The comparison engine
Filter 8 lines by river, length, month, price, ship style, inclusions, and market stops. Compare up to 3 sailings side by side. Viking & AMA Waterways are our Top Picks.
Inclusions
15 example sailings found
AMA's Danube Christmas sailing runs the classic Nuremberg-to-Budapest route with the most generous drinks package in the business — a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour plus wine, beer, and cocktails throughout the day. The AmaSerena carries bikes and has twin-balcony cabins. A chef's table tasting menu is included at no extra charge.
Example pricing
from $2,799
per person · example
AMA's Rhine Christmas sailing pairs the classic Amsterdam-to-Basel route with the line's signature generosity — Sip & Sail cocktail hour, all-day drinks, and an included chef's table. The AmaSiena has twin-balcony cabins and a heated pool on the sun deck (rare in December, but welcome).
from $2,899
AMA's Magnificent Christmas Markets runs the Danube on the AmaMagna — nearly double the width of a standard river ship, with four dining venues, a cinema, and a heated pool. The 9-day itinerary includes overnights in Vienna and Budapest, so you get full evenings at both markets.
from $3,499
Viking's signature Rhine Christmas sailing threads the 40-mile Middle Rhine gorge, with an included excursion at every port. The Longship's Aquavit Terrace turns into a winter lounge, and a resident historian gives daily talks. This is the most-booked Christmas-market sailing in the world.
from $2,499
Viking's Danube Waltz is the classic Nuremberg-to-Budapest Christmas run, with three capital cities (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest) and a Wachau Valley transit. The Budapest arrival at night, with the Parliament lit up, is one of the great river-cruise moments.
from $2,599
Viking's Southern France Christmas sailing explores the Rhône and Saône between Lyon and Avignon, timed for the Lyon Fête des Lumières (Dec 8). The markets here are gastronomic — truffle stalls, foie gras, and Côtes du Rhône vin chaud — and the December weather is milder than the German rivers.
Scenic's Danube Christmas sailing is ultra-inclusive: butler service for every guest, a Scenic Sun Lounge balcony that converts to an enclosed sunroom at the push of a button, an e-bike fleet, and every drink, excursion, and gratuity covered. The Sun Lounge is the killer feature in December — you can enjoy the river view in any weather.
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Tauck's Danube Christmas sailing is genuinely all-inclusive — every excursion, every drink, every gratuity, and a dedicated Tauck Director. The ms Joy is among the lowest-density ships on the rivers, and Tauck secures exclusive after-hours market access and a private Vienna concert on select departures.
Uniworld's Classic Christmas Markets runs the Rhine on the S.S. Joie de Vivre — a bespoke, French-inspired boutique hotel on the water. Every excursion, drink (including premium spirits), and gratuity is included. Optional Masterpiece Collection experiences add curated behind-the-scenes access.
Uniworld's Brilliant Christmas Markets runs the Danube on the S.S. Maria Theresa, a baroque-floating-boutique with hand-carved Venetian headboards and curated art. Every excursion, drink, and gratuity is included. The Masterpiece Collection adds curated optional experiences like a private Viennese concert.
Tauck's Rhine Christmas sailing runs Amsterdam-to-Basel on the ms Savor, one of the lowest-density ships on the rivers. Every excursion, drink, and gratuity is included, and a Tauck Director accompanies the sailing. The Strasbourg overnight gives you a full evening at the Christkindelsmärik.
Riverside's Danube Christmas sailing runs on the former Crystal river ships — spacious, elegant, and genuinely all-inclusive. Butler service comes with the top suites, the crew-to-guest ratio is among the highest on the rivers, and every excursion and drink is included.
Avalon's Christmastime on the Danube offers the best views-per-dollar on the rivers — suite-class cabins with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide open. The 'choose your excursion' model lets you pick classic, active, or discovery options at each port. A pre-cruise hotel night in Prague is often bundled.
from $2,399
Avalon's Prague-to-Budapest Christmas sailing adds a 2-night hotel stay in Prague before the cruise — the Prague Christmas markets (Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square) are among Europe's most beautiful, and you get to see them before sailing the Danube to Budapest.
from $2,699
Emerald's Danube Christmas sailing is Scenic's value brand — same ship engineering (including the indoor pool that converts to a cinema by night) at a sharper price. Inclusions are lighter (drinks at dinner, some excursions), so it's a good fit for travelers who want a modern ship and plan to explore markets independently.
from $2,199