AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine
7 nightsfrom £3,664 per person
AmaWaterways' Christmas Markets on the Rhine gives UK travellers the most departures to choose from in 2026, with sailings both ways between Amsterdam and Basel and fares that include flights from London or Manchester. Gratuities cost extra, and the 24 December sailing arrives after most of the route's markets have closed.
Photo Alf van Beem · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain and others, credited in the gallery
Follow the ports in sailing order
| Port | Mooring | Christmas market |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Amsterdam gets two days at the northern end. Christmas Village Amsterdam opens on 3 December 2026. | Christmas Village Amsterdam |
| Cologne | Cologne gets a full day between Amsterdam and Rudesheim. | Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market |
| Strasbourg | Strasbourg gets a full day between Ludwigshafen and Breisach. | Strasbourg Christkindelsmarik |
| Basel | Basel is the southern end of the route, for boarding or disembarkation. | Basel Christmas Market on Munsterplatz |
Pick a December departure
- 25 Nov to 2 Dec 2026from £3,664 per person (2026)
- 26 Nov to 3 Dec 2026from £3,664 per person (2026)
- 28 Nov to 5 Dec 2026from £4,510 per person (2026)
- 2 Dec to 9 Dec 2026from £4,587 per person (2026)
- 3 Dec to 10 Dec 2026from £4,587 per person (2026)
- 5 Dec to 12 Dec 2026from £4,126 per person (2026)
- 9 Dec to 16 Dec 2026from £4,587 per person (2026)
- 10 Dec to 17 Dec 2026from £3,895 per person (2026)
- 12 Dec to 19 Dec 2026from £4,280 per person (2026)
- 16 Dec to 23 Dec 2026from £3,741 per person (2026)
- 17 Dec to 24 Dec 2026from £3,741 per person (2026)
- 24 Dec to 31 Dec 2026from £3,664 per person (2026)
Fares are the operator's published lead-in prices for the year shown. Check the cabin grade, any flight and the port charges before you book.
Do the same route by train
The rail version strings together Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel on fast trains, with Strasbourg to Basel at 77 minutes on the published fastest service. Rudesheim and Breisach take a slower regional connection.
- Strasbourg to Baselfastest 1 h 15 min, computed from the timetable
Six ships share this itinerary, so there is a departure every few days from 25 November to 17 December 2026. The ports are Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen for Heidelberg or Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach and Basel. Cologne's cathedral market and Basel's markets close on 23 December 2026, which rules out the 24 December Taste of Christmas sailing for market-goers.
AmaWaterways says it watches river conditions and may swap docks, change excursions or move guests between ships when water levels affect navigation.
Quick answers about AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine
How much is the AmaWaterways Rhine Christmas market cruise in 2026?
AmaWaterways' UK site listed Christmas Markets on the Rhine from £3,664 per person for late November 2026 and from £3,741 for 16 and 17 December, including flights from London or Manchester and port charges, on 11 October 2026.
Are gratuities included on AmaWaterways Christmas cruises from the UK?
No. AmaWaterways' UK terms say land programmes and gratuities are additional to the fly-cruise fare.
What does AmaWaterways do if the Rhine is too low?
AmaWaterways says it monitors river conditions and may use other docks, change excursions or swap guests onto another ship when water levels affect navigation.
Which towns does AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine stop at?
AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine sails the Rhine over 7 nights and calls at Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel, in that order.
When does AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine sail in December 2026?
AmaWaterways lists twelve departures of AmaWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine in December 2026, leaving on 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 28 Nov, 2 Dec, 3 Dec, 5 Dec, 9 Dec, 10 Dec, 12 Dec, 16 Dec, 17 Dec and 24 Dec.