winter river cruises 2024

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Danube River Cruises in Winter 2024

48 danube river cruises in winter 2024 with 23 reviews.

Christmas on Danube: from Vienna to Vienna via Budapest - MS Princess Isabella

"We enjoyed the cruise every thing was good." ilan, traveled in December 2022

Enchanting Christmas & New Year's (2024) (Passau to Budapest, 2024)

"Good tour, interesting itinerary." Harry, traveled in December 2018

Grand Christmas & New Year's (2024) (Nuremberg to Budapest, 2024)

Christmas Markets on Danube, MS PRINCESS ISABELLA 4+*

Festive Season on the Legendary Danube 2024

Festive Season on the Legendary Danube with 2 nights in Prague 2024

Christmas Markets on the Danube & Classic Prague 2024

"Loved this trip! Well organized." Debra, traveled in December 2019

Christmas time on the Danube 2024|2025 - 5 Days

Danube Christmas Markets 2024

Taking in 3 countries: The Danube and its traditions (port-to-port cruise)

Taking in 3 countries: The Danube and its traditions

Iconic Christmas Markets 2024 Start Budapest, End Nuremberg

Danube during Advent

Visiting the Christkind

Danube Enchanting Christmas Markets 2024

What people love about danube river cruises in winter.

Thoroughly enjoyed our Danube cruise over Christmas. Boat accomodation, food, staff all very good standard and created a relaxed comfortable atmosphere. All the stopping off points were interesting and it was a good blend of time on and off the boat.

Good tour, imteresting itinerary

Loved this trip! Well organized.

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The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024

Imagine sailing down one of Europe's iconic rivers as picturesque villages, castles and landscapes pass you by, all while twinkling lights from nearby Christmas markets dance on the water. While this might sound like a fairytale, it can be a reality on a Christmas market river cruise.

From late November through December every year, most river cruise companies with Europe-based ships take excited passengers to idyllic towns to learn about Christmas traditions, shop at local Christmas markets and try tasty seasonal treats.

These river cruises only run seasonally while the markets are open, so they tend to book up quickly with passengers ranging from older adults to all types of families looking for a winter holiday filled with festive fun.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here, we list the eight best Christmas markets river cruises to take in 2024, along with tips to get the most out of each sailing and highlights not to miss.

Best for short cruises: Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas on the Danube

If you're looking for a short sailing to tack onto the beginning or end of a trip, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers four-night Danube River sailings that start in Vienna, Austria, and end in Passau, Germany. The majority of the trip is spent in Austria, with port days in Vienna, Krems, Melk and Linz before a final day in Passau.

In Vienna, you can choose to visit one of the city's 100+ museums or visit the iconic Opera House before heading to the Christmas market for a glass of mulled wine and shopping. For those interested in wine, Krems is a must-see destination known for some of the best wines in the country. Before departing from Passau, be sure to explore the Christmas market as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral to see the impressive organ, which is the biggest cathedral organ in the world with almost 18,000 pipes.

Each ship in the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet is all-suite and comes with butler service. Ships offer an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi to use before or after your trips ashore.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas Atmosphere Along the Danube cruises depart in early and mid-December 2024. Fares start at $1,161 per person, based on double occupancy.

All your meals, one excursion per destination, gratuities, Wi-Fi, butler service and transfers are also included in your cruise fare. Alcoholic drinks are only included with the Premium All-Inclusive Package, which can be selected at booking.

Best for Francophiles: CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley

France is known for some of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Europe, and you have the chance to see some of them on a five-night Christmas in the Seine Valley river cruise with CroisiEurope Cruises. These shorter cruises are great if you'd like to spend a few days in Paris before stepping onto the cruise ship and sailing to three other beautiful towns.

The river cruise starts in Paris, where you can spend the day exploring the city, seeing the Christmas markets in Montmartre or Saint Germain or shopping for high-end gifts along the Champs-Élysées before the 5 p.m. all-aboard time.

Day two will bring you to Rouen, where you are invited to join Christmas Eve dinner and midnight mass. You'll also get to see more of Rouen on day four and take a guided tour. If you have free time, be sure to stop in at La Couronne, the oldest operating restaurant in France and the place that inspired Julia Child to start cooking.

