Have questions? We're here.
Enjoy a carriage ride at the Christmas Market

Christmas Time Cruise

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard MS Amasonata
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Germany trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a festive European river cruise that boards 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.
Wander a cozy Christmas MarketEnjoy this beautiful basilica while traveling through EuropeLights brighten the evening at this bustling Christmas MarketChristmas Market at night.Enjoy a carriage ride at the Christmas Market
Activities
  • River Cruises
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive Nuremberg / Embark

  • 1 Dinner
Board your cruise in Nuremberg. Tonight, gather on board your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg.

Day 2: Nuremberg / Continental Divide

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, you will have time to visit the Christmas Market. Enjoy a complimentary drink of hot mulled Glühwein in your own souvenir mug to ward off the chill. After lunch continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks.

Day 3: Regensburg

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and enjoy a guided tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market, where you can shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. In the alternative this afternoon, visit the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, where you can watch the craftsmen make their goods.

Day 4: Passau / Linz, Austria

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city that was founded more than 2,000 years ago. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Afterwards, take some time to experience the traditional Christmas Markets. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria’s third largest city and a major river port.

Day 5: Melk / Vienna

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the “City of Music.” Tonight, return to town on your own or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.

Day 6: Exploring Vienna

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, start your excursion with a driving tour of Vienna including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets at the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and provides a spectacular festive atmosphere with the aroma of Glühwein and gingerbread. In the alternative, you can stroll along the Kärntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna’s famous pastries.

Day 7: Budapest, Hungary

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, cruise the Danube Bend past beautiful towns nestled on the curve of the river bank to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest is spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica. You have the balance of the day to explore the Christmas markets. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner. After dinner, your ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest.

Day 8: Disembark / Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.

Ship/Hotel

MS Amasonata

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,699
Amasonata E cabin
Select a Date
Cat. E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
Amasonata D cabin
Select a Date
Cat. D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
Amasonata C
Select a Date
Cat. C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
Amasonata BB cabin
Select a Date
Cat. BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft
Amasonata BA cabin
Select a Date
Cat BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Cat AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft
Amasonata AA cabin
Select a Date
Cat. AA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Cat. AA+
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 250 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.

Notes

Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By