Leaving home for the holidays can be a hard. For some it feels like you are leaving behind tradition, family and friends, all of which seems unthinkable. I was one of those people – until I did my first Christmas Markets cruise.
The year was 2010, and I was a mere 14 years old. I had done only one other river cruise, and that was on the Mekong. So not only was this my first Christmas Markets cruise, but also my first river cruise in Europe.
AmaBella docked along the Rhine. © Britton Frost
While it was hard to say goodbye to most of my immediate family and my lifelong Christmas traditions, I knew that taking a Christmas cruise on the Rhine was going to be a wonderful opportunity. The snowcapped villages, charming markets, and cheerful locals awaited me, and I was ready to take it all in.
Christmas Markets – like this one in Vienna, Austria – are all about unique crafts, local food and traditions. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders
Shortly after boarding AmaBella, I knew that the journey ahead was going to be a memorable one. Everyone on the ship seemed to adopt the Christmas mentality to “eat, drink, and be merry.” There were many late nights spent in the lounge where we danced, shared stories about our own holiday traditions back home, sang, and more.
New friends made aboard AmaBella. © Britton Frost
It is hard to say what stood out more – the beautiful towns and markets that we visited on this trip, or the time spent aboard with my fellow passengers. Both complemented each other so well. In fact, a large group of us made sure that we were in the same tour group for most excursions so that we didn’t have to part ways throughout the day.
This was easily my favorite river cruise that I have ever taken, but enough about my Christmas cruise, let’s take a look at pricing as well as some of the Christmas Market itineraries offered in 2023 so that you can choose a sailing to give you the same wonderful experience that I had.
AmaWaterways
Christmas Markets On The Danube – 7-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Vilshofen, Germany
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Weissenkirchen, Melk, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Vilshofen
Christmas Markets On The Rhine – 7-nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
Stops in: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
Overnights in: Amsterdam
Iconic Christmas Markets – 7-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Austria, Germany, Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas) – 7-nights from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Countries visited: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
Stops in: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Basel
Overnights in: Amsterdam and Basel
Grand Danube Cruise (Christmas) – 14-nights from Vilshofen, Germany to Giurgiu, Romania
Countries visited: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey
Stops in: Vilshofen, Passau, Linz, Wiessenkirchen, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Mohacs, Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Golubac, Vidin, Rousse, Bucharest, Giurgiu
Overnights in: Vilshofen and Budapest
Gems of Southeast Europe (Christmas) – 7-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Giurgiu, Romania
Countries visited: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
Stops in: Budapest, Mohacs, Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Golubac, Vidin, Rousse, Giurgiu
Overnights in: Budapest
Majestic Capitals on the Danube – 5-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria
Countries visited: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna
Overnights in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna
Avalon Waterways
Christmastime From Nuremberg To Basel – 9-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: Germany, France, Switzerland
Stops in: Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
Overnights in: Nuremberg
Festive Season On The Legendary Danube – 7-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Germany
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Linz, Regensburg, Nuremberg
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg
Christmastime On The Danube – 6-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Vienna, Austria
Countries visited: Austria and Germany
Stops in: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna
Overnights in: Nuremberg and Vienna
Christmastime In Alsace & Germany – 4-nights from Basel, Switzerland to Frankfurt, Germany
Countries visited: Switzerland, Germany, France
Stops in: Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Heidelberg, Frankfurt
No overnights.
