Essence of the Elbe: Berlin to Prague

13 days
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Small Ship Cruise
Bookended by stays in Berlin, Germany’s capital and the second-largest urban area in Europe, and Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, our Essence of the Elbe River Cruise tour is punctuated by memorable stays in Western Europe’s riverside gems. Spend two nights in Berlin, with time to explore this historic city on your own and on an included tour. Along the...
From$2,095
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy twelve days River Cruise vacation
    • Insightful and informative port tour
    • Land tours and shipboard programs

What's this trip about?

    Bookended by stays in Berlin, Germany’s capital and the second-largest urban area in Europe, and Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, our Essence of the Elbe River Cruise tour is punctuated by memorable stays in Western Europe’s riverside gems. Spend two nights in Berlin, with time to explore this historic city on your own and on an included tour. Along the Elbe, you'll enjoy a day in Torgau, where a local resident discusses the significance of U.S. and Soviet troops meeting during the German invasion (an exclusive Discovery Series event) and witness one of the largest treasure collections in Europe at the Royal Palace's Historic Green Vault in Dresden. You'll also visit the Wittenberg church where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses … witness Dresden’s stunning renewal—still in progress since the end of World War II … sail through the dramatic sandstone mountains to Swiss Saxony … and round out your trip with two nights in Prague, featuring an included city tour. You can also enhance your European River Cruise exploration with our optional extensions to Hamburg, Germany; Warsaw & Krakow, Poland; and Munich, Germany.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBerlin
End CityPrague

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Czechia

Attractions

  • Berlin
  • Dresden
  • Meissen
  • Potsdam
  • Prague
  • Wittenberg

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • River cruise

Trip includes

    • 29 meals, including Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions and Dinners: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners (and beverages—including beer, wine, and soft drinks—during all onboard lunches and dinners)
    • 9 exclusive, included tours with personal headsets: Berlin • Potsdam & Cecilienhof Palace • Woerlitz Park • Wittenberg • Torgau • Meissen • Dresden • Litomerice • Prague
    • Exclusive Discovery Series events: German lesson • Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch • Meissen Porcelain Factory visit • Bastei visit
    • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure with the purchase of Grand Circle's airfare
    • All port charges—a value of $125 per person
    • Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers on your main trip
    • Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
    • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip—an average of $258

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive Berlin, Germany

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Maritim Hotel Berlin or similar

View the Brandenburg Gate while touring Berlin

Depending on your departure city, you will arrive either this morning or afternoon. A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the air...

Day 2: Berlin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Maritim Hotel Berlin or similar

See Checkpoint Charlie while exploring Berlin

This morning, after an included breakfast at your hotel, it's time to set out on your first full day of discovery with an included city ...

Day 3: Berlin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Maritim Hotel Berlin or similar

After breakfast this morning, you'll be presented with an included city pass for public transportation around Berlin. With an entire day of independent exploration ahead of you, Germany's i...

Day 4: Berlin • Potsdam • Cecilienhof Palace tour • Magdeburg • Embark ship

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast this morning, you'll transfer to Potsdam, where you'll enjoy a guided tour of Cecilienhof Palace—which is part of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally the last pala...

Day 5: Wittenberg • Woerlitz • Woerlitz Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

While you sail this morning, enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series event—a German language lesson. The words and phrases you'll learn will help you to better connect with the local people you'll encounter.

After lunch, yo...

Day 6: Wittenberg • Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Discover the twelfth century city of Wittenberg

This morning, enjoy an included tour of the twelfth-century city of Wittenberg. Officially known as Lutherstadt Wittenberg, the cradle of the Protestant Reformation is bes...

Day 7: Wittenberg • Torgau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Explore the town center of Torgaue

After a morning of sailing and lunch aboard your ship, you'll disembark in Torgau, where you'll discover this port on an included tour. You'll visit the town center—restored since the ...

Day 8: Meissen • Porcelain factory • Optional Royal Vineyard tour • Dresden

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

View the famous porcelain produced in Meissen

Today, you'll step ashore at Meissen for a walking tour—encompassing its historic market square, Renaissance architecture, and Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)—of this anci...

Day 9: Dresden • Walking tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Discover the remarkable city of Dresden

Today, immerse yourself in the remarkable city of Dresden. A flourishing artistic center until the rise of the Nazis, it was completely destroyed during World War II. Writer Kurt ...

Day 10: Bad Schandau • Bastei • Swiss Saxony • Dresden

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Discover the scenic view from atop the Bastei sandstone bridge

This morning, you'll disembark in the spa town of Bad Schandau and transfer by motorcoach to the highlight of this region: the Bastei. Millions of years ago...

Day 11: Dresden • Litomerice, Czech Republic • Prague

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodations: Park Inn Prague

You'll dismbark this morning in Dresden and then drive to Litomerice, set at the confluence of the Elbe and Ohre rivers in the Czech Republic. Here, you'll enjoy an informative stroll and an auth...

Day 12: Prague • Optional Jewish Prague tour • Farewell Drink & Dinner

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodations: Park Inn Prague

View the Charles Bridge while exploring Prague

Prague's regal beauty spreads on both sides of the winding Vltava River, connected by 16 picturesque bridges. Like Rome and San Francisco, t...

Day 13: Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be assisted to the airport for your flight home. Or, begin your post-trip extension to either Munich, Germany, or the Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,095
Price per day$161
Single supplement (single occupancy)$645
Last Updated: 10/31/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Grand Circle Cruise Line.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Grand Circle Cruise Line Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
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Terrible
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Other Grand Circle Cruise Line Reviews

J

JT

Jul 2021

Grand Circle Cruise Line Company Reviewsby Grand Circle Cruise Line

Company has gone downhill

I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergenc...

C

Constance B.

Jan 2020

Grand Circle Cruise Line Company Reviewsby Grand Circle Cruise Line

A great trip, we really

A great trip, we really enjoyed it a lot.

W

Wayne D.

Dec 2019

Grand Circle Cruise Line Company Reviewsby Grand Circle Cruise Line

Considered the Best of the Best!,,,,

The Places covered by the trip were full of historical facts worthy of remembering till the last days of our lives!,,,, Our Travel Director, RENE BAUER , is super kn...

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Tour Operator

Grand Circle Cruise Line

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Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises serves both our Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Tour (OAT) brands with an award-winning fleet known for exceptional value and high-quality experiences in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Custom-designed according to our travelers’ specifications, our fleet includes 50+ small river and ocean-going ships that we own or privately charter.

Grand Circle Foundation

Grand Circle Foundation was established in 1992 as a means to give back to the world that had already given us so much. Since its inception, our Foundation has donated or pledged more than $50 million to educational, humanitarian, and cultural organizations worldwide.

 

Grand Circle Travel—Worldwide Discovery by Land & by Ship

 

Traveling with Grand Circle is about more than sightseeing. It’s about immersing yourself in other cultures, sharing the warm camaraderie of like-minded American travelers, and feeling comfortable, safe, and well-cared for every step of the way. It’s not simply a destination you’ll find, but a profound awareness of the life-changing joy of cultural connections, and we’ve been creating those connections for more than 50 years.

Explore by land

Travel by Ship

Meet cogenial, like-minded friends

Our Program Director's share an insider's perspective

Meet local people where they live, work and play

Travel safe, confident, and carefree

Traveling for change: One village, one leader, one life at a time


Travel with the Leader in Worldwide Learning & Discovery

Bring your travel dreams to life: witness the breathtaking expanse of China from atop the Great Wall … visit centuries-old windmills in Holland, and meet those who call the iconic structures home … ride a donkey to the top of ancient isles in Santorini, Greece... Visions like these are everyday realities for Grand Circle travelers, thanks to the principles that ground every one of our vacations: value, choice, discovery, and careful pacing.

Our VALUE puts your travel dreams within reach

Grand Circle can help you realize your travel dreams for a lot less than you ever thought possible. That’s because each of our Small Ship Cruise Tours, River Cruise's, and Land Tours includes full-service accommodations, included tours, exclusive Discovery Series events, and so much more. And, because we work with our regional offices located throughout the world, we’ve been able to establish long-term relationships with many local vendors and hotels. Buying direct brings down our costs—and allows us to pass the savings on to you. And negotiating directly for hotel space also allows us to secure as many single room allotments as possible for our solo travelers. That way, we can also extend our great value to solo travelers, too! In fact, we offer the best value and benefits for solo travelers, guaranteed.

