European Christmas season cruises are a great way to pair the joy of travel with the magic of the holiday season. Typically running from late November through the New Year, these specialty cruises visit iconic and/or historic holiday markets in ports along European waterways. One excellent choice of cruise provider is AmaWaterways.
Why You Should Choose AmaWaterways’ Christmas Season cruises:
- AmaWaterways ships are imbued with a festive atmosphere — twinkling décor, classic melodies and seasonal treats await you after every jaunt in town.
- Savor fresh, regionally inspired dishes with a seasonal twist with every onboard meal.
- Whether you dream of wandering Europe’s Christmas Markets or simply want a mug of warm mulled wine, AmaWaterways’ itineraries give you the freedom to enjoy each destination exactly as you wish.
- Relish in holiday fun with a range of onboard celebrations — tree trimming, sweet decorating and the beloved search for the pickle ornament. A certain jolly visitor will also stop by with surprises that brighten each departure.
Festive table, AmaMagna
Plus, when you work with one of our travel agents, the gift of travel shines a bit brighter: We can offer you a trio of possible savings. Save up to $2,000, enjoy complimentary stateroom upgrades and receive up to $400 onboard credit, plus enjoy having a professional handle all the little details of travel planning.
Our travel professionals agree:
“European Christmas markets are such a quintessential tradition, and AmaWaterways' specialty itineraries are such a truly magical way to experience them. Each sailing feels like living in a Hallmark holiday movie, yet somehow even more cozy and charming.”
Featured Sailings:
Budapest, Hungary
7-Night Romantic Danube (Taste of Christmas)
AmaSonata
November 18, 2026
Vilshofen, Germany; Passau, Germany; Linz, Austria; Weissernkirchen, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary
Starting from $3,949 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Bordeaux, France
7-Night Taste of Bordeaux (Taste of Christmas)
AmaDolce
December 17, 2026
Bordeaux, Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac, Cadillac, Bordeaux, France
Starting from $3,340 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Christmas Market in Düsseldorf
7-Night Captivating Rhine (Taste of Christmas)
AmaPrima
December 23, 2026
Amsterdam, Netherlands; Utrecht, Netherlands; Kampen, Netherlands; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Dusseldorf, Germany; Rhine Gorge, Germany; Rudesheim, Germany; Ludwigshafen, Germany; Strasbourg, France; Breisach, Germany; Basel, Switzerland
Starting from $3,249 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Strasbourg, France
7-Night Enchanting Rhine (Christmas & New Year's Celebration Cruise) – 2 Extra Nights Onboard
AmaFiora
December 25, 2027
Basel, Switzerland; Breisach, Germany; Strasbourg, France; Ludwigshafen, Germany; Rudesheim, Germany; Rhine Gorge, Germany; Lahnstein, Germany; Monheim, Germany; Dusseldorf, Germany; Utrecht, Netherlands; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Starting from $4,379 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Melk, Austria
7-Night Best of the Danube (New Year's Celebration Cruise)
AmaSonata
December 29, 2027
Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Wachau Valley, Austria; Melk, Austria; Linz, Austria; Wachau Valley, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary
Starting from $4,379 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Brussels, Belgium
7-Night Best of Holland & Belgium (New Year's Celebration Cruise)
AmaSiena
December 30, 2027
Amsterdam, Netherlands; Utrecht, Netherlands; Ghent, Beligum; Brussels, Belgium; Antwerp, Belgium; Dordrecht, Netherlands; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Starting from $4,279 per person
Up to $300 Onboard Credit per Stateroom
Triple Savings offer: All rates are per person in USD for cruise only, inclusive of port charges, based on double occupancy in Category E stateroom, and reflects up to $1,000 per person cruise savings (amount varies by sailing). Offer is only valid on new FIT and Group reservations made between March 6 – June 30, 2026; applies to select sailings. Tour Operators are eligible; additional restrictions apply. Complimentary upgrade is subject to availability; applies to one category upgrade, based on a like-for-like stateroom category; and excludes A+, AA+ and Suites. Onboard credit of $50 per person is in USD, based on double occupancy and can be applied towards all onboard purchases. Offer is combinable with AirPlus Rates, Combination Cruise Savings, Loyalty Benefits and Future Cruise Benefit Program. Offer is not applicable to travel advisors and does not apply to industry rates or other offers deemed by AmaWaterways. Land packages, visas, airfares and gratuities are additional. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions at any time. Other restrictions apply. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. For full terms and conditions, please contact our travel agency CST#2065452-20.
Complimentary Land offer: All rates are per person in USD for cruise only, based on double occupancy in Category E stateroom, inclusive of port charges. Offer includes one complimentary eligible Land Package per person on new FIT and Group reservations made April 1 - June 30, 2026, for select 2026 and 2027 Europe sailings. Offer valid on double occupancy; Tour Operators eligible; additional restrictions apply. Availability of sailings and land packages may vary due to local events. Not all advertised Land Packages are eligible; contact our travel agency for full details. Additional land packages available for purchase. Complimentary Land is valid only with a full-fare cruise; hotel-to/from-ship transfer included; airport transfers available at extra cost. Offer combinable with AirPlus Rates, Combination Cruise Savings, Past Guest Savings, and Future Cruise Benefit Program. Solo travelers must pay full single supplement to receive complimentary land. Offer not applicable to travel advisors, industry rates, or other restricted offers. Hotel listings are not guaranteed and may be substituted with similar properties; AmaWaterways will confirm hotel details 3–4 weeks prior to departure when Digital Travel Documents are issued. Stateroom upgrades, optional land packages, visas, airfares, and gratuities are additional. Offer is capacity controlled, combinability limited, and subject to change or withdrawal without notice. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct errors or omissions. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. For full terms and conditions, contact our travel agency. CST#2065452-20.
Exclusive Amenity Offer: All prices listed are in USD, based on double occupancy, in a Category E (Mekong and Colombia- Category C). Cruise fares are inclusive of per person port charges. Offer valid on new cruise bookings made from January 1, 2026 through sailing date on Exclusive Onboard Credit program dates only. Exclusive Onboard Credit program is combinable with select promotional offers available at the time of booking. Contact our travel agency for complete details and promotional eligibility. Offer is applicable to FIT bookings only and not applicable to groups. Onboard credit amounts are $300 per stateroom on 7-night cruises and $600 on 14-night cruises, based on double occupancy (solo travelers receive half). Optional land programs and international airfare are additional; please ask for details. Availability is limited on each cruise and the offer is subject to change or discontinuation without notice. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions at any time. CST#2065452-20
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