Festive Season On The Romantic Rhine – 7-nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland
Stops in: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Mainz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
Overnights in: Amsterdam
CroisiEurope
Christmas Markets In Alsace – 3-nights roundtrip from Strasbourg, France
Countries visited: France
Stops in: Strasbourg and Colmar
Overnights in: Strasbourg
Christmas in Alsace and Show at the Royal Palace – 3-nights roundtrip from Strasbourg, France
Countries visited: France
Stops in: Strasbourg, Potter Villages, Kirrwiller
Overnights in: Strasbourg
A Bountiful Christmas in Alsace and the Black Forest – 3-nights roundtrip from Strasbourg, France
Countries visited: France, Germany
Stops in: Strasbourg, Breisach, Freiburg, Colmar
Overnights in: Strasbourg and Breisach
Magical Christmas Extravaganzas in Alsace and Switzerland Along the Rhine – 3-nights from Strasbourg, France to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: France, Germany, Switzerland
Stops in: Strasbourg, Breisach, Riquewihr, Colmar, Basel
Overnights in: Basel
Alsatian Christmas Traditions and Navigation in the Heart of Strasbourg – 3-nights roundtrip from Strasbourg, France
Countries visited: France
Stops in: Strasbourg, Eguisheim, Obernai
Overnights in: Strasbourg
Emerald Cruises
Christmas Markets On The Rhine – 4-nights from Frankfurt, Germany to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: Germany, France, Switzerland
Stops in: Frankfurt, Mainz, Rastatt, Kehl, Breisach, Basel
No overnights.
Christmas Markets On The Rhine – 7-nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland
Countries visited: Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland
Stops in: Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg, Kehl, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
Overnights in: Amsterdam
Christmas Time On The Danube – 4-nights from Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria
Stops in: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Overnights in: Vienna and Budapest
Christmas Markets on the Danube – 7-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Munich, Germany
Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Durnstein, Passau, Regensburg, Munich
Overnights in: Budapest and Regensburg
Christmas Markets of Europe – 14-nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Stops in: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Kelheim, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Overnights in: Amsterdam and Budapest
Riviera
Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets – 4-nights roundtrip from Cologne, Germany
Countries visited: Germany
Stops in: Cologne, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Bonn
Overnights in: Cologne
Christmas on the Rhine – 7-nights roundtrip from Cologne, Germany
Countries visited: Germany
Stops in: Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Boppard
Overnights in: Cologne
The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets – 5-nights roundtrip from Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna
Overnights in: Budapest
Christmas on the Danube – 7-nights roundtrip from Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria
Stops in: Budapest, Esztergom, Bratislava, Melk, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna
Overnights in: Budapest
Scenic
Danube Christmas Markets – 7-nights from Munich, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic
Stops in: Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, Durnstein, Melk, Vienna, Budapest
Overnights in: Budapest and Vienna
Rhine Christmas Markets – 7-nights from Zurich, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Countries visited: Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland
Stops in: Zurich, Basel, Kehl, Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, Mannheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Amsterdam
Overnights in: Amsterdam
Christmas Markets – 14-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Germany, Netherlands
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Salzburg, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam
Christmas & New Year – 14-nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Germany, Netherlands
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Salzburg, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam
Overnights in: Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam
Uniworld
European Holiday Markets – 7-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Vienna, Austria
Countries visited: Germany and Austria
Stops in: Nuremberg, Roth, Regensburg, Deggendorf, Passau, Linz, Durnstein, Vienna
Overnights in: Nuremberg and Vienna
Rhine Holiday Markets – 7-nights from Basel, Switzerland to Cologne, Germany
Countries visited: Switzerland, France, Germany
Stops in: Basel, Kehl, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Baden-Baden, Mainz, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne
Overnights in: Basel and Cologne
Classic Christmas Markets – 7-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Frankfurt, Germany
Countries visited: Germany
Stops in: Nuremberg, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Rothenburg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt
Overnights in: Nuremberg, Wurzburg, Frankfurt
Danube Holiday Markets – 7-nights from Budapest, Hungary to Passau, Germany
Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Melk, Linz, Salzburg, Passau
Overnights in: Budapest and Passau
Grand Christmas & New Years – 12-nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Germany
Stops in: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Deggendorf, Passau, Linz, Salzburg, Durnstein, Vienna, Budapest
Overnights in: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna, Budapest
Enchanting Christmas & New Year’s Cruise – 10-nights from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Germany
Stops in: Passau, Linz, Salzburg, Oberndorf, Grein, Melk, Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Belgian Holiday Markets – 7-nights roundtrip Brussels, Belgium
Countries visited: Netherlands, Belgium
Stops in: Brussels, Ghent, Hasselt, Maastricht, Antwerp, Brussels
Overnights in: Brussels, Antwerp
Viking River Cruises
Christmas on the Danube – 7-nights from Regensburg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Vienna, Krems, Passau, Regensburg
Overnights in: Budapest, Regensburg
Danube Christmas Delights – 7-nights from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Linz, Passau
Overnights in: Budapest, Passau
Christmas on the Rhine – 7-nights from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Countries visited: Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands
Stops in: Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Amsterdam
No overnights.
Paris To The Swiss Alps – 7-nights roundtrip Paris, France
Countries visited: France
Stops in: Paris, Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Les Andelys
Overnights in: Paris
Christmas Along The Elbe – 9-nights from Berlin, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic
Countries visited: Germany, Czech Republic
Stops in: Berlin, Potsdam, Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden, Bad Schandau, Prague
Overnights in: Berlin, Wittenberg, Prague
2023 Rhine River Christmas Markets Cruise Pricing
| AmaWaterways | Avalon | Emerald | Riviera | Scenic | Uniworld | Viking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | AmaSiena | Panorama | TBD | Oscar Wilde | TBD | Antoinette | Kara |
| Rate | $3,499 | $3,499 | TBD | $2,879 | TBD | $3,599 | $2,799 |
| Sailing Date | November 30, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | TBD | December 21, 2023 | TBD | November 25, 2023 | December 6, 2023 |
| Nights | 7 | 7 | TBD | 7 | TBD | 7 | 7 |
| Itinerary | Christmas Markets On The Rhine | Festive Time On The Romantic Rhine | TBD | The Rhine At Christmas | TBD | Rhine Holiday Markets | Christmas On The Rhine |
| Embark-disembark | Basel-Amsterdam | Amsterdam-Basel | TBD | Cologne-Cologne | TBD | Basel-Cologne | Amsterdam-Basel |
| Cabin Category | Category E | Category D,E | TBD | Emerald Deck Suite | TBD | Classic | Standard F |
| Square Footage | 160 | 172 | TBD | 183 | TBD | 163 | 150 |
| Room With A View? | Window | Window | TBD | Window | TBD | Window | Window |
| Per diem | $437 | $437 | TBD | $360 | TBD | $450 | $350 |
| Port Charges | $26.25 | $25 | TBD | Included | TBD | $25 | Included |
| Gratuities (on ship) | $18 | $18 | TBD | $18 | TBD | Included | $18 |
| Gratuities (on shore) | $2.50 | Included | TBD | $2.50 | TBD | Included | $2.50 |
| Beverages | Included | Included | TBD | $22.71 | TBD | Included | included* |
| Laundry | $3 | $3 | TBD | $3 | TBD | Included | $3 |
| Shore Excursions | Included | Included | TBD | Included | TBD | Included | included |
| Current Incentive | N/A | $750 | TBD | N/A | TBD | N/A | $500 |
| Value of Incentive | N/A | $94 | TBD | N/A | TBD | N/A | $71 |
| True Per Diem | $487 | $389 | TBD | $406 | TBD | $475 | $302 |
| Per Diem/Square Foot | $3.04 | $2.26 | TBD | $2.22 | TBD | $2.91 | $2.01 |
| Balcony Upgrade | $1,699 | $1,349 | TBD | $690 | TBD | $1,800 | SOLD OUT |
| Balcony Per Diem | $700 | $558 | TBD | $492 | TBD | $700 | SOLD OUT |
| Upgrade sq footage | 210 | 200 | TBD | 183 | TBD | 196 | N/A |
| Upgrade sq foot per diem | $3.33 | $2.79 | TBD | $2.69 | TBD | $3.28 | N/A |
| Updated 11/30/2022 |
2023 Danube River Christmas Markets Cruise Pricing
NOTE THAT OUR PRICING CHARTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED FOR 2024
| AmaWaterways | Avalon | Emerald | Riviera | Scenic | Uniworld | Viking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | AmaBella | Artistry II | TBD | William Wordsworth | TBD | S.S. Maria Theresa | Jarl |
| Rate | $3,499 | $3,242 | TBD | $2,719 | TBD | $3,899 | $2,799 |
| Sailing Date | December 4, 2023 | December 3, 2023 | TBD | December 22, 2023 | TBD | December 2, 2023 | December 3, 2023 |
| Nights | 7 | 6 | TBD | 7 | TBD | 7 | 7 |
| Itinerary | Christmas Markets On The Danube | Christmastime On The Danube | TBD | The Danube At Christmas | TBD | Danube Holiday Markets | Danube Waltz |
| Embark-Disembark | Vilshofen-Budapest | Nuremberg-Vienna | TBD | Budapest-Budapest | TBD | Budapest-Passau | Regensburg-Budabest |