Spend Christmas Day in Honfleur, one of the cutest cities on the voyage. Be sure to get the town's specialty, a steaming bowl of moules frites (mussels with fries), for Christmas lunch. After three days of touring smaller towns, you'll return to Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is visible from the banks of the Seine.

CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley cruise departs Dec. 23, 2024. Fares start at $1,570 per person, based on double occupancy.

Included with the cost of the cruise are all of your meals and most drinks, free Wi-Fi, all onboard activities and port fees. Headsets are also included for excursions if you choose to go with the group for tours rather than venturing off on your own.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Best for families: Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Christmas Markets Cruise

Families looking to explore Christmas markets through Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands will enjoy Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets sailing. The eight-day cruise allows kids as young as 5 to join, though Disney's suggested age is 8 or older.

What really makes Adventures by Disney stand out is the Adventure Guides, Disney-trained leaders who are experts in each destination. Each Adventure Guide travels with the group throughout the cruise so your family really gets to know them, and they get to know you. This allows them to make personalized recommendations about activities and meals. As you walk through each town they share the history, culture and legends of the destination.

The weeklong trip starts in Basel, Switzerland. The next two days make Strasbourg, France the home port from which you can choose to visit Europa Park in Rust, Germany, or head to Colmar, France, which is famous for its Christmas Markets and Cheese Museum. You'll have most of the second day to enjoy Strasbourg.

Day four brings the group to Mannheim, Germany, where you can enjoy a funicular ride to Heidelberg Castle or tour the town of Baden-Baden where the Christmas market is not to be missed.

In Rüdesheim, you can choose to take part in a coffee and hot chocolate tasting, marvel at one of the largest mechanical music box collections in the world, enjoy a wine tasting or explore the city on your own. The evening is spent sailing through the Rhine Gorge as you pass 30 castles along the shore.

The last day in Germany is spent in Cologne, where you can visit the beautiful Christmas markets that dot the city landscape, as well as lace up some skates to glide around an open-air ice rink. The cruise ends in Amsterdam, where you can choose to visit the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House Museum or the Van Gogh Museum, along with taking a scenic canal cruise through the city.

Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets cruise departs Dec. 19, 2024. Fares start at $6,599 per adult and $5,899 per child under 11, based on double occupancy.

Fares for the once-a-year cruise include most meals, drinks at lunch and dinner (plus a nightly cocktail hour where a range of mixed drinks are complimentary), excursions in each port of call, porter service, transportation in port, Wi-Fi, gratuities for onboard staff and Adventure Guides, and onboard entertainment.

Related: Are river cruises right for kids?

Best for couples: Viking's Danube Christmas Delights

Couples looking to get away for the holidays should consider Viking 's Danube Christmas Delights river cruise. The seven-night cruise takes passengers to four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. The trip combines opportunities to explore the ports of call with lectures and cultural performances onboard the ship.

In Budapest, you'll spend two days exploring the city at places like Castle Hill and the Grand Market Hall before shopping and dining at the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen's Basilica. Then in Bratislava, Slovakia, the group will attend an organ concert and shopping at the Old Town Christmas market.

In Vienna, Austria, the whole city comes alive with lights and a festive spirit. One thing not to miss here is the extra-charge excursion to a local winery, where you will celebrate the year's harvest and vintage.

Another highlight of the cruise is Krems, where the group will visit Göttweig Abbey and get exclusive access to the chapel in the inner courtyard to see the nativity scene. (The chapel is usually closed to visitors.) Finally, in Passau, you can watch an Advent wreath demonstration or take a flight to see the landmark Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

Viking offers Danube Christmas Delights river cruises from late November through mid-December in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $2,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include shore excursions in every port; free Wi-Fi; all meals; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; port taxes and fees; and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In select ports, passengers can sign up for optional excursions that are an added cost. These could be worth the upcharge, depending on the type of experience you want to have.

Best for old-world charm: Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets

Travelers looking to explore all of the Old World historic charm of Belgium will want to book Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets cruise. The seven-night cruise visits Belgium and the Netherlands, with port days in iconic cities like Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.

The cruise is a closed loop, starting and ending in Brussels. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship. Then on day two in the city, enjoy all the chocolate you can with a tour and chocolate tasting, plus a visit to the Christmas market. On day three, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture and a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food.

