United Kingdom
USALooking for sure-fire festive cheer this year? These Christmas market river cruise holidays are the best way to see Europe’s most spectacular cities at Christmas.
Looking for sure-fire festive cheer this year? These Christmas market river cruise holidays are the best way to see Europe’s most spectacular cities at Christmas.
If you’re looking for the full Christmas experience and then some (building-sized advent calendar, anyone?), then Germany has it all. TUI River Cruises’ three ‘Discover Germany’ Christmas cruise itineraries all offer a fabulously festive adventure.
Seven-night ‘Christmastime on the Rhine’ voyage is round-trip from Mainz, Germany and includes flights from Manchester to nearby Frankfurt. Marvel at Strasbourg’s giant Christmas tree, sample hot cherry liqueur in Breisach and soak up the ancient cathedrals and cinnamon-scented markets dotted throughout the journey. Prices from £989pp.
A five-night ‘Festive Flavours’ Christmas cruise sets sail for some of Germany’s most impressive cities, where towering landmarks preside over glowing Christmas markets. Whack out the winter woolies for an evening on Bonn’s huge ice rink, get merry at one of Dusseldorf’s many beerhalls and satisfy your chocolate cravings with a trip to Cologne’s chocolate museum. Prices from £1167pp.
From fairy-tale hamlets to shining cities, TUI’s five-night ‘Mistletoe & Rhine’ river cruise packs in the Christmas cheer, with a new port every day. What should you look out for? A first port of call in Koblenz sets the festive tone with the city’s building-sized advent calendar – and the largest in the world. Also key is a trip to the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations, for a twist on the traditional Christmas markets. Here, more than 17 countries come together to offer unique specialities and national festive goods. Prices from £900pp.
All prices are based on two adults sharing an inside cabin on an all-inclusive basis, including flights from the UK to Germany, 25kg of luggage per person, transfers, tips and all service charges.
Ambassador Cruise Line has unveiled an array of Christmas cruises 2024, gliding along the picturesque Seine, Rhine and Elbe rivers. All of Ambassador’s Christmas voyages are round-trip from London, making for a relaxing and hassle-free holiday. The cruise line’s five-night ‘Festive Getaway’ promises traditional speculaas cookies in Amsterdam, a Rotterdam bedecked in glittering Christmas lights, and snow-flecked chalets and stalls along the Vieux basin in Normandy. Prices from £472pp.
A five-night ‘German and Dutch Festive Sailing’ spends extensive time in Hamburg, arguably one of Europe’s biggest players when it comes to Christmas markets. A trip to the sprawling City Hall market invites cosy evenings sipping Glühwein while browsing artisan decorations, jewellery, toys and glassware. A visit to Germany wouldn’t be complete without a hearty Bratwurst, but how about heading to Hamburg’s St. Petri Church market and trying a Currywurst? The lightly spiced snack is said to be quite the delicacy…so long as you’re hungry! Prices from £438pp.
Cricket might not be exactly what springs to mind when you think of Christmas holidays, but for any fans who are partial to the sport, Ambassador’s ‘Cricket Legends Festive Getaway’ is a certain winner. Cricket icons Graham Gooch OBE, Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew MBE, and Henry Blofield OBE will accompany the seven-night sailing, regailing guests with thrilling cricketing stories. Among all the cricket action, don’t miss the festive fun of Antwerp, where unbeatable Belgian hot chocolate and waffles beckon, or the sights along the famous river Seine with a stop in Christmas-clad Rouen. Prices from £559pp.
All meals, entertainment, spa & gym access plus a range of wellness & fitness classes, Captain’s Gala dinner and a Captain’s cocktail party are included.
Scenic’s Christmas market cruise 2024 is a feast for the senses – think festive market stalls covered in swathes of fairy lights, gingerbread in all-manner of shapes and hand-blown glass ornaments, all to the soundtrack of traditional Christmas choirs and music. The eight-day ‘Danube Christmas Markets’ cruise includes a private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein, a traditional gingerbread-making class in Nuremberg as well as expert local guides in each city.
Beginning in Budapest and ending in Nuremberg, you’ll have the freedom of using Scenic’s e-bikes for a different way to explore, plus the luxury of a personal butler for your every need. Prices from £2,749pp.
Includes return flights, private airport transfers, all drinks, dining, tipping, wi-fi, and all Scenic Freechoice excursions.
For a Christmas market cruise that’s a little different, Viking River Cruises’ eight-day ‘Christmas on the Seine’ offers quaint, snow-blanketed French countryside paired with the magic of Paris at Christmas. Kick off your holiday with some retail therapy along the grand window displays of Avenue des Champs-Élysées and explore the oh-so-chic Parisian Christmas markets. Viking’s array of excursions include a ‘Flavours of Paris’ guided walk, ambling through one of the city’s historic quarters renowned for culinary tradition.
