Daddy Cruise®
Christmas Markets on the Danube 2025


The magic of Christmas, In the heart of Europe, On a Viking ship that’s still affordable!



















At a Glance

How much?

$3374 tax included (river view cabin) and $4374 tax included (balcony), double occupancy, payment plans are available.

When?

November 30 – December 7, 2025

Where?

From Regensburg, Germany (near Munich) to Budapest, Hungary; cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley and stop in Krems, Austria; overnight in Vienna; then overnight in Budapest before disembarkation in Budapest.

How many?

Minimum 12, but typically 30 – 50

What's included?

Double occupancy cabin (pay extra for solo occupancy); most beverages (including beer/wine/soda at meals); unlimited WiFi; one excursion in each port; all taxes and port fees; onboard entertainment and activities; meals; transfers from airport to ship and from ship to airport; and access to private excursions and other Daddy Cruise benefits (see below). Also includes discounted airfare ($899 round trip economy tickets from most of the USA/Canada).

What's not included?

Gratuities, as well as other alcoholic beverages not cited above

What else?

We are a gay group (usually 30 – 50) on a ‘regular cruise’ of 180 total guests (so we’re not an ‘all-gay’ cruise)

What about special needs?

Accessible cabins are limited; most dietary restrictions are easily accommodated

What if?

Your deposit is refundable until July 31, 2025 (less a $150 cancellation fee). Travel protection insurance is available
The best cabins go first (this cruise in 2023 sold out completely
one year in advance!).
Book now to get the best!








Viking Atla

We sail out of Regensburg on the sleek Viking Longship Atla. CruiseCritic awards her 4 out of 5 stars, and members’ ratings average nearly 5 out of 5! The first thing you notice upon boarding is all the natural sunlight—yes, views from anywhere on board will be great! Decked out in Scandinavian styling, the ship makes clever use of space. And you can feel good knowing you’re on a ‘green’ ship with hybrid diesel-electric engines that burn less fuel and produce 20% fewer emissions. Solar panels on top help fuel the engines and the ship’s chef even maintains an organic herb garden up there!

Because we spend so much time in port, the focus is more on the destinations, and less on the actual sailing. That’s why a shore excursion in each port is included in the price of this cruise! Now, there’s no gym on board: you’ll get your exercise exploring the fabulous cities and towns we visit. And there’s no theater with huge Broadway style productions, because you’ll still be in port checking out the local nightlife instead! That said, you’ll still have plenty to appreciate on board. Service is top notch! According to CruiseCritic, food is “another highlight” with a menu that focuses on regional cuisine and signature dishes that are “perfectly prepared.” The décor throughout is understated and minimalist. Little touches everywhere will amuse, pamper (heated bathroom floors!) and amaze you.













Itinerary


Arrive in Regensburg (via Munich) and get yourself settled into your cabin. Then use the rest of the afternoon/evening to wander this ancient German city, famous for its well-preserved medieval core. Perhaps check out the Christmas Market here?


If you think a medieval city with a 2,000 year-old history and World Heritage status (Old Town with Stadtamhof) might be slightly on the quiet side, you’re mistaken here. With the highest concentration of bars in Germany, the people of Regensburg know how to have fun. Listen to the Domspatzen—the world’s oldest boys’ choir; walk the narrow alleyways of the Old Town; or visit the cultural treasures that include the Stone Bridge, the Cathedral Treasury museum and the Krauterermarket Square (our first Christmas Market!).


Passau was settled over 2,000 years ago by the Celts and then became a strategic fortress town for the Romans primarily financed by nearby salt mines. We’ll visit the ancient fortress Veste Oberhaus that overlooks the city, and then on to St Stephen’s Cathedral which houses the second largest cathedral organ in the world. Evening time you’ll be free to continue exploring, or make your way back to the Christmas Market.


Home of the oldest known grave in Austria (a boy who lived over 27,000 years ago!), Krems is part of the Wachau Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today’s tour will include Gottweig Abby, a Benedictine abby over 1,000 years old, and Steiner Tor—an original city gate, still standing after 500 years.


Ah, Vienna! Where to begin?? There’s the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), the Schloss Schonbrunn Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and over half a dozen major Christmas Markets. Also symphony and ballet, a thriving LGBTQ community, historical sites galore, and even legal brothels! Surely there’s something for everyone in this thriving European capital of culture. There’s so much here that we’ll stay overnight so you have two full days to explore


Vienna again!


Nicknamed “Paris of the East” because of its natural and man-make beauty, Budapest is the cultural and historic capital of central Europe. We dock next to the world famous Parliament Building. The Christmas Markets here are some of the best in the world. As are the art museums, cathedrals, palaces and historical sites. We’ll spend the day touring many of these, and then you’ll have time to explore further on your own. We remain overnight in Budapest, so you can stay out as late as you like, no problem!