The CHOICE is yours

You’ll always have plenty of choices with Grand Circle. We offer you a breadth of awe-inspiring travel destinations—from Europe’s great, culture-laden capitals and the lush vineyards of French and German wine regions, to the scenic natural beauty of Chile's Lakes District and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. You’ll also enjoy more optional trip extensions—such as excursions to Phnom Penh & Angkor Wat, Cambodia or Prague, Czech Republic—enabling you to enhance your regional discovery and maximize the value of your already included airfare. You have plenty of choices within each vacation, too, enabling you to follow your own pace and tailor your experience to your own interests with our optional tours. And the free time we’ve woven into our itineraries gives you the opportunity for independent exploration. You can shop, linger at a sidewalk cafe, visit an art gallery or museum, or perhaps explore a cobbled street that caught your eye earlier in the day. You can do as much or as little as you want on Grand Circle vacation—the choice is yours.

DISCOVERIES that enrich and inspire

Wherever you travel with Grand Circle, you can always count on us to provide a rewarding, discovery-rich experience. With regional offices around the globe, we maintain a strong local presence in all the regions you’ll visit. Being a part of local communities means we offer the most illuminating cultural encounters and widest array of learning activities that reflect your destination. Participate in a discussion about life under communism in Eastern Europe. Try your hand at painting in Impressionism’s homeland. All these experiences, and others, have been designed to offer you a deeper understanding of the places you’ll visit—even as you have fun in the process. And because we know you’ll want to experience local life through the people who call your destination home, we’ve arranged for you to meet them where they live, work, and play. From Home-Hosted meals with local families and demonstrations by regional artisans, to touring a family-run winery or visiting a local school, we make sure you enjoy firsthand perspectives on everyday life, while forming connections you’ll never forget.

Well PACED—with an emphasis on comfort

Travel shouldn’t feel like a race from one site to the next. We know that you enjoy both visiting memorable locales and the chance to enjoy them at your own pace. We’ve planned itineraries that blend regional discovery with “down time,” during which you can explore as little or as much as you like—at your leisure. With well-located accommodations on land and conveniently situated docks for our small ships, you’ll be poised for discoveries of all kinds. While walking is our signature mode—allowing access to many of the most unmissable sites, we always balance any lengthy walking tours with plenty of time to refresh and rejuvenate. Plus, you can always rest assured that your safety and comfort are our top priority, with a resident Program Director along, and our local staff in a regional office nearby.

It's included with Grand Circle ...

  • Choose to purchase Grand Circle's airfare, and your airport transfers and government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make your own air arrangements
  • The services of expert, resident Program Directors who speak fluent English, as well as the native language
  • Accommodations at comfortable hotels and on private, Grand Circle-owned or chartered vessels
  • Most meals, including all meals during the cruise portions of our Grand Circle Cruise Line vacations
  • Guided sightseeing tours
  • Personal headsets on included and optional tours
  • Exclusive Discovery Series events
  • All internal transportation

And more

Now included for 2016

  • Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers on all Grand Circle main trips, most optional tours, and most optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Beverages during lunch and dinner onboard Grand Circle Cruise Line ships, including beer, wine, and soft drinks
  • All port charges—a value of up to $250 per person
What they’re known for
Cruises to popular destinations for seniors wanting to travel at their own pace with optional excursions and plenty of free time.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Airfare

