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KIDS: Nikolo on board

When St. Nicholas comes aboard, the magic of Christmas begins. Enjoy a festive cruise in Vienna with a buffet, magic show, face painting, and a fun-filled children's program for the whole family.

Photo: St. Nicholas in a red robe sits at a table on board and talks to a child during the cruise.Photo: Child having face paint applied aboard a festively decorated ship, with colourful paints and brushes in the foreground.Photo: MS Admiral Tegetthoff sailing on the Danube under a blue sky, showcasing its modern ship design.Photo: Colourful face paints, brushes and accessories for children's face painting displayed on a table aboard a ship.
Vienna Theme Cruise

KIDS: Nikolo on board

When St. Nicholas comes aboard, the magic of Christmas begins. Enjoy a festive cruise in Vienna with a buffet, magic show, face painting, and a fun-filled children's program for the whole family.

Next Departure 12/06/2026 · 09:30 Departure location Vienna / Reichsbrücke (Headquater) Go to dock section

  • Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Magic show, entertainment and plenty of fun for children
  • Visit from St. Nicholas, including a small gift for every child
  • Festive winter cruise with buffet for the whole family

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This cruise is available at two departure times, giving you the choice of a morning or an afternoon sailing.

Included in price

  • St. Nicholas visit & children's program

    Inclusive

    St. Nicholas brings small gifts for children, plus face painting, magic shows and family fun.

  • Delightful buffet on board

    Inclusive

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

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

St. Nicholas Cruise in Vienna for the Whole Family

When the Danube sparkles with festive lights, Vienna offers a magical Advent experience for all ages. Step aboard and enjoy a festive winter cruise featuring a family-friendly buffet, seasonal atmosphere and a lovingly designed children's programme.

While adults relax and take in the views along the Danube, young guests can look forward to plenty of entertainment. A fun interactive magic and comedy show invites children to join in, professional face painting transforms little faces into colourful works of art, and the highlight of the cruise is a visit from St. Nicholas himself. Every child aged 2 to 15 receives a small gift to take home.

Departing from Vienna, this St. Nicholas cruise combines festive family time, entertainment and holiday spirit on the Danube. Whether you choose the morning or afternoon sailing, enjoy a memorable Advent outing that delights children and gives parents a chance to relax and unwind.

Itinerary - KIDS: Nikolo on board

Itinerary

  • Boarding in the morning: 09:30
  • Cruise in the morning: 10:30-12:30
  • Boarding in the afternoon: 13:00
  • Cruise in the afternoon: 14:00-16:00
  • Location: Vienna / Reichsbrücke
  • Ship: MS Admiral Tegetthoff
  • Included: Cruise, themed buffet, St. Nicholas on board & St. Nicholas gift bags for children (Ages 2–15)

Schedule and programme details are subject to change.

Culinary Delights – St. Nicholas Buffet

Soup

  • Clear chicken soup with noodles

Main Courses

  • Meatballs in tomato sauce with tagliatelle
  • Margherita pizzettes (vegetarian)

Dessert

  • Coconut slice (vegetarian)

Subject to change.

Entertainment on board

Photo: St. Nicholas with three children and a clown in a festive ship lounge, holding gift bags beside a Christmas tree.

St. Nicholas & Children's Programme

Our young guests can look forward to a fun-filled entertainment programme on board. The interactive magic and comedy show invites children to join in, laugh and be amazed, while professional face painting transforms them into imaginative characters and colourful creations.

A special highlight is the visit from St. Nicholas. With small gifts for children, personal encounters and plenty of photo opportunities, St. Nicholas creates magical moments and lasting memories for the whole family on board.

Line-up and programme subject to change.

Route / itinerary

Graphic: Simplified map of the Danube Panorama Tour from Reichsbrücke, showing the route to Nussdorf Lock and Freudenau Lock.

The cruise departs from the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage and follows the Danube upstream. Along the way, enjoy views of Donau City’s modern skyline, including the iconic DC Tower and Danube Tower, as well as the expansive Danube Island, one of Vienna’s most popular recreational areas. Passing green riverside landscapes, the route continues towards Klosterneuburg and Korneuburg.

After turning around, you can once again take in impressive views of the Danube and its varied surroundings. From striking contemporary architecture and peaceful river scenery to picturesque waterside vistas, the route offers plenty of opportunities for memorable photographs and unique perspectives.

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

FAQ

Your ticket includes the following services:

  • Danube cruise
  • Family-friendly buffet on board
  • Children’s entertainment program featuring an interactive magic and comedy show as well as face painting
  • Visit from St. Nicholas on board (including a St. Nicholas gift bag for children)

Drinks are not included and are available à la carte on board.

Boarding begins at 9:30 AM for the morning cruise and at 1:00 PM for the afternoon cruise at the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage. Departure is scheduled promptly at 10:30 AM for the morning cruise and 2:00 PM for the afternoon cruise. Please have your booking confirmation or e-ticket ready – a digital version 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.

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 info@donaucatering.at. 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 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