Why you should take an Ambassador Christmas mini-cruise this year

If you want to soak up the magic of the festive season without the faff of airports and luggage limitations (not to mention turkey trauma at home), Ambassador Cruise Line Christmas cruises are the perfect solution.

These short December getaways, aimed at 50+ travellers, sail from and return to London Tilbury in the UK, whisking you with ease across the North Sea to the twinkling markets of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany – all while wrapping you like a cashmere blanket in the cosy comforts of life at sea.

With itineraries lasting three to six nights, these escapes are ideal if you want a festive jolly that’s long enough to feel like a marzipan treat yet short enough to squeeze around a busy diary. And because Ambassador’s Christmas cruises run in 2025, 2026 and 2027, it’s easy to plan ahead for a future year if this December is already looking hectic.

Whether you’re warming your cockles on mulled wine beneath Hamburg’s impressive Christmas tree, admiring Bruges’ medieval squares under fairy lights or browsing the canal-side stalls of Amsterdam for last-minute gifts, these mini Christmas market cruises deliver all the fizz of the season in one straightforward no-fly package.

5 Ambassador Christmas market mini cruises

All of Ambassador’s festive mini breaks sail from and return to London Tilbury, visiting a mix of Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Antwerp, and Hamburg. They’re some of Europe’s best Christmas market cities – and because these itineraries are mince-pie-bite-sized, you can often tick off more than one in a single trip, just like Santa…

Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium

Arriving in Zeebrugge puts you just a short hop from Bruges, one of the continent’s most enchanting medieval cities. Known as the “Venice of the North”, Bruges dazzles during the festive season with cobbled lanes draped in lights, Christmas trees bedecked in the market square and the quick-let’s-eat scent of waffles in the air. Explore the historic port, visit the Maritime Museum and gorge on Belgian cuisine before shopping for handmade chocolates, lace and gifts in the cosy wooden chalets.

Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Netherlands

Ijmuiden is your gateway to Amsterdam, which glows at Christmas with illuminated canals, skating rinks and atmospheric markets. Wander through the entertainment-packed Museumplein Christmas Market for artisanal food and Dutch crafts, sip hot chocolate under the lights and stock up on prezzies. With its scenic canals and world-class museums, Amsterdam feels magical in winter – especially when you can return to your ship for a warming dinner afterwards.

Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp’s Groenplaats transforms into a fairytale each December, complete with a huge skating rink, a glittering Ferris wheel and rows of wooden huts selling seasonal goodies. The main market stretches from Groenplaats to the old town’s Grote Markt, with stalls piled high like Father Christmas’ sleigh with Belgian chocolates, speculoos biscuits and mulled wine. It’s an easy stroll from the cruise port, leaving plenty of time to see the city’s ornate guildhouses, too.

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg’s Christmas markets are legendary, with more than a dozen dotted around the city. The most famous is in front of the grand Rathaus (City Hall), where festooned stalls sell hand-carved toys, decorations, gingerbread and steaming mugs of Glühwein. You can also ride the vintage carousel at Fleetinsel market or browse the quirky creatives’ stalls at the Winterwald market in Mönckebergstrasse. Expect music, lights and full-on festive cheer everywhere you go. Prost!

Part of the appeal of these Ambassador Christmas cruises is that you get all the glam of the festive season but none of the what-time-did-the-roasties-go-in? work.

Ambassador Cruise Line really does go all out. Ships Ambition and Ambience are dressed top to jingle toe in cheery garlands and trees, and the onboard atmosphere is as warm and festive as the ports themselves.

Seasonal touches include special festive menus, themed entertainment and performances by the talented Ambassador Theatre Company. There’s even a Captain’s Gala Dinner – complete with baked Alaska parade – (on six-night cruises).

Why not treat yourself to one of Ambassador’s optional speciality restaurants? Dining includes modern European tasting menus at Sea & Grass, fine Indian cuisine at Saffron and exclusive multi-course Chef’s Table experiences on Ambience. On Ambition, guests can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Lupino’s alongside Saffron and the Chef’s Table. If you’re celebrating something special, you can even arrange for a bottle of wine or bubbly in your cabin.

These sailings attract everyone from couples seeking a refreshing coastal escape to groups of friends looking for a pre-Christmas get-together. Because they’re shorter than traditional cruises, they’re also ideal for the cruise-curious who want a taste of life at sea without committing to a long voyage.

5 Ambassador Christmas market mini cruises

Ambassador’s festive cruises are not only fun, they’re hassle-free. All port taxes, fees and charges are included in the fare, and gratuities are simply added to your onboard account at £7 per person per night (or included if you buy a drinks package), so there are no surprise extras to worry about.

You’ll enjoy full-board cuisine, afternoon teas, evening entertainment and use of the onboard leisure facilities as standard, plus comfortable accommodation in your chosen cabin category – whether you opt for a cosy inside cabin or a balcony cabin for sweeping wintery North Sea views.

There’s internet access or Wi-Fi available to purchase, with packages to suit your needs, and you’ll find UK plug sockets (with some European sockets too) in cabins. The dress code onboard is relaxed – with the option to dress up for gala nights if you want to.

Need to arrange car parking at Tilbury? That’s easy to add when you book, and you can find plenty of useful pre-departure info in the My Ambassador Sailing online portal before you go.

You can also expect a range of fitness, dance and wellness classes, a well-equipped gym, pools, hot tubs and a spa if you want to unwind between sightseeing.

In short, everything’s taken care of, so you can focus on rocking around the Christmas tree or relishing silent nights – whichever ticks your (gift-wrapped) box.

If you can’t get away this December, the good news is that Ambassador Christmas market cruises run every year. You can already book 2026 and 2027 sailings, which follow similar routes featuring Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and even France.

They’re ideal if you want to lock in a future trip while prices are low, especially with Ambassador’s buy one get one half price deals for 2027 cruises currently up for grabs (deal ends on 20 September, 2025). Whether you go this year or next, you’ll step off with your Christmas shopping done (no judgment if it’s mainly for you), your festive spirit topped up and a whole present-heap of happy memories.