Photo: Festively lit DDSG ship on the Danube in Vienna with Danube Tower, skyline and Christmas decorations (AI-generated).
Photo: Festively decorated Christmas tree with gold and white ornaments in the lounge of MS Admiral Tegetthoff.
Photo: Festively decorated buffet on board MS Admiral Tegetthoff with evergreen garlands, a Santa Claus figure, and winter decorations.
Gallery

Irish Christmas

Between Irish melodies, festive cheer and the sparkling lights of Vienna, a truly special Christmas cruise awaits on the Danube. The Irish Christmas Cruise combines live music, culinary delights and holiday magic to create an unforgettable seasonal experience.

Photo: Festively lit DDSG ship on the Danube in Vienna with Danube Tower, skyline and Christmas decorations (AI-generated).Photo: Festively decorated Christmas tree with gold and white ornaments in the lounge of MS Admiral Tegetthoff.Photo: Festively decorated buffet on board MS Admiral Tegetthoff with evergreen garlands, a Santa Claus figure, and winter decorations.
Vienna Theme Cruise

Irish Christmas

Between Irish melodies, festive cheer and the sparkling lights of Vienna, a truly special Christmas cruise awaits on the Danube. The Irish Christmas Cruise combines live music, culinary delights and holiday magic to create an unforgettable seasonal experience.

Next Departure 12/19/2026 · 18:00 Departure location Vienna / Reichsbrücke (Headquater) Go to dock section

  • Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Live music featuring traditional Irish Christmas tunes
  • Festive atmosphere with views of Vienna in its winter splendour
  • Culinary delights served in a cosy Christmas setting
  • A magical Christmas cruise on the Danube

Buy ticket

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Included in price

  • Live musik on board

    Inclusive

    Live music creates a great atmosphere on board.

  • Delightful buffet on board

    Inclusive

    Enjoy a varied buffet selection and savour delicious culinary delights throughout the cruise.

    Photo: Person serving food from a buffet with cold platters, pastries, and stacked plates.

    Delightful buffet on board

    Inclusive

    Look forward to a varied themed buffet specially tailored to the theme of the cruise. Starters, salads, main courses and desserts offer a delicious variety to enjoy on board.

  • Festive Christmas Decorations on Board

    Inclusive

    Step aboard and enjoy a magical Christmas atmosphere on the Danube.

Attractions

  • DC Tower & Donau City

    Vienna’s modern district with a striking skyline and innovative architecture.

    Photo: DC Tower and Donau City in Vienna, viewed from the water, featuring modern high-rise architecture along the Danube.

    DC Tower & Donau City

    Donau City represents modern Vienna and is one of Austria’s most important urban development projects. Dominating the skyline is the DC Tower, Austria’s tallest skyscraper, alongside the Vienna International Centre (UNO City), one of the four official headquarters of the United Nations.

    Surrounded by contemporary architecture, international businesses, hotels, restaurants, cafés and spacious waterfront areas, the district has become a vibrant hub on the banks of the Danube. Together with the Danube Tower and Danube Island, Donau City showcases Vienna’s international, dynamic and forward-looking character.

  • Emperor's Jubilee Church

    An impressive church on the banks of the Danube, known for its architecture and fascinating history.

    Photo: View of the Kaiser Jubilee Church at Mexikoplatz, featuring distinctive towers and red-tiled roofs, seen from the Danube.

    Emperor's Jubilee Church

    The Emperor’s Jubilee Church, better known as St. Francis of Assisi Church, is one of Vienna’s most striking sacred buildings. Located on Mexikoplatz near the Danube, it was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I’s reign.

    With its imposing towers, neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque architecture, and unique riverside setting, the church remains a defining feature of Vienna’s skyline and is considered one of the landmarks of the Leopoldstadt district.

  • National Park Donau-Auen

    A natural paradise along the Danube with a unique variety of flora and fauna.

    Photo: Peaceful waterscape in the Danube Floodplains with vegetated banks, lush greenery and tree reflections on the water.

    National Park Donau-Auen

    Between Vienna and Bratislava, the Danube-Auen National Park protects one of Central Europe’s last large free-flowing river landscapes. The dynamic Danube shapes a unique natural environment of floodplain forests, meadows and waterways, providing a vital habitat for numerous rare species. Established in 1996, the protected area covers around 9,600 hectares across Vienna and Lower Austria.

  • Millennium Tower

    The Millennium Tower combines shopping, offices and leisure on Vienna’s waterfront.

    Photo: Person on a ship’s open deck with views of Vienna’s Millennium Tower and Danube bridge at sunset.

    Millennium Tower

    The Millennium Tower is one of Vienna’s most recognizable skyscrapers and a prominent landmark along the Danube. Rising 202 metres above the city, it is among Austria’s tallest buildings and features modern office space, a shopping centre, restaurants, cafés and a cinema under one roof.