| Cabin Category | Category E | Deluxe Stateroom | TBD | Emerald Deck Suite | TBD | Classic | Standard F |
| Square Footage | 170 | 172 | TBD | 172 | TBD | 162 | 150 |
| Room With A View? | Window | Window | TBD | Window | TBD | Window | Window |
| Per diem | $437 | $463 | TBD | $388 | TBD | $557 | $350 |
| Port Charges | $26 | $28 | TBD | Included | TBD | $25.00 | Included |
| Gratuities (on ship) | $18 | $18 | TBD | $18 | TBD | Included | $18.00 |
| Gratuities (on shore) | $2.50 | Included | TBD | $2.50 | TBD | Included | $2.50 |
| Beverages | Included | Included | TBD | $22.71 | TBD | Included | Included* |
| Laundry | $3 | $3 | TBD | $3 | TBD | Included | $3 |
| Shore Excursions | Included | Included | TBD | Included | TBD | Included | Included |
| Current Incentive | N/A | $750 | TBD | N/A | TBD | N/A | N/A |
| Value of Incentive | N/A | $107 | TBD | N/A | TBD | N/A | N/A |
| True Per Diem | $487 | $405 | TBD | $435 | TBD | $582 | $373 |
| Per Diem/Square Foot | $2.86 | $2.35 | TBD | $2.53 | TBD | $3.59 | $2.49 |
| Balcony Upgrade | $1,699 | $986 | TBD | $700 | TBD | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Balcony Per Diem | $699 | $569 | TBD | $522 | TBD | $782 | $523 |
| Upgrade Square Footage | 210 | 200 | TBD | 183 | TBD | 194 | 205 |
| Upgrade Square Foot Per Diem | $3.33 | $2.85 | TBD | $2.85 | TBD | $4.03 | $4.03 |
| updated 11/30/2022 |
Breaking away from my family traditions and going on a Christmas Markets cruise was an extremely rewarding experience. So rewarding, in fact, that I hope my Christmas cruise this year starts a tradition of its own. I encourage everyone who is thinking about taking a Christmas cruise to do so. Trust me, the magic of Christmas is felt just as easily across the Atlantic as it is back home.
I’m a little surprised that I don’t see Vantage Deluxe World Travel company in listing of river cruise companys doing the Christmas Markets
Please note it took us two years to get our covid cancelled cruise money, $14,000, back from Vantage.
This is an EXCELLENT summary of Christmas Market river cruises and comparison of cruise lines pricing. VERY HELPFUL reference tool. I have no need to share the entire document in any manner. But, it would be helpful if I could share the section, for example, AmaWaterways and the descriptions of its offerings by name, countries visited, stops and overnights. It would be helpful to the customer in choosing the best river cruise. Is this permissible? By no means do I want to reproduce even a section without permission. Your response would be much appreciated.
Feel free to use this however you need to, just be sure to credit us. 🙂
I so wish what will happen come November 2021….we are scheduled on the Crystal Raval November 10-17. My gut says it won’t happen…the Christmas Market River Cruise sounds wonderful as well. Thanks for opening my thoughts to this alternative!
Sixty years married. To celebrate we want a Christmas river cruise in Nov-Dec 2010
Hi there. We just booked viking nuremberg to Budapest during first week of December 2020. Your podcast mentioned that viking doesn’t do a christmas cruise like the others but allows you to still visit the markets. Is there any other differences and will we miss out anything on this trip that others would do differently?
Thank you
Not really Bobby. The Christmas markets are the stars of the show. Walk yourself into town (or transfer) and enjoy the coziness of the holidays. I hope you get snow, though I realize your cruise is a year away.