Holidays
  • HOLIDAYS
    • View Holidays Homepage
    • Beach Holidays
      • Adults Only Holidays
      • All Inclusive
      • Beach
      • Family Holidays
      • Long-Haul Holidays
      • Luxury Holidays
      • Nightlife
      • Spa Holidays
      • Sports and Activity
      • View all beach holidays
    • Multi Destination
    • Tours
    • City Breaks
    • Ski
    • Lakes and Mountains
    • Lapland
    • Villas
    • Weddings
    • Accessible Holidays
  • Cruises
  • CRUISES
    • Marella Cruises
      • View Marella Cruises Homepage
      • Cruise Deals
      • Cruise Ships
      • Cruise Types
        • Cruise From the UK
        • Cruise Only
        • Cruise and Stay
        • Themed Cruises
        • Repositional and Transatlantic
      • Destinations
        • Caribbean
        • Western Mediterranean
        • Canary Islands and Atlantic
        • Eastern Mediterranean
        • North Africa And Middle East
        • Northern Europe and UK
        • Asia
        • Central America
        • View All Cruise Destinations
      • Useful Information
        • Cruise Calendar
        • Top Ports Of Call
        • On Board Experience
        • Why cruise with Marella Cruises?
    • TUI River Cruises
      • View TUI River Cruises Homepage
      • European River Cruises
      • River Cruise Ships
      • River Cruise Only
      • Rivers
        • Danube
        • Dutch & Belgian Waterways
        • Main
        • Moselle
        • Rhine
      • Destinations
        • Austria
        • Belgium
        • Croatia
        • Germany
        • Hungary
        • Netherlands
        • Serbia
        • Slovakia
        • Switzerland
      • Useful Information
        • Why cruise with TUI River Cruises?
  • Flights
  • FLIGHTS
    • View Flights Homepage
    • Cheap Flights
    • Our Destinations
      • Where we fly
      • Popular routes
    • Flight Timetable
    • Arrivals and Departures
    • Useful Information
      • Flying with us
      • Before you fly
      • Our fleet
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • hotel only
  • HOTEL ONLY
  • Deals
  • DEALS
    • View Deals Homepage
    • Summer Holiday Deals
      • Summer Holidays 2021
      • Summer Holidays 2022
      • School Holiday Deals
      • View All Summer Holiday Deals
    • Winter Holiday Deals
      • Winter Holidays 2020
      • Winter Holidays 2021
      • Christmas Holiday Deals
      • Easter Holiday Deals
      • View All Winter Holiday Deals
    • Last Minute Deals
    • Free Kids Place Finder
    • Destination Deals
      • Spain Holiday Deals
      • Greece Holiday Deals
      • Mexico Holiday Deals
      • View All Destination Deals
    • Holiday Type Deals
      • All Inclusive Holiday Deals
      • Luxury Holiday Deals
      • Family Holiday Deals
      • View All Holiday Deals
    • Discount Codes
  • Destinations
  • DESTINATIONS
    • View Destinations Homepage
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Austria
      • Bulgaria
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Lapland
      • Malta
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
      • View All Europe Destinations
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
      • Mexico
      • View All Central America Destinations
    • Africa
      • Cape Verde
      • Egypt
      • Gambia
      • Kenya
      • Mauritius
      • Morocco
      • Seychelles
      • Tanzania
      • Tunisia
      • View All Africa Destinations
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Aruba
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Grenada
      • Jamaica
      • St Lucia
      • Trinidad And Tobago
      • View All Caribbean Destinations
    • North America
      • Canada
      • United States Of America
      • View All North America Destinations
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Israel
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Malaysia
      • Maldives
      • Oman
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Uzbekistan
      • Vietnam
      • View All Asia Destinations
    • Where’s hot when?
    • Quarantine Free Holidays
    • Popular Destinations
      • Algarve
      • Benidorm
      • Cancun
      • Crete
      • Dubai
      • Florida
      • Fuertaventura
      • Gran Canaria
      • Lanzarote
      • Madeira
      • Majorca
      • Tenerife
  • Extras
  • EXTRAS
  • TravelInformation
  • Travel Information
  • AccountAndBooking
logo
Shortlisted holidays
  • Shortlist( )
  • Travel Information
  • Account & Booking
  • HOLIDAYS
  • CRUISES
  • FLIGHTS
  • HOTEL ONLY
  • DEALS
  • DESTINATIONS
  • EXTRAS

Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. To find out more, please read our Cookie Notice. Close

List
    See all destinations
    See departure airports for
    See what dates we fly to this route
    see what dates this destination is available
    Flexible by +/-3 days
    7 nights
    Clear search
    Child ages (on return date) Edit ages
    • Latest
    • Video
    • Active
    • Culture
    • Family
    • Food
    • Style
    couple looking at christmas tree

    Get into the Christmas spirit

    With our festive river cruises

    Our best Christmas river cruises

    Fancy celebrating the most wonderful time of year with a river cruise? Europe’s famous for its Christmas markets, and on our new TUI River Cruises itineraries you can sample some of the continent’s oldest holiday traditions in just a few days. Read on to discover our Christmas itineraries, and browse deals on our Christmas market cruises for more inspiration.

    VISIT THE CAPITAL OF CHRISTMAS

    Germany’s got loads of famous Christmas markets, which is why we’ve lined up so many German ports on our Yuletide Wonders itinerary. You’ll set sail from Frankfurt, home to one of the largest markets in the country, and tick off Speyer, Plittersdorf and Mainz. All the European Christmas market staples are present and correct in these destinations – expect live music performances and sweet treats. We’ve also included a stop in Kehl, so you can hop across the border to Strasbourg in France. Known as the ‘Capital of Christmas’, the festive period is big business here. The holiday market has been around since Medieval times, and the entire city gets dressed up in the spirit of the season. It’s small enough to see everything on foot, too. So, you can take pictures by the huge Christmas tree in Place Kléber, visit the cathedral’s impressive nativity scene, and warm up with a mulled wine from one of the wooden chalets selling food and drink, all in one day.

    Find out more about our Yuletide Wonders itinerary

    TICK OFF THE RHINE’S BEST MARKETS 

    Another of our other Christmas market river cruise itineraries, Mistletoe and Rhine, is also packed with German ports. The first stop is Cologne, where several markets set up across the city, including outside the famous cathedral. Spend an afternoon picking up handmade gifts to the sound of holiday music from the fairy light-strung performance stage. And, when you’ve finished shopping, the market is just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s brewing houses, plus the Cologne Philharmonic Concert Hall. In Dussledorf, the next stop on your itinerary, there are seven markets to visit. You’ll then cruise to Koblenz, located in the Rhineland-Palatinate wine-growing region. Along with a tasty tipple or two, you can watch the rooftop advent calendar open at the town hall, and sample some traditional German stollen from the market stalls.  

    Find out more about our Mistletoe and Rhine itinerary

    SPEND CHRISTMAS ONBOARD

    If you want to spend Christmas on a river cruise ship, book onto our Rhine Christmas Charms or A Festive Fairy Tale itinerary. You’ll join the ship for a week-long cruise a few days before Christmas Day, and tick off a handful of German ports – with Strasbourg in France thrown in for good measure. In the spirit of the season, you can expect festive treats like mulled wine and Christmas carols throughout your sailing. On our Rhine Christmas Charms itinerary you’ll spend the big day in Koblenz, where you can see the meeting point of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. Meanwhile, on A Festive Fairy Tale, you’ll be in Mainz on the 25th, which is home to a huge nativity scene.

    Find out more about our Rhine Christmas Charms itinerary, and our A Festive Fairy Tale itinerary

    SAIL INTO THE NEW YEAR

    Grab your party hats and welcome in the new year on one of our New Year’s Eve cruises with the obligatory countdown to midnight. Our New Year’s Rhine Celebration itinerary calls at seven ports and starts in Frankfurt. Things in this port are pretty modern, but don’t worry – you’ll get to see Germany’s traditional side on this itinerary, too. Rastatt is home to two time-stamped chateaus, while Mainz delivers on timber-clad houses straight out of a fairy tale. Or, celebrate on our A Rhineland New Year sailing. You’ll call at seven different ports including Cologne and Dussledorf, plus spend New Year’s Eve in Bonn. The Christmas market is still open after the 25th, so you can pick up a few final festive treats. And, you’ll be in Koblenz on New Year’s Day.

    Find out more about our New Year’s Rhine Celebration itinerary and A Rhineland New Year itinerary

    Ready to cruise along Europe's famous rivers this Christmas?

    See all these sights and more sailing with TUI River Cruises. If you're tempted to cruise at a different time of year, have a read of our article on the  best river cruises we offer.

    Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

    Author: Lizzie Butler

    Published: 11.09.2020.

    Tags: latest

    Countries: Germany

    SHARE

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  

      DISCOVER MORE

    • Yuletide Wonders

      Yuletide Wonders

      This festive sailing stops at Kehl for Strasbourg in France, known as the Capital of Christmas.

    • Mistletoe and Rhine

      Mistletoe and Rhine

      You’ll visit some of Germany’s famous Christmas markets on this itinerary, including Cologne and Dusseldorf.

    Inspired? Discover more...

    Call us on: 0203 451 2688




    Some images shown throughout this website do not represent current operational guidelines or health and safety measures such as face masks and physical distancing requirements.
     
    To top

    Our top deals tailored to you, straight to your inbox Sign up for offers

    Shop Finder Ask a question? Contact us

    We're part of TUI Group - one of the world's leading travel companies. And all of our holidays are designed to help you Discover Your Smile.

    Registered address: Wigmore House, Wigmore Lane, Luton,Bedfordshire,United Kingdom, LU2 9TN

    . .
    • Holiday Types
    • Popular Destinations
    • Mid/Long haul
    • Short haul
    • Flights To
    • Cruise
    • Hotels

    Holiday Types

    Summer Holidays 2020 Summer Holidays 2021 Winter Holidays 2020 Winter Sun Holidays Cheap Holidays Luxury Holidays Family Holidays All inclusive holidays Package Holidays Beach holidays Discount Codes City Breaks Last minute Holidays Villa Holidays Short Breaks Accessible Holidays Multi-Destination Holidays Escorted Tours

    Popular Destinations

    Algarve holidaystest Benidorm holidays Canary Islands holidays Crete holidays Cyprus holidays Gran Canaria holidays Ibiza holidays Lanzarote holidays Las Vegas Holidays Majorca holidays Menorca holidays Mexico Holidays New York Holidays Tenerife holidays

    Mid/Long haul

    Aruba holidays Bali Holidays Vietnam Holidays Cape Verde holidays Caribbean Holidays Costa Rica Holidays Cuba Holidays Dubai Holidays Egypt holidays Florida holidays Jamaica Holidays Mauritius holidays Sri Lanka Holidays Thailand holidays Sharm El Sheikh Holidays Los Cabos Holidays

    Short Haul

    Benidorm Holidays Portugal holidays Spain holidays Turkey Holidays Zante holidays Morocco holidays Croatia holidays Greece holidays Malta holidays Bulgaria holidays Italy holidays Lapland holidays

    Flights To

    Cheap Flights Tenerife Flights Montego Bay Flights Mauritius Flights Thailand Flights Alicante Flights Lanzarote Flights Ibiza Flights Florida Flights Orlando Flights Spain Flights Cyprus Flights Malta Flights Portugal Flights Turkey Flights Goa Flights Cancun Flights Barbados Flights Popular Flight Routes

    Cruise

    Puerto Limon Caribbean Cruises Fjords Cruise Italian Cruises Mediterranean Cruises Canary Islands and Atlantic Central America Dubrovnik Barcelona All Inclusive Family Cruises Last Minute Cruises Cruises Cruise Deals Cruises from the UK Croatia Cruises from Southampton Summer Cruises 2020 River Cruise Deals

    Hotels

    Hotels in Tenerife Hotels in Gran Canaria Hotels in Lanzarote Hotels in Fuerteventura Hotels in Majorca Hotels in Menorca Hotels in Ibiza Hotels in Cancun Hotels in Riviera Maya Hotels in Playacar Hotels in Playa Del Carmen Hotels in Paphos Hotels in Protaras Hotels in Marmaris Hotels in Bodrum Hotels in Alanya Hotels in Kusadasi

    More from TUI

    About TUI MyTUI app Cookies Notice Manage Cookie Preferences Privacy Notice Terms & Conditions Credit card fees Media Centre Travel Jobs Affiliates Discover Lakes & Mountains Discover Weddings App Store for Ios Google Play Store Travel Money Holiday Budget Calculator TUI Group First Choice Holiday Brochures Travel After Brexit Holiday Weather

      • World of TUI

        Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad

        The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

        See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel - for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.

        See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice - for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.

        See Travel Aware page - for travel advice from TUI.

        See travelhealthpro.org.uk - for current travel health news.

        The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

    All the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Some of the flights on this website are also financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL protection does not apply to all flights. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each flight before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. ATOL protection does not apply to the other holiday and travel services listed on this website.