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Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise with AmaWaterways and Photos

By: Sherry Laskin · Updated On: August 29, 2022

The idea of a Christmas Markets river cruise in Europe didn’t really interest me. In my mind, I visualized tacky trinket markets in every town and city, overrun with aggressive shoppers, cheapskate lookers, sloppy drunks and of course, tourists. 

I was curious but reluctant to go. To dispel any of my preconceived notions, I decided to experience this seasonal phenomenon. 

Hopefully, I’d prove myself wrong. And I did. Keep reading to follow my journey on a Christmas Markets river cruise.

Carosel in Mannheim Germany Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise Review

My original Christmas Markets river cruise plan was a seven-night trip along the Rhine river from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland traveling with AmaWaterways .  

Scheduled for the end of November, I hoped that the cities we’d visit would have their decorations set up and their markets in full swing. 

Several months earlier, I booked my return from Europe on the westbound Queen Mary 2. The ship was scheduled to depart from Southampton on December 15th, so I had to adhere to the schedule, or be “stuck” in Europe til the spring.

RELATED POST :  What to Expect on a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing  

On the day I boarded AmaCerto , an unexpected change of plans happened. Without warning, I would be on back-to-back Christmas Markets river cruises through December 10th. Not a bad way to spend an extra week in Europe. 

All that was needed to remain aboard AmaCerto for two weeks was an easy stateroom change between cruises at the turnaround point in Basel. And an unexpected day at a new Christmas Market city.

Five days to be in transit was plenty of time to get from Amsterdam to Southampton.

AmaCerto Christmas and Hanukkah decorations

This was probably my 10th trip up and down the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam. The more I traverse this historic stretch of river, the more I learn about each ancient and medieval city, town, castle, cathedral and ruins.

I’m never bored and it gives me oodles of not-to-be-missed things to see and do to share with others.

When are Christmas Markets River Cruises?

Sounds like a simple question, right? But to be on the rivers in Europe at the right time for the optimal Christmas Markets experience takes a little knowledge and planning.

Christmas Markets in Europe, especially Germany, generally open the third weekend of November and run through mid-December. But not right up until Christmas. Almost every city closes its Christmas Markets a full week before Christmas. No last minute rush to buy gifts.

This distinctly European extravaganza reaches its seasonal crescendo by the second weekend of December. That’s prime time for Europe Christmas Markets.

Vendors from all around the continent flock to these extravagant events, whether in Germany, France or even England. Sellers haul their wares and set up elaborate little huts, many of which look like gingerbread cottages and mini log cabins.

You can find almost anything at the Christmas Markets. From hand-tooled leather wallets and fluffy alpaca socks to steaming mugs of gluhwein (hot mulled wine), crispy potato pancakes and plates swamped with gooey melted cheese and dill pickles. It’s sensory overload in every direction. What you won’t find are cheesy, plastic ornaments.

Day One:  Embarkation Day in Amsterdam

Our itinerary, the “Enchanting Rhine”, began in Amsterdam and ended 764-miles upriver in Basel, Switzerland. The headwaters of the Rhine is not far from Basel, in Lake Constance, sourced from the Alps.

Here’s our “Enchanting Rhine” cruise itinerary:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight onboard) • Cologne, Germany • Rüdesheim / Rhine Gorge Cruising • Speyer / Heidelburg • Kehl / Strasbourg, France • Breisach, Germany • Basel, Switzerland

River cruise dock in Amsterdam

It wasn’t exactly a day for hoofing it around Amsterdam. Late November and inclement weather is the norm. Sunny days are a welcome surprise. We would have both over the next two weeks.

Day 1 in Amsterdam was a complimentary tour day for AmaCerto guests. I chose to simply walk around, and I needed to buy a winter coat!

Amsterdam Canal cruise and walking tour

Everyone was back onboard by 5:00pm to get ready for the customary pre-dinner meeting in the lounge. These meetings occur every night, and follow the same lounge-to-dining-room procession throughout the cruise. 

This evening ritual the same no matter which river cruise line you choose. 

Sometime during the chilly night, AmaCerto was quietly untied and began the slow cruise upstream. Yes, upstream. The Rhine river flows “downhill” in the north from the Alps into the North Sea.

After a morning of sailing past farmland and industrial swatches in the Netherlands and northern Germany, we neared Cologne. 

AmaCerto reached its first stop in Cologne by late afternoon. Christmas markets here really kick into high gear after 5pm and last all day and night on weekends. Since this was the last week in November, even though just about every stall and food stand was set up, there weren’t wall-to-wall crowds as I expected. Not yet.

Day Two:  First Christmas Market – Cologne, Germany

Cologne Christmas Markets Heinzel

Cologne has six Christmas Markets and the largest four are located near the Cologne Cathedral. I managed to find all four major Christmas Markets with no more than 15 minutes walk between each one.

Cologne Christmas Markets Ice Skating Rink

Day Three:  En route to Rüdesheim, Germany

Rhine Gorge

Our morning was spent cruising the most famous and photo-taking portion of the Rhine River, the Rhine River Gorge. In a span of less than three hours, the AmaCerto slowly cruised past no less than 30 castles and castle ruins. 

And the sun was shining! This stretch of the Rhine can get very windy, so the warmth of the sun was appreciated by all. 

Passengers on deck wearing coats and hats along the Rhine river.

Second Christmas Markets: A Day in Rüdesheim

AmaWaterways had a planned evening event in Rüdesheim. After dinner, everyone walked the short distance to Rüdesheimer Schloss for a private pouring of flaming Rüdesheimer coffee (coffee with liquor, set ablaze and then topped with whipped cream). 

A local oompah band, sans tuba, was the entertainment. Take a listen (above).

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Day Four:  Third Christmas Markets in Speyer, Germany

Speyer is one of my favorite medium-size port towns. Depending upon where your river ships docks, you might be just a short 15 minute walk into town. There’s a huge pedestrian shopping zone and at Christmas Markets time, it’s bustling with store shoppers plus those who come for the markets.

