Rhine Christmas Market Cruise: Germany, France & Switzerland

Table Of Content

• Caviar, petal-strewn baths & luxury suites: The world’s most romantic cruises
• First Timer's Guide
• Choosing The Best European River Cruise For You
• Discover The World

Christmas market river cruises in Europe offer a unique perspective on idyllic cities. All the holiday decorations and mulled wine create a magical atmosphere and allow a delightful exploration of European cities during the festive season. A Christmas market cruise offers a unique and enchanting way to celebrate this holiday season. This comprehensive guide introduces you to the magic of European Christmas markets and the incredible cruises that take you there.

Caviar, petal-strewn baths & luxury suites: The world’s most romantic cruises

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5 Unforgettable Seasonal and Themed European River Cruises.

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AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe departs on multiple dates between late November and late December in 2024 (2025 dates run mid-November to mid-December). Day six brings the cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you can tour the La Petite France District and wander through the warm glow of the Christmas market. The cruise then heads back to Germany to visit the Black Forest, where you can learn about local traditions and German winemaking. One thing not to miss here is the extra-charge excursion to a local winery, where you will celebrate the year's harvest and vintage. In Budapest, you'll spend two days exploring the city at places like Castle Hill and the Grand Market Hall before shopping and dining at the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen's Basilica. Then in Bratislava, Slovakia, the group will attend an organ concert and shopping at the Old Town Christmas market.

First Timer's Guide

France is known for some of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Europe, and you have the chance to see some of them on a five-night Christmas in the Seine Valley river cruise with CroisiEurope Cruises. These shorter cruises are great if you'd like to spend a few days in Paris before stepping onto the cruise ship and sailing to three other beautiful towns. Join both locals and visitors as they prepare for the holidays during this late-season cruise along the Danube. Sail aboard a ship designed for viewing the enchanting riverside vistas, through panoramic windows, from the sun deck, or from the comfort of your private, river-view cabin.

Choosing The Best European River Cruise For You

Tour this lavish Baroque family home – converted from a monastery in the 18th century – and browse its private Christmas Market. The fares include breakfast, lunch and dinner, soft drinks, character meet-and-greets and more. Available rooms on the Dec. 5 sailing start at $219 and at $242 for the Dec. 16 cruise, per person based on double occupancy.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

There are more than 20 markets scattered throughout the city, and on this tour, you can visit all of them as you will be guided by an expert who will show you all the festive offerings of the city. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' River Queen is a luxurious cruise ship that promises an unforgettable experience to all its guests. The ship's lavish decor features blue and white textured fabrics, marble bathrooms, and captivating artwork, making it a floating sanctuary of comfort, indulgence, and relaxation. This Christmas holiday season, close out this season in style with this guide to Christmas market cruises 2023.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel. It can be printed or emailed to your fellow travelling companions to assist you in your trip planning. When you visit the Christmas markets in Europe during your cruise trip, you will have to walk a lot.

Experience More

The fares include port taxes and fees, all meals, plus beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Christmas on the Danube sails from Budapest, Hungary, to Regensburg, Germany – and makes the journey in reverse – visiting Vienna, the Wachau Valley and more. Both sailings are eight days long with departure dates from late November to late December. The cruises offer plenty of chances for seasonal shopping, with celebrations on board as well, including tree-trimming and live music, according to press materials provided by the line.

Discover The World

This helps you save a lot of time and resources, as you will be guided by a local and you will visit the places that are in your itinerary. Explore the different festive foods and taste the world-famous festive staple Mull Wine during your visit to Germany. Also, there are many Oktoberfest grounds throughout the city where you can get sloshed and have a great time. View the crystal-adorned Christmas tree and enjoy mulled wine at the Christkindlimarkt. Explore this multicultural city’s highlights and shop for gifts at the Christmas market. On New Year's Eve, the line also hosts its White Night party on the pool deck – where guests are asked to wear all white – featuring food, music and dancing.

Christmas Markets of the Rhine

Located in the atmospheric old town, Koblenz’s Christmas market is one of the largest in the Rhineland. As the Christmas lights glow brighter in the cool evening air, it’s time to head back to the inviting warmth of the ship’s lounge for welcome cocktails and canapés before a delicious dinner and a festive folklore show. If you are planning for a Christmas market tour, you will get the unique opportunity to explore multiple countries and cultures on one itinerary. Visiting these vibrant cities and quaint villages will add to the excitement, and it will offer a glimpse into local life through traditions, foods, and art. It provides a number of food stalls, handicraft shops, and free concert options to visitors. Along with all these, Basilica offers a magnificent Christmas laser projection and an ice-skating rink around a grand Christmas tree.

There will be a priest on board for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, as well as a rabbi during Hanukkah. The line will celebrate Hanukkah with a daily candle lighting and holiday-inspired food as well, according to the spokesperson. Stroll the medieval, UNESCO-listed city’s streets and learn about Regensburg’s history.

Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited. A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

What really makes Adventures by Disney stand out is the Adventure Guides, Disney-trained leaders who are experts in each destination. Each Adventure Guide travels with the group throughout the cruise so your family really gets to know them, and they get to know you. This allows them to make personalized recommendations about activities and meals.

Christmas on the Rhine 2024 Itinerary Amsterdam to Basel Viking®

Table Of Content

• Rhine River Facts
• Stay Later
• Sail to charming cities & villages
• Unwrap the Season: A Guide to Christmas Markets Cruises in 2023
• Breisach Christmas markets
• Christmas Markets Along the Danube

Twelve-day Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland sails from Zurich to Amsterdam. We’ve rounded up some of the best Christmas cruises you can enjoy on some of the continent’s finest waterways. Smoking (including e-Cigarettes) is not permitted in any cabin, the restaurant, the lounge or any other interior space. The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal.

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Rhine River Facts

Meanwhile, on A Festive Fairy Tale, you’ll be in Mainz on the 25th, which is home to a huge nativity scene. If you've ever considered a Christmas market river cruise, 2024 is the year to finally cross the experience off your bucket list. Many of the best river cruise brands and tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe, whether you're looking for a family-friendly option, solo travel sans single supplement or a cruise with unique destinations. For the longer 12-night cruise and land-based trip, guests will embark the cruise ship in Amsterdam, where they can enjoy a day of free exploration before boarding the riverboat, followed by an Amsterdam canal cruise on day two. The cruise then departs for Germany, where you will be able to explore the Christmas markets in Cologne and Rüdensheim on days three and four. Day five is when travelers can enjoy Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum or travel further on a bus to Heidelberg to explore Heidelberg Castle.

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7 Cruise Lines Offering Festive Christmas Cruises in 2023.

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Stay Later

Day five is exciting for nature enthusiasts as you sail through The Iron Gates, which is a series of gorges that mark the border between Serbia and Romania. American Cruise Lines has announce more US riverboats and exclusive new cruises as its 2024 Mississippi rives season opens. On a seven-night MSC Christmas market cruise, you’ll visit Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Zeebrugge in Belgium and Le Havre in France. Scenic offers luxury Christmas market cruise 2023 offerings in the run-up to the big day as well as across Christmas and New Year. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering.

Sail to charming cities & villages

Onboard meals, prepared by European chefs, include a choice of regional specialties and traditional favorites. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you journey through storybook villages. Sample tasty yuletide treats and regional delicacies as you browse colorful stalls for handcrafted ornaments and unique gifts. Admire the twinkling lights of Cologne and revel in the merry atmosphere of the Rhine Valley, as storefront displays, wine cellars and markets embrace the holiday season.

Unwrap the Season: A Guide to Christmas Markets Cruises in 2023

Visit Christmas markets and savour such onboard festivities as regional dining specialities, seasonal treats and more. Christmas market river cruises in Europe are a great way to find unique and special gifts for family and friends. Some of the most popular items to buy include wooden toys, specialty teas, honey, hats, leather goods, hand-blown glass, scarves, wine, and liqueurs. Also, note that cash is the most reliable way to pay, but some stalls may also accept credit cards. For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests.

When you plan your Rhine River Christmas market cruise, this walking tour in Cologne, located just beside the Rhine River, will show you the best the city has to offer, including the Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. Experience them on a cruise along the Rhine or Danube, just one of the ways to discover these magnificent rivers this winter. The cruise continues to Belgrade, where you can wander around the city on your own, take a hike to Belgrade Fortress or put on a helmet and take a bike ride around town.

Breisach Christmas markets

Non-alcoholic versions of this drink, called kinderpunsch, are also available here. Stroll Mainz’s ancient streets and discover one of Germany’s prettiest Christmas markets. Taste a selection of delicious local wines, including the highly acclaimed Riesling. Immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of Trier’s festive Christmas markets. Visit Parisian Christmas market stalls and enjoy gourmet treats, such as l’escargot. Sip on a warming glühwein and enjoy the seasonal festivities of Koblenz’s Christmas market.

The fares include most meals, some drinks, and the majority of onboard entertainment. These river cruises only run seasonally while the markets are open, so they tend to book up quickly with passengers ranging from older adults to all types of families looking for a winter holiday filled with festive fun. Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

The best way to enjoy and experience the Christmas Markets River Cruises of Germany & Austria is by any one of the Christmas Markets River Cruises we offer below. 2023 and 2024 Christmas Markets River Cruises have already been selling out space since this past summer, but we can still find you some space on any of the reputable river cruise vessels offered by AMA, Avalon, Tauck, Uniworld or Viking. To try something a bit different next year, join CroisiEurope’s five-night cruise on the Guadalquivir in Spain. Soak of the Christmas markets and parades of Seville attend midnight mass in El Puerto de Santa Maria; explore Jerez, the Andalusian capital of wine, horses and flamenco music and Cordoba. CroisiEurope offers traditional Christmas market cruise holidays as well as more unusual holidays.

Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses. This optional Cruise and Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties. If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries we visit on this cruise to determine what travel documentation is required. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a  passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Germany, France and Switzerland. Arrive in Cologne, where your five-star floating hotel is moored in the picturesque historic center.

Immerse in the fairytale atmosphere of Vienna’s markets and shop for unique gifts. Dial up the festive magic on an adults-only river cruise to Europe's iconic destinations, like Frankfurt, this Christmas. Yes, please keep me updated with the latest special offers, travel inspiration, product updates, and event invites.

If your sailing starts in Budapest, you'll need to arrive a day early if you plan to explore the city; the cruise does not offer excursions here. Your first stop will be Mohacs, where you can enjoy the nearby Christmas Markets in Pecs or venture to Szekszárd for a wine tasting. Day three is split between Vukovar and Novi Sad, where you can explore the historic towns and enjoy the holiday cheer with live music, artisan crafts and delightful bites of food. Fares include shore excursions in every port; free Wi-Fi; all meals; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; port taxes and fees; and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In select ports, passengers can sign up for optional excursions that are an added cost. These could be worth the upcharge, depending on the type of experience you want to have.

If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems. Download, print or share deck plans and additional information for your vessel, such as specifications and cabin descriptions. Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. The city also has one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, the Striezelmarkt. Explore highlights of Germany’s oldest city, from Porta Nigra to the Liebfrauenkirche.

Included with the cost of the cruise are all of your meals and most drinks, free Wi-Fi, all onboard activities and port fees. Headsets are also included for excursions if you choose to go with the group for tours rather than venturing off on your own. Cruising aboard any of the vessels included in the Christmas Markets River Cruises we represent, you enjoy special holiday meals and seasonal drinks. Meals and sightseeing are included in the price, making 2023 and 2024 Europe Christmas Market River Cruises a great value. Riviera Travel Christmas river cruises 2023 are across six itineraries on the Rhine and the Danube.

Enjoy a glass of champagne while exploring the festive Christmas markets in Reims. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents. Wander the stalls of the Weinachtsmarkt, brimming with tasty treats and festive handicrafts. Take a journey along Amsterdam’s network of canals or browse one of the city’s museums.