Christmas Market River Cruises · 2025 & 2026
Find your perfect Christmas market river cruise
Compare sailings across 8 cruise lines and 7 European rivers — then plan with a no-fee Vacation Planning Company expert. Viking & AMA Waterways are our Top Picks.
Real itineraries · Real ships · No fake prices — "from $X" or "request pricing"
Our Top Picks
Viking & AMA Waterways lead the field
We push these two lines hardest for Christmas-market cruises — but we fairly compare all eight. Here are our top-pick example sailings.
Rhine Getaway — Christmas Markets
Viking's signature Rhine Christmas sailing threads the 40-mile Middle Rhine gorge, with an included excursion at every port. The Longship's Aquavit Terrace turns into a winter lounge, and a resident historian gives daily talks. This is the most-booked Christmas-market sailing in the world.
Example pricing
from $2,499
per person · example
Danube Waltz — Christmas Markets
Viking's Danube Waltz is the classic Nuremberg-to-Budapest Christmas run, with three capital cities (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest) and a Wachau Valley transit. The Budapest arrival at night, with the Parliament lit up, is one of the great river-cruise moments.
Example pricing
from $2,599
per person · example
Christmas Markets on the Danube
AMA's Danube Christmas sailing runs the classic Nuremberg-to-Budapest route with the most generous drinks package in the business — a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour plus wine, beer, and cocktails throughout the day. The AmaSerena carries bikes and has twin-balcony cabins. A chef's table tasting menu is included at no extra charge.
Example pricing
from $2,799
per person · example
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
AMA's Rhine Christmas sailing pairs the classic Amsterdam-to-Basel route with the line's signature generosity — Sip & Sail cocktail hour, all-day drinks, and an included chef's table. The AmaSiena has twin-balcony cabins and a heated pool on the sun deck (rare in December, but welcome).
Example pricing
from $2,899
per person · example
Portraits of Southern France — Christmas
Viking's Southern France Christmas sailing explores the Rhône and Saône between Lyon and Avignon, timed for the Lyon Fête des Lumières (Dec 8). The markets here are gastronomic — truffle stalls, foie gras, and Côtes du Rhône vin chaud — and the December weather is milder than the German rivers.
Example pricing
from $2,899
per person · example
Magnificent Christmas Markets on the Danube
AMA's Magnificent Christmas Markets runs the Danube on the AmaMagna — nearly double the width of a standard river ship, with four dining venues, a cinema, and a heated pool. The 9-day itinerary includes overnights in Vienna and Budapest, so you get full evenings at both markets.
Example pricing
from $3,499
per person · example
The killer feature
The Christmas-market comparison engine
Filter 8 lines by river, length, departure month, price, ship style, what's included, and market stops. Sort by price, length, or rating. Then compare up to 3 sailings side by side — with Viking & AMA highlighted.
7 rivers
Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine & more
8 cruise lines
Viking, AMA, Tauck, Uniworld & more
25+ markets
Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Budapest…
Side-by-side
Compare up to 3 sailings at once
Browse by river
Seven rivers, seven different Christmases
Each river has its own personality — castles on the Rhine, imperial capitals on the Danube, wine villages on the Moselle.
Netherlands · Germany · France · Switzerland
River Rhine
766 mi (1,233 km)
The classic Christmas-market river — castle-crowned gorges, half-timbered towns, and the densest concentration of markets in Europe.
First-timers who want the iconic, postcard European Christmas experience.
Sailings & marketsGermany · Austria · Slovakia · Hungary
River Danube
1,777 mi (2,860 km)
The other great Christmas-market river — imperial capitals, Baroque towns, and the most sailings of any river in December.
Travelers who want capital-city grandeur and the most date options.
Sailings & marketsGermany
River Main
331 mi (527 km)
The connector between the Rhine and Danube — a quiet, storybook river of half-timbered towns and the Romantic Road.
Travelers on a longer Rhine-to-Danube sailing who want the quiet, authentic Germany.
Sailings & marketsGermany · France · Luxembourg
River Moselle
339 mi (545 km)
The wine lover's Christmas river — impossibly steep vineyards, fairytale castles, and the most picturesque market towns.
Wine lovers and travelers who prefer smaller, prettier towns over grand capitals.
Sailings & marketsFrance
River Seine
482 mi (777 km)
Paris to Normandy — French flair, gourmet markets, and a gentler, more chic Christmas feel.
Francophiles, couples, and travelers who prefer a sophisticated, food-led market experience.
Sailings & marketsFrance · Switzerland
River Rhône
505 mi (813 km)
Burgundy to Provence — food, wine, and a warmer festive season under the southern French sun.
Food and wine lovers who prefer milder December weather.
Sailings & marketsPortugal · Spain
River Douro
557 mi (897 km)
Porto's riverside markets and the port-wine estates — the warmest and least-crowded Christmas river.
Travelers who want a milder climate, smaller crowds, and a distinctly Iberian Christmas.
Sailings & marketsBrowse by market
The most magical Christmas markets in Europe
From Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt to Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik — deep-dive into 25+ market cities.
Germany
Cologne
Seven Christmas markets sit in the shadow of Cologne's UNESCO cathedral, anchored by the Cathedral Market (Dom) and the medieval Old Town market.
Late Nov – Dec 23
ExploreGermany
Nuremberg
The Christkindlesmarkt is the world's most famous Christmas market, set in Nuremberg's medieval main square and dating back to the mid-1600s.
Late Nov – Dec 24
ExploreAustria
Vienna
Vienna hosts three major Christmas markets: the vast Rathausplatz, the baroque Schönbrunn, and the cultural Belvedere — all framed by imperial architecture.