Speyer Christmas Market downtown

Day Five:  Strasbourg, France

Finally, the day many of us were most excited to see; Strasbourg, France. River ships dock in Kehl, Germany, just across the river from Strasbourg. The two countries are connected by the Bridge of Europe or Pont de l’Europe. It’s only a 15 minute bus ride depending upon traffic crossing the bridge and into Strasbourg.

Christmas Markets in Strasbourg

Almost all river cruises to Strasbourg plan an entire day there. Guests can join a morning walking tour of Strasbourg and then either take the motor coach back to the ship for lunch or have lunch in the quaint and oldest section of Strasbourg, Petite France.

For those returned to the AmaCerto for lunch, a shuttle bus ran back and forth into Strasbourg from 2:30pm until 5:30pm. Since departure isn’t until 4:45am (that’s right, a.m.!), many guests chose to have a truly French evening dining experience ashore and took a taxi back to the AmaCerto.

Cathedral Notre Dame de Strasbourg

Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets, “Christkindelmärik”, is one of the oldest in France, began in 1570. There are several Christmas Markets within Strasbourg but the main one is Place de la Cathédrale.

strasbourg christmas markets

Day Six:  Fifth Christmas Markets in Breisach and/or Riquewihr

Breisach, Germany was the fifth and final port on this seven-day Enchanting Rhine cruise. Guests could choose either an afternoon walking tour of Breisach and then to Freiburg by motor coach.

Another tour was bicycle tour of Breisach or a 45-minute bus ride to Riquewihr, a beautiful small French town in the heart of Alsace. Sort of like the town in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Breisach downtown.

Since I knew I’d be back in Breisach in three days to do a walk-around, a re-visit to the charming Alsatian town of Riquewihr was my destination. I was curious how the town would be dressed up for Christmas.

Riquewihr Christmas Market street

READ ABOUT: Five Unusual Museums to Visit in Cologne

riquewihr-street

It’s always sad to say goodbye to new river cruise friends. On small river ships like these, it’s easy to get to know almost everyone.

AmaCerto docked in Breisach Germany

After the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, it was time to head to my stateroom. With jacket on, I sat on the balcony and enjoyed the crisp breeze as the AmaCerto left Breisach for Basel, Switzerland.

AmaCerto in Basel.

Day 7:  Basel, Switzerland – Turnaround Day

When we woke up the next morning, we were in Basel. It was important for me to stay out of the way of the crew this morning. Tons of provisions were waiting to be loaded, rooms had to be cleaned as the ship prepared for its next guests. 

The perfect opportunity to check out, wait for it… the Christmas Markets in Basel.

Basel Christmas Market

By tonight, I’d be settled into my new room, ready to re-explore the same Christmas Markets that we visited on our last cruise, except in reverse. This time, I knew where to go for the best potato pancakes and glüewein!

Disclosure: I was a guest aboard AmaWaterways AmaCerto. As always, all opinions and photos are my own. How could I fake this stuff? It was a spectacular pair of cruises on an excellent, award-winning river cruise line.

Seriously. You need to put this on your to-do list. And if you can budget the time and money, reserve a back-to-back river cruise.

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About Sherry Laskin

I'm the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath...stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.

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November 8, 2022 at 10:13 am

Hi Nancy, Thank you for reading my article. From my experience, almost every major river cruise line pushes two twin beds together to create a king bed. Or at least very close to the size of a king. Cruise ships do the same, too. I don’t think it would be an issue because the two twins together are definitely larger than a traditional land-based queen bed.

If my suggestion still leaves you unsure, your travel agent or someone at a major river cruise line’s reservations department should be able to get the exact width measurements for you. All I know is that, in my experiences, two twins = king bed. I hope this is helpful to you.

Thank you again for reading my article and taking the time to send your question. Have a wonderful cruise!

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November 4, 2022 at 3:25 pm

With all of your knowledge of river cruises, are there any lines that offer king size beds in their state rooms? My husband and I need this size of bed and we like the small ship. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

October 13, 2022 at 8:30 pm

Hi Marlene, Thank you for readying my article. Your question is very interesting and I’m sure applies to many travelers. Going on tours in Europe, especially in small towns could be an issue for finding a public washroom. France and by now probably other countries have pay-per-use restrooms on street corners. You’d just have to have the right currency and be on the closest corner. Motor coaches all seem to have restrooms, but passengers are not always aware. These are located at the back exit door, sort of under a row of seats. Sometimes they are locked and only the driver has the key.

I would take a very close look at where you’d go before paying anything for a Europe trip. That’s a very tough and personal question to answer. I’m sorry that I can’t say that it would be easy to find a washroom in Europe…unless you could duck into a restaurant to use one. And even then, be sure to have the right currency. For me personally, it hasn’t been an issue. If there’s a facility where we are visiting, I’ll usually take the time. Curiously, another thing I do is if the tour includes lunch, then I just pick at the meal, unless I know there will be a washroom en route. I don’t want to take any chances and have found this to be a good practice.

Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful trip abroad. Thank you again for reading my article and taking the time to write your question.

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October 10, 2022 at 1:10 pm

Love to live vicariously thru someone elses travels as having choleitis makes it difficult to get around and leads me to this question. Needing washrooms at a moments notice. How did you find them and did you always have to pay? Such an annoyance and always wonder how others contend with such issues. In Canada it’s considered a right to have washrooms at our disposal everywhere. Travelling to europe is never easy as one would like. Would love an info you can share.

March 28, 2021 at 6:13 pm

Hi Laura, Thanks for your comment. The Christmas Markets experience is truly a shopping and food fest, especially if you like potato pancakes! I hope you get to go to one soon. From your email address, it looks like you’re much closer than I am! Happy travels. Sherry

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March 28, 2021 at 12:37 pm

I have only taken a summer river cruise with AmaWaterways so far but a Christmas markets cruise is definitely one I’d like to book. Even doing the same itinerary would be be totally different (I’m assuming). I’m not going to lie, I want to visit Rüdesheimer just for the coffee! A very interesting post.