The cruise continues into the Netherlands at Maastricht, where you can explore the city and its Christmas market, or head to Aachen, Germany, for festive fun. Alternatively, you can visit Valkenburg's underground Christmas market, located inside a cave. The last stop of the cruise is Antwerp, Belgium, where you can enjoy a concert, a beer tasting and time to enjoy the city at your leisure.

Uniworld offers its Belgian Holiday Markets cruise on four departure dates from late November through mid-December 2024 (and three December dates in 2025). Fares start from $3,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

The cruise fare includes premium spirits and wine, access to bikes and walking sticks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, enrichment lectures, and shore excursions in each port. Onboard gratuities and group transfers to and from the airport are also included.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Best for solo travelers: Tauck's Yuletide Spirit

Solo travelers looking to enjoy a river cruise without the hassle of a single supplement should check out Tauck's Christmas market itineraries. On all European river cruises, including the seven-night Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise, the line waives the single supplement on Category 1 riverview cabins.

If your cruise starts in Amsterdam, you don't have to be on the ship until 4 p.m. so use the morning to walk around town or get tickets to tour the Anne Frank House. On your second day in Amsterdam, visit the Rijksmuseum and take an evening canal cruise with the group. Foodies will love it when the cruise heads to Gouda to explore the history of the city plus get a tasting of stroopwafels, which are cookie sandwiches invented in the city.

The midpoint of the cruise will bring you to the decision to visit either Ghent, which is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, or Bruges, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful canals. The cruise also visits Antwerp, where you can explore the various Christmas markets that are spread throughout the city. Your trip ends in Brussels, with a whole day to explore the cute squares and charming markets and try local fare.

Tauck offers four December departures of its Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise in 2024 and 2025, meaning the last cruise sets sail after Christmas. Fares start at $3,690 for solo travelers in a Category 1 room, but book soon as the single rooms are already selling out.

Solo travelers should know that these cabins don't have a balcony and are the smallest on the riverboat at 150 square feet, but you likely won't be spending much time in your room on this sailing. The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits, and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers.

Best for an extended cruise: Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine

Travelers looking for a longer cruise that sails deep into the southern part of Europe will want to consider the Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine river cruise, which includes one night in Lucerne and three nights in Lake Como. There are also Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine itineraries that don't include the land-based post-cruise days if you want a shorter trip.

For the longer 12-night cruise and land-based trip, guests will embark the cruise ship in Amsterdam, where they can enjoy a day of free exploration before boarding the riverboat, followed by an Amsterdam canal cruise on day two. The cruise then departs for Germany, where you will be able to explore the Christmas markets in Cologne and Rüdensheim on days three and four. Day five is when travelers can enjoy Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum or travel further on a bus to Heidelberg to explore Heidelberg Castle.

Day six brings the cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you can tour the La Petite France District and wander through the warm glow of the Christmas market. The cruise then heads back to Germany to visit the Black Forest, where you can learn about local traditions and German winemaking.

The final stop on the cruise is Basel, Switzerland, where you will disembark the ship to take a motor coach tour that starts in Mount Pilates, where you will ride 7,000 feet up the mountain in a gondola for incredible views. Your journey continues with a land-based post-cruise bus tour to Italy's Lake Como on days nine through 12. You can take a boat ride around the lake, explore the city on your own and marvel at the Duomo.

Avalon Waterways offer its Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine cruise on Dec. 8, 2024. Prices start at $4,822 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include meals, drinks during meals and happy hour, Wi-Fi, a library, excursions, bike rentals and a fitness center. Gratuity is not included for hotel stays and meals during the land portion of your trip.

Best for unique destinations: AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe

While many river cruises traverse the waters around France, Germany and Austria, AmaWaterways ' Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary takes guests to Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. The seven-night cruise sails between Budapest and Giurgiu along the Danube River.

If your sailing starts in Budapest, you'll need to arrive a day early if you plan to explore the city; the cruise does not offer excursions here. Your first stop will be Mohacs, where you can enjoy the nearby Christmas Markets in Pecs or venture to Szekszárd for a wine tasting. Day three is split between Vukovar and Novi Sad, where you can explore the historic towns and enjoy the holiday cheer with live music, artisan crafts and delightful bites of food.

The cruise continues to Belgrade, where you can wander around the city on your own, take a hike to Belgrade Fortress or put on a helmet and take a bike ride around town. Day five is exciting for nature enthusiasts as you sail through The Iron Gates, which is a series of gorges that mark the border between Serbia and Romania.

