Danube River Cruise Baking Retreat 2026
Embark on the ultimate baking adventure along the Danube River aboard Uniworld’s lavish S.S. Maria Theresa. Visit four countries with historic and amazing baking traditions, stopping at quaint Baroque villages and grand cities along the way. Learn how to bake Hungarian chimney cake, Linzer torte, pains viennois, Sacher-Torte, strudel, and more.
This eight-night retreat features a custom river cruise itinerary just for bakers, with unique experiences for those who love to learn, travel, and connect with other like-minded people.
Each registered baking attendee will receive a one-year subscription to Bake from Scratch. If you’re already a subscriber, you have the option of extending your subscription or gifting it to someone who loves baking.
To reserve your space, email the following information to events@bakefromscratch.com. 
- Registration type (single, double, baker plus non-baking guest)
- Stateroom type (French Balcony, Deluxe Balcony, Suite)
- Phone number so we can contact you to take your deposit
- Your name and travel companion’s name, if applicable
You are required to pay your deposit and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via Adobe Sign within 48 hours of receiving a confirmation email. Each person traveling in your reservation must sign this document. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.
Stateroom & Add On Baking Class Options
Single French Balcony Stateroom: $12,500 (1 baker/1 cabin)
Double French Balcony Stateroom: $10,000 each (2 bakers/1 cabin)
Baking participant plus non-baking guest French Balcony Stateroom: $14,750 (1 baker/1 non-baking guest/1 cabin)
Single Deluxe Balcony Stateroom: $13,250 (1 baker/1 cabin)
Double Deluxe Balcony Stateroom: $10,500 each (2 bakers/1 cabin)
Baking participant plus non-baking guest Deluxe Balcony Stateroom: $15,750 (1 baker/1 non-baking guest/1 cabin)
Single Suite Stateroom: $20,750 (1 baker/1 cabin)
Double Suite Stateroom: $12,500 each (2 bakers/1 cabin)
Baking participant plus non-baking guest Suite Stateroom: $20,250 (1 baker/1 non-baking guest/1 cabin)
Optional Hands-On Sachertorte Baking Class: $175 (extra baking class in Vienna)
Please note that staterooms in each category are limited and will be reserved on a first-come–first-serve basis based on registration order. Single-occupancy participants pay a surcharge for occupying a room alone, as all cruise fares are based on double occupancy.
Download our Danube River Cruise Stateroom Guide PDF to see room layouts and details.
What’s Included
- 7-night Danube river cruise about luxury Uniworld ship
- 1 pre-cruise night in Munich
- 4 baking classes/demonstrations
- 3 bakery tastings and experiences
- Three meals daily aboard ship
- Complimentary spirits and wine aboard ship
- Access to all Uniworld scheduled excursions
- Private reception aboard ship
- Transportation to/from airport and the ship
- Transportation to and from scheduled retreat events
- One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
- Gift bag with some of our favorite things
What’s Not Included
- Airfare/travel to Munich and from Budapest
- Optional add-on Sacher-Torte baking class (additional $175 per baker)
What’s Included
- 7-night Danube river cruise about luxury Uniworld ship
- 1 pre-cruise night in Munich
- 4 baking classes/demonstrations
- 3 bakery tastings and experiences
- Three meals daily aboard ship
- Complimentary spirits and wine aboard ship
- Access to all Uniworld scheduled excursions
- Private reception aboard ship
- Transportation to/from airport and the ship
- Transportation to and from scheduled retreat events
- One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
- Gift bag with some of our favorite things
What’s Not Included
- Airfare/travel to Munich and from Budapest
- Optional add-on Sacher-Torte baking class (additional $175 per baker)
What’s Included
- 7-night Danube river cruise about luxury Uniworld ship
- 1 pre-cruise night in Munich
- Three meals daily aboard ship
- Complimentary spirits and wine aboard ship
- Access to sign up for all Uniworld scheduled excursions
- Private reception aboard ship
- Transportation to/from airport and the ship
What’s Not Included
- Airfare/travel to Munich and from Budapest
- Baking classes
- Bakery tastings and experiences
- One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
- Gift bag with some of our favorite things
Have a question about this baking retreat? Contact us.
Please note: This itinerary is based on our September 2025 retreat schedule and is subject to change based on partner availability and the ship’s schedule.
Saturday, May 30 (Arrival in Munich, Germany)
Upon arrival in Munich, you’ll be transferred from the airport to our city-center hotel, where you’ll rest, relax, and get ready to set sail on the Danube.
Sunday, May 31 (Munich to Passau for Embarkation)
We’ll travel as a group from Munich to Passau, where we will board the lavish S.S. Maria Theresa. Once settled in your stateroom, you’ll meet your fellow bakers, toast an amazing adventure ahead, and receive a departure briefing from the captain and crew.
Monday, June 1 (Passau, Germany)
In the picturesque old town of Passau (City of Three Rivers), enjoy a class at Simon Confiserie, where you’ll learn about their famous honey gingerbread and decorate your own gingerbread heart. Afterward, wander through town on your own before returning to the ship. Be sure to stop in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where the world’s largest Catholic church organ is located. In the early evening, enjoy cocktails in the lounge and a welcome dinner on board.
Tuesday, June 2 (Linz, Austria)
We’ll head to Konditorei Jindrak, where you’ll learn to make a traditional Austrian Linzer torte. In the afternoon, explore Linz on your own or relax on board.
Wednesday, June 3 (Melk and Dürnstein, Austria)
In the morning, we’ll stroll to Café Braun in the town of Melk for a special tasting of their legendary cream horns before a midday departure to Dürnstein. Enjoy a scenic sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley. Upon arrival in Dürnstein, take in the beauty of the village’s 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century homes and join Uniworld’s wine tasting at Nikolaihof, perhaps the oldest winery in Austria, or learn about the revival of saffron in the area with a special talk with a local that’s cultivating the spice. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner on your own in town or aboard the ship.
Thursday, June 4 (Vienna, Austria)
In the home of viennoiserie, we’ll divide into two smaller groups to bake pains viennois at Kruste & Krume. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the incredible city of Vienna. Private transportation is provided from the ship to the heart of Vienna for bakers and non-baking guests.
Friday, June 5 (Vienna, Austria, and Bratislava, Slovakia)
Before a midday departure, bakers can join an Sacher-Torte baking class (note additional price of $175). Or you can spend the morning relaxing on board or exploring Vienna on your own before sailing to Bratislava. In the early evening, we’ll arrive in Bratislava and delight in a tour and cake- and pastry-tasting at the breathtaking Konditorei Kormuth. Dinner can be on your own in Bratislava, or you can return to the ship.
Saturday, June 6 (Budapest, Hungary)
In the majestic city of Budapest, we’ll learn to make traditional Hungarian chimney cake in a hands-on baking class. Plus, visit the House of Strudel to learn about the history of strudel, watch strudel being stretched, and, of course, taste a selection of specialties. In the evening, we’ll toast an amazing week on the Danube at the captain’s farewell reception and dinner before a scenic sail under the city’s bridges to take in the awe-inspiring city light up at night.
Sunday, June 7 (Disembarkation in Budapest, Hungary)
In the morning, you’ll disembark and transfer to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Budapest or elsewhere.
Note from Uniworld: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays, or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
The Ship
The S.S. Maria Theresa can accommodate 150 guests and 55 staff members. The staterooms are cozy and well-appointed, with every detail considered to make guests comfortable. On board, you’ll find the Baroque Restaurant, Viennese Café, Bar du Leopard, Habsburg Salon, Serenity River Spa, Lipizzan Cinema, pool, guest laundry, and fitness center, as well as a sun deck to take in the incredible river views.