January 27, 2021 at 3:28 pm

Hi Karen, Thanks for reading the article and for your question. The market with the ferris wheel was the Altstadt Market, very close to the river dock…towards the Chocolate Museum end. I hope you get to go, if you haven’t already experienced the Christmas Markets in Germany or France. Thanks again for writing. Sherry

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January 27, 2021 at 1:18 pm

Which market in Cologne had the adorable ferris wheel?

ama waterways christmas river cruise

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Updated on August 29, 2022 by Sherry Laskin

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  • Aug 3, 2023

Guide to AmaWaterways' Christmas Markets Cruises: Details, Tips & Promotions

Updated: Sep 15, 2023

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Experience festive traditions of fascinating destinations and feel the magic of the holidays in cities illuminated with millions of twinkling lights. Sail between ports in elegantly decorated ships whisking you between holiday customs, traditions, and excitement that awaits you each day.

I’d like to share with you:

What is a Christmas Market? Why go on a Christmas Markets riverboat cruise?

Seven most popular european christmas markets river cruises with amawaterways.

What’s included on an AmaWaterways’ European riverboat cruise?

What extras are included in AmaWaterways’ Christmas Markets cruises?

Who sails on a Christmas Markets river cruise?

Three tips for your upcoming Christmas Markets river cruise

How to book your Christmas Markets river cruise

decorted christmas trees, benches, night

Christmas Markets are outdoor, pop-up stall markets that take place during Advent. They offer fantastic street food, drinks, local crafts, holiday items, and tons of Christmastime fun.

You’ll experience the excitement for all of your senses, pick up wonderful items to enjoy each holiday (or year-round!), and do your Christmas shopping!

lit up archway, night, castle, people

AmaWaterways is one of the most popular riverboat companies in Europe, offering 11 Christmas Markets themed cruises this year. When asked, I learned these are the seven most popular cruises offered on the Danube, Rhine, and Rhône Rivers for this year including some markets-themed that are new for 2023.

AmaWaterways' Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary map Budapest to Nuremberg

Iconic Christmas Markets

7-night Budapest to Nuremberg, Germany cruise

Optional add-ons: 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic; 2 nights Budapest, Hungary

Marvel at the giant sparkling tree dominating Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, taste Nuremberg’s famous bratwurst and lebkuchen (gingerbread) and experience the magic of Bavaria’s most romantic Christmas Market at Regensburg’s Thurn and Taxis Palace.

AmaLea , AmaSonata , AmaVerde

Amawaterways Christmas Markets on the Danube itinerary map Budapest to Vilshofen

Christmas Markets on the Danube

7-night Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany cruise

Witness the majesty of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, savor Wachau Valley Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines as well as Vienna’s famous apple strudel and be awed by the more than 700 illuminated trees that line Salzburg’s Hellbrunn Palace. AmaBella , AmaLea , AmaSonata , AmaViola

AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine itinerary map Amsterdam to Basel

Christmas Markets on the Rhine

7-night Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland cruise

Optional add-ons: 2 nights Lucerne + 2 nights Zurich; 2 nights Amsterdam, Netherlands

Gaze up at Cologne’s impressive Gothic cathedral from its colorful Christmas Market, try pan-fried reibekuchen (potato pancakes) and Rüdesheimer coffee, and witness the whimsical lighting of Gengenbach, Germany’s artistic town hall Advent calendar.

AmaCerto , AmaLucia , AmaPrima , AmaSiena

AmaWaterways Magna on the Danube Christmas itinreary map Budapest to Vilshofen

Magna on the Danube Christmas

Delight your palate with a wine evening in Spitz - exclusive with AmaWaterways aboard the AmaMagna. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts.

AmaWaterways Colors of Provence Christmas itinerary map Lyon to Avignon

Colors of Provence Christmas

7-night Lyon to Avignon cruise

Optional add-ons: 3 nights Barcelona, Spain; 3 nights Paris, France

Celebrate the festive holiday season while sailing through the South of France. Discover the Christmas crèches in Oignt, browse a colorful array of local handicrafts at Christmas Markets throughout the region, and delight in nostalgic traditions that are fun for the whole family on board.

AmaKristina

AmaWaterways Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets itinerary map Budapest, Hungary to Giurgiu, Romania

Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets

7-night Budapest, Hungary to Giurgiu, Romania cruise

Add-ons: 2 nights Brasov, 2 nights Bucharest OR 3 nights Istanbul, Turkey; 2 nights Vienna, Austria

Discover the Winter Markets along the Lower Danube region. Experience firsthand the unique traditions of Orthodox Christmas in Serbia. Feel the magic of the holidays and Christmas Markets in Bulgaria and Romania.

AmaBella , AmaVerde

AmaWaterways Grand Danube Christmas Markets itinerary map Vilshofen, Germany to Giurgiu, Romania

Grand Danube Christmas Markets

14-night Vilshofen, Germany to Giurgiu, Romania cruise

Add-ons: 2 nights Brasov, 2 nights Bucharest OR 3 nights Istanbul, Turkey; 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic

Browse the colorful stalls of the enchanting and magical Christmas Markets of Passau and Salzburg. Embrace the romance of the holidays while cruising through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and experience unique Christmas traditions and Winter Markets of the Lower Danube region.

click here to see all Christmas Markets and New Years sailings

What’s included in AmaWaterways’ European riverboat cruise package?

Accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with balconies)

Entertainment-on-Demand system featuring, movies, TV shows, news and music

Mini-fridge, desk, and sitting area

Bottled water replenished daily

Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host

Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track on some ships

Fitness room, massage services, and hair salon

Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar

Daily entertainment including cultural performances

All onboard dining in a variety of venues

Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients

The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant

Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner in addition to all other meals

Unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast

Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks

Tapas, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

Immersive tours in every destination

Gentle, regular, active, and late-riser tour options

Bike tours and hikes

Special Interest Tours

Personal headset for easy exploration

Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways

ama waterways christmas river cruise

What extras are included in AmaWaterways’ Christmas Markets river cruises?

Don’t miss the extra fun with traditions like Santa Claus, hiding the holiday pickle, and caroling as well as special holiday drinks and a gourmet holiday meal.