The cruise ends in Rousse, where you can venture further into Romania to Bucharest, which is known as the "Little Paris of the East" for a city tour and Christmas Market.

AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe departs on multiple dates between late November and late December in 2024 (2025 dates run mid-November to mid-December). Fares start at $2,880 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include Wi-Fi, wellness activities, daily entertainment and cultural performances, all meals, drinks at lunch and dinner plus a daily cocktail hour, excursions in each destination and access to knowledgeable guides.

Bottom line

If you've ever considered a Christmas market river cruise, 2024 is the year to finally cross the experience off your bucket list. Many of the best river cruise brands and tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe, whether you're looking for a family-friendly option, solo travel sans single supplement or a cruise with unique destinations.

It's most important to choose a cruise based on which destinations you wish to visit and which travel dates and itinerary lengths work with your schedule. But don't forget to consider the cruise line.

The inclusions on most of the river cruises are similar but can vary in scope, such as which drinks are included or cost extra, and how many complimentary shore excursions you can choose from. You'll also want to think about the overall vibe of your trip and what your expectations are, whether you're looking for a luxury trip with more upscale ships and higher service levels or a more affordable option that emphasizes exploring and finding your own adventures.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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2024 River Cruise Deals

If you are planning a river cruise for 2024, then make sure you are booking with RiverVoyages.com and discover the very best itineraries, explore unique and intimate experiences, and find amazing  river cruise deals to get your 2024 river cruise holiday for the best possible price.

Find amazing river cruises from all over the world and explore no matter the season, sail the Rhine on a hot summer river cruise or delve down the Danube on a winter river cruise and make the festive season one to remember as you explore amazing winter cities on a river cruise at Christmas .  

Wherever you’re headed, make sure to book your river cruise for 2024 at RiverVoyages.com.

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At RiverVoyages.com, we have many amazing cruise destinations spanning across the globe. Explore all that Europe has to offer with our Europe river cruises . Journey down Europe's many iconic rivers and see the wonders of a France river cruise; travel down the iconic Rhine and see all the riverside cities of Germany, such as on a Cologne river cruise ; or travel to eastern Europe and see the sights of Budapest on a Hungary river cruise . With a huge range of countries and cities to see, book your river cruise in Europe for 2024 now. 

Our range of cruises doesn’t end there; however, explore an Africa river cruise and the Nile as you pass by Egypt on an Egypt river cruise . Or venture on a Vietnam river cruise and see the many countries of Asia when you board a 2024 Asia river cruise .

Find River Cruise Deals For 2024 And Beyond

We have amazing deals for cruises in 2024 and beyond at RiverVoyages.com. Explore our last minute river cruise deals to get a great cruise for an even greater price. If you are planning a shorter getaway, then our mini river cruises make for the perfect package holiday. 

For holidays in Europe, see our European river cruise deals for unbeatable prices on the continent's finest rivers and city breaks. If you wish to find great river cruise deals 2024 and beyond, then you can book your 2025 river cruise now and take advantage of our early booking deals. Why not go all inclusive on one of our all inclusive river cruises and treat yourself to the finest food, drinks, and rooms?

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Our 2024 river cruises are available now, so make sure to book your place and experience the world's beautiful rivers on a floating hotel. Get the full holiday experience and see multiple amazing destinations in just one trip. If you’re looking for a river cruise deal in 2024, then why not take a look at our European river cruises and see if you can snag a great cruise for a great deal on one of our cheap river cruises ? 

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Venice & the Jewels of Veneto

Sailing Date : 22 Sep 2024

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India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges

Sailing Date : 31 Oct 2024

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Burgundy & Provence

Sailing Date : 28 Jul 2024

Rhone, Saone

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Brilliant Bordeaux

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Enchanting Danube

Sailing Date : 04 Aug 2024

Paris & Normandy

Sailing Date : 18 Aug 2024

Castles along the Rhine

Sailing Date : 19 Aug 2024

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The Blue Danube River Cruise - MS William Wordsworth

Sailing Date : 19 Jul 2024

FREE Superior drinks package worth £400pp per week - Available on all 2024 and 2025 European river cruises!

Award-winning European river cruises include everything you need for an exceptional experience.

