Courtesy: Adventures by Disney

By Christine Dayao

Adventures by Disney, the Walt Disney Company’s family touring arm, is partnering with river cruise company AmaWaterways for four sailings on The Danube in 2016.

Adventures by Disney offers land-based tours around the world, but this is the first time it will set out on entirely river-going trips. It’s also a big step for the river cruise industry, which up until now has been largely geared for adult travelers.

The eight-day, seven-night trips will be aboard the new AmaViola, sailing from Vilshofen to Budapest on July 14 and 28 and sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen on July 21 and December 22, its special holiday sailing, during which the ship’s 160 passengers will receive tickets to a Vienna Boys Choir performance.

Trip highlights include attending an Oktoberfest event in Germany, visiting filming sites featured in The Sound of Music in Austria, taking in the sights at Slovakia’s Devin Castle, and learning to make authentic goulash in Hungary.

The ship will have features never before seen on a river cruise, including reconfigured cabins so that they can connect to fit families with three to five people. Whereas Ama Waterways’ other ships have areas for wine tastings, those spaces on the AmaViola are being reimagined for Disney clientele and can serve, for example, as an area for teen-only dining. Onboard entertainment includes karaoke or Disney movie nights, games and other activities. Guests won’t find any Disney characters onboard, unlike Disney Cruise Line.

Prices for adults start at $4,539 and prices for children, who must be at least 4 years old (with a recommended age of 8), start from $4,319. It includes outside stateroom accommodations, choice of multiple excursions daily, the services of eight adventure guides, all gratuities, eight breakfasts, seven lunches and dinners, some meals off the ship, unlimited local beer, wine and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, cocktail reception and Captain’s dinner, entertainment, bottled water, complimentary bicycles, and Wi-Fi. Airfare is not included.