Anyone who is interested in European cultures. It’s a great way to delve into learning about other cultures.

People who especially love Christmas traditions. There are many traditions we don’t learn about that are interesting. You may even find something you want to introduce into your own family’s traditions!

Couples. What’s more romantic than downtime just having fun in between being pampered on the cruise?

Laughs and fun with people you may not get to spend enough time with throughout the year.

Multi-generation families (Kids must be 4+ years old, though it’s suggested that 6+ years old is more age appropriate. AmaWaterways is one of the few Europe river cruise lines that have some newer ships with staterooms that hold more than two and also have some connecting cabins. What a great way for families to grow closer, share experiences and build memories!

People who have done a Christmas Markets river cruise in the past. You may be surprised at how many people, because of how much fun they had, book another Christmas Markets tour on a different itinerary.

Small groups. Groups of 5 – 30 cabins made up of community, family, organizations or friends can have fun on the cruise and have stories to share at get-togethers for years.

3 women and 1 man outdoor in coats holding cups

Three big tips to know for your upcoming river cruise.

1) Glühwein is a warm, mulled (spiced) wine. It’s pronounced “glue-vine.” Each market has Glühwein served in a special cup made for their market. The Glühwein is about 3 euro and the cup is 3 euro which you get back if you return the cup. Many people, instead, forgo the return of their 3 euro and keep the cup as a souvenir. Don't drink alcohol? Try a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate.

2) Pack bubble wrap and shipping or duct tape along with a collapsible extra bag for souvenirs and holiday gifts for those at home.

3) Carry cash in the local currency in small denominations for purchases at the markets. ATMs are pretty handy.

ama waterways christmas river cruise

If you'd like to look at all of the options, visit our AmaWaterways' website to get the detailed scoop on all of the sailings.

Booking is easy. Email us or call 610-532-0989 to discuss options to determine the itinerary that best fits you, your party, or your group’s interests. We’ll book your cruise, be your advocate, and work with you on your trip components, needed documents, and other details. A deposit of $400 per person holds your spot and the balance has to be paid to AmaWaterways by 90 days prior to your trip.

When you book with Connie George Travel Associates, you'll get all of the promotions being offered by AmaWaterways PLUS you may qualify for your CHRISTMAS IN THE SUMMER promotion!

CHRISTMAS IN THE SUMMER

We've extended our "Christmas in the Summer" celebration! Book your new 2023 - 2024 Christmas Markets or New Year's cruise through Connie George Travel Associates between by 9/30/23, and receive complimentary gratuities. We will pick up the cost of your gratuities ($167 per person for AmaMagna sailings, $144 per person for all other sailings). Mention this blog to receive promotion.

We're looking forward to helping you plan a very special Christmas Markets cruise adventure!

Happy Traveling!

P.S. Would you like to hear the audio recording of this article? You can find it at https://youtu.be/gvmMilsM1gM.

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Extraordinary Adventures

AmaWaterways Christmas Markets River Cruise

Nov 16, 2022 | Cruise Lines , Ports of Call/Destinations

(There he is, sitting at his desk, dreaming about an AmaWaterways Christmas Markets River Cruise. When suddenly, Scott realizes he shouldn’t just be dreaming – he should write a blog post about such an extraordinary adventure! 🤣 So… )

Hey everybody! This is Scott coming to you from another gorgeous day here in Florida. It’s 82° F with mostly clear skies and a light breeze out of the southwest. You can smell a little bit of the saltwater from the nearby Indian River. Otherwise, the air quality is excellent today. It’s as close to perfect as one can get without being on a cruise. ⛴

So, it’s a little hard to remember that the holiday season is right around the corner! lol 😂 At least when we lived in New York, the weather would get cold, there would be snow on the ground, and people would be bundled up, not wearing flip-flops, t-shirts, and shorts, on their way to the beach!

Romantic Couple, Christmas Markets AmaWaterways River Cruise

Why AmaWaterways?

As far as I can tell, AmaWaterways is among the best river cruise lines for a Christmas Markets river cruise. With AmaWaterways, you’ll “ experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets. Warm up with a mug of steamy glühwein while at the Cologne Christmas Market located in front of its UNESCO-designated Gothic cathedral. Let the “Capital of Noël,” Strasbourg, the oldest and largest Christmas Market in France, captivate you the way it has for so many others for centuries. Meander through Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market nestled idyllically amongst the historic squares of the Old Town. And while in Gengenbach, marvel at the world’s largest Advent calendar, where every evening at 6:00 PM, the brightly lit windows of the neo-classical town hall open and behind each one is a picture by a famous artist, such as Andy Warhol. Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style as you cruise along ” the rivers of Europe.

Beyond their expertise in Christmas Markets river cruising, AmaWaterways is, simply put, an extraordinary company with extraordinary river cruise ships, extraordinary crew, extraordinary food, extraordinary excursions, and extraordinary accommodations. I suggest you read more about it on a page we dedicated exclusively to AmaWaterways .

What Should You Expect?

Riquiwihr, Christmas Markets, AmaWaterways River Cruise

Can You Imagine Yourself Here?

Cologne, Christmas Markets, AmaWaterways River Cruise

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The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024

Megan duBois

Imagine sailing down one of Europe's iconic rivers as picturesque villages, castles and landscapes pass you by, all while twinkling lights from nearby Christmas markets dance on the water. While this might sound like a fairytale, it can be a reality on a Christmas market river cruise.

From late November through December every year, most river cruise companies with Europe-based ships take excited passengers to idyllic towns to learn about Christmas traditions, shop at local Christmas markets and try tasty seasonal treats.

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.

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Here, we list the eight best Christmas markets river cruises to take in 2024, along with tips to get the most out of each sailing and highlights not to miss.

Best for short cruises: Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas on the Danube

ama waterways christmas river cruise

If you're looking for a short sailing to tack onto the beginning or end of a trip, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers four-night Danube River sailings that start in Vienna, Austria, and end in Passau, Germany. The majority of the trip is spent in Austria, with port days in Vienna, Krems, Melk and Linz before a final day in Passau.

