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Find your Christmas-market route

16 published itineraries across 8 cruise lines. Compare routes and inclusions, then ask a Vacation Planning Company advisor to check dates, cabins, and the full trip cost.

16 example Christmas-market sailings

Sorted by featured lines first (Viking and AmaWaterways are our Top Picks), then by our editorial score.

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AmaWaterways★ Top Pick

Icons of the Danube — Christmas Markets

4.8
Budapest ↔ Vilshofen 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026–2028 AmaMagna / AmaRudi, depending on departure

A seven-night Budapest–Vilshofen cruise on a wider river ship. The extra width gives it a different onboard feel from Ama's standard vessels. Confirm the ship and cabin for your date: the published schedule includes both AmaMagna and AmaRudi departures.

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AmaWaterways★ Top Pick

Magical Christmas Markets of Germany

4.7
Nuremberg ↔ Frankfurt 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · debuts 2027 AmaCerto / AmaPrima, depending on departure

A seven-night Germany itinerary along the Main and Rhine, with published departures from 2027. It connects Nuremberg and Frankfurt via Franconian towns, Rüdesheim, and Mainz. Choose an Advent departure for market visits; Christmas and New Year departures are separate seasonal experiences.

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AmaWaterways★ Top Pick

Christmas Markets on the Danube

4.7
Budapest ↔ Vilshofen 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026–2028 AmaWaterways ship varies by departure

Ama's seven-night Christmas Markets on the Danube runs between Budapest and Vilshofen. The route includes Bratislava, Vienna, the Wachau Valley, Linz, and Passau. For Nuremberg, compare Ama's separate Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary instead. Ship assignments and excursion choices vary by date.

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AmaWaterways★ Top Pick

Christmas Markets on the Rhine

4.7
Amsterdam ↔ Basel 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026–2028 AmaWaterways ship varies by departure

A seven-night Amsterdam–Basel route with stops in Cologne, Rüdesheim, the Ludwigshafen area, Strasbourg, and Breisach. Dining includes The Chef's Table and a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour. Ask which ship, cabin type, and excursions operate on your departure.

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Viking★ Top Pick

Christmas on the Rhine

4.6
Amsterdam → Basel 7 nights · Late Nov–Dec · select 2026–2028 departures Viking Longship

Viking's dedicated Christmas itinerary connects Amsterdam and Basel in eight days and seven nights. Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, and Strasbourg are among the route's stops. Compare the selected departure's daily schedule: an embarkation or disembarkation city is not automatically a full market day.

Example pricing

from $3,499

2026 example · per person · checked Nov 6

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Viking★ Top Pick

Danube Christmas Delights

4.6
Budapest ↔ Passau 7 nights · Late Nov–Dec · select 2026–2028 departures Viking Longship

This seven-night Christmas cruise links Budapest and Passau, with calls in Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, and Linz. It does not visit Nuremberg. Viking's Danube Waltz is a separately named itinerary; use the Christmas Delights schedule when comparing this holiday route.

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Scenic

Danube Christmas Markets

4.7
Regensburg ↔ Budapest (Munich transfer) 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 Scenic Space-Ship varies by departure

Scenic's XNBU itinerary lasts eight days and seven nights, with a Munich transfer to or from Regensburg. The route continues through Passau, the Wachau Valley, Vienna, and Bratislava to Budapest. Standard Suites do not have the Sun Lounge found in balcony-suite categories.

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Tauck

Christmas Markets Along the Danube

4.6
Nuremberg ↔ Vienna 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 ms Joy / ms Savor, depending on departure

Tauck's eight-day, seven-night Christmas itinerary connects Nuremberg and Vienna through Bavaria and Austria. Budapest and Bratislava are not on this route. Scheduled sightseeing and special Tauck events are part of the experience; consult the daily itinerary for the events on your departure.

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Uniworld

Classic Christmas Markets

4.6
Nuremberg ↔ Frankfurt 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 Uniworld ship varies by departure

Classic Christmas Markets is a seven-night Germany itinerary between Nuremberg and Frankfurt, primarily along the Main. It is not an Amsterdam–Basel Rhine cruise. The daily program includes guided market visits; selected Masterpiece Collection add-ons cost extra.

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Uniworld

Danube Holiday Markets

4.6
Budapest ↔ Passau 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 S.S. Maria Theresa

Uniworld's Danube Holiday Markets links Budapest and Passau in seven nights aboard S.S. Maria Theresa. The program includes Vienna, Bratislava, the Wachau Valley, and a Salzburg excursion. It does not visit Nuremberg; optional Masterpiece Collection experiences are separate from included touring.

Example pricing

from $5,249

2026 example · per person · checked Nov 6

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Tauck

Christmas Markets Along the Rhine

4.6
Basel ↔ Düsseldorf 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 ms Inspire

Tauck's Christmas Rhine itinerary connects Basel and Düsseldorf in eight days and seven nights aboard ms Inspire. It includes Strasbourg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne rather than Amsterdam. Check the daily schedule and direction for time ashore instead of assuming an overnight market visit.

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Riverside

Festive Danube Capitals & Yuletide Traditions

4.5
Budapest → Vienna 4 nights · Dec 2 or 16, 2026 · published dates, space on request Riverside Mozart

Riverside's published five-day, four-night itinerary visits Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna aboard Riverside Mozart. The 2026 itinerary lists December 2 and 16 departures, not confirmed cabin availability. Compare the full-board and premium packages carefully: drinks and excursions are not automatically included in every fare.

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Avalon

Christmastime on the Danube

4.3
Nuremberg ↔ Vienna 6 nights · Nov–Dec · 2026 cabins checked Nov 7; 2027 planning also available Multiple Avalon Suite Ships

Avalon's six-night Christmastime on the Danube links Nuremberg and Vienna through Regensburg, Passau, Melk, and the Wachau Valley. The line's Panorama Suites place the bed toward the river view, while Avalon Choice excursions give guests more than one way to explore on selected days.

Example pricing

from $3,047

2026 example · per person · checked Nov 7

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Avalon

Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine

4.3
Amsterdam ↔ Basel 7 nights · Dec 1–15 · 2026 cabins checked Nov 7 Avalon View or Avalon Envision

This seven-night Rhine itinerary connects Amsterdam and Basel via Cologne, the Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim and Strasbourg. The November 6 check showed multiple categories and dates. Confirm the operating itinerary and market stops before booking.

Example pricing

from $6,229

2026 example · per person · checked Nov 7

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Avalon

Christmastime in the Heart of Germany

4.3
Frankfurt → Nuremberg 5 nights · December 2027 · ask about earlier dates Avalon Tranquility II

This five-night Main River itinerary visits Würzburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg. The supplier now opens the 2027 itinerary by default. Ask us to check the status of any 2026 sailing.

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Emerald

Christmas Markets on the Danube

4.2
Passau ↔ Budapest (Munich transfer) 7 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027 Emerald Star-Ship varies by departure

Emerald's current EWXD itinerary is seven nights between Passau and Budapest, with a Munich transfer. It visits Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, and Bratislava. Included touring and gratuities are part of the published program; optional experiences and additional drinks can cost extra.

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