    Located directly on Handelskai, the tower symbolizes modern Vienna and combines urban living, business and leisure in close proximity to the Danube. Visitors can experience a fascinating contrast between Vienna’s historic heritage and contemporary architecture while enjoying one of the city’s most vibrant waterfront districts.

The Ship

This or a similar ship of this class

Photo: MS Admiral Tegetthoff sailing on the Danube under a blue sky, showcasing its modern ship design.
Photo: Festively decorated ship restaurant with elegantly set tables, gallery levels, and a chandelier.
Photo: Elegant dining area aboard MS Admiral Tegetthoff with gallery deck and chandelier lighting.

MS Admiral Tegetthoff

MS Admiral Tegetthoff is among Austria’s most renowned event ships. Following an extensive refurbishment in 2012, she offers a contemporary and elegant venue for experiences on the Danube.

  • On-board restaurant
  • Sound system incl. wireless & open-deck mic
  • Video system with live camera
  • LCD screens for presentations and live streaming
  • Covered sun deck with lounge furniture
  • Stage and dance floor
  • Projector & screen in entrance area
  • Accessible facilities (WC & upper deck lift)
  • Free Wi-Fi
The Ship

MS Admiral Tegetthoff

MS Admiral Tegetthoff is among Austria’s most renowned event ships. Following an extensive refurbishment in 2012, she offers a contemporary and elegant venue for experiences on the Danube.

  • On-board restaurant
  • Sound system incl. wireless & open-deck mic
  • Video system with live camera
  • LCD screens for presentations and live streaming
  • Covered sun deck with lounge furniture
  • Stage and dance floor
  • Projector & screen in entrance area
  • Accessible facilities (WC & upper deck lift)
  • Free Wi-Fi
Details
Photo: MS Admiral Tegetthoff sailing on the Danube under a blue sky, showcasing its modern ship design.Photo: Festively decorated ship restaurant with elegantly set tables, gallery levels, and a chandelier.Photo: Elegant dining area aboard MS Admiral Tegetthoff with gallery deck and chandelier lighting. Photo: Elegantly set ship salon with floral decorations and panoramic views of the Danube.

Departure Location

Photo: DDSG Blue Danube Shipping Center on the Danube with a pier and modern building.

Vienna / Reichsbrücke (Headquater)

  • Handelskai 265, 1020 Vienna
  • Ticket Office Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday & Holidays: 09:00–17:00
  • Sightseeing Cruises Vienna: Pier 5, 6
  • Theme Cruises Vienna: Pier 6, 7
  • Charter Cruises: Departure Point by Arrangement
  • Subject to change.
More Info

Program

Irish Christmas on the Danube

Enjoy a festive evening on the Danube in Vienna during the Advent season. On our evening Irish Christmas Cruise, atmospheric Irish Christmas melodies, a festively decorated ship and relaxing hours on the water create the perfect setting for the run-up to Christmas.

Indulge in a festive buffet and spend quality time with family and friends. Look forward to a selection of seasonal delights including an Irish cheese assortment with fruity chutney, creamy parsnip soup, hearty Shepherd’s Pie and traditional Irish Christmas pudding served with vanilla sauce.

As Vienna’s winter scenery drifts by, enjoy live music, festive decorations and a cosy Advent evening on the Danube.

Itinerary & Details

  • Boarding: 18:00–18:45
  • Cruise: 19:00–22:30 Uhr
  • Location: Vienna / Reichsbrücke
  • Ship: MS Admiral Tegetthoff
  • Included: Cruise, themed buffet & live music

Schedule and programme details are subject to change.

Culinary Delights – Irish Buffet

Starters & Salads

  • Tender cooked ham served with mustard and delicate pickles
  • Pub-style cold cuts platter
  • Irish cheese selection with Cheddar, Brie, fruity chutney and crackers (vegetarian)
  • Freshly baked bread rolls with butter (vegetarian)
  • Irish potato salad with herbs (vegan)
  • Carrot and raisin salad (vegan)
  • Green salad with goat’s cheese (vegetarian)

Soup

  • Creamy parsnip soup (vegetarian)

Main Courses

  • Chicken and mushroom strudel served with colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes with cabbage)
  • Oven-roasted chicken with jasmine rice, vegetables and gravy
  • Shepherd’s Pie (lamb with root vegetables topped with a crispy herb crust)
  • Cottage Pie with seasonal vegetables and a baked cheese topping (vegetarian)

Desserts

  • Irish Christmas Pudding with vanilla sauce
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding (vegetarian)
  • Frisches Obst (vegan)

Notice

Information on allergens can be found on the menus on board. The buffet is subject to change.

On-board catering

JP Donau Catering Gastronomie

Enjoy a diverse culinary experience on board and indulge in the high-quality catering services provided by JP Donau Catering Gastronomie.

