River Cruise · Couples Welcome

Iconic Christmas Markets
on the Danube

December 15 – 22, 2027 · 8 Days, 7 Nights

Seven nights aboard the AmaReina, Nuremberg to Budapest, tying up in the middle of one Christmas market town after another. We are holding ten staterooms.

8 Days7 Nights
AmaReinaAmaWaterways
Nurembergto Budapest
10 StateroomsHeld for our group
About This Trip

The markets, without the packing and unpacking.

Here is why a river cruise is the smartest way to see the Christmas markets. The ship docks in the center of town. You walk down the gangway, and the market is right there. When you have had enough of the cold, you walk back and you are home. No motorcoach, no hotel transfer, no hauling a suitcase every other morning.

We start in Nuremberg, which runs one of the oldest and most famous Christkindlesmarkt in the world, and finish in Budapest, where the markets sit under the lit-up architecture along the Danube. In between, town after town, each with its own square and its own version of the tradition.

The AmaReina carries around 160 guests. Twin-balcony staterooms, complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, and included excursions at multiple activity levels in every port. Come back aboard cold, and there is hot chocolate and a warm lounge waiting.

Prague pre-cruise and Budapest post-cruise packages are both available if you want to make more of the trip. Ask me and I will lay out the options.

The Ship & The Route

From Nuremberg to Budapest, one square at a time.

AmaReina

Your home for seven nights

Around 160 guests, twin-balcony staterooms, a chef's table restaurant, and complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Docked in the center of town, every single day.

The Danube Markets

Nuremberg to Budapest

Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most famous in the world. Budapest lights its markets under some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. Everything between them is the good part.

The Route

Seven nights down the Danube.

Day 1 · Wednesday, December 15

Embark in Nuremberg

Board the AmaReina in Nuremberg. If your schedule allows, get to the Christkindlesmarkt before we sail. It is worth the effort.

Days 2–4 · Bavaria & Austria

Market towns along the river

Town after town, each with its own square, its own stalls, and its own take on glühwein. Included excursions at gentle, regular, and active levels in every port.

Days 5–6 · Down the Danube

Baroque towns and abbey country

Historic river towns, abbey and castle scenery, and the kind of afternoons where you come back aboard cold and happy with a bag of ornaments.

Day 7 · Budapest

Arrival in Budapest

Into Budapest, where the markets sit beneath the lit-up architecture along the river. One of the great arrivals in European river cruising.

Day 8 · Wednesday, December 22

Disembark in Budapest

Breakfast aboard, then disembarkation. Home in good time for Christmas, or stay on with the Budapest post-cruise package.

Full day-by-day itinerary available on request. Ports and order subject to river conditions.

The Details

What's included & what's not

What's Included

  • 7 nights aboard the AmaWaterways AmaReina
  • All meals aboard the ship
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Included shore excursions in every port, at multiple activity levels
  • Christmas market visits throughout the sailing
  • Bicycles and hiking equipment aboard
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment
  • All port charges and onboard gratuities as specified at booking
  • Escorted by Frances

Not Included

  • International airfare (air packages available, ask Frances)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Prague pre-cruise and Budapest post-cruise packages (available separately)
  • Optional shore excursions
  • Personal spending money
  • Items of a personal nature

Pricing coming soon

Stateroom categories and current pricing are available by email or phone. Solo travelers, please call. Solo rates are not published and I quote them personally.

Good To Know

A few quick answers

Is this trip open to husbands and partners?

Yes. River cruises are one of our couples-welcome trips.

Are you traveling solo?

Call me at 931-801-9900. There is a solo promotion on this sailing with a reduced supplement, but solo rates are not published and I quote them personally. It cannot be combined with other discounts.

How many spots do you have?

Ten staterooms, roughly twenty travelers. Christmas market sailings are among the first to sell out on the river, so do not wait on this one.

Can I add Prague or extra time in Budapest?

Yes to both. A Prague pre-cruise package and a Budapest post-cruise package are available. Ask me and I will lay out what each one includes.

Will I be home for Christmas?

Yes. We disembark in Budapest on Wednesday, December 22, which gets you home in good time. If you would rather stay on, the post-cruise package is there.

How much walking is involved?

Your choice. Included excursions come at gentle, regular, and active levels, and the ship docks in the center of town so there is no long transfer. That said, markets mean cobblestones and standing in the cold, so bring boots with good grip.

What is the weather like in December?

Cold, often near or below freezing, with a chance of snow. Pack a serious coat, warm layers, waterproof boots, hat, and gloves. Coming back to a warm ship every afternoon makes a real difference.

How do I get more information?

Use the Email for More Information button below or call me at 931-801-9900. I will send the full itinerary, stateroom categories, extension options, and current pricing.

Ten Staterooms Held

Tell me you're interested in the Christmas Markets cruise.

Send me a note and I will get you the full itinerary, stateroom categories, extension options, and current pricing.

Solo travelers, please call · Passport required · Travel insurance strongly recommended.

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