In Vienna, you can choose to visit one of the city's 100+ museums or visit the iconic Opera House before heading to the Christmas market for a glass of mulled wine and shopping. For those interested in wine, Krems is a must-see destination known for some of the best wines in the country. Before departing from Passau, be sure to explore the Christmas market as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral to see the impressive organ, which is the biggest cathedral organ in the world with almost 18,000 pipes.

Each ship in the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet is all-suite and comes with butler service. Ships offer an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi to use before or after your trips ashore.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas Atmosphere Along the Danube cruises depart in early and mid-December 2024. Fares start at $1,161 per person, based on double occupancy.

All your meals, one excursion per destination, gratuities, Wi-Fi, butler service and transfers are also included in your cruise fare. Alcoholic drinks are only included with the Premium All-Inclusive Package, which can be selected at booking.

Best for Francophiles: CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley

ama waterways christmas river cruise

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.

The river cruise starts in Paris, where you can spend the day exploring the city, seeing the Christmas markets in Montmartre or Saint Germain or shopping for high-end gifts along the Champs-Élysées before the 5 p.m. all-aboard time.

Day two will bring you to Rouen, where you are invited to join Christmas Eve dinner and midnight mass. You'll also get to see more of Rouen on day four and take a guided tour. If you have free time, be sure to stop in at La Couronne, the oldest operating restaurant in France and the place that inspired Julia Child to start cooking.

Spend Christmas Day in Honfleur, one of the cutest cities on the voyage. Be sure to get the town's specialty, a steaming bowl of moules frites (mussels with fries), for Christmas lunch. After three days of touring smaller towns, you'll return to Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is visible from the banks of the Seine.

CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley cruise departs Dec. 23, 2024. Fares start at $1,570 per person, based on double occupancy.

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.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Best for families: Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Christmas Markets Cruise

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Families looking to explore Christmas markets through Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands will enjoy Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets sailing. The eight-day cruise allows kids as young as 5 to join, though Disney's suggested age is 8 or older.

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. As you walk through each town they share the history, culture and legends of the destination.

The weeklong trip starts in Basel, Switzerland. The next two days make Strasbourg, France the home port from which you can choose to visit Europa Park in Rust, Germany, or head to Colmar, France, which is famous for its Christmas Markets and Cheese Museum. You'll have most of the second day to enjoy Strasbourg.

Day four brings the group to Mannheim, Germany, where you can enjoy a funicular ride to Heidelberg Castle or tour the town of Baden-Baden where the Christmas market is not to be missed.

In Rüdesheim, you can choose to take part in a coffee and hot chocolate tasting, marvel at one of the largest mechanical music box collections in the world, enjoy a wine tasting or explore the city on your own. The evening is spent sailing through the Rhine Gorge as you pass 30 castles along the shore.

The last day in Germany is spent in Cologne, where you can visit the beautiful Christmas markets that dot the city landscape, as well as lace up some skates to glide around an open-air ice rink. The cruise ends in Amsterdam, where you can choose to visit the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House Museum or the Van Gogh Museum, along with taking a scenic canal cruise through the city.

Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets cruise departs Dec. 19, 2024. Fares start at $6,599 per adult and $5,899 per child under 11, based on double occupancy.

Fares for the once-a-year cruise include most meals, drinks at lunch and dinner (plus a nightly cocktail hour where a range of mixed drinks are complimentary), excursions in each port of call, porter service, transportation in port, Wi-Fi, gratuities for onboard staff and Adventure Guides, and onboard entertainment.

Related: Are river cruises right for kids?

Best for couples: Viking's Danube Christmas Delights

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Couples looking to get away for the holidays should consider Viking 's Danube Christmas Delights river cruise. The seven-night cruise takes passengers to four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. The trip combines opportunities to explore the ports of call with lectures and cultural performances onboard the ship.

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.

In Vienna, Austria, the whole city comes alive with lights and a festive spirit. 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.

Another highlight of the cruise is Krems, where the group will visit Göttweig Abbey and get exclusive access to the chapel in the inner courtyard to see the nativity scene. (The chapel is usually closed to visitors.) Finally, in Passau, you can watch an Advent wreath demonstration or take a flight to see the landmark Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

Viking offers Danube Christmas Delights river cruises from late November through mid-December in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $2,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

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.

Best for old-world charm: Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Travelers looking to explore all of the Old World historic charm of Belgium will want to book Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets cruise. The seven-night cruise visits Belgium and the Netherlands, with port days in iconic cities like Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.

The cruise is a closed loop, starting and ending in Brussels. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship. Then on day two in the city, enjoy all the chocolate you can with a tour and chocolate tasting, plus a visit to the Christmas market. On day three, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture and a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food.

The cruise continues into the Netherlands at Maastricht, where you can explore the city and its Christmas market, or head to Aachen, Germany, for festive fun. Alternatively, you can visit Valkenburg's underground Christmas market, located inside a cave. The last stop of the cruise is Antwerp, Belgium, where you can enjoy a concert, a beer tasting and time to enjoy the city at your leisure.

Uniworld offers its Belgian Holiday Markets cruise on four departure dates from late November through mid-December 2024 (and three December dates in 2025). Fares start from $3,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

The cruise fare includes premium spirits and wine, access to bikes and walking sticks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, enrichment lectures, and shore excursions in each port. Onboard gratuities and group transfers to and from the airport are also included.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Best for solo travelers: Tauck's Yuletide Spirit

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Solo travelers looking to enjoy a river cruise without the hassle of a single supplement should check out Tauck's Christmas market itineraries. On all European river cruises, including the seven-night Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise, the line waives the single supplement on Category 1 riverview cabins.

If your cruise starts in Amsterdam, you don't have to be on the ship until 4 p.m. so use the morning to walk around town or get tickets to tour the Anne Frank House. On your second day in Amsterdam, visit the Rijksmuseum and take an evening canal cruise with the group. Foodies will love it when the cruise heads to Gouda to explore the history of the city plus get a tasting of stroopwafels, which are cookie sandwiches invented in the city.

