by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:55 AM ET, Tue October 6, 2026
Amadeus River Cruises is adding wine to its river cruise programming in 2027, launching two new itineraries focused on Europe’s vineyards and harvest season.
The new wine cruises will sail the Danube and Rhine rivers in October and November 2027, pairing visits to major European wine regions with onboard tastings, seminars and programming led by wine experts. The launch is the first phase of an expanding wine cruise program, with additional departures expected in 2028 and beyond.
The first sailing will travel the Danube from Budapest to Passau from October 21-28, 2027, aboard Amadeus Nova. The itinerary includes stops in Vienna, Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen, with a focus on the vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley.
Steve Lutz, founder of Lenné Estate and a winemaker with experience in California’s Napa Valley and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, will serve as the sailing’s guest wine host. He will lead onboard tastings and seminars throughout the cruise.
A second wine-themed itinerary will sail the Rhine from Amsterdam to Strasbourg from October 26 to November 2, 2027, aboard Amadeus Aurea. The route will travel through the Moselle and Rhine valleys, stopping in wine destinations including Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues and Rüdesheim.
Wine educator Regina “Reggie” Daugneault will lead the onboard programming. Daugneault holds a WSET Diploma and has nearly 40 years of experience in wine education.
“The Rhine and Danube have defined the landscape of European winemaking for centuries,” says Marcus Leskovar, president of Amadeus River Cruises. “These itineraries are designed to honor that heritage, offering our guests a more intimate and conversational way to experience the regions that have shaped global viticulture for centuries.”
The cruises are designed around the autumn harvest, when travelers can experience European wine regions during one of the most significant periods of the winemaking calendar.
“We wanted to create a program that integrates professional expertise directly into the sailing,” says Hannah Westerdoll, vice president of sales for Amadeus River Cruises. “By focusing on the harvest season and pairing our most popular routes with dedicated wine programming and a wine host, we are providing a level of cultural immersion that goes far beyond a standard cruise.”
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