Mid-Nov – Dec 26
ExploreHungary
Budapest
Budapest's Vörösmarty Square market is the eastern anchor of most Danube Christmas sailings, set against the illuminated Parliament and Chain Bridge.
Mid-Nov – Jan 1
ExploreFrance
Strasbourg
Strasbourg, the self-proclaimed 'Capital of Christmas,' hosts France's oldest market (since 1570) across its UNESCO old town.
Late Nov – Dec 30
ExploreGermany
Regensburg
Regensburg's Romantic Christmas Market sits in the medieval Neupfarrplatz, in a UNESCO old town with the world's oldest sausage kitchen (since 1146).
Late Nov – Dec 23
ExploreGermany
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim's Christmas Market of Nations lines the Drosselgasse with stalls from 25+ countries, in a Rhine-gorge wine town famous for Riesling.
Late Nov – Dec 23
ExploreAustria
Salzburg
Salzburg's Christmas markets sit in baroque squares in Mozart's birthplace — and the 'Silent Night' chapel is a short trip away in Oberndorf.
Late Nov – Dec 26
ExploreCruise line profiles
Eight lines, fairly compared
Viking and AMA Waterways are our featured Top Picks. We also compare Riverside, Tauck, Avalon, Uniworld, Scenic, and Emerald.
Viking River Cruises
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking revolutionized European river cruising with its fleet of identical, award-winning Longships. The Christmas-market season is one of their signatures: a daily excursion is included at every port, beer and wine flow free at lunch and dinner, and the Aquavit Terrace turns into a cozy winter lounge. The itinerary is packed but unhurried, with a resident historian and an included excursion in every stop.
from $2,499
per person · example
AMA Waterways
The heart of the river.
AMA Waterways is a family-run line known for generosity: a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour before dinner every night, premium wine and beer throughout the day, and a chef's table restaurant included at no extra charge. Their Christmas sailings lean into the festive — gingerbread decorating, Glühwein tastings, and a special holiday menu. The AmaMagna on the Danube is nearly double the width of a standard river ship, with more lounge and dining space.
from $2,799
per person · example
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Luxury, redefined on the river.
Riverside took over the former Crystal river ships and re-launched them as a genuinely all-inclusive luxury product. Nearly every excursion is included, drinks flow all day, gratuities are covered, and the service ratio is among the highest on the rivers. Christmas sailings feel intimate and refined — fewer passengers, more space, and a butler-style cabin service on the top suites.
Request pricing
per person · example
Tauck River Cruising
All-inclusive, done right.
Tauck brings its land-tour pedigree to the rivers with a genuinely all-inclusive model: all excursions, all drinks, all gratuities, and a Tauck Director on every departure. Ships are among the newest and lowest-density on the rivers, with a scarcity of suites relative to standard cabins. Christmas sailings emphasize behind-the-scenes access — private evening market visits, exclusive concerts in Vienna.
Request pricing
per person · example
Avalon Waterways
See the world differently.
Avalon's signature is the Suite Ship: cabins with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide open to turn your whole stateroom into a balcony. They pioneered the 'choose your excursion' model — classic, active, and discovery options at most ports. Christmas sailings often bundle a hotel night in Prague or Budapest, which adds value.
from $2,399
per person · example
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No two ships alike.
Uniworld is the design house of river cruising — every ship is bespoke, from hand-carved Venetian headboards to curated art collections. The product is genuinely all-inclusive: premium spirits, every excursion, gratuities, even a complimentary bike and walking-stick fleet. Christmas sailings are sumptuous — themed dinners, a vegan menu, and Masterpiece Collection optional experiences.
Request pricing
per person · example
Scenic Luxury River Cruises
All-inclusive to the finest detail.
Scenic's calling card is the 'Scenic Sun Lounge' — a balcony that, at the push of a button, transforms into an enclosed, climate-controlled sunroom, so you can enjoy the river in any December weather. Every guest gets butler service, every excursion and meal is included, and the line carries an e-bike fleet. Christmas sailings feature a festive chef's table and Scenic Freechoice excursions at every port.
Request pricing
per person · example
Emerald Cruises
The smart way to sail.
Emerald is Scenic's value brand, sharing the same ship engineering — including the indoor 'pool' that converts to a cinema by night — at a lower price point. Inclusions are lighter (drinks at dinner, some excursions), so it's a good fit for travelers who want a modern ship and plan to explore markets independently. Christmas sailings have a relaxed, casual feel.
from $2,199
per person · example
Deals & specials
Current Christmas-market offers
Easy-to-edit specials from all 8 lines. All offers are examples — confirm current availability with a VPC expert.
Viking Early Booking — up to $1,000 off + free flights
Book your Viking Christmas-market sailing early and save up to $1,000 per couple, plus complimentary international flights.
discountAMA Waterways — 2-for-1 cruise fare + free drinks
AMA's signature 2-for-1 cruise fare on select Christmas departures, with the all-inclusive drinks package included.
perkTauck — Free pre-cruise hotel night
Tauck includes a complimentary pre-cruise hotel night in Prague or Amsterdam on select Danube and Rhine Christmas departures.
creditUniworld — Past-guest cash-back credit
Returning Uniworld guests receive a per-cabin cash-back credit on Christmas-market sailings.
depositScenic — Flexible deposit & risk-free hold
Scenic offers a reduced, refundable deposit and a flexible final-payment window on Christmas-market departures.
perkAvalon — Solo traveler single-supplement waiver
Avalon waives the single supplement on a limited number of cabins for solo travelers on select Christmas departures.
Plan with a no-fee expert
You pay the same as booking direct — and you get a dedicated U.S. expert who knows the rivers, ships, and markets, can stack every available offer, and is one phone call away if anything goes wrong. No service fees, ever.
Or call us at (800) 555-0142 · Mon–Fri 9am–8pm ET