Delicious full board dining, plus Captain's Dinner

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Rhine and Moselle River Cruise - MS George Eliot

Rhine, Moselle

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Delightful Danube

Enjoy unique sightseeing activities designed to make your holiday that little bit more special

Save up to 60% on 2024 European sailings

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European Gems

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Gastronomy of the Seine - MS Jane Austen

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Secrets of the Douro

Sailing Date : 20 Jul 2024

World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels

Save over 50% on selected 2024 Europe River Cruises

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Secrets of the Douro & Lisbon

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Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards

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Enticing Douro (Wine Cruise)

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

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Melodies of the Danube

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

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

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Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

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Sensations of Lyon & Provence

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Jewels of Europe with Paris

Sailing Date : 21 Jul 2024

Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge

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Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own

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Jewels of Europe with Paris & Prague

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Jewels of the Rhine

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Advent, Christmas and New Year's Eve

A winter's fairytale on the river.

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Overview Enchanting Rhine

7- night cruise, 7- night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise, 7-night cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise 7-night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise, cruise from : basel to amsterdam, cruise from :, countries: france, germany, netherlands, switzerland france, germany, netherlands, switzerland, rivers: rhine, enchanting rhine at a glance.

• Basel to Amsterdam
• Zurich to Amsterdam

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

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• World's Best Awards 2024

Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2024

Explore the world's coolest rivers via these 10 spectacular river cruise lines, voted the best by T+L readers in the “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2024.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Taking a beat, a breath, and a moment to unwind is what travel is all about. And while this can be achieved on every vacation you take, it's always easier on a slow vacation, like the one you'd experience on a magical river cruise. This level of relaxation can really be found in riverways just about anywhere in the world — as long as you choose a winning cruise line like those on this year's World's Best Awards list. Our reader favorites service the waterways of Europe, South America, Asia, and beyond.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins.

Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Cabins/facilities
• Itineraries/destinations
• Excursions/activities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions

Indeed, slow travel has become all the rage, with Travel + Leisure readers looking to river cruising to help them explore every inch of their destination at a leisurely 8.6 knots per hour.

"Our first river cruise was on Avalon Vista, and that experience turned us on to do more river cruising," one reader wrote about this year's No. 2 river cruise line, Avalon Waterways. "The trip was immediately a hit when we checked into our suite, and there was a bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates for my birthday. Such a nice touch."

The reader also noted how spectacular the staff, food, and amenities were on board, but particularly called out the unbelievable excursion options, which on Avalon include wine tastings through France, kayaking the canals in Amsterdam, and learning something new with a cooking class through Austria.

But still, there was one river cruise line that captured the hearts of readers even more — their No. 1 pick, Aqua Expeditions. Read on to see what T+L travelers loved most about this line and all the rest who made this year's World's Best list.

Aqua Expeditions

Service. Service. Service. That's what T+L readers praised most about their experience on board Aqua Expeditions. "Exceptional service and staff. Unique excursions and experiences that you could not get anywhere else," one reader said. "It's hard to describe the casual luxury, the detail-oriented staff, the spacious cabins, and the general feeling of total relaxation that Aqua Mekong exudes," another added. "I can't stress how warm, welcoming, and ready to serve the entire staff is." The cruise line took home the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row thanks to this and more, including its distinct staterooms like those on its Aqua Mekong ship, which feature deep wood accents and emerald green pops of color, and its fantastic dining options on Aqua Nera , which serves local Peruvian cuisine using the freshest ingredients possible. "It was amazing," one more reader noted of their experience. "Beautiful areas, excellent service!"

It's hard to describe the casual luxury, the detail-oriented staff, the spacious cabins, and the general feeling of total relaxation that Aqua Mekong exudes.

1. Aqua Expeditions

Reader Score: 98.85

2. Avalon Waterways

Reader Score: 95.91

3. The Oberoi Cruisers

Reader Score: 95.75

Reader Score: 95.71

5. Grand Circle Cruise Line

Reader Score: 95.61

6. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Reader Score: 94.83

Reader Score: 94.73

8. Riverside Luxury Cruises

Reader Score: 94.62

Reader Score:  91.00

10. AmaWaterways

Reader Score: 90.09

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• Experience Memphis' musical legacy

Complete Mississippi River

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10 Top Christmas Cruises for 2024 & 2025

I f you're ready for a break from holiday traditions and family gatherings at home, consider booking a Christmas cruise. What makes a better present than the chance to leave all the planning, cooking, cleaning and decorating behind – and celebrate the holidays in beautiful destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean or other countries around the world?