The midpoint of the cruise will bring you to the decision to visit either Ghent, which is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, or Bruges, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful canals. The cruise also visits Antwerp, where you can explore the various Christmas markets that are spread throughout the city. Your trip ends in Brussels, with a whole day to explore the cute squares and charming markets and try local fare.

Tauck offers four December departures of its Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise in 2024 and 2025, meaning the last cruise sets sail after Christmas. Fares start at $3,690 for solo travelers in a Category 1 room, but book soon as the single rooms are already selling out.

Solo travelers should know that these cabins don't have a balcony and are the smallest on the riverboat at 150 square feet, but you likely won't be spending much time in your room on this sailing. The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits, and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers.

Best for an extended cruise: Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine

ama waterways christmas river cruise

Travelers looking for a longer cruise that sails deep into the southern part of Europe will want to consider the Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine river cruise, which includes one night in Lucerne and three nights in Lake Como. There are also Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine itineraries that don't include the land-based post-cruise days if you want a shorter trip.

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.

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.

The final stop on the cruise is Basel, Switzerland, where you will disembark the ship to take a motor coach tour that starts in Mount Pilates, where you will ride 7,000 feet up the mountain in a gondola for incredible views. Your journey continues with a land-based post-cruise bus tour to Italy's Lake Como on days nine through 12. You can take a boat ride around the lake, explore the city on your own and marvel at the Duomo.

Avalon Waterways offer its Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine cruise on Dec. 8, 2024. Prices start at $4,822 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include meals, drinks during meals and happy hour, Wi-Fi, a library, excursions, bike rentals and a fitness center. Gratuity is not included for hotel stays and meals during the land portion of your trip.

Best for unique destinations: AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe

ama waterways christmas river cruise

While many river cruises traverse the waters around France, Germany and Austria, AmaWaterways ' Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary takes guests to Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. The seven-night cruise sails between Budapest and Giurgiu along the Danube River.

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.

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. 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.

The cruise ends in Rousse, where you can venture further into Romania to Bucharest, which is known as the "Little Paris of the East" for a city tour and Christmas Market.

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). Fares start at $2,880 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include Wi-Fi, wellness activities, daily entertainment and cultural performances, all meals, drinks at lunch and dinner plus a daily cocktail hour, excursions in each destination and access to knowledgeable guides.

Bottom line

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.

It's most important to choose a cruise based on which destinations you wish to visit and which travel dates and itinerary lengths work with your schedule. But don't forget to consider the cruise line.

The inclusions on most of the river cruises are similar but can vary in scope, such as which drinks are included or cost extra, and how many complimentary shore excursions you can choose from. You'll also want to think about the overall vibe of your trip and what your expectations are, whether you're looking for a luxury trip with more upscale ships and higher service levels or a more affordable option that emphasizes exploring and finding your own adventures.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • Top ways cruisers waste money
  • The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

ama waterways christmas river cruise

AmaWaterways AmaViola - The Ultimate Mother-Daughter Getaway

L et’s talk about the ultimate mother-daughter getaway – a cruise! Specifically, a river cruise on AmaWaterway’s luxurious AmaViola that sails through the rivers of Europe. This cruise experience is perfect for women over 40, especially those looking for a unique and unforgettable bonding experience with their daughters. Imagine sailing past breathtaking landscapes , exploring enchanting cities, and enjoying delicious cuisine, all while spending quality time with your favorite travel companion. So pack your bags, grab your daughter, and let’s set sail on the AmaViola!

AmaViola Ship Overview

Let’s start with the most important part – the ship! AmaViola is one of AmaWaterways’ newer ships, boasting modern and spacious staterooms with good views of the stunning surroundings. The ship has a maximum passenger capacity of 156, guaranteeing an intimate and personalized experience. Our sailing had less than 80 people on board, so we knew almost everyone by the time the week was done.

The decor is elegant, featuring a mix of modern and classic design elements that will make you feel right at home. The lounges and bars on the ship are all comfortably furnished, perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

They offer just a few room choices. We stayed in one of the regular rooms with two twin beds and a balcony. It was the perfect size for us. If you prefer just one bed, it’s the same exact room, and they just push the beds together. The bathroom had a hair dryer that worked great. It also had shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The bottles are large, so there is plenty of product for the entire trip. 

There is also a suite and a junior suite on the AmaViola. The suite can sleep four people, and the junior suite can sleep three. The AmaWaterways ships that they use just for Disney have lots of rooms like these to make it easier for families. If you want to travel with younger children, I recommend looking into the Disney AmaWaterways cruises . If your kids are older like mine, it won’t matter which ship you choose to sail on. 

The benefits of the largest suite include a stocked minifridge, snacks for the room, and a coffee service that will bring the coffee you want to your room in the morning. 

The ship is incredibly stable and neither of us experienced any motion sickness at all. It’s nothing like being on one of the big cruise ships. Even going through the locks (there were 25) the ship barely moved. The locks are a sight to behold. They do an educational lecture about how they work that you won’t want to miss. They also did a cooking demo on one of the days that was quite interesting. 

AmaViola Food and Dining

Now let’s talk about the food, which is borderline all-inclusive. The culinary experience on AmaViola is in a league of its own. The menus offer a variety of delicious dishes inspired by the local cuisine of the regions you’ll be sailing through. Whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience or a casual meal, the ship has you covered. And, of course, the wine is included at lunch and dinner. On our cruise, the wine at night tended to be something local. Cheers to that!

Food tip: If your chef is from Asia and they are offering curry, pho, or some other dish from Asia, then get it! If your chef is from some other region, figure out what that region is known for, and then watch for it to show up on the menu. While all our meals were fantastic, we had some of the best curries we’ve ever had on board the ship!

Happy Hour tip: They offer one hour a day called the ‘Sip and Sail” hour. During this hour you get lots of complimentary drinks. Here’s a look at the Sip and Sail menu.

Tea Time: If you are hungry in the afternoon they do tea time with finger sandwiches, cookies, other treats, and of course tea.