Staterooms
Choose from three river-view stateroom categories (French Balcony, Deluxe Balcony, and Suite). Please note that staterooms in each category are limited and will be reserved on a first-come–first-serve basis based on registration order.
See details on stateroom categories here.
Single-occupancy participants pay a surcharge for occupying a room alone, as all cruise fares are based on double occupancy.
Travel to and from Munich and Budapest
This retreat begins in Munich, Germany, for one night prior to traveling to Passau, Germany, to board the ship. The retreat ends in Budapest, Hungary. We suggest booking a multicity flight that arrives at Munich Airport (MUC) and departs from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD). Your retreat package includes transportation from Munich airport to the Munich hotel in the city center, to the ship in Passau, and from where the ship disembarks in Budapest to the Budapest airport at the conclusion of the retreat. For transportation to be included in your package, all flights must arrive and depart in the Uniworld approved time frames that will be communicated to you. All flight details must be submitted no later than 45 days prior to departure to enjoy complimentary transfers.
The Bake from Scratch team is at your disposal to help you navigate travel. Email events@bakefromscratch.com for assistance.
Booking
Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due within 48 hours along with a signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment to secure your reservation. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due January 15, 2026. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in US dollars.
Costs
The price of the trip includes one pre-cruise hotel night in Munich, airport transfers, transfer from Munich to ship embarkation in Passau, all baking classes, three meals per day on ship, all scheduled retreat activities, all available Uniworld excursions, transit to/from scheduled retreat activities, and private reception aboard ship. Single-occupancy, double-occupancy, and baking participant plus non-baking guest rates are available.
A 3% discount is included in payments taken via secure bank transfer (ACH). If you’d like to pay for the entire retreat in full at booking, a 1% discount will be applied.
Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of Bake from Scratch.
Cancellation
Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance.
If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might otherwise be covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to travel interruptions or COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners to plan and execute a safe baking retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this baking retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel. 
We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 20 participants have signed up by April 1, 2026. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If Bake from Scratch initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments.
Have a question about this baking retreat? Email events@bakefromscratch.com.
What airport do I fly into?
We suggest booking a multicity flight that arrives at Munich Airport (MUC) and departs from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD).
Are meals included?
Three meals a day are included on the ship as a part of your registration. The ship will be parked in cities and towns several nights, so you can choose to dine off the ship those evenings. Complimentary wine and spirits are also included on board the ship.
Are children able to attend this retreat?
All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.
What should I plan to wear during baking classes and on the retreat?
For baking classes, activities, and travel, the dress is smart casual. Sneakers are recommended for standing in baking classes and walking on cobblestone streets. In Europe, athletic wear is not frequently worn. There are some nights on the ship that offer an opportunity for dressier attire, if you’d like to dress up.
Are the baking classes hands-on?
Most baking classes are hands-on, and we will also enjoy some demonstrations from pastry chefs along the way.
If I book a double-occupancy package, will the stateroom have two beds?
Double-occupancy rooms do not have two beds. If you are traveling with a friend or adult child, you can request two sets of linens on one bed.
Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers?
Our retreats are geared toward passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome. Whether you’re a beginning baker or someone who’s been baking for years, our baking classes and culinary experiences offer immersion into local baking cultures, so there’s always something everyone can learn.
Will we have any free time?
You will have some free time to relax on board or explore the cities and towns that we visit along the Danube.
I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking classes. What can they do?
We offer a baking participant plus non-baking guest package for this very reason! This package allows you to bake while your travel companion participates in Uniworld excursions or explores on their own.
To reserve your space, email events@bakefromscratch.com. You will be required to pay your deposit within 48 hours and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via Adobe Sign. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.
Interested in learning more?
Please fill out the form below and one of our event team members will reach out.
You are required to pay your deposit and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via Adobe Sign within 48 hours of receiving a confirmation email. Each person traveling in your reservation must sign this document. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.
