenkirchen, pending confirmation.
16:00 Ship departs Weissenkirchen
Dinner on ship and overnight on the ship.
21:30 Ship arrives in Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Sat Oct 14th: Vienna (Classical Music Concert)
Breakfast on the ship
8:15 Depart for Mass / 9:00 Celebrate Mass at Votivkirche or other local church.
10:30-12:00 Panoramic tour of Vienna. Meet our local English speaking guides and enjoy tour of Vienna Old Town between the University and Opera House passing major monuments to include Donners′ Fountain, Belvedere Palace Gardens, Hofburg Palace, Spanish Horses training place (external visits only), and St. Stephen′s Cathedral (exterior view). Lunch on the ship or choose to stay in the city. After lunch enjoy some free time. Return to the ship for a buffet dinner. Departure for classical music concert.
20:00 Enjoy private Strauss and Mozart concert at one of the concert halls at the Kursalon.
22:00-23:00 Return to the ship after the concert or stay in the city center for a while and return on your own
3:00 AM Sailing from Vienna to Bratislava. Overnight on the ship (B, L, D)
Day 8: Sun Oct 15: Bratislava
Breakfast on the ship.
8:00 Arrive to Bratislava Disembark and depart for a city tour.
9:00 Celebrate Mass at St. Martin’s church (subject to confirmation due to Sunday Mass schedule).
10:00 After Mass meet your local guide for 1,5-2 hrs. visiting of Bratislava. Walking down to the Old Town we pass by St. Martin’s Cathedral, Michael ́s Gate, Academia Istropolitana historical building, Main Square, Primatial (Archbishop in the past) Palace, churches, palaces of famous families, Slovak National Theatre and Bratislava Castle on the hill with a panorama view on Bratislava (exterior views). Lunch on you own in the city. Have free afternoon for your own activities and exploration.
17:00 Return to the ship. 17:30 Sail out of Bratislava to Budapest.
20:00 Dinner on the ship Sailing from Bratislava to Budapest. Dinner and overnight on the ship. (B, D)
Day 9: Mon Oct 16: Budapest
Breakfast on the ship
08:00 Ship arrives to Budapest.
08:30 Board the coach and depart for todays excursion.
09:00 Celebrate Mass at Matthias Church.
10:00 We start our exploration of this beautiful city with a morning tour of the Buda side of the city. Enjoy a guided tour of Budapest starting from Matthias Church, passing by Gellert Hill, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Explore the unbeatable views of the Danube and Pest. Admire St. Stephen’s Basilica (outside view) and Hungary’s ornate Parliament building (outside view) prominently situated on the opposite bank. Continue to tour Pest’sites, Hosok Tere (Heroes Square) is ringed with statues of famous Hungarians.
12:30 Lunch on your own at the Market. Free time at your disposal.
17:00 Return to the ship via motor coach.
18:30 – 19:30 Enjoy a Folklore show on the ship.
19:30 – 21:00 Dinner and overnight on the ship. (B, D)
Day 10: Tue Oct 17: Budapest departure
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast on the ship
09:00 Disembarkation and transfer to the Airport for our return flight home (B).
Possible Tour extension to be made available at a later date.
NOTES: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary due to changes beyond our control. All times are approximate and will be verified during travel. We cannot be responsible for river levels and the cruisability of the ship. No refunds for meals included but not taken on board the ship. All Mass locations and times are subject to final confirmation. We may be celebrating Mass with some, or all, of the other Catholic Groups on the cruise.
On Board Facilities (for more information about the ship, please view the flyer): Panorama-Restaurant / Panorama-Bar and Lounge / Amadeus-Club / Indoor pool / “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialties / Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace” / Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard / Hair Salon / Massage Room / Gift Shop / Laundry Service / Elevator / Wi-Fi available
Land/River Cost
Cash/Check payment per person, based on 36 participants, & double occupancy. (18 cabins)
Suite Cabin (3) – $ 4,769.00
Category A Cabin (4) – $ 4,309.00
Category B Cabin (8) – $ 3,969.00
Category C Cabin (3) – $ 3,669.00
Included
Overnight in Munich first night with welcome dinner.
Remainder of nights on the luxurious 5 star ship.
Breakfast and Dinner daily including Captains Gala dinner
English speaking tour escort/ guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Transfers from international airport
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
Private Mass arrangements (all Masses pending final confirmation)
Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase, by the airlines, 30 days prior to departure)
Not Included
Airfare to/from International destination, to be added once rates & routes are published.
Travel insurance: NOTE: Some countries may require travel insurance. Strongly recommended
as deposits are non-refundable for this program (Ship’s policy).
Lunches, not included in the itinerary, & beverages w/meals, other than coffee and tea.
Tips for guide, driver, porters, wait staff, crew, etc. of $ 250.00 to be added to your final invoice.
Transportation to/from Domestic Airport
Any/all Covid-19 test(s) that may be required by airlines, departing / arriving country and transfer country
Items of personal nature
Any items not specifically mentioned
Single rooms at DOUBLE rate
**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.
To register for this pilgrimage please read, complete and sign the registration form and the Covid-19 release form and return with your deposit.