DANUBE CHRISTMAS MARKETS RIVER EDUCRUISE 2025
CREDIT UNION LEADERSHIP FORUM 2025
November 29 – December 5, 2025
Sailing: Vienna Austria – Nuremburg Germany
Avalon Waterways River Cruises – ‘AVALON EXPRESSION’
Explore Critical Issues Impacting Your Success as a Leader:
Join CU EduCruises on this unique voyage as you cruise the legendary Danube River and visit the European Christmastime Markets. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® Expression in the magical capital city of Vienna. Vienna is home to the sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. After exploring the magnificent Vienna Christmas Markets, cruise through the wintery landscape of the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Here, you will tour the magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries where monks still stroll amidst the sacred walls. Visit Passau, Germany and explore the city’s charming Christmas market set against the breathtaking backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Regensburg where you can take a guided tour of the Old Town, savor traditional sausages at Historiche Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants and enjoy a tasting of German beers. Learn about Christmas traditions as you cruise to Nuremberg. Visit its medieval fortifications and gothic churches. Visit Old Town as its illuminated with festive lights and decorations, and the Christmas market has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, such as Lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), Glühwein (mulled wine), and unique decorations and ornaments. A unique holiday river cruise journey which offers the chance to savor the views, smells, and tastes of centuries-old Christmas markets and explore historical medieval sites...a fantastic way to kick-off the holiday season! Board this Credit Union EduCruise to attend one of the most interesting educational events you’ve participated in! Board this EduCruise to benchmark your critical thinking, examine new leadership skills and prepare for those seen and unseen changes that threaten your success as a leader!
CREDIT UNION TOPICS WE WILL NAVIGATE
This EduCruise is packed with useful information, focused around these key strategic areas of discussion:
- Leadership Principles for Today’s Credit Union Volunteer
- The Future Needs of Today’s and Tomorrow’s Boards & Committees
- Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way
- Learning from Other’s Mistakes: When Bad Things Happen to Good Credit Leaders
- Open Forum: Let’s Discuss Those Key Issues That Keep You Up at Night
- And Much More …
BENEFITS FOR YOU & YOUR CREDIT UNION:
- Free consultation with our on-board industry leaders
- Discuss proven volunteer recruitment strategies
- Hear about new leadership methods
- Share with other CU volunteers and management staff from around the country
- Create a game-plan for leadership success
- Discuss new methods for dealing with leadership change
- Find solutions to problems your CU faces
All Sessions are very interactive. Questions, discussion, and exchange of ideas are highly encouraged.
Because river conditions constantly change, the meeting schedule and location will be communicated each evening by the onboard EduCruise Host.
DISCUSSION LEADERS
Tony Robinson is President & Founder of Credit Union EduCruises, a credit union conference/cruise and training organization located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tony has presented credit union educational sessions in numerous states across America, and also in 17 countries around the world. His sessions include such topics as Credit Union Leadership, Board/CEO Communication, Creating World Class Member Service, Understanding Why Some Credit Unions Fail, Credit Union Board/Management Succession Planning, and much more. Tony is known for his fast-paced, creative and fun presentation style!
Before founding Credit Union EduCruises, Tony had leadership positions with the CUNA Mutual Group, Tennessee Credit Union League, EPL Software & Data Processing, and two large credit unions. He was also the Founder of Masterful Events, Inc., a credit union training and consulting company.
Tony has a BS Degree in Business from the University of South Alabama. He is also a graduate of the Southeast CUNA Management School and the CUNA Graduate Management School.
ABOUT THE SHIP
The award-winning ‘Avalon Expression’ offers the ultimate in custom-designed luxury. This 150-passenger vessel features a combination of amenities and design details never before seen on the great waterways of Europe. Featuring an impressive range of stateroom categories, dining options and public lounges, ‘Avalon Expression’ will transport you on the river cruise of a lifetime during the most magical time of the year!
Begin with a sophisticated and stylish setting. Toss in a cheerful atmosphere. Add sumptuous cuisine, wonderful regional wines and attentive service; then sprinkle in gorgeous views. The result — an outstanding dining experience. The expert chefs create culinary masterpieces that highlight regional cultures and traditions. For those lessadventurous, amazing American dishes are always available each day! Early Risers enjoy breakfast in the Main lounge while a full buffet breakfast with made-to-order specialties, accompanied by freshly-baked breads and pastries is served from 7am daily. At lunch, you’ll find an enticing buffet laden with fresh salads, pasta dishes, hot entrees, and desserts, as well as meals to order from the menu; Dinner is a multi-course affair, accompanied by free-flowing wines and beer.