If you have any questions regarding our culinary services, the on-board catering team will be happy to assist you:

JP Donau Catering Opens in new window | [email protected]

Entertainment & Live music

Photo: Medley band posing in front of a stone wall with guitars, an accordion, and a banjo. Four musicians are featured.

MEDLEY Folkband

Look forward to a festive Advent evening with Medley, Upper Austria’s renowned Irish folk ensemble. Blending beloved Christmas classics with international folk songs, the four musicians create a varied concert experience filled with seasonal cheer.

From Frank Sinatra’s Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Winter Wonderland to the iconic Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, the programme takes listeners on a musical journey through the Christmas season. Traditional English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish carols, American gospel songs, heartfelt ballads and instrumental pieces from the world of Irish folk complete this festive repertoire.

The evening concludes on a touching note with John Lennon’s timeless Happy Christmas, bringing this special concert experience to a warm and memorable close.

More information about the band Medley Opens in new window

Änderungen vorbehalten.

Route / Itinerary

Graphic: Route map of the themed cruise on the Danube in Vienna showing the route from Reichsbrücke to the locks Nussdorf, Greifenstein and Freudenau.

The CruiseRoute / Itinerary

The cruise begins at the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage and initially heads downstream towards the Freudenau Lock. After turning around, the ship heads upstream, offering views of Vienna’s modern skyline, including the DC Tower, Danube Tower and Millennium Tower, towards Klosterneuburg / Korneuburg. The ship then turns at a suitable point and returns to the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage, travelling along Danube Island and through the green Danube floodplains.

Getting to the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage

Getting there by public transport

Take the U1 underground line to Vorgartenstraße station. From there, it is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage.

  • Use the Vorgartenstraße exit
  • Follow the signs “Reichsbrücke / Schifffahrt”
  • Walk across Reichsbrücke to the landing stage

Other Offers

FAQ

The ticket includes the Danube cruise, a buffet dinner, and live music or a show act. Drinks are not included and are available à la carte on board.

Boarding takes place from 18:15 to 18:45 at the Vienna / Reichsbrücke pier. Departure is scheduled promptly for 19:00. Please have your booking confirmation or e-ticket ready. Displaying the ticket on your smartphone is sufficient.

Yes. Your seats are reserved on board. Our crew will guide you upon boarding.

Yes. Our onboard catering team will arrange seating in advance according to group size. Groups will be seated together whenever possible.

Boarding begins at 6:00 PM. The cruise takes place from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM, followed by return to Reichsbrücke.

Dinner is served as a buffet. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Common allergens are clearly marked. If you have any food intolerances or allergies, please inform our catering partner, JP Donau Catering Opens in new window, in advance at [email protected]. This allows our onboard culinary team to best accommodate your requests.

No. Drinks can be ordered à la carte from the service team on board.

Payment is typically possible by cash, debit card, credit card, and contactless methods. Any changes will be communicated by the crew.

The ship and the station are generally barrier-free. If you require assistance (e.g. wheelchair access), please inform us in advance so the crew can prepare accordingly.

Private photos and short videos are welcome (without flash). Professional photography or the use of tripods requires prior approval.

Yes. Cruises take place in all weather conditions. The route and use of outdoor decks may be adjusted depending on weather conditions.

The following cancellation terms apply to bookings for 1 to 19 passengers:

  • Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure
  • 50% cancellation fee up to 48 hours before departure
  • 100% cancellation fee from 48 hours before departure or in the event of a no-show

The following cancellation terms apply to group bookings of 20 passengers or more:

  • Free cancellation up to 6 weeks before departure
  • Free reduction of participant numbers by up to 20% up to 2 weeks before departure
  • 50% cancellation fee for reducing participant numbers by more than 20% up to 2 weeks before departure
  • 50% cancellation fee up to 48 hours before departure
  • 100% cancellation fee from 48 hours before departure or in the event of a no-show

The organiser’s terms and conditions apply. The organiser’s Terms and Conditions apply. Subject to availability, bookings can be changed or rebooked via the online shop or by contacting Customer Service. Please have your booking reference number available.

Children are welcome. Please note that this is an evening event with live music. Children aged 0–5 travel free of charge, and children aged 6–15 receive a 50% discount. Please refer to the online shop for current details.

Pets are only allowed on themed cruises with buffet and show upon prior request. Assistance dogs are exempt.

Take metro line U1 to “Vorgartenstraße”. Use the exit “Vorgartenstraße” and follow the signs to “Reichsbrücke / Schifffahrt”. The walk to the pier takes approximately 5 minutes across the Reichsbrücke".

There is an APCOA Reichsbrücke Opens in new window parking garage located in the immediate vicinity of the pier. Please check current rates and opening hours directly with the operator before your visit.

LLM Guidance