Scenic Crystal September 27-October 18 2026 Cruise & Offers | Scenic Cruises

Welcome to Istanbul. Home to more than 15 million people, it’s the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest in the world. Istanbul will inspire all your senses, an exhilarating blend of cultures, cuisines, architecture, history and style.

There have been settlements in what is now Istanbul, occupying both banks of the Bosphorus Strait, for thousands of years. The modern city began life as Constantinople in the 4th century, before changing its name to Istanbul in 1930. Wherever you go, you’re walking through history.

Today, we leave Istanbul behind and visit the city of Çanakkale. Sitting on the edge of the Dardanelle Strait, Çanakkale has been at the forefront of history for centuries. It’s the gateway to the World War One battlefield of Gallipoli and the ancient city of Troy.

Today you are bound for Gallipoli, a special place in the heart of Australians and New Zealanders. The Gallipoli peninsula where the eight-month WWI campaign took place is now a national park and your guide will take you through the most significant sites.

This morning you’ll be venturing to a place that is shrouded in mystery and legend, the ancient city of Troy. For more than 3,000 years, the tales of Troy and the Trojan War were thought to be mythical, made most famous by Homer’s Iliad.

Istanbul is a published destination on Lower Danube Discovery with Turkey: Istanbul to Budapest aboard Scenic Crystal. It provides the setting for this stage of the journey; arrival, departure, berthing and excursion details are displayed only when they appear in the stored Scenic schedule, and final operating information should be reconfirmed before sailing.

Before you farewell Istanbul, take a moment this morning to listen out for the call to prayer before the sun rises. The traditional Muslim call rings out over the city five times a day and is a reminder of the nation’s strong ties to its faith.

Following a guided tour of Bucharest this morning you will be transferred to Constanta where our friendly crew await your arrival and welcome you on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Balcony suites have windows that convert into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you fresh air and uninterrupted views of ever-changing landscapes and life along the riverbanks.

Sitting on the Black Sea Coast, Constanta is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, dating back to 600BC. Join a guided tour to learn about this long and fascinating heritage. Visit Ovid Square, Orthodox Cathedral, scenic promenade and Genovese Lighthouse. After lunch, your Scenic Space-Ship will depart for the Bulgarian town of Silistra.

Arrive in Silistra after lunch. This Bulgarian town has changed hands many times over the centuries. It was a major Turkish fortress and trade centre in the 15th century, played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 1870s, briefly became part of Romania after the Second Balkan War, and finally reverted to Bulgaria in 1940.

This morning, dock in the town of Rousse, often described as ‘Little Vienna’. Join a local guide on a sightseeing tour of this opulent town this morning, resplendent in Belle Epoque architecture and leafy manicured squares. You will also learn about traditional Bulgarian handicrafts, and delight in a short piano recital.

You will arrive early in Vidin, Bulgaria, this morning. This historic town has a well-preserved medieval fortress and sits between the borders of Bulgaria and Romania. The region boasts a fertile landscape where wine has been grown for almost a century.

This morning, you will cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and the might rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king.

The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is known as the ‘Door to Central Europe’ and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history, with Neolithic ruins found nearby, a fortress built by the Romans, Brutalist buildings that sit beside Art Nouveau architecture, and a bohemian vibe.

Arrive in Novi Sad early this morning. Serbia’s second largest city is a lively place of music, art and liberal freedoms. It is also an ethnically diverse city, has a thriving contemporary art scene with several large-scale public murals and hosts ibrant festivals, all while nurturing its rich 500-year history.

Arrive this morning to the Croatian town of Vukovar, a poignant city with a turbulent history. Over the past 500 years it has been part of the Ottoman, Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, and in the 1990s was the epicentre of the Croatian War of Independence. Many of the grand Baroque buildings remain standing but bear the scars of the war.

Straddling the Danube, this small Hungarian town was the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohacs, which led to the destruction of the Hungarian monarchy and the rise of Ottoman and Habsburg rule. From here, you will explore the surrounding regions.

You will arrive in Hungary's Great Plain region this morning. Known for its rich history, this region is renowned for producing some of the world's most intricate and beautiful folk art, particularly its detailed embroidery. Today, the region has retained much of its rural charm.

Wake in Budapest this morning. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two. It’s an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between.

Enjoy a relaxing morning on board your Scenic Space-Ship as you cruise through Hungary and into Slovakia. Request a coffee from your butler and enjoy it in the comfort of your Scenic Sun Lounge as the beautiful Danube scenery rolls by.

Return to Budapest today. Your luxury Space-Ship will dock after lunch, giving you free time to explore on your own this afternoon. Perhaps, pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters.

Your journey comes to an end this morning. After a final breakfast, transfer to Budapest Airport taking away a lifetime of wonderful memories with you. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.