Christmas Markets on the River Danube 7 night Cruise Only - from £2695

Christmas tree in front of St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest

7 night - Cruise Only

from £2695pp

Itinerary Prices Ship

Discover the wonderful Christmas Markets of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Passau and Regensburg on this classic River Danube cruise with a festive twist. Includes shore excursions and complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner

Explore vibrant capital cities and charming riverside towns come alive with festivities as you cruise along the romantic Danube from Budapest to Munich. Discover the sights of cosmopolitan Budapest and enjoy a traditional Hungarian folk dancing and music performance before strolling through the Christmas markets.

Wander through Bratislava's Old Town with its magnificent Mirbach Palace, shop for souvenirs at the city's Christmas Markets and enjoy tea with a local Slovakian family. In the musical city of Vienna, witness the world-famous attractions including the Opera House and visit the Christmas Market stalls which are dotted amongst beautiful squares decorated with thousands of twinkling lights.

Cruise through the glorious Wachau wine region and visit the enchanting village of Durnstein before heading to the 900–year old Benedictine Abbey of Melk to marvel at the incredible Baroque architecture. Tour the quaint cobblestone streets of Passau and enjoy a visit to the Christkindlmarkt, which takes place in front of the magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The exceptionally-preserved medieval city of Regensburg makes for the perfect final port on this wonderful cruise. Admire the stunning architecture before savouring a mug of delicious Glühwein at one of the loveliest’ Christmas market of the German-speaking countries.

EM150 Operated by Emerald Waterways

Cruise Includes

Overseas transfers

Complimentary Wi-Fi

All tipping and gratuities

Evening entertainment on board

Port charges and airport taxes

Highlight dinners including a Welcome dinner

Guided excursions with English-speaking guide

English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides

7-night full board cruise on Emerald Waterways star ship

Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board

Complimentary tea and coffee available at all times and complimentary bottled water in your cabin, restocked daily

Itinerary

Day 1 Budapest

Welcome to Budapest. You will be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a Hungarian folk music and dance performance on board.EmeraldPLUSTraditional Hungarian folklore show on boardPlease book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Day 2 Budapest

Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets.Included ExcursionGuided coach tour of Budapest
Day 3 Bratislava

Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city, whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city today, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets. Included ExcursionWalking tour of BratislavaEmeraldPLUSHome-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian familyDiscoverMORESkoda tour of post-communist Bratislava (extra expense)DiscoverMORECarpathian wine route (extra expense)
Day 4 Vienna

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide. Included ExcursionVienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (please note: Kunsthistorisches Museum is closed on Monday's and will be replaced with Tour of Belvedere)DiscoverMOREViennese evening concert (extra expense)
Day 5 Krems - Dürnstein

Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Built in 1083, it is one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from all over the world. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it is visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from its grounds.  Afterwards, relax on board as we sail through one of the most charming wine regions in Europe and on to Dürnstein. This is the site where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned following his return from the Third Crusade in the 12th century.Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or stroll around the picturesque village of Dürnstein, before the ship sets sail for Passau.Included ExcursionGuided tour of Göttweig Abbey
Day 6 Passau

A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting its annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts can be found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights.Included ExcursionGuided tour of Passau
Day 7 Regensburg

Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn und Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets.EmeraldPLUSVisit to the Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palace GroundsEmeraldPLUSTraditional Bavarian band on boardIncluded ExcursionGuided tour of RegensburgDiscoverMOREExcursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)
Day 8 Regensburg - Munich

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow passengers and disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking festive memories of handcrafted ornaments and traditional gingerbread stalls with you. Your flight home is included in the price of your holiday.Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 12:30 PM.This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Date and Prices

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December 2025 Depatures & Prices	Cat E	Cat D	Cat C	Cat B	Cat A	Cat S	Cat SA
Mon 15 Dec Emerald Star	-	-	-	-	-	£4135pp	-

November 2026 Depatures & Prices	Cat E	Cat D	Cat C	Cat B	Cat A	Cat S	Cat SA
Tue 24 Nov *Best Price Emerald Sky	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Wed 25 Nov *Best Price Emerald Sun	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp

December 2026 Depatures & Prices	Cat E	Cat D	Cat C	Cat B	Cat A	Cat S	Cat SA
Tue 01 Dec *Best Price Emerald Sky	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Wed 02 Dec *Best Price Emerald Sun	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Tue 08 Dec *Best Price Emerald Sky	£2578pp	£2806pp	-	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Wed 09 Dec *Best Price Emerald Dawn	£2578pp	£2806pp	-	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Tue 15 Dec *Best Price Emerald Sky	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp
Wed 16 Dec *Best Price Emerald Dawn	£2578pp	£2806pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£3614pp	£4212pp	£4882pp

Ship Details