Christmas Markets on the Rhine

AmaWaterways

Christmas Markets on the Rhine

Length
7 nights
Region
Rhine
Countries
Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland

This sailing runs along the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. Christmas market tours are offered in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer, Strasbourg and Colmar.

Amsterdam · Cologne · Rüdesheim · Ludwigshafen · Strasbourg · Breisach · Basel

Highlights

  • Cologne Christmas market beside the Gothic cathedral
  • Scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge
  • Choice of Heidelberg or Speyer

Day by day

Shown from Amsterdam to Basel. Direction and ports can vary by sailing.

  1. Day 1

    Amsterdam: boarding

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Arrive in Amsterdam and board the ship.

  2. Day 2

    Amsterdam: canal cruise

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Canal cruise in Amsterdam, followed by scenic cruising out of the city.

    Tours: Canal Cruise Tour

  3. Day 3

    Cologne and Düsseldorf: Christmas markets

    Cologne, Germany

    Choose a walking tour with Christmas markets in Cologne or Düsseldorf, or a guided bike tour in Düsseldorf. Cologne's market sits beside its Gothic cathedral.

    Tours: Cologne Walking Tour and Christmas Markets, Düsseldorf Walking Tour and Christmas Markets, Düsseldorf Guided Bike Tour

  4. Day 4

    Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim

    Rüdesheim, Germany

    Scenic cruising past the castles and vineyards of the Rhine Gorge. Rüdesheim options include a wine tasting, a gondola ride, a vineyard hike and the Christmas market.

    Tours: Wine Tasting and Christmas Markets, Gondola Ride and Christmas Market, Vineyards Hike, Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet, Rüdesheimer Coffee

  5. Day 5

    Ludwigshafen: Heidelberg or Speyer

    Ludwigshafen, Germany

    Visit Heidelberg, with its hilltop castle and Christmas market, or Speyer, with its cathedral and town square. A Philosopher's Path hike is also offered in Heidelberg.

    Tours: Heidelberg Tour and Christmas Markets, Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets, Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path Hike and Christmas Markets

  6. Day 6

    Strasbourg: city tour and Christmas markets

    Strasbourg, France

    City tour or bike tour of Strasbourg, or a walking tour and Christmas markets in Baden-Baden.

    Tours: Strasbourg City Tour and Christmas Markets, Strasbourg Bike Tour, Baden-Baden Walking Tour and Christmas Markets

  7. Day 7

    Breisach: Colmar and Freiburg

    Breisach, Germany

    Visit Colmar and its Christmas market, or the medieval town of Freiburg and its market.

    Tours: Colmar Excursion and Christmas Markets

  8. Day 8

    Basel: disembark

    Basel, Switzerland

    Leave the ship in Basel.

Dates

Availability changes. Ask us to confirm.

2026

  • November 25Amsterdam to Basel · AmaPrima
  • November 25Basel to Amsterdam · AmaCerto
  • November 26Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia
  • November 26Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSiena
  • November 28Amsterdam to Basel · AmaStella
  • November 28Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • December 2Amsterdam to Basel · AmaCerto
  • December 2Basel to Amsterdam · AmaPrima
  • December 3Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSiena
  • December 3Basel to Amsterdam · AmaLucia
  • December 5Amsterdam to Basel · AmaViola
  • December 5Basel to Amsterdam · AmaStella
  • December 9Basel to Amsterdam · AmaCerto
  • December 10Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia
  • December 10Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSiena
  • December 12Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • December 16Amsterdam to Basel · AmaCerto
  • December 16Basel to Amsterdam · AmaPrima
  • December 17Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSiena
  • December 24Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia

2027

  • November 24Basel to Amsterdam · AmaPrima
  • November 25Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia
  • November 25Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSiena
  • November 27Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSofia
  • November 28Amsterdam to Basel · AmaStella
  • November 28Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • December 1Amsterdam to Basel · AmaPrima
  • December 2Basel to Amsterdam · AmaLucia
  • December 4Amsterdam to Basel · AmaFiora
  • December 4Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSofia
  • December 5Amsterdam to Basel · AmaViola
  • December 5Basel to Amsterdam · AmaStella
  • December 8Basel to Amsterdam · AmaPrima
  • December 11Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSofia
  • December 11Basel to Amsterdam · AmaFiora
  • December 12Amsterdam to Basel · AmaStella
  • December 12Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • December 15Amsterdam to Basel · AmaPrima
  • December 16Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSiena
  • December 16Basel to Amsterdam · AmaLucia
  • December 18Amsterdam to Basel · AmaFiora
  • December 18Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSofia
  • December 19Amsterdam to Basel · AmaViola
  • December 23Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia

2028

  • November 23Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia
  • November 23Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSiena
  • November 25Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSofia
  • November 26Amsterdam to Basel · AmaStella
  • November 26Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • November 29Basel to Amsterdam · AmaMaria
  • November 30Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSiena
  • November 30Basel to Amsterdam · AmaLucia
  • December 2Amsterdam to Basel · AmaFiora
  • December 3Amsterdam to Basel · AmaViola
  • December 3Basel to Amsterdam · AmaStella
  • December 6Amsterdam to Basel · AmaMaria
  • December 7Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia
  • December 9Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSofia
  • December 9Basel to Amsterdam · AmaFiora
  • December 10Amsterdam to Basel · AmaStella
  • December 10Basel to Amsterdam · AmaViola
  • December 13Basel to Amsterdam · AmaMaria
  • December 14Amsterdam to Basel · AmaSiena
  • December 14Basel to Amsterdam · AmaLucia
  • December 16Amsterdam to Basel · AmaFiora
  • December 16Basel to Amsterdam · AmaSofia
  • December 17Amsterdam to Basel · AmaViola
  • December 17Basel to Amsterdam · AmaStella
  • December 21Amsterdam to Basel · AmaLucia

What's included

Stay

  • Choice of suites, staterooms and connecting rooms
  • Daily housekeeping and turn-down service
  • Bathrobe, slippers and bathroom amenities
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Onboard WiFi

Dining

  • All onboard meals
  • The Chef's Table specialty restaurant
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with meals
  • Specialty coffee and tea
  • Daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour

Excursions

  • Up to six expert-led experiences each day
  • Gentle, regular and active options for most activities
  • Onshore experiences

Also included

  • Cruise Manager for the whole route
  • Regional music and performances
  • Experiences for solo travelers
  • Wellness Host and daily classes on most sailings
  • Port charges

Virtuoso benefits

Dedicated Onboard Host

A personal Virtuoso host sails with your group, present throughout the voyage to answer questions and ensure every detail runs exactly as planned.

Private Welcome Reception

An exclusive cocktail reception at the start of each sailing, arranged solely for Virtuoso Voyages guests with introductions facilitated by your host.

Shipboard Credit

$100 per stateroom on voyages under 14 nights; $200 per stateroom on voyages of 14 nights or more, to spend freely on dining, spa, or excursions.

Exclusive Shore Experience

A private shore excursion, VIP tour, or private car and driver whose itinerary is shaped entirely around your interests and pace — never a group schedule.

Specialty Dining

Complimentary reservations at specialty restaurants on select sailings, including chef's tastings and curated wine pairings on participating vessels.

Spa & Wellness Access

Select spa treatments, wellness credits, and onboard amenities included on participating voyages across our preferred cruise partners.

Ships

AmaPrima

AmaPrima

AmaCerto

AmaCerto

AmaLucia

AmaLucia

AmaSiena

AmaSiena

Rhine, Moselle, and Danube.

AmaStella

AmaStella

AmaViola

AmaViola

AmaSofia

AmaSofia

New for 2026: European rivers.

AmaFiora

AmaFiora

AmaMaria

AmaMaria

Get Started

Ask about this cruise

Tell us which Christmas Markets on the Rhine sailing you have in mind. We'll check availability and add every benefit we can.

More itineraries

7 nights

Icons of the Danube: Christmas Markets

Budapest · Bratislava · Vienna · Dürnstein · Linz · Passau · Vilshofen

View full itinerary
7 nights

Christmas Markets on the Danube

Budapest · Bratislava · Vienna · Weissenkirchen · Linz · Passau · Vilshofen

View full itinerary
7 nights

Iconic Christmas Markets

Nuremberg · Regensburg · Passau · Melk · Vienna · Budapest

View full itinerary