A Christmas market cruise can be a great way to prepare for the festive season and there is still time to secure a sailing this year.
Many European cities welcome visitors from the end of November to taste local delicacies at food stalls, wander through rows of wooden chalets decorated with fairy lights, and try ice skating.
Passengers can choose from river cruises that dock close to the centre of major cities each day, or opt for an ocean cruise with more onboard amenities and a focus on charming coastal destinations.
Many routes depart from the UK or are a short flight to the continent and offer overnight stops, giving you more time to explore. And the best thing? There are sailings to suit all budgets.
Here is our pick of the best Christmas market cruises to book in 2026.
Tui: Festive Danube Delights
Vienna, Austria – Bratislava, Slovakia – Krems, Austria – Linz, Austria – Vienna, Austria
This five-night Tui Danube river cruise focuses on Christmas markets around Austria, and includes a stop in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Sip mulled wines at the world’s biggest Christmas market in Vienna and listen to brass bands in Krems’ old town. Afterwards, head to the riverside city of Linz to wander amongst the Christmas trees and Baroque townhouses.
Sailing on Tui Isla, passengers can choose to dine at the onboard restaurants and bars, with three meals with drinks included in the price (alongside unlimited wifi.)
Departs 27 November. From £1,219pp. Flights and transfers included.
Ambassador: Discover Germany, Holland and Belgium’s Festive Delights
London Tilbury, UK – Hamburg, Germany – IJmuiden, Holland – Zeebrugge, Belgium – London Tilbury, UK
Tick off Christmas markets in three countries with this six-night Ambassador Cruise Line sailing.
The cruise departs from London Tilbury and heads to Hamburg, Germany, for bumper bratwurst and traditional Glühwein.
The ship also visits IJmuiden, around an hour away from Amsterdam, where passengers can feast on the local delicacy, olliebollen (deep-fried dough balls).
The sailing ends in Zeebrugge, where you can head to Bruges to sample Christmas chocolate waffles.
Aboard Ambition, passengers can enjoy photography and craft sessions, as well as comedy sets from former footballer Paul Boardman.
Departs 1 December. From £629pp.
Riviera Travel: The Danube’s Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise
Budapest, Hungary – Bratislava, Slovakia – Vienna, Austria – Budapest, Hungary
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Departing from Budapest, this five-night Riviera Travel cruise includes a guided tour of the Hungarian capital before sailing to some of the best markets along the Danube.
Passengers can take in river views from the comfort of a five-star ship, plus listen to a classical music recital on board. The cruise will spend time in Bratislava before heading to Vienna for traditional market stalls. The end point is Budapest, where passengers can get their fix of continental markets.
Departs 15 December. From £1,049 per person. Flights and transfers included.
Fred Olsen: Festive France and Belgium
Southampton, UK, – Rouen, France – Zeebrugge, Belgium – Southampton, UK
With space for 1,250 guests, Fred Olsen’s Balmoral can enter smaller waterways. This festive period, passengers can sail from Southampton to the scenic Seine.
There is an overnight stop in Rouen, giving passengers the chance to explore the twinkling lights and local specialities, including cider, cheese and caramel. A visit to Bruges via Zeebrugge also offers plenty of chances to savour local delicacies.
Departs 10 December. From £1,149pp.
Viking: Christmas on the Main & Moselle
Paris, France – Reims, France – Trier, Germany – Bernkastel, Germany – Cochem, Germany – Winningen, Germany – Mainz, Germany – Heidelberg, Germany – Würzburg, Germany – Bamberg, Germany – Nuremberg, Germany – Prague, Czech Republic
Combine two rivers and Christmas markets across three countries during this 11-night Viking sailing across two major German waterways, the Main and the Moselle.
The sailing begins in Paris and Reims, then takes in the scent of spiced gingerbread among the colourful stalls of Mainz and Bamberg. The sailing finishes with two nights in pretty Prague.
The price includes meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, wifi and tips. It also includes excursions in most ports.
Departs 16 December. From £3,795pp, flights and transfers included.
MSC Cruises: Cruise from the UK to northern Europe
Southampton, UK – Hamburg, Germany – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Cherbourg, France – Le Havre, France – Southampton, UK
Explore Christmas markets from Southampton in four different European cities with MSC Cruises. This seven-night cruise docks close to the Christmas markets of Hamburg in Germany and Rotterdam in Holland, and you can take in the Normandy flavours of cheese, as well as lots of mulled wine, in Cherbourg and Le Havre.
Sailing aboard MSC Presioza, passengers can choose from 20 bars and lounges, plus use the onboard bowling alley, indoor swimming pool and F1 racing simulator.
Departs 27 November. From £579pp.
VIVA Cruises: Seine in a Blaze of Light
Paris, France – Les Andelys, France – Rouen, France – Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, France – Paris, France
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Explore the Christmas markets along the Seine aboard VIVA Beyond, the newest river cruise ship in the fleet.
This five-night round trip from Paris explores charming towns in Normandy, including medieval Les Andelys and Rouen, where you can stroll through Christmas markets against a backdrop of half-timbered houses and Gothic churches.
The all-suite ship has three onboard restaurants, including Moments, serving regional French cuisine, and the VIVA Brasserie bistro.
Departs 13 December. From £895pp.
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