Kelheim

Nestled on the Danube, Kelheim stands out among cruise ports for its intimate scale, dramatic Bavarian backdrop, and the door it opens to two of central Europe's most storied landscapes. Instead of crowded terminals, visitors step into a gateway where time slows and local hospitality shines. Signature experiences begin just steps from the quay: a scenic waterway cruise through the Donaudurchbruch, the Danube gorge carved in limestone, culminating at the historic Weltenburg Abbey, where a beer garden perched above the river offers a toast to the day. From Kelheim, guests can stroll to Regensburg's UNESCO-listed lanes or embark on curated excursions that blend ancient town walls, Roman history, and markets bursting with Bavarian specialties. The port's compact footprint keeps embarkation seamless, while the fleet features are distinctly river-cruise: intimate ships carrying a few dozen to a couple of hundred guests, all with panoramic lounges, outside cabins, and breezy sundecks that invite sunset vistas over the Bavarian countryside. Onboard services emphasize soulful German hospitality -- local culinary delights, knowledgeable guides, and immersive enrichment programs -- so guests taste the region as they sail. Kelheim's position as an official port on the Danube makes it a premium launchpad for itineraries that feel authentically regional, with easy access to exclusive shore experiences, comfortable transit, and memories that outlast larger ports.