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Imagine the two of you in soft gloves, cradling mugs of spiced mulled wine as you wander a market square aglow with thousands of tiny lights, a choir singing somewhere nearby. Then, rather than searching for a taxi, you stroll a few minutes back to your river ship, where dinner, a well-chosen glass of wine and a warm stateroom await. That is the quiet magic of a Christmas Markets river cruise, and it remains one of my favorite ways for couples to celebrate the season.
AmaWaterways builds dedicated Christmas Markets sailings around Europe’s most beloved holiday markets, and the timing is designed so the markets are open and glowing when you arrive. These are the three sailings I recommend most, with 2026 and 2027 dates.
First, which year can you still book?
If you are dreaming of this December, there is still time: as of October 19, 2026, AmaWaterways is still showing 2026 Christmas Markets departures from late November through mid December. These are the final sailings of the year, and holiday departures fill quickly, so if 2026 is your year, I recommend reserving soon.
The 2027 Christmas Markets season is also published and open, with departures from late November through mid December 2027. For couples who prefer to plan ahead and secure the best staterooms, 2027 is a beautiful choice, especially for an anniversary or a milestone holiday.
Iconic Christmas Markets on the Danube
For the classic, storybook Christmas Markets cruise, this is the one. Iconic Christmas Markets is a 7-night sailing between Nuremberg, Germany and Budapest, Hungary (it runs in both directions), and it gathers some of the most famous markets in Central Europe into a single festive week.
Where you go
- Nuremberg: home of the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt, with its red-and-white striped stalls and centuries of tradition.
- Regensburg: medieval streets and a market in the courtyard of Thurn and Taxis Palace, one of the most romantic holiday settings in Bavaria.
- Passau: a graceful riverside town, with a day of excursions that showcase the region’s heritage and holiday charm, Salzburg included.
- Melk: the Baroque abbey high above the Danube.
- Vienna: the Rathausplatz market and its open-air ice rink, plus holiday magic at Schönbrunn.
- Budapest: fairytale architecture and festive cheer to close the week.
Ships and dates
AmaWaterways sails this route on several of its Danube ships, including AmaReina, AmaSonata, AmaMora and AmaVerde. One note for 2026: AmaWaterways has announced that sister ships AmaStella and AmaLea have switched itineraries for the rest of 2026, so sailings listed as AmaLea will sail on AmaStella instead.
For 2026, departures run from November 25 through December 19, 2026, and the December 19 sailing is a Taste of Christmas departure. For 2027, departures begin November 24, 2027.
Cruises start from $3,479 per person.
Icons of the Danube aboard AmaMagna
For couples who value a little extra space, this is the sailing I am most excited about. Icons of the Danube (formerly known as Magna on the Danube) sails on AmaMagna, which AmaWaterways describes as having twice the deck space of a traditional river ship, four onboard restaurants and a full range of wellness facilities. Glittering markets by day, every comfort by night.
Where you go
This 7-night route runs between Budapest and Vilshofen, Germany, with stops that include Budapest and the Danube Bend, Bratislava (once the coronation city of Hungarian kings), Vienna, Dürnstein in the Wachau Valley, Linz and Passau.
Ships and dates
For 2026, AmaMagna departs November 29, December 6 and December 13, 2026. For 2027, AmaMagna departs November 28, December 5 and December 12, 2027, and AmaWaterways’ brand new AmaRudi, named for co-founder Rudi Schreiner and debuting in 2027, also has a December 12, 2027 Christmas Markets departure. Christening the season on a brand new ship is a truly special way to celebrate as a couple.
Cruises start from $4,179 per person.
Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles at Christmas
For couples drawn to the Rhine, this 7-night sailing from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam begins in the Alps and glides through a string of glittering markets in four countries.
Where you go
- Basel: cobbled Old Town streets lined with festive stalls, plus a scenic excursion to the lakeside markets of Lucerne.
- Strasbourg: France’s oldest Christmas market, under the Gothic cathedral, with Alsatian gingerbread and vin chaud.
- Ludwigshafen: your stop for Heidelberg’s castle and a festive market at the entrance to the old town.
- Rüdesheim: Rhine vineyards, gondola views and castles.
- Cologne: Old Town charm and seasonal splendor.
- Amsterdam: festive flavors along the canals.
Ships and dates
This itinerary sails on AmaVenita and AmaSerena. For 2026, departures are December 1 and December 8, 2026. For 2027, departures are November 30, December 7 and December 14, 2027.
Cruises start from $3,579 per person.
Why I love AmaWaterways at Christmas for couples
Beyond the markets themselves, a few details make this an effortless, romantic way to spend the holidays in Europe:
- So much is included. AmaWaterways fares include your meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, a daily Sip and Sail cocktail hour, Wi-Fi, and guided excursions in port. Port charges are included in the cruise price, too.
- Bed your way. You choose your bedding when you book: two twins, or one large bed that is larger than a queen. For couples, I always recommend the latter.
- A cozy retreat. The ships are dressed for the season, with warm drinks, regional dishes and carols waiting when you come in from the cold.
- Unpack once. You wake up in a new town most mornings without ever repacking a suitcase, a true luxury in winter, when you are traveling with coats and boots.
How I help you choose
This is how I match couples to the right sailing:
- First Christmas Markets trip? Iconic Christmas Markets hits the big names: Nuremberg, Vienna and Budapest in one week.
- Want more room and more dining choices? Icons of the Danube on AmaMagna, or AmaRudi in 2027.
- Love France, wine country and castles? Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles, with Strasbourg and Heidelberg.
A few of my planning tips: add a night or two in Budapest, Vienna, Basel or Amsterdam before or after so you arrive rested, choose a higher stateroom category if a balcony or suite matters to you, and pack for genuine cold, with layers, gloves and comfortable waterproof boots for the cobblestones. Airfare is not included in these cruise prices, so I plan flights and the cruise together.
Ready to book your Christmas on the river?
If you already know which sailing you want, you can browse dates and reserve directly on my AmaWaterways booking site. If you would prefer that I compare dates, staterooms and pre or post hotel nights for you, reach out and I will handle every detail so you can simply savor the season together.
Prices shown are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy, and were checked on October 19, 2026. Fares, dates, ships and itineraries are set by AmaWaterways and can change at any time.