Cruise industry trends show new Danube hiking tours and rising destination taxes

nicko cruises has announced a new hiking-themed river cruise along the Danube, scheduled for 2027. Operating from the ship Bolero, the eight-day journeys will run in both spring and autumn, traveling between Passau and various destinations including Krems, Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna. The tours focus on nature and guided walks through regions such as the Wachau and the Vienna Woods, catering to small groups of up to 20 people.

In broader industry trends, ÖAMTC reports that cruises remain popular among Austrian travelers due to the convenience of visiting multiple destinations without frequent hotel changes. However, travelers are increasingly facing additional costs. Several destinations have implemented or increased tourism and infrastructure levies for cruise passengers. For example, Iceland introduced an infrastructure fee in early 2025, Greece has implemented fees for passengers disembarking in certain ports, and Mexico increased its tourism tax for cruise guests in August 2026.