By river
River Moselle
The wine lover's Christmas river — impossibly steep vineyards, fairytale castles, and the most picturesque market towns.
Germany · France · Luxembourg · 339 mi (545 km)
Looking for a 2026 Christmas sailing on the Moselle?
Start with the 2026 itineraries we checked, then let an advisor reconfirm the cabin and fare.
The route
Sailing the Moselle
The Moselle is the Rhine's quieter, prettier, wine-soaked cousin. It winds through the world's steepest vineyards and storybook towns like Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and Trier (Germany's oldest city). Christmas-market sailings on the Moselle are usually combined with the Rhine — a Rhine & Moselle itinerary gives you the grandeur of Cologne and the intimacy of Bernkastel in one trip. The river is narrow and winding, so ships are smaller and the pace is slower.
Cozy and vinicultural — Riesling glühwein, vineyard-backed markets, and candle-lit streets.
Best for
Wine lovers and travelers who prefer smaller, prettier towns over grand capitals.
Best months
December
Market vibe
Cozy and vinicultural — Riesling glühwein, vineyard-backed markets, and candle-lit streets.
The ports
The markets along the Moselle
From Cochem to Koblenz — every market town on a typical Moselle Christmas sailing.
Germany
Cochem
Cochem's Reichsburg Castle towers over a half-timbered Moselle wine town whose Advent market fills the medieval marketplace.
Typical season: Advent weekends
ExploreGermany
Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues' medieval Marktplatz, framed by half-timbered houses, hosts a romantic Advent market in the heart of Moselle Riesling country.
Typical season: Advent weekends
ExploreGermany
Trier
Trier, founded by the Romans in 16 BC, hosts a Christmas market on its medieval Hauptmarkt beside a UNESCO Romanesque cathedral.
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 23
ExploreGermany
Koblenz
Koblenz sits at the Deutsches Eck, where the Moselle meets the Rhine, with a Christmas market and a cable car to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress.
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 23
ExploreExample sailings
Best Moselle Christmas sailings
0 example itineraries from the lines that run the Moselle. All are real, published routes — pricing is "from" per person and labeled example.
Example sailings coming soon — ask an expert for current Moselle options.
The operators
Which lines sail the Moselle?
4 cruise lines run Christmas-market sailings on the Moselle. Viking and AmaWaterways are our Top Picks.
Viking River Cruises
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking's European river cruises combine Scandinavian-style interiors with destination-focused touring. Fares include one shore excursion per port, onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and port taxes. Enrichment lectures and destination performances add context to the journey. Ships and layouts vary by river; compare the actual vessel and cabin rather than assuming every Longship is identical.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
AmaWaterways
The heart of the river.
AmaWaterways is a family-owned line known for food-forward dining, several excursion styles, and active choices such as hiking and biking. On European sailings, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; The Chef's Table is included at no extra charge. Its Christmas-market itineraries combine guided touring with time to explore independently. AmaMagna offers an especially spacious Danube experience, while the wider fleet gives travelers a useful range of ship and cabin styles.
Our score
4.7Request pricing
per person · example
Avalon Waterways
See the world differently.
Avalon's signature Panorama Suites have wall-to-wall windows that open into the room, with the bed positioned toward the passing view. Avalon Choice offers Classic, Active, and Discovery sightseeing on selected days, while FlexDining removes fixed seating and fixed dinner times. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner, soft drinks are available throughout the day, and European Suite Ships include Wi-Fi.
Our score
4.3from $2,947
per person · example
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No two ships alike.
Uniworld is known for individually designed ships, detailed interiors, and broad inclusions. Many drinks, scheduled excursions, and onboard gratuities are included, while selected Masterpiece Collection experiences cost extra. Check the exact vessel and departure for the current inclusion list.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
Explore more
The other six rivers
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 & 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 & marketsReady when you are
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