Scenic sailing through Normany will include calls on the picturesque towns of Vernon and Caudebec-en-Caux with their cobbled streets and intriguing history, before an overnight in the wintry-wonderland of Rouen. Prices from £3,195pp.
Includes a complimentary shore-excursion at each port of call, return flights from London and selected regional airports, all onboard meals, all enrichment & entertainment, tips and wi-fi.
Viva Cruises has a range of Christmas river cruises 2024. The line’s seven-night ‘Prague Advent Magic’ cruise takes in the romantic markets and pretty bridges of the Czech capital, before sailing onto Dresden, where the city’s famous rich, sweet Stollen awaits at the Striezelmarkt. Continue onto Meissen with its celebrated porcelain history and impressive castle, and finish among the mighty Christmas markets of Berlin. Prices from £1,595pp.
Another option is Viva Cruises’ ‘Rhine Time Out’ four-night voyage. Roundtrip from Frankfurt, the cruise calls on festive favourties of Mannheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz and Wiesbaden – each with their own distinct Christmas charm. Onboard, take to the top deck and try out the ship’s mulled wine against a backdrop of twinkling city lights. Make sure not to miss the daily high tea – included with Viva’s Christmas market cruises all-inclusive package. Prices from £495pp.
Price includes full board meals, snacks and all drinks, as well as high tea, welcome sparkling wine on arrival, reusable VIVA water bottle, wi-fi, tips and daily-stocked mini-bar.
Riviera Travel’s Christmas market cruises promise a little luxury both during your trip and beforehand. Holidaymakers who book select Christmas cruises before October 31, 2024, will receive a Harrods hamper worth £130 – fancy! Inside you’ll find goodies including Harrods Claret and velvety truffles to kick start your holiday early.
Riviera’s Christmas cruises include a six-day ‘Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets’ voyage, featuring guided tours of capitals Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Onboard, guests will be serenaded by the dulcet tones of a live classical quartet, set among the ship’s elegant five-star interiors. Prices from £1199pp.
Alternatively there’s the five-day ‘Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise’ – starting off in Cologne, with visits to Christmas markets across Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne. Scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge will give insta-worthy photo opportunities aplenty, while guided tours in Bonn will uncover gems of Germany’s former historic capital – and birthplace of Beethoven! Wine lovers are also in for a treat with a day in Rüdesheim, renowned for its popular Riesling. Prices from £1399pp.
If a New Year cruise appeals more, ring in 2025 while cruising along the Danube or Rhine rivers, where six-day itineraries include midnight drinks and canapés plus a glitzy New Year’s Eve dinner onboard.
Prices includes return flights and transfers/return Eurostar, full-board dining, four visits and tours and a free Superior Drinks package.
Avalon Waterways are putting on quite the Christmas extravaganza this year, with a 17-day ‘Christmastime from Vienna to Budapest’ itinerary that journeys through five countries (Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria and Hungary). Highlights include Strasbourg – for one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets that dates back to the 16th century, the Christkindlesmarkt of Bamberg – complete with dozens of nativity scenes, and sailing through Germany’s Black Forest. During the cruise, listen to onboard lectures about Christmas traditions from across Europe. Prices from £7,311pp.
New for this year is six-day Christmas market cruise ‘Christmastime from Vienna to Budapest’. Starting out in Austria’s capital, also known as the ‘city of music’, soak in the sparkling grandeur of Vienna Opera House and Imperial Palace before sailing through the rolling hills of Austria’s Wachau Valley (think serious Sound of Music territory…but make it Christmassy). Guided tours and a multitude of Christmas markets await in Bratislava and Budapest – the ideal places to purchase one-off Christmas goodies. Prices from £2,000pp.
Prices include all dining, entertainment and shore excursions.
CrosiEurope’s Christmas market cruises 2024 programme is jam-packed with itineraries ranging from the more classic Christmas destinations to festive gems you might not necessarily expect. The good news is CroisEurope’s Christmas voyages are all wallet-friendly at £1,000pp or under.
The cruise line’s ‘Christmas traditions and santons along the canals of Provence’ cruise is a great bet if you’re looking to avoid the icy chill associated with most Christmas markets, while discovering the charms of provincial southern France at Christmas. Expect immaculate chateaus and medieval cities, fabulous food, plus traditional festive markets. Prices from £845pp.
For a more traditional Christmas market river cruise, the port-to-port ‘Christmas in Alsace and show at the Royal Palace’ cruise takes in the enchanting markets of Strasbourg, guided tours along the Potter’s trail, plus a spectacular show at the city’s Royal Palace. Only three-nights long, this cruise offers a great taster cruise to anyone who might not have tried a Christmas market cruise yet. Prices from £588pp.
Prices include all onboard meals, drinks, entertainment and port excursions.
