Open a gift wrapped in glowing lights and sights of the inviting beauty of Christmas markets on the Danube and Rhine River. Embark on special departures for the festive season in Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets and festivities. Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on our decorated Suite Ships® as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Christmas traditions along your river cruise. Enjoy stunning winter views on the Danube with the warm glow of Christmas markets, beautifully adorned with ageless traditions.

Savor the special views of the season by embarking in Vienna with a culinary tour in the Christmas markets of the City of Music. Sail through the wonderful Wachau Valley with visits to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. In Passau, browse through the shining Christmas markets in the “City of Three Rivers.” On to Regensburg for Christkindlesmarkt shopping and beer tasting on board, and a visit to Nuremberg with your choice of a city tour or the WWII Rally Grounds. Spend a day exploring the Christmas markets here for traditional keepsakes and delicious specialties. Take an excursion from Nuremberg to Munich for to see the historic home of monarchs at Nymphenburg Palace.

In Bamberg, tour the city of seven hills of the Imperial Dynasties, and enjoy onboard Christmas Traditions lecture as you sail to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”—with Christmas markets brimming with holiday cheer. Visit a quaint Bavarian Main River village and enjoy a cookie-baking demonstration on board your ship. Take an excursion to Rüdesheim in the Rhine Valley wine region to experience the joyful Mechanical Music Museum. Enjoy Christmas market lights and delights through Heidelberg and Speyer before sailing to Strasbourg for the La Petite France district and shimmering Christmas markets. Continue on to the Black Forest for a traditional Bavarian Christmas atmosphere or visit a local winery. Your European Christmas cruise concludes in Basel, Switzerland.


Included Features:

Day 1 Vienna (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Vienna: City sightseeing; Christmas market

Day 3 Wachau Valley–Melk–Grein: Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard Austrian cookies tasting; guided tour in Grein

Day 4 Passau: Guided tour; Christmas market

Day 5 Regensburg: Guided tour; Christmas market

Day 6 Nuremberg: Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market

Day 7 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: Guided tour, see the Marienplatz, Christmas market

Day 8 Nuremberg: Day at leisure to visit Christmas market

Day 9 Bamberg: Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture

Day 10 Würzburg: Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market

Day 11 Main river village: Guided tour

Day 12 Frankfurt. Excursion to Rüdesheim: Onboard cookie-baking demonstration; guided tour

Day 13 Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; German lunch with wine/coffee tasting; Christmas market

Day 14 Strasbourg: Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market

Day 15 Breisach: Choice of visit to a local in winery in Breisach or excursion to the Black Forest

Day 16 Basel (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning