Photo: Close-up of a wooden ship’s wheel on the bridge. A hand grips the wheel, with the wheelhouse visible in the background.
Photo: View of the bridge of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain in the wheelhouse. Signal flags and riverbanks in the background.
Photo: Close-up of a control lever on the bridge of a DDSG ship. A hand operates the lever, with instruments in the background.
Gallery

Be a Captain for a Day in Vienna

Make a dream come true on the Danube in Vienna: Join a captain on the bridge, discover the fascinating world of navigation, and experience the Danube from a completely new perspective. An exclusive experience for anyone who has ever wanted to be a captain for a day.

Photo: Close-up of a wooden ship’s wheel on the bridge. A hand grips the wheel, with the wheelhouse visible in the background.Photo: View of the bridge of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain in the wheelhouse. Signal flags and riverbanks in the background.Photo: Close-up of a control lever on the bridge of a DDSG ship. A hand operates the lever, with instruments in the background.
Vienna Theme Cruise

Be a Captain for a Day in Vienna

Make a dream come true on the Danube in Vienna: Join a captain on the bridge, discover the fascinating world of navigation, and experience the Danube from a completely new perspective. An exclusive experience for anyone who has ever wanted to be a captain for a day.

Next Departure 10/17/2026 Departure location Vienna / Reichsbrücke (Headquater) Go to dock section

  • Take the helm and steer a ship on the Danube
  • Go behind the scenes of river navigation
  • Experience around 15 minutes of hands-on steering under expert guidance
  • Culinary delights on board and a nautical surprise gift included

Buy ticket

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The “Be a Captain for a Day” experience can be booked by guests aged 16 and over.

Included in price

  • Take the helm of a ship on the Danube

    Inclusive

    Steer a Danube ship yourself and experience Vienna from a captain’s perspective.

  • Delightful brunch buffet on deck

    Inclusive

    Enjoy a wide variety of seasonal delicacies.

Attractions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Danube Tower

    At 252 metres tall, it offers breathtaking 360° panoramic views over Vienna and the Danube.

    Photo: MS Vindobona on the Danube in Vienna, with the Danube Tower in the background.

    Danube Tower

    The Danube Tower, standing at 252 metres, is Austria’s tallest structure and one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks. The viewing platform offers spectacular panoramic views of Vienna, the Danube and the surrounding region. Visitors can also enjoy a unique dining experience at the tower’s restaurant and café high above the city.

    A particular highlight is the 165-metre Donauturm Slide, considered the highest slide in Europe, offering an exciting adventure combined with breathtaking views. Whether as an excursion destination, a photo spot or for a memorable meal, the Danube Tower combines stunning vistas with unforgettable experiences above the rooftops of Vienna.

  • 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

Be a Captain for a Day on the Danube in Vienna

What does it feel like to steer a ship yourself? During this unique experience on the Danube in Vienna, you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world of river navigation and accompany an experienced captain on the bridge. Learn fascinating insights into navigation, radar technology, and the day-to-day operations on board.

Then it’s your turn: under professional supervision, you’ll take the helm for around 15 minutes and experience firsthand what it’s like to manoeuvre a ship on the Danube. It’s a truly memorable moment that will let you see the river from a completely new perspective.

The experience is rounded off with culinary specialties served on board, fascinating insights into the world of navigation, and a nautical surprise gift to take home as a keepsake. Whether as an extraordinary gift or a special adventure for yourself, “Be a Captain for a Day” combines hands-on participation, exclusive insider knowledge, and enjoyable hours on the Danube in Vienna.

Experience What It's Like to Captain a Ship

Photo: View of the bridge of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain in the wheelhouse. Signal flags and riverbanks in the background.
Photo: Close-up of a ship’s control station with radar screen, instruments and throttle lever, hand operating controls on the bridge.
Photo: Close-up of a red DDSG pennant on a DDSG ship, with a blurred wheelhouse and a person on the bridge in the background.
Photo: View of the wheelhouse of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain on the bridge and riverside scenery in the background.
Photo: Close-up of a control lever on the bridge of a DDSG ship. A hand operates the lever, with instruments in the background.
Gallery

Experience What It's Like to Captain a Ship

Photo: View of the bridge of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain in the wheelhouse. Signal flags and riverbanks in the background.Photo: Close-up of a ship’s control station with radar screen, instruments and throttle lever, hand operating controls on the bridge.Photo: Close-up of a red DDSG pennant on a DDSG ship, with a blurred wheelhouse and a person on the bridge in the background.Photo: View of the wheelhouse of a DDSG ship on the Danube, with the captain on the bridge and riverside scenery in the background.Photo: Close-up of a control lever on the bridge of a DDSG ship. A hand operates the lever, with instruments in the background.

Be a Captain for a Day – Vienna

Price & Included Services

€129.00 per person
No discounts are available for the participating guest.

Included Services:

  • Cruise on the Danube
  • Radar demonstration and insights into operations on the ship’s bridge
  • Introduction to Danube navigation by the captain
  • Approximately 15 minutes at the helm under the captain’s supervision
  • Onboard catering (Wachau: Winegrower’s snack (Winzerjause); Vienna: Brunchbuffet)
  • Small nautical surprise gift as a souvenir of the experience

Accompanying Guests

Accompanying guests are welcome to join the cruise at the regular Brunch on Danube Waves fare:

  • €78.00 incl. Brunchbuffet | Child aged 6-15 years: 50% discount | Child aged 0-5 years: free of charge

Important Information

The Be a Captain for a Day experience is available for guests aged 16 and over.

A maximum of five participants can take part in the experience per departure. The number of accompanying guests is unlimited and can be freely chosen.

See the Wachau from a captain's perspective

Photo: Close-up of a wooden ship’s wheel on the bridge. A hand grips the wheel, with the wheelhouse visible in the background.

Experience the Danube through the Wachau Valley from a captain’s perspective and take the helm yourself: Be a Captain for a Day combines exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into river navigation with hands-on steering experience in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau.

Booking for this exclusive experience in the Wachau is available by phone or email only. Our team will be happy to assist you personally and help arrange your preferred date.

+43 1 588 80info@ddsg-blue-danube.at
LLM Guidance