Accommodation

,Maritim Hotel Berlin Berlin, Germany | Rating: Superior First Class Built in 2005, the Superior First-Class Hotel Maritim Berlin is located just steps from the famed Tiergarten in the heart of the city. Hotel amenities include two restaurants and a bar, as well as a pool, sauna, spa, fitness center, and dry cleaning and laundry service. Your air-conditioned room features satellite T.V., wireless Internet, a minibar, safe, telephone, and private bath with hair dryer. Park Inn Prague Prague, Czech Republic | Rating: Superior First Class Nestled between medieval buildings, the Superior First-Class Park Inn Prague is located just a short walk from the Vltava River and local, historic sites. The updated Art Deco hotel is also convenient to public transportation and features an on-site bar, restaurant, and gym. Your air-conditioned room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite cable, minibar, Internet access, safe, and private bath with hair dryer. Ship:M/S River Allegro
Ship & cabin information
M/S River Allegro
M/S River Allegro The M/S River Allegro was ranked #3 in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 40 River Cruise Ships in the World” 2014 Readers’ Poll. While aboard, you’ll enjoy leisure time in the bar and lounge, library, and Sun Deck. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in select common areas. Wireless Internet access is not available in cabins and connectivity is limited in certain locations on River Cruise itineraries. Your cabin features a flat-screen TV, radio, direct-dial telephone, individual heating and air-conditioning controls, twin beds that convert to sofas, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.
Cancellation policy

Cancellation charges will be calculated as of the date we receive your cancellation. Cancellation charges and refunds shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of this Passenger Agreement. If you are due a refund, you first must return your air tickets and, if applicable, cruise tickets to Operator. Any applicable refunds will be returned to you in the manner in which payment was made, and processed within 30 days of receipt of your cancellation.

b) Processing Fee: All cancellations made later than twenty-one days after booking are subject to a non-refundable fee of $300 and additional cancellation charges per the schedule below. Cancellations made within 21 days after booking will be subject to the same fee, unless the reason for canceling given at the time of cancellation is your rejection of these Terms and Conditions prior to acceptance. This $300 fee reflects only Operator's costs of administering a reservation.

c) Cancellation Charges Generally: Unless otherwise stated next to the program’s rate chart, you will receive a refund equal to your Trip Price less the following per-person charges. Charges shown include the $300 administrative fee.

i. Cancellation Charges for Land Tours:

If Prior to departure is 90 days or more, then charge is $300

If Prior to departure 89-60 days, then charge is 10% of selling price or $300—whichever is greater

If Prior to departure is 59-30 days, then charge is 65% of selling price

If Prior to departure is 29 days–departure, then charge is 100% of selling price

ii. Cancellation Charges for River Cruises and Small Ships:

If Prior to departure is  121 days or more, then charge is $300

If Prior to departure is 120-90 days, then charge is 10% of selling price or $300—whichever is greater

If Prior to departure is  89-60 days, then charge is 40% of selling price

If Prior to departure is  59-30 days, then charge is 65% of selling price

If Prior to departure is  29 days–departure, then charge is 100% of selling price

iii. Cancellation Charges for Last Minute Bookings: Last Minute Bookings are defined as any booking at or inside 45 days prior to departure. Space is limited and all arrangements—cabin selection, hotel rooms, air carriers and routing, etc.—are subject to availability. Flights are contingent on confirmation by the airline(s); additional fees from the airline(s) may apply. If flights can be confirmed without additional fees from the airline(s), you are subject to the standard cancellation charges for your trip. If flights incur additional fees from the airline(s), you will be offered the choice of either paying the additional fees or cancelling your reservation for a full refund of your Trip Price plus any cost you paid for the Travel Protection Plan. If flights cannot be confirmed, you will be offered an alternative departure date or trip. If we are not able to agree upon a suitable alternative, you will be entitled to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund of your Trip Price plus any cost you paid for the Travel Protection Plan.

d) If you are a no-show, if you cancel your trip after the departure date, or if you leave a trip already in progress, you will not receive any refund for any unused portion of your trip.

e) If you reserved a double room and are sharing with a friend or family member, and that person cancels prior to departure, you may be subject to additional single supplement and travel protection fees.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 9 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Travelstride Take
Grand Circle, which caters to passengers age 50 and up, offers this Elbe cruise for as low as just $167 per person, per day. The German cities of Wittenberg, Meissen and Dresden are among ten port stops, with tours included. Grand Circle touts its low-cost single supplements, too, as well as airfare discounts for early bookers (late May of each year for the following year).
Optional Activities

Extension:

Pre-trip: Hamburg, Germany

3 nights from only $645

Post-trip: Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow

5 nights from only $995

Post-trip: Munich, Germany

3 nights from only $695

Optional Tours:

Royal Vineyard - Day 9 $80 per person

Jewish Prague - Day 13 $80 per person

Additional Information
Trip ID
grandc-EssElbGra

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