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, you can book a festivity-filled river cruise along Europe's iconic waterways and bundle up in your winter gear to explore the Christmas markets in the snow. If you prefer sunshine and warm temperatures, celebrate the holidays in an exotic locale in the South Pacific Ocean, sailing crystal-clear turquoise waters and relaxing on white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees.

Whether you prefer to stay close to home or jet off for a bucket list adventure, one of these cruises may just be the perfect gift to celebrate your holidays in style.

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Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise

Put your name on the waiting list for November 2024 if you want to set sail on what Hallmark touts as the "jolliest vacation ever." The Hallmark Channel – known for its year-round holiday-themed programming with Christmas in July, Countdown to Christmas and Christmas Fridays – will host the first-ever Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise sailings in November 2024 from Miami to the Bahamas . Lucky fans of the television channel will travel with their favorite Hallmark stars on one of two four-night cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line 's Norwegian Gem during the 2024 holiday season.

Highlights of the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise include photo opportunities and panels to meet the stars. Attend Christmas craft workshops or tastings with Hallmark's winemaker – the wines have names like Jingle (cabernet sauvignon) and Joy (sauvignon blanc). Guests can also look forward to "carol-oke" singalongs, cookie decorating, an ugly sweater contest and a world premiere viewing of the new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie "Countdown to Christmas."

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AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways offers more than a dozen itineraries to visit the Christmas markets in 2024 and 2025 along the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube and Rhone rivers – and to see the holiday splendor of Europe's grand cities, such as Vienna , Budapest, Amsterdam and Prague. Travelers can stroll through snow-dusted medieval squares and fairytale markets. Enjoy the chalet-inspired stalls, thousands of colorful lights, festive decorations, ice skating rinks, whimsical handmade gifts, Christmas carolers, carousels and more.

The river cruise line's seven-night Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary sails from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary , along the Danube. It features a visit to Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt – one of the world's oldest and most famous Christmas markets. Sip hot mulled wine or feuerzangenbowle (a red wine and rum punch) and sample savory specialties like Nuremberg bratwurst, flammkuchen (pizza) and kartoffelpuffer (fried potato pancakes). Be sure to save room for sweet delights like schaumkuss (also known as schokokuss), a chocolate-covered marshmallow, or lebkuchen, a traditional spiced cookie.

While on board the ship, guests can participate in festivities like tree-trimming, cookie decorating, caroling and "Shoes for St. Nick." This European tradition encourages passengers to leave their slippers outside their stateroom door before bed. In the morning, they wake up to slippers filled with tasty treats like children in Europe find on Saint Nicholas Day.

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Celebrity Cruises

Celebrate Christmas Day at sea in the South Pacific Ocean during Celebrity's 2024 New Zealand Holiday cruise on board Celebrity Edge. This round-trip 13-night itinerary embarks on Dec. 20, 2024, from Sydney . It includes seven ports of call and five sea days. After ringing in the new year sailing between the Bay of Islands, New Zealand and Sydney, guests will disembark the ship on Jan. 2, 2025.

If you'd prefer to travel to the Canary Islands to celebrate Christmas and usher in the new year on the Mediterranean Sea in 2025, then reserve a stateroom or suite for Celebrity Cruises ' Canaries, Morocco & Spain itinerary. The 12-night voyage sails round-trip from Barcelona , embarking a few days before Christmas 2025 on Celebrity Infinity. The festive voyage features eight ports of call, including island of Gibraltar; the Moroccan cities of Casablanca and Tangier; three destinations in the Canary Islands; and Malaga, Spain.

On the ships, guests can revel in the joyous spirit of the season with festive Christmas trees, traditional holiday meals created by a Michelin-starred chef, themed shows and pop-ups, carolers, gingerbread winter villages, and even a visit from Santa. The onboard bars serve up holiday-inspired cocktails along with other seasonal favorites, including spiked apple cider and classic mulled wine. On New Year's Eve, plan to join in the merriment with fellow cruisers during the big countdown bash.

