By Beth Erskine | 10 Oct 2024
Discover Christmas markets, fairytale landscapes and the chance to enjoy Christmas on a festive river ship with these hand-picked Christmas cruise suggestions
1. Viking – Christmas on the Seine
Embark on a 7-night Christmas cruise through Normandy, savouring the aromas of mulled wine and chestnuts. Explore the festive markets and charm of Paris, Vernon, and Rouen. In Paris, you’ll stroll past the festive decor of iconic fashion houses like Chanel and Hermès on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and admire the dazzling displays at Galeries Lafayette before sailing through Normandy’s snow-covered landscapes and fairytale villages.
How to book
7-night round trip cruise from Paris on Viking Radgrid, departing 17 December 2024, from £3,195pp. Find out more at the Viking website.
2. AmaWaterways – Gems of South East Europe Christmas Cruise
This Danube Christmas cruise from Budapest to Giurgiu will give you a chance to enjoy the holiday festivities of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Discover magical medieval towns, sample centuries-old wines from Roman-era vineyards, and savour seasonal treats at Winterfest in Novi Sad, Serbia’s oldest Christmas market.
How to book
7-night cruise from Budapest to Giurgiu on AmaBella, departing 16 December 2024, from £3,310pp. Find out more at the AmaWaterways website.
3. Riviera Travel – Christmas on the Danube
Embark on an enchanting 7-night Christmas cruise along the Danube, exploring Esztergom, Bratislava, Melk, Salzburg or Linz, Vienna, and Budapest. Delight in 6 guided tours featuring highlights such as Esztergom Basilica, Melk Abbey, and Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Savour festive treats at Yuletide markets, indulge in a Christmas Day Gala dinner, and enjoy onboard entertainment, including a live classical quartet recital and a Hungarian folklore show.
How to book
7-night cruise round-trip from Budapest on MS Riviera Radiance, departing 21 December 2025 from £2,089pp. Find out more at the Riviera Travel website.
4. Scenic – Rhine Christmas Markets
On this buzzy cruise you’ll explore the enchanting city of Strasbourg, visit the spa town of Baden-Baden renowned for its Roman Baths, and tour the historic Heidelberg Castle. Cruise through the fairytale-like Rhine Gorge, a World Heritage site abound in myths and legends. Wander through Cologne’s festive Christmas markets and discover Amsterdam’s charming canals and cobblestone lanes, lined with boutiques and cafes.
How to book
7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on Scenic Amber, departing 12 December 2024, from £4,708pp. Find out more at the Scenic website.
5. TUI – Christmastime on The Rhine
On this port-packed Christmas cruise you’ll get to enjoy visits to some great Christmas markets when you sail along the Rhine. Step into winter wonderlands in Mainz, Speyer, Breisach and Mannheim in Germany where you can shop for great Christmas presents and enjoy some delicious gluhwein. And don’t miss the chance to see the yuletide festivities in the picturesque French town of Strasbourg.
How to book
5-night cruise round-trip from Mainz on TUI Maya, departing 3 December 2024, from £1212 pp. Find out more at the TUI website.
6. Riverside Luxury Cruises – Dreaming of Christmas on the Danube
On this 5-star Christmas cruise you’ll spend 5 memorable days cruising the Danube River, with unforgettable stops in Vienna, Krems, Melk, Linz, and Passau. Experience the magic of Christkindlmarkts, each offering a unique blend of festive delights steeped in local culture. In Vienna, follow in the footsteps of Mozart and Strauss, sample Austria’s finest wines in Krems, and after enjoy shopping in Austria’s vibrant third-largest city, Linz.
How to book
4-night cruise from Vienna to Passau on Riverside Mozart, departing 6 December 2024, from £4,125pp. Find out more at the Riverside Cruises website.
7. Scenic – Christmas & New Year – Amsterdam to Budapest
Enjoy the high life and a luxury festive season you’ll never forget on board stylish Scenic Opal on this memorable 14-night Christmas and New Year cruise. Sailing from buzzy Amsterdam to historic Budapest, you’ll also get to visit the German cities of Cologne and Nuremberg as well as Salzburg in Austria. You’ll enjoy festive charm on and off your ship and depart all set for the New Year.
How to book
14-night cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest on Scenic Opal, departing 21 December 2024, from £5,214pp. Find out more at the ROL Cruise website.
8. Saga – Christmas & New Year on the Danube
Sailing on Spirit of the Danube, you’ll get to celebrate Christmas and New Year amid the wintery landscapes of Hungary, Austria and Germany. You can look forward to a festive atmosphere and a traditional Christmas dinner on board the ship where you’ll also get to ring in the New Year. Highlights of the cruise include the chance to enjoy visits to Buda Castle in Budapest, visit Benedictine Melk Abbey in Austria and see an evening concert in Vienna.
How to book
14-night cruise round-trip from Vienna on Spirit of the Danube, departing 20 December 2024, from £3,719pp. Find out more at the Saga website.
Read more:
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- The best 6 Northern Lights cruises to book now for 2024
- Onboard Oceania Vista, the luxurious small ship renowned for offering the finest cuisine at sea