- Cruise lines like Abercrombie & Kent have just added sailings for Christmas.
- Others like Avalon Waterways are reporting that bookings are at an all-time high for 2025.
- Lines like Tauck and APT offer Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve sailings.
Don’t tell Santa, but Christmas cruises are fast becoming popular with Australian river cruisers, taking away the hassle of cooking, cleaning, and hosting.
Lines like Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent, AmaWaterways, APT and Travelmarvel (APT’s sister brand) have almost sold out for 2025.
Christmas cruises are most popular on the Danube River, which includes calls to famous markets in Koblenz, Speyer and Strasbourg.
“Christmastime on the Danube is the most popular itinerary for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons (so far) and remains one of the top for 2024,” said Chris Fundell from Avalon Waterways.
“The itinerary can either be booked as westbound or eastbound cruise both of which offer the chance to savour the views, smells and tastes of centuries-old Christmas markets and traditions through Germany and Austria, whilst cruising along Europe’s second-longest river over the festive season.”
Sailing on Christmas Day
APT, the all Australian cruise line which recently launched two new ships, said that Christmas cruises have long been a staple part of their itinerary offerings.
“While we haven’t added new festive itineraries recently, both APT and Travelmarvel have long recognised the popularity of Christmas cruising among Australian travellers,” said an APT representative.
“Our Christmas departures have been a core part of our European river cruise calendars for years. We’ve stayed ahead of the trend by consistently delivering holiday-season sailings that resonate with guests seeking a more meaningful and atmospheric way to spend Christmas abroad.”
The line has a specific itinerary which includes a Christmas Day feast as well as New Year’s celebrations.
“APT’s Magnificent Europe is a luxurious, fully inclusive celebration of the season. Guests celebrate a magical Christmas Day with a relaxing morning sailing towards Bamberg, before a tour of the town,” said an APT representative.
“A traditional Christmas feast is included onboard your ship with all the trimmings. Guests will also ring in the New Year with a magical celebration onboard in Vienna.
“The journey captures the essence of a European white Christmas – from candlelit cathedrals and Glühwein stalls to exclusive APT Signature Experiences that elevate the trip beyond the ordinary. It’s the ultimate stress-free festive escape, where everything is taken care of.”
The rise of the solo Christmas cruiser
AmaWaterways has been operating Christmas cruises for many seasons and is seeing increased demand each year among a variety of different types of cruisers.
“We now offer Christmas Cruises, as well as Festive Delights in the lead up to the main Christmas market season, to give a taste of Christmas. These also incorporate New Year’s cruises to extend the festive season into early January,” said Steve Richards from AmaWaterways.
“The markets offer the traditional Christmas experience, especially with the decorated markets wafting the smells of gingerbread, mulled wine and other incredible spices. Onboard is an extension of this experience. AmaWaterways has the brightest and most festive ships on the rivers at this time of year. Inside, the crew decks our halls, dining rooms, lounges and other spaces with tasteful decorations. On Christmas cruises, guests will also be treated to fun traditional games, carols and festive meals.”
The line has also found that Christmas cruises attract not just couples, friends and multigenerational families, but solo cruisers who are looking to connect with others during the holiday season.
“Along the Danube and the Rhine are the most popular as they take guests to the more well-known markets in famous cities and towns like Vienna, Budapest, Cologne and Strasbourg. We’ve also seen increased interest in the lower Danube as these markets open a little later than further west, as these local communities celebrate Orthodox Christmas. Finally, we’ve curated a fantastic experience on our Rhone itinerary that incorporates Christmas celebrations between Lyon and Arles.
“For multigenerational families, it’s an opportunity to come together (often from other parts of the world) to celebrate as a family. There is something for everyone on a cruise like this,” said Richards.
“For couples and friends, Christmas is a popular time to travel with leave more readily available and the opportunity to slow down after a busy time. And for our solo travellers, it’s a great way for them to connect with others at this time of the year.”
An exotic Christmas cruise
Luxury brand Abercrombie & Kent introduced new Christmas cruises a few months ago – and one voyage in a surprising location.
“Two of the new journeys are a Cruise the Rhine to Europe’s Christmas Markets and A New Year’s Cruise on the Danube,” said Michelle Micken from Abercrombie & Kent.
“We have also introduced new Christmas departures on the Nile, with a newly created small group journey – A Nile Cruise for the Holiday Season. This journey features a four-night sailing on the Sun Boat III, an A&K Sanctuary. Demand for Egypt as a destination is on the rise, so our Egypt & the Nile itinerary is receiving steady demand.
“Others may love the idea of spending their Christmas holiday somewhere very different from their home. It might be somewhere warm for those residing in the Northern Hemisphere, or the chance to experience a white Christmas for those residing in the Southern Hemisphere.”
River Cruise Passenger’s Top Christmas Cruises
Tauck
Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise
Tauck’s all-inclusive Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise is an eight-day adventure that departs from Budapest, Vienna, Dürnstein, Wachau Valley before finishing in Salzburg.
Some of the highlights include an evening at a private Viennese palace with dinner, entertainment and a waltzing lessons, as well as a visit to Oberndorf, the birthplace of the carol Silent Night.
Price: From $7950 per person for 2026 departures
Avalon Waterways
Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt
This Avalon Waterways 13-day voyage visits culturally rich places like Vienna, Krems as well as Nuremberg.
The line also will host an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions in Europe and choose from two guided excursions—a classic sightseeing tour of Nuremberg, or a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII notoriety.
The itinerary will also visit Würzburg’s warm Christmas markets before sailing to visit a picturesque Main River Village.
The voyage concludes in Mainz Frankfurt with wonderful Christmas markets and more.
Price: From $12,125 per person for 2025 departures
APT
Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Year’s
On this APT river cruise, experience Christmas in Europe as you cruise in luxury on it most popular river cruise.
Start in Amsterdam before heading along the Rhine, stopping at quaint German towns on the way. Enter Austria, and explore Vienna, then culminate in Budapest.
This cruise, over Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve includes special celebrations including a feast on Christmas Day and a party to ring in the new year.
Price: From $11,495 per person for 2025 departures
Abercrombie & Kent
A Nile Cruise for the Holiday Season 2025
The mysteries of Egypt have captivated travellers for centuries.
Now, Abercrombie & Kent is hosting a 10-day holiday in the Land of the Pharaohs.
With an expert A&K Egyptologist at your side, discover ancient Egypt’s quintessential archaeological treasures and cruise the Nile aboard Sun Boat III, your floating oasis exclusively chartered for A&K guests.
The cruise departs on December 20, 2025 meaning you’ll spend your Christmas among ancient Egyptian ruins.
Price: From $24,605 per person for 2025 departures
AmaWaterways
Gems of Southeast Europe (Festive Delights)
Take a seven-day cruise on the Lower Danube which visits celtic fortifications, medieval towns, and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates.
Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Croatia. On your exploration of Europe’s grandest cities, keep your eye out for the Christmas Markets.
Price: From $3300 per person for 2025 departures