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If you want to cross South Africa off your list of must-visit destinations , consider spending Christmas and New Year's Eve sailing round-trip from Cape Town on Azamara 's 15-night South Africa Intensive Voyage. The 2024 voyage departs Dec. 20 on Azamara Quest and includes stops in Port Elizabeth, home to one of the densest elephant populations in the world, and Richards Bay, which is teeming with exotic wildlife and stunning landscapes. For a once-in-lifetime experience, reserve a spot on the Safari 4X4 Hippo Cruise in the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. This protected park is a white rhino sanctuary, home to South Africa's "big five": lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos and leopards.

If the Land Down Under is at the top of your list of places to visit, plan ahead for next year to spend the holidays aboard Azamara Pursuit in 2025. The line's 21-night Australia Intensive Voyage will set sail on Dec. 14, 2025, from Singapore . This extended sailing features 10 ports of call in three countries, with two overnight stays, before travelers disembark in Melbourne, Australia , on Jan. 4, 2026.

Guests on board the holiday cruises will be treated to Christmas performances, including singalongs and carols performed by the crew. There will be special menus in the restaurants, holiday-themed buffets, religious services and a tree-trimming party. Festive treats like hot chocolate, cookies and snacks are provided throughout the cruise. The New Year's Eve White Night party, where all the guests don their best white attire, will take place throughout the ships and on the pool deck with entertainment, music and light bites.

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Viking's 12-day Christmas on the Main & Moselle cruise sails between Paris and Prague in 2024 and 2025. The adults-only sailing affords passengers 18 and older the opportunity to visit four European countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. In addition to browsing the chic boutiques in Paris and a variety of Christmas markets in Germany, you'll want to explore iconic landmarks like Reims Cathedral in France and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Don't miss the famed wines produced in the regions, including Champagne, Moselle, riesling, Müller-Thurgau and gewürztraminer. In Cochem, Germany, you'll want to sample white mulled wine and regional delicacies produced from the red vineyard peach.

The holiday spirit continues on board the ships with Christmas-themed cooking demonstrations in addition to festive decorations with garland, lights and gingerbread houses. Guests will also taste regional cuisine, enjoy cultural performances on board the ship and ashore and learn about the history of the Christmas markets and local holiday traditions.

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Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers dozens of Christmas-themed cruises from November through December in 2024. Cruisers looking to celebrate the holidays with Disney's cast of characters can book a Very Merrytime cruise as short as a three-night sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas . For a weeklong getaway, consider the line's seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage on board Disney Fantasy that sails round-trip from Port Canaveral. Ports of call on the itinerary include Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the cruise line's private island , Disney Castaway Cay.

On the first evening of every sailing, guests can gather around the 24-foot-tall Christmas tree for the tree lighting ceremony, a holiday singalong and the introduction of Santa Claus. Other festivities on Disney Cruise Line include the fun-filled Mickey and Minnie's Holiday Party, themed Very Merrytime activities for children of all ages, carol singers, and Christmas-inspired food and beverages. Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be sporting jolly new holiday attire during the special voyages.

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Windstar Cruises

Celebrate the holidays with a bucket list getaway to the sun-drenched islands of Tahiti . On this voyage, you'll set sail a few days before Christmas 2024 aboard the 312-passenger, all-suite yacht Star Breeze for Windstar's seven-day Dreams of Tahiti cruise. The round-trip sailing from Papeete, Tahiti, includes stops in the islands of Moorea, Raiatea, Motu Mahea (Tahaa), Bora Bora and Huahine. In Bora Bora, guests will be treated to a special evening Windstar Destination Discovery Event with dinner under the stars and traditional Polynesian fire dancing.

For an extended European holiday in 2025, the line's Star Collector: Winter in Spain and the Rivieras cruise sails from Malaga, Spain, to Rome on Dec. 13 aboard the intimate Star Legend. The 14-day itinerary includes ports of call in Spain, France, Italy and Gibraltar. During the cruise, you can visit must-see attractions like Michelangelo's sculpture of David in Florence and explore the historic Roman theater ruins in Cartagena, Spain. Cruisegoers will also have a chance to sample wines from the famed appellations of Tuscany in Italy and Andalusia in Spain, and taste culinary specialties like bouillabaisse in France.

On board the ships, guests can join in the holiday spirit with festive Christmas trees and decorations as well as holiday-inspired cocktails and treats. Special programming for the voyages includes a Christmas movie, a gala tea, an interdenominational Christmas service and a Christmas Eve dinner. Christmas morning brings more celebrations throughout the day, with holiday meals, a Yuletide afternoon tea and a Christmas dinner followed by a variety show in the evening.

