Rhine or Danube? Pick a Christmas market cruise to suit your budget
The heartland of Christmas markets – a highlight of mainland Europe’s winter calendar – lies in Germany and Austria. A river cruise is a fantastic way to soak up the yuletide atmosphere and as vessels moor in town centres you never have far to walk back with your shopping. Here’s a selection of seasonal sailings, tailored for your budget.
Christmas market cruises on the Danube
Value: Each year Vienna’s neo-Gothic Rathaus, or town hall, is turned into a giant advent calendar with images adorning the windows marking the Christmas countdown. The adjoining square has more than 150 stalls and is one of the markets visited aboard A-Rosa Donna, a comfortable German-owned ship chartered by Shearings offering seasonal specialities on the buffet menu. The cruise also visits Linz where the Volksgarten market features a nativity play performed every half hour.
The six-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise leaving on November 20 costs from £654 per person, including coach travel from various UK pick-up points (0344 874 8220; shearings.com).
Lower mid-range: A newcomer to the river cruise scene is U by Uniworld, providing holiday cheer for the “young at heart” from millennials to baby boomers on its cool black ship The A. Decked out with a DJ booth, on board mixologist, yoga studio, cabins sleeping up to three and providing two meals daily, the Christmas cruise includes a night out at Budapest’s ruin bars, a trip to the Hungarian capital’s market in Vörösmarty Square and three Christmas markets in Vienna.
The four-night A Merry Little Christmas round trip sailing from Budapest departing on December 16 is from £1,299 per person excluding flights (0845 678 5656; ubyuniworld.com).
Upper mid-range: One of the longer sailings available is APT’s all-inclusive two-week Magnificent Europe cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, which sails along the Rhine, Main and Danube. The festive-themed cruise includes a private classical concert by members of the Mozart Boys Choir at Vienna’s City Palace and coincides with Christmas Markets in Rudesheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Salzburg and Vienna.
The 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary departing from Amsterdam on December 8 starts from £4,995 per person, including flights and home-to-airport transfers (0800 012 6683; aptouring.co.uk).
Top-end: Push the proverbial boat out and celebrate with a sumptuous all-inclusive cruise on Crystal Mozart, which is the largest all-suite ship sailing on the Danube but carries just 154 passengers. All staterooms come with butler service and there are four restaurants offering flexible dining times plus an elegant Palm Court, piano bar and cigar lounge. A highlight is a stop at Vilshofen, famous for its floating market on board a ship and a giant wooden nativity scene.
The 10-night Danube Christmas Markets round trip cruise from Vienna departing December 10 costs from £6,572 per person in a penthouse suite, excluding flights (020 7399 7604; crystalcruises.co.uk).
Read more: Telegraph Travel's Danube River Cruise Guide
Christmas market cruises on the Rhine
Value: When time is at a premium in the busy run-up to Christmas there are short-break cruises starting from just three nights. The River Cruise Line’s sailing, aboard the charming heritage vessel The Lady Anne, visits Cologne where festive stalls including gingerbread and warming mulled wine stands are set up in front of the twin-spired Gothic cathedral. There’s the opportunity to buy more traditional gifts in the wine-making town of Rüdesheim and Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest cities.
The three-night Christmas Markets along the Rhine cruise from Andernach to Cologne departing December 5 costs from £499 per person, including coach travel from UK departure points (01858 438330; rivercruiseline.co.uk).
Lower mid-range: The former imperial town of Speyer is an atmospheric stop on Amadeus River Cruises’ sailing on the modern Amadeus Silver which has a gym, massage room and hair salon. Excursions include a visit to the market in front of the 18th century old mint; dating back to the time when Speyer’s citizens made their own coins. Hopping over the German border, the cruise takes in Strasbourg’s Christmas market founded in 1570 and the oldest in France.
The five-night Magic of Advent on the Rhine round trip cruise from Cologne departing December 12 costs from £1,828 per person for a balcony suite, including flights (0800 035 6411; amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk).
Upper mid-range: Another shorter cruise is offered by Avalon Waterways aboard its comfortable ship Avalon Visionary, with two decks of spacious Panorama Suites. Excursions include a visit to the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which towers over the university city and is one of Germany’s most impressive landmarks. Afterwards passengers can skate on the ice rink at the foot of the fortress and browse in the expansive Christmas market spread over five town squares.
The four-night Christmastime in Alsace & Germany cruise from Wiesbaden to Basel departing December 14 costs from £1,540 per person, including flights (0330 058 8243; avaloncruises.co.uk).
Top-end: A private concert in a grand Baroque palace is one of the highlights on Scenic’s seasonal cruise. The all-inclusive sailing on the luxury line’s contemporary ‘Space-Ship’ Scenic Opal includes butler service for all passengers, room service, dining in the ship’s speciality restaurant and a mini-bar in every cabin. As well as calling at markets in Strasbourg, Rüdesheim, Koblenz and Cologne, the cruise ends in Amsterdam to stock up on cheese in the namesake village of Edam.
The seven-night Rhine Christmas Markets sailing from Basel to Amsterdam departing December 11, 2019, costs from £5,590 per person in a Royal Owner’s Suite, including flights (0808 159 4193; scenic.co.uk).
