Enjoy the magic of Christmas and excitement of New Year on a festive river cruise, offer the chance to spend time at some of Europe's top Christmas markets or celebrate New Year with your loved ones. Look forward to Christmas shopping and a wonderful winter atmosphere with a festive river cruise.
See Christmas River Cruises See New Year River Cruises See Christmas Market River Cruises
River cruises sailing around the festive season mainly set sail throughout the month of December, offering the ideal time to visit popular markets and experience the wintery season first-hand. Our selection of festive river cruises run all through December, with varying durations, so you can take your pick of the best itinerary to suit you.
Suggested Read: Christmastime on the Rhine with Gary Buchanan
Festive sailings are available across the world's waterways, from Europe's many rivers to the more exotic worlds of Asia's Mekong. Destinations all depend on what you're looking for during the festive season.
If you're keen to explore the traditional Christmas markets of Europe, then a sailing along the Danube or the Rhine would be ideal. For a chance to sun yourself and enjoy the warmer weather, the Mekong is ideal to visit during December with temperatures reaching 30°C.
More: River Cruising During the Winter Months
It's always best to book a festive river cruise as early as possible. Spaces and dates are limited and, with only a month to sail, they tend to sell out very fast! If you're keen to book a festive river cruise, take a look at the sailings below and call our Cruise Concierge to book your festive river cruise today.
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2026
Rhine
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2026
Rhine
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2026
Douro
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 02 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 02 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 02 Dec 2026
Nile
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 02 Dec 2026
Amazon
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
11 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Danube
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Mekong
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
12 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Mekong
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
12 Nights
Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2026
Main
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 04 Dec 2026
Douro
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 05 Dec 2026
Danube
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 05 Dec 2026
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 05 Dec 2026
Douro
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
12 Nights
Sailing Date : 06 Dec 2026
Danube
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
16 Nights
Sailing Date : 06 Dec 2026
Danube
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 06 Dec 2026
Danube
Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 07 Dec 2026
Danube
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 07 Dec 2026
Mekong
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 07 Dec 2026
Nile
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