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Grab the swimsuit, flip-flops and sunglasses – and check the Panama Canal off your must-visit list – for a tropical holiday aboard Norwegian Cruise Line 's Norwegian Gem. The line's 11-day cruisetour begins Dec. 9, 2024, and includes three days to see the canal that some consider the "eighth wonder of the world" and visit vibrant Panama City. After embarking on Dec. 11, you'll transit the canal and then sail to ports in Costa Rica; Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, before disembarking in Miami on Dec. 20.

Plan ahead to Christmas 2025 by reserving accommodations on Norwegian's newest vessel – and the first in the Prima Plus class – Norwegian Aqua. The seven-day Caribbean round-trip voyage from Miami on the new ship (scheduled to launch in April 2025) will set sail on Dec. 21, 2025. The cruise includes tropical ports of call in the Dominican Republic, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Great Stirrup Cay. For a special celebration, splurge on luxurious suite accommodations in The Haven. The ship-within-a-ship retreat features a private restaurant, a lounge, a sundeck, a concierge desk and 24-hour butler service.

Holiday-themed activities on Norwegian's vessels vary by itinerary and ship. Still, guests will find plenty of festive fun on board, including traditional holiday fare and holiday-inspired musical sets, trivia, and family and youth programming. Guests are invited to offer interdenominational services for fellow passengers during the sailing. You'll also find Hanukkah services listed in the Freestyle Daily Program.

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Holland America Line

Celebrate the Christmas holidays in Hawaii during Holland America Line 's round-trip Circle Hawaii Holiday voyage from San Diego on the ship Zaandam, embarking on Dec. 18, 2024. Guests aboard this voyage will sail to Honolulu, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii as well as Kahului, Maui . You'll also get to enjoy scenic cruising at the Kilauea Volcano; visit Ensenada, Mexico; and join in the holiday festivities on the ship during relaxing days at sea.

If you've been dreaming of visiting far-flung destinations in Asia, such as Halong Bay, Vietnam, or Bangkok, Thailand – or seeing Komodo dragons in the wild in Indonesia – the 28-day Far East & Indonesian Holiday Collector itinerary will be an adventure of a lifetime. The voyage on board Westerdam embarks in Hong Kong on Dec. 7, 2025, with exotic ports of call in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. On Christmas Day, guests will visit the picturesque port town of Probolinggo on the coast of East Java in Indonesia. On New Year's Eve, the ship docks in Semarang, Indonesia; here, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur, home to an impressive Buddhist temple site dating back to the eighth and ninth centuries.

Back on board the ships, holiday celebrations include a Christmas tree lighting, Santa's arrival, a midnight mass, a Christmas concert, special menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and a New Year's Eve Party and countdown. There are Hanukkah festivities with candle lightings and latkes served in the Lido. Guests will also enjoy viewing the holiday villages around the ship created by Holland America's culinary team.

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Silversea Cruises

For a life-changing experience and the merriest Christmas of all, spend the holiday with several species of waddling penguins, giant seals and majestic whales while visiting the ice-covered shores of the White Continent. The 10-day round-trip expedition from Puerto Williams, Chile, on Silversea 's Silver Cloud sets sail a week before Christmas in 2024 for the Antarctica Peninsula. Five days of excursions allow travelers on this Antarctica cruise to explore this surreal and magical part of the world. Weather permitting, guests will even take a Zodiac cruise with the expedition team in the South Shetland Islands the day after Christmas.

If you're planning ahead to 2025, consider a longer adventure where you'd fly the infamous Drake Passage one way from Puerto Williams (saving two days at sea) and land on King George Island in Antarctica. This 15-day expedition aboard Silver Cloud begins on Dec. 21, 2025, and features four days of excursions in Antarctica and three days in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. You'll also spend three days in the Falkland Islands, where you'll have more chances for unforgettable wildlife encounters with black-browed albatrosses, fur seals, Commerson's dolphins, imperial cormorants, and adorable rockhopper and Magellanic penguins.

Festive touches on the ship include Christmas trees and lights, gingerbread houses, holiday arts and crafts, caroling, religious services, and musical performances by the crew and professional entertainers. Guests will also enjoy a traditional holiday dinner on Christmas Day.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, and river ships in Europe and on the Mekong River. She used her extensive knowledge and experience with the cruise industry to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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