Chef’s Table: You have to sign up for the Chef’s table when you get on board. It’s a special multi-course meal in a different part of the ship. It’s the same every night so it doesn’t matter which night you attend. 

Attire Tip: I’ve had several people reach out online about what to wear to dinner. At the top of the post, you can see what Eden and I wore to the farewell night. I thought this farewell event would be dressier. It wasn’t. We were by far the most dressed-up people that night, but hey we looked great! We also dressed up a bit the first night because we were having dinner with the captain. We were also the most dressed up for this. I found the attire to be casual, so in general, you can dress however you like. Nobody will say a thing!

AmaViola Legendary Danube Itinerary and Excursions

The best part of this mother-daughter adventure is the itinerary, which for us was all new cities. AmaWaterways ships sail through some of the most beautiful rivers in Europe and Asia, stopping at charming towns and cities along the way. You can expect guided tours of historic sites and museums, as well as opportunities for shopping, street food exploration, and local entertainment. Some must-visit destinations on this itinerary include Nuremberg, Passau, Vienna, and Budapest.

One of the top reasons to cruise with AmaWaterways is the included excursions. Each stop offered one to three excursion choices. Typically one was a walking tour, one was a biking tour, and the third offering was a food tour or hiking experience. 

Nuremberg, Germany

In Nuremberg, we went on the WWII walking tour, and it was so good. I highly recommend going on this tour. It’s sad, but the fascinating history makes it worth it. Luckily, it ends on a happy note with some free time in the old town.

Regensburg, Germany

We did the active walking tour. It was decent, but if we had a do-over, then we would have done the biking tour instead. After the tour, we were also able to try an amazing and very popular sausage shop while it was still early in the day, so the usual large line hadn’t formed yet. The tour will lead you to this delicious shop.

Passau, Germany

If you can handle a 14-mile bike ride with several hills, absolutely choose this activity when you get there. This is what we did, and I cannot say enough good things about it. We biked through the town, saw the baroque cathedral, then biked out into the forest where we crossed the river into beautiful Austria. The scenery was incredible.

Melk, Austria

At this stop, we went by bus out to the tiny town of Durnstein about 30 minutes away. The drive is beautiful, and you learn a lot about the wine growing in the Wachow Valley. However, you will see most of it from the ship when you sail down that part of the river. (This will be during lunch, so I recommend skipping lunch and staying up to see it all. Then grab lunch in the lounge.)

Once there, we had a walking tour that lasted way too long considering how small the town is. I recommend taking the little train instead of doing the walking tour if you go here.

Honestly, we recommend opting for the Melk Benedictine Abbey tour instead of Durnstein. Based on what we heard from others, this was a better tour, and the Abbey is gorgeous. The bike tour at this stop is basically an exercise route. 

Vienna, Austria

Here we recommend taking the biking tour. I think you will have a better opportunity to see more things and not from a bus window. We did the walking tour, which was fine. Slightly too long, but then we had lots of free time in the amazing city. While the tour was average, we did have a day and a half in Vienna because it was the main stop on the cruise. Vienna was our favorite city on the cruise by far and is definitely worth exploring and grabbing some traditional food.

Budapest, Hungary

Here there was no biking tour offered, just two types of bus/walking tours. Make sure to do the earlier one, otherwise, you will miss out on the Grand Market. 

AmaViola Amenities

Fitness options.

One of the most unique and exciting features of the AmaViola cruise experience is the onboard fitness and wellness activities. There’s something for everyone, from yoga classes to cardio workouts and stretching sessions because they have an actual fitness trainer dedicated to this on board. Hopefully, you have Wellness Host Roman on your ship, he’s the best.

Spa and Hair Salon

The ship also has a spa room, where you can relax and unwind with a massage. There was even a hair salon where you could have your hair done too. 

Up on the top deck they have giant chess, a swimming pool, a walking track, and corn hole. Eden and I played many rounds of corn hole during our cruise. Bring a deck of cards with, you so you can play cards up here at the tables. 

Sadly, the weather was never warm enough for us to be able to take advantage of the heated pool, which was a bummer.  The first full day of sailing the river had many canal locks to get through and many bridges the ship had to clear. Therefore, the first day the pool and the entire sundeck were closed. That’s on the route going from Nuremberg to Budapest. The opposite route will probably have it in reverse, so the last day. 

Evening Entertainment

There wasn’t entertainment every night but almost every night. We enjoyed traditional Hungarian dancing and music, live music, disco parties, and more. 

Doctor at Every Port. 

I cannot conclude this article without mentioning the ‘doctor situation’ in the unfortunate scenario where you get sick. Unfortunately, Eden got an ear infection during our trip. I told the staff around 4/5 pm that she needed to see someone. They hustled and had a doctor on the ship in less than two hours. The next day was a national holiday, so everything would be closed. So they sent out a staff member to immediately get her medicine that night. They were unsure if the pharmacies would be open the next day and left nothing up to chance. I was blown away at how they got this done for us. The doctor charged us $350, but the ship charged us nothing to run out and get her medicine!

Conclusion:

Sailing on the AmaViola is not just a cruise, it’s an unforgettable experience that you and your daughter will treasure forever. The ship’s luxurious amenities, world-class cuisine, and outstanding itinerary guarantee a journey full of exploration, precious moments, and memories. So don’t hesitate – book your mother-daughter adventure today and get ready for the voyage of a lifetime!

