2 July 2026 – Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours have detailed a collection of European Christmas market river cruises for the 2026 and 2027 festive seasons. According to information released by Scenic Group, the programmes include sailings along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers aboard Scenic Space-Ships and Emerald Cruises Star-Ships.
The itineraries will visit established Christmas market destinations across Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Featured cities include Cologne, Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest, Passau and Amsterdam.
Guests will be able to visit markets in historic city centres and riverside communities, including stalls near Cologne Cathedral and seasonal squares in Vienna. The programmes also feature Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, one of the city’s longstanding festive markets.
“River cruising provides the perfect way to experience multiple markets and destinations in one seamless journey, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in the magic, culture and traditions that make Christmas in Europe so unforgettable,” said Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group USA & LATAM.
Scenic schedules 15-day European itinerary
Scenic’s Christmas Markets itinerary will operate between Amsterdam and Budapest, with multiple 15-day departures scheduled during November and December in both 2026 and 2027.
The route follows the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, combining several European cities and riverside destinations during the festive period. Guests will visit Christmas markets and encounter seasonal customs across the countries included in the itinerary.
Scenic will also offer its Rhine Christmas Markets programme on selected departures in December 2026 and December 