Alas, our adventure comes to a close this morning as we disembark and head home…or do we? How about a few extra nights in Budapest? There’s no way we did and saw everything yesterday! J












Why Sail with Us?

Christmas lights in Vienna

You’ll never have to feel lost with us there to answer questions, take care of problems, and even facilitate you meeting other guys on board


From Zoom calls to a private group Facebook page to pre-cruise dinner in our host city, you’ll feel like you’re boarding the ship with old friends already


Introverts and shy guys love feeling welcome and included as much (or as little) as is comfortable for them. No pressure here to engage!


You’ll be with a group of LGBTQ people + allies, on a regular cruise with all walks of life. This keeps costs down, and allows for discretion, broader entertainment options, and activities that don’t just get going after bedtime!


From our standing group dinner reservation, to our daily happy hour; from our private activities on board to our private excursions in port—you’ll always have a seat waiting for you (if you want it).


We’ll help you experience fewer unexpected expenses, fewer unpleasant surprises, and fewer travel missteps.


You’ll feel safe with our large LGBTQ group both on board, and in port. Our host ship is welcoming, and our private tours are sensitive to the special needs of the LGBTQ traveler.












Travel Risk Free (or pretty close to it!)


  • Travel protection insurance is available

  • Deposits are refundable (less $150/person) until July 31, 2025

  • We promise your Daddy Cruise® experience will far exceed what the cruise line delivers without us. If not, we'll make it up to you.

Click here to see what other guys have said about our cruises
(unsolicited, unedited reviews)

German food, German beer, and German music. Prost!











Daddy Cruise® FAQs


A: 

The cost of the cruise includes your cabin, tons of food and beverages (including wine and beer and soft drinks at meals), an excursion in each port, wifi on board, taxes and port fees, transfers from airport to ship and from ship to airport, all the Daddy Cruise benefits, entertainment on board and so much more. Viking offers discounted flights: round trip economy seats from most of the USA and Canada are $899 (pay extra from the west coast and/or if deviating departure or arrival dates or cities). There are additional things you’ll want to budget for: travel protection insurance (I never travel without it); additional excursions if you want them, gratuities of $20/person/day (for crew staff: housekeepers, waiters, etc.), pre-cruise or post-cruise hotels and tours, plus lots of gluhwein and souvenirs at the Markets!


A: 

Cruise lines typically advertise cruise prices at half of what a cabin actually costs. They assume that two will share the cabin (called “double occupancy”) and each pay that fare. If you sail solo, Viking will add a surcharge to our advertised rate to cover the full cost of the cabin.


A: 

Of course! While we cater to the LGBTQ community, our allies are always welcome!


A: 

You're always welcome to participate as much, or as little as you like. No pressure from us to engage, no hassle if you opt to sit anything out! We'll be there to welcome and encourage you at whatever level of engagement feels right for you.


A: 

Enjoy it! We will offer plenty of opportunities to connect with the rest of us, but nothing is required. Dine with us, or on your own, or with a friend, or even in your own cabin (room service is free!). Join one of our private excursions, or go with one offered by the cruise line, or explore a port on your own, or stay on board. It's your vacation—spend it however you like!


A: 

It is extremely rare to become seasick on a river cruise as the waters are much calmer. No waves or rough seas on a river mean rocking is non-existent. Plus, river ships move at a fraction of the speed of ocean vessels so there is hardly and speed to create any seasickness on board.


A: 

Absolutely not! Large, all-gay cruises have a reputation for this, but we'll be on a regular ship with a thousand other guests of all persuasions. You're certainly welcome to hook up with others if you want to, discreetly of course.


A: 

Typically, most of our guests are middle aged or senior gay men, but a lot of younger guys join us as well. All races are represented, as are all genders and those of varying physical abilities. Allies (non-LGBTQ people) are always welcome.

Daddys know how to dress for the occassion











Daddy Cruises® Exclusive Extras

The Danube cruise in 2019
  • Private Facebook group page for registered guests to start connecting early.

  • Welcome Aboard Party (with free drinks!)—come meet your fellow Daddies and friends in a warm, welcoming, and casual atmosphere. Play our fun mingling/get-to-know-you activity, and start forging friendships that will last a lifetime.

  • Free Welcome Aboard Gifts include a lanyard for your sailing card… and then some other surprises!

  • Group dinner reservations together (when available from the ship).

  • Access to exclusive excursions just for us (additional fee applies).

  • Special discounted rates at our host hotel in Munich before the cruise and in Budapest after the cruise. Plus optional tours in each city may be offered.