Every lunch and dinner on board includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. In Europe, complimentary sparkling wine is also served with breakfast. Every evening, there will be a special Networking Hour, which will include complimentary adult beverages. There is a full service bar that offers a wide variety of spirits most of the day and well into the night. 
Enjoy a wide array of music and song from local entertainers brought aboard the ship several evenings. Dance away the night while enjoying your favorite tune played by our onboard musician. The complimentary Small Group Shore Excursions will take you into the heart of our destination, visiting its most famous landmarks as well as its hidden gems. You’ll find an intensive and immersive introduction to the culture and heritage of the region you are visiting. With Avalon Waterways, there is no waiting in line to visit famous landmarks, no getting lost as your bus drops you off within walking distance from your tour, and no language barrier as all Avalon staff & guides speak English. SCHEDULE
Day 1: Saturday, November 29, 2025 –Welcome to Vienna Austria. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Meal: Dinner
Day 2: Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Vienna: Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years. This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. Ovenight cruise to Melk. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Monday, December 1, 2025 – Melk-Grein: Today, take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings. Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein. Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances. Overnight cruise to Passau. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – Passau: Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Later spend some free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of ‘The Sound of Music’, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, ‘Silent Night’. Evening/Overnight cruise to Regensburg. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Regensburg: Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—entrance to the Castra Regina fortress, built in 179 AD. Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. Evening/Overnight cruise to Nuremberg. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Nuremberg: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich. Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt. Overnight docking in Nuremberg. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, December 5, 2025 – Nuremberg: Disembarkation. After breakfast, transfer to the airport from your ship for home. Meals: Breakfast
(NOTE) - Daily Itinerary is subject to change. In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary. Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent to weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
ROOM CHOICES:
RATES
- Category B Cabin: $5,500.00 per person, double occupancy (French Balcony)
- Category A Cabin: $5,589.00 per person, double occupancy (French Balcony)
- Category P Cabin: $5633.00 per person, double occupancy (French Balcony)
WHAT YOUR RATE INCLUDES:
Deluxe 6-night Avalon River Cruise on the beautiful ‘Avalon Expression’ includes:
- Complimentary pre-paid gratuities to your shipboard staff, cruise director and coach drivers
- All meals onboard the ship with Chef-inspired regional recipes to include:
- Daily four-course à la carte dinner in the main dining room
- Daily breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
- Daily lunch with pasta or carving stations
- Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch & dinner included daily onboard
- Included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails, and drink of the day
- Daily Excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
- Luxuriously appointed river view staterooms with hotel beds, hair dryer, safe and flat-screen TV with satellite for complimentary movie and entertainment options
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings and premium lounges
- Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate, and premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
- Remarkable service from your English-speaking crew and onboard cruise director
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Airline flights, airline luggage fees, transfers in destination, travel insurance, gratuities for airport porters, optional excursions, medical services, or any personal items.
OPTIONAL:
- Airport transfers are $55.00 per person each direction and are offered only on the trip arrival and return dates 6:30 am – 3:30 pm. A flight itinerary will be required to add transfers.
- Insurance: For peace of mind, we recommend purchasing travel protection insurance. Your travel advisor can discuss options with you, including medical expense coverage, pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers, trip cancellation, trip delay, lost, delayed, or damaged baggage and more. To cover pre-existing conditions, most policies must be purchased within 14 days of making your initial deposit. Travel protection insurance prices are based on your age and the trip cost.
EDUCRUISE FORUM PARTICIPANT RATE:
- $1,950.00 registration fee for the forum participant if paid by credit card (not each person)
- $1,750.00 registration fee for the forum participant if paid by check
- $250.00 Early Bird Forum Discount if paid prior to September 1, 2024
- $150.00 Early Bird Forum Discount if paid prior to December 1, 2024
- $50.00 Early Bird Forum Discount if paid prior to March 1, 2025
NEED TO KNOW:
- Initial Non-Refundable Deposit: $400.00 per person
- Final Payment: No later than August 15, 2025
- Requirements: A valid US passport is necessary with a minimum validity of 6 months from date of return
CANCELLATION PENALTIES:
- From date of deposit to August 15, 2025 - Initial deposit of $400.00 per person
- August 16 – September 19, 2025 - 50% package price cancellation fee
- September 20 – October 24, 2025 - 75% package price cancellation fee
- October 25, 2025 to 0 days prior to travel - No refunds
Fox World Cancellation Fee of $100.00 per reservation will apply in addition to any Fox Group Vacation or vendor cancellation penalties. If booked through Fox World Travel, air tickets are non-refundable once ticketed.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact our FOX World Travel Team at:
educruises@foxworldtravel.com
Toll Free: 1-888-367-2571