Enjoy Christmas markets with AmaWaterways

There's nothing like a river cruise to the Christmas markets of Europe. Ask anyone who's taken one. The setting is about as sentimental and old-timey as it gets when you explore these quaint locales brimming with the spirit of the season.

Now's the ideal time to book a Christmas market cruise on AmaWaterways, with fares starting at $2,049 per person. Enjoy a gondola ride, visit centuries-old cathedrals, explore villages on a bike ride or do some wine tasting. See below for the two best ways to experience the holidays on AmaWaterways.

Christmas markets on the Danube

Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary (7 nights)

Summary: Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a festive journey along the Danube River. After boarding your ship in Nuremberg, you will cruise through the charming region where so many of today’s most beloved Christmas traditions originated. Experience a number of enchanting Christmas markets in places such as Regensburg, Salzburg, and Vienna, each with its own local flavor and traditions. Conclude your holiday cruise in Budapest. The reverse itinerary is also available. 

Countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary

Departure dates: Nov. 23 to Dec. 23

Fares: Start at $2,049

Danube itinerary

day

date

port

   

1

Amsterdam

Embarkation

       

Welcome dinner

   

2

Amsterdam

Canal cruise & city tour

   

3

Cologne

City tour & cathedral visit

       

Visit Christmas Market

   

4

Rüdesheim

Wine tasting OR Gondola ride

       

OR Rheingau bike tour

       

Visit Christmas Markets

       

Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum

       

OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

   

5

Mannheim

Heidelberg excursion

       

OR City tour OR Bike tour

       

Visit Christmas Markets

   

6

Strasbourg

City tour & Christmas markets

       

OR Strasbourg hike

       

OR Old Town bike tour

   

7

Breisach

Walking tour & Christmas markets

       

Breisach& Freiburg Christmas markets

       

OR Breisach bike tour

   

8

Basel

Disembarkation

   

Christmas markets on the Rhine

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Basel, Switzerland (7 nights)

Summary: Take an enchanting 7-night Rhine River cruise that takes you through the fabled Black Forest region and the Alsace region. You will also visit Heidelberg and Cologne, famous for its majestic Cathedral and bustling Christmas markets. Begin your winter adventure in Amsterdam amid the city’s legendary canals and colorful holiday surroundings and end in beautiful Basel, Switzerland. The reverse itinerary is also available. 

Countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland

Departure dates: Nov. 20 to Dec. 20 

Fares: Start at $2,549 per person based on double occupancy

Rhine itinerary

day

date

port

   

1

Nuremberg

Embarkation

       

Welcome dinner

   

2

Nuremberg

City tour

       

Visit Christmas Market

       

Cruise Main-Danube Canal

   

3

Regensburg

Walking tour

       

Visit Christmas Market

       

Taxis Palace Christmas Market

   

4

Passau

Walking tour & Christmas Market

       

Passau bike tour or Salzburg excursion

   

5

Melk

Benedictine Abbey tour

       

OR Danube bike tour

       

Wachau Valley cruise

     

Vienna

Visit Christmas Markets

   

6

Vienna

City tour and Christmas Market visit

       

Visit Christmas market

       

OR Klosterneuburg Monastery bike tour

   

7

Budapest

City tours

       

Visit Christmas market

       

Illuminations cruise

   

8

Budapest

Disembarkation

   

Contact a Cruiseable travel expert

Do any of these itineraries look good to you? Contact a Cruiseable travel professional for the best pricing and additional information at 1-877-322-3773 or email our experts.