Essence of the Elbe: Hamburg to Prague (2012)

Germany: Hamburg, Lauenburg, Tangermunde, Berlin, Wittenberg, Torgau, Meissen, Dresden, Swiss Saxony • Prague, Czech Republic
  • 12 days
  • from only:
  • $2595
  • $217 per day
    River Cruise Only
  • 13 days
  • from only:
  • $3395
  • $262 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
IN THIS SECTION:
Detailed Itinerary
Video: Travelers' experiences of Essence of the Elbe
It's Included
Hotel & Ship Accommodations
Pre- & Post-Trip Extensions
Hamburg, Germany
Munich, Germany
Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow
Optional Tours
Local Team & Insider Tips
Know Before You Go
Photos From Our Travelers
Your Travel Handbook
Air information
LearnMore
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Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your River Cruise, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

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Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the Grand Circle Cruise Line River Cruise that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • International airport transfers to and from your ship or hotel are available for purchase
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your vacation
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your vacation with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of Grand Circle Cruise Line vacations to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

(Hamburg to Prague)

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Chicago, New York (JFK), Minneapolis

12hrs

Baltimore, Denver

15hrs

Los Angeles, San Diego

17hrs

Newark, Philadelphia, Portland, OR, Seattle

13hrs

San Francisco

14hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Hamburg, Germany. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

(Prague to Hamburg)

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Newark, Washington, DC (Dulles)

12hrs

Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia

14hrs

Boston, New York (JFK)

11hrs

Dallas, Minneapolis

13hrs

Denver, Portland, OR, San Francisco, Seattle

15hrs

San Diego

18hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Prague, Czech Republic. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

REFER and EARN

Earn increasing rewards as a Vacation Ambassador

REFER and EARN as a Vacation Ambassador with
the BEST referral program in the industry

Inspiring new travelers to join the Grand Circle Cruise Line family is a rewarding experience—both for you and your new travelers.

Share your love of travel with others and, for each referral who embarks on a Grand Circle Cruise Line trip, you will earn $100 in CASH or credit. With your 4th referral departing on a 2012 departure, your reward increases to $200 in CASH or credit per person. And once you refer 8 travelers departing in either 2012 or 2013, you'll earn a FREE trip valued up to $4,500 per household—which will bring the total value of your earned rewards up to $5,600.

And you are also passing along savings to your new traveler: We'll instantly deduct $100 off the cost of their reservation when they mention your name and Customer Number while reserving.

To learn more about the benefits of our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-221-2610
or click here.

ALSO SEE:
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Post-Trip: Munich, Germany

3 nights from only $595
Munich, Germany

Join our extension to Munich, and immerse yourself in the gem of Bavaria. An included tour introduces you to highlights like the Marienplatz, the city’s grand central square lined with historic buildings, and during time at leisure, you’ll be able to discover Munich’s many palaces, churches, and museums. Perhaps you’ll even join your fellow travelers at a beer garden for another taste—literally—of Munich’s rich culture.

Single Supplement: FREE.

Please note: This extension may not be available for all departures. Additional taxes and fees will apply. Ask your Travel Counselor for details.

Munich is a post-trip extension on the Hamburg to Prague itinerary and a pre-trip extension on the Prague to Hamburg itinerary.

It's Included

  • Accommodations for 3 nights at the First-Class Sheraton Munich Arabellapark Hotel or similar
  • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts
  • Included tour—Munich
  • Exclusive services of a resident Grand Circle Program Director
  • All transfers

Optional Tour

Neuschwanstein Castle tour ($105 per person)

Day 1
Prague, Czech Republic/Munich, Germany

After breakfast, you’ll transfer by motorcoach to the Czech-Bohemian city of Pilsen, where you’ll enjoy an informative stroll with your Program Director and lunch on your own. Then continue to Munich, where you’ll embark on an orientation walk before dinner on your own this evening.
Day 2
Munich/City Tour

After breakfast this morning, set off on a city tour of Munich. Take in sites like Nymphenburg Palace, home of the Duke of Bavaria, and the Marienplatz, Munich’s central square. Here, you’ll see the world-famous Glockenspiel, an elaborate clock mounted on the front of Munich’s town hall.

Then spend an afternoon at leisure. Continue to explore the Marienplatz, and break for a taste of Bavaria in one of the nearby beer gardens. You may also want to take a look at the German Museum, which boasts the world’s biggest collection of science and technology exhibits.
Day 3
Munich/Optional Neuschwanstein Castle tour

Enjoy time at leisure in Munich today. Perhaps you’ll tour onion-domed Frauenkirche, ("Cathedral of our Blessed Lady") or visit the magnificent Residenz filled with grand furnishings, beautiful oil paintings, and intricate tapestries.

Or join an optional excursion to Neuschwanstein, the magnificent, hilltop castle commissioned by King Ludwig II. As you approach the gleaming white castle by horse-drawn carriage, you might feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Return to Munich this afternoon via the charming village of Oberammergau, famous for its production of the Passion Play. Here, you can stretch your legs while taking in views of the Alps.
Day 4
Return to U.S.

Today you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight home.