Let’s talk about the ultimate mother-daughter getaway – a cruise! Specifically, a river cruise on AmaWaterway’s luxurious AmaViola that sails through the rivers of Europe. This cruise experience is perfect for women over 40, especially those looking for a unique and unforgettable bonding experience with their daughters. Imagine sailing past breathtaking landscapes, exploring enchanting cities, and enjoying delicious cuisine, all while spending quality time with your favorite travel companion. So pack your bags, grab your daughter, and let’s set sail on the AmaViola! AmaViola Ship Overview Let’s start with the most important part – the ship! AmaViola is one of […]

Travel Alert Advisory

2025 christmas market river cruises.

ama waterways christmas river cruise

  • from $ 3,899 pp

ama waterways christmas river cruise

  • from $ 3,599 pp

ama waterways christmas river cruise

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ama waterways christmas river cruise

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ama waterways christmas river cruise

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Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

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  1. Christmas Market Cruises with AmaWaterways

    ama waterways christmas river cruise

  2. Christmas Markets Cruise on the Danube

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  3. AMAWaterways Christmas Market Cruises

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  4. 2023 Christmas Market Cruises

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  5. River Cruises

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  6. AmaWaterways Christmas Markets River Cruise

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COMMENTS

  1. 2024 Iconic Christmas Markets

    AmaWaterways™ 2024 Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise - Embark from Nuremberg for a 7-night cruise on Europe's storied Danube. Visit Christmas Markets in Regensburg, Passau, Vienna, and more. ... On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard ...

  2. 2023 Iconic Christmas Markets

    Sailing dates and pricing for all itinerary options on the AmaWaterways™ 2023 Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise. Contact Your Travel Advisor or Call 1-800-626 ... travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!" ...

  3. Christmas Markets River Cruise on AmaWaterways in Photos

    Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise Review. My original Christmas Markets river cruise plan was a seven-night trip along the Rhine river from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland traveling with AmaWaterways.. Scheduled for the end of November, I hoped that the cities we'd visit would have their decorations set up and their markets in full swing.

  4. Christmas Market Cruise: Day-by Day on the Danube River Onboard

    Christmas Markets Cruise: Day-by Day on the Danube River Onboard AmaWaterways. It's the most wonderful of the year—when Central and Eastern Europe lights up with billions of green, red and ...

  5. Guide to AmaWaterways' Christmas Markets Cruises: Details, Tips

    Book your new 2023 - 2024 Christmas Markets or New Year's cruise through Connie George Travel Associates between by 9/30/23, and receive complimentary gratuities. We will pick up the cost of your gratuities ($167 per person for AmaMagna sailings, $144 per person for all other sailings). Mention this blog to receive promotion.

  6. AmaWaterways Christmas Markets River Cruise

    As far as I can tell, AmaWaterways is among the best river cruise lines for a Christmas Markets river cruise. With AmaWaterways, you'll " experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world's most timeless Christmas Markets.

  7. 2023 Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise

    Prague -- the Czech Republic's dazzling capital city, home to over a million people and with over 1,100 years of fascinating history to explore - is one of the most exciting European cities to visit. AmaWaterways™ 2023 Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise - Embark from Nuremberg for a 7-night cruise on Europe's storied Danube.

  8. Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing

    Which river cruise line is best for a Christmas cruise? Cruise lines that offer Christmas market cruises include Viking , Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways , CroisiEurope, Uniworld and Tauck.

  9. The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024

    Avalon Waterways offer its Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine cruise on Dec. 8, 2024. Prices start at $4,822 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include meals, drinks during meals and happy hour, Wi-Fi, a library, excursions, bike rentals and a fitness center.

  10. River Cruise Lines

    AmaWaterways™ UK, a luxury river cruise line company with top ratings & reviews offering a list of scenic riverboat all-inclusive itineraries on European Asian African waterways. For our 2020 2021 2022 special offers, holiday, Christmas markets deals & best prices call us or contact your travel agent.

  11. River Cruise Review: Christmas on the Rhine

    The ship was just beautiful and pristine. All the crew were waiting there smiling at us, making us feel so special, like AmaLucia was our own private yacht. When we opened the doors to our staterooms, our mouths fell to the floor. They were so spacious! All three of our staterooms lined up in a row and two of them were connecting.

  12. Six Reasons to River Cruise through Europe in Summer

    A family-owned company since 2002, award-winning AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 28 ships sailing through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. 'Ama' means love - and we put love in everything we do, from our exquisite locally-sourced cuisine to our variety of included shore excursions in every port to our warm, personalized service. We are also proud of our innovations ...

  13. 8 best river cruises in Europe, from the Douro to the Danube

    Christmas Markets on the Rhine, Ama Waterways . There's something quite special about experienceing Christmas celebrations on a river cruise through Europe. On this AmaWaterways voyage, you sail ...

  14. Christmas Markets anyone? It's time to start planning your Christmas

    1 likes, 0 comments - worldtravelbyjanna on August 5, 2023: "Christmas Markets anyone? It's time to start planning your Christmas Markets river cruise! AMA Waterways ...

  15. AmaWaterways AmaViola

    L et's talk about the ultimate mother-daughter getaway - a cruise! Specifically, a river cruise on AmaWaterway's luxurious AmaViola that sails through the rivers of Europe. This cruise ...

  16. 2026 Cruise Deals

    Exceptional Value: Take advantage of unbeatable prices and special offers on our 2026 cruise deals, ensuring you get the most value for your money. Exciting Itineraries: Explore a variety of captivating destinations around the globe with carefully curated 2026 cruise itineraries, designed to satisfy every traveller's wanderlust.

  17. River Cruises

    Sail an AmaWaterways® River Cruise - voted Best River Cruise Line in 2019. Explore itineraries that cruise the rivers of Europe, Asia and Africa. Find the best river cruise for you today. ... 2024 Christmas Market River Cruises . CRUISE YEAR. 2024 | 2025. 13 CRUISES FOUND. Christmas Markets on the Rhine (2024) 7 - night cruise. from $ 3,499 pp

  18. River Cruises

    A family-owned company since 2002, award-winning AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 28 ships sailing through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. 'Ama' means love - and we put love in everything we do, from our exquisite locally-sourced cuisine to our variety of included shore excursions in every port to our warm, personalized service. We are also proud of our innovations ...

  19. 2023 Christmas Markets On The Danube Cruise

    Vienna's Fantastical Schönbrunn Palace. Gilded, glittering glamor whose opulent beauty only rivals Versailles - and Schönbrunn Palace was originally just supposed to be a summer residence. AmaWaterways™ 2023 Christmas Markets On The Danube - Embark from Budapest during Europe's most festive season for a 7-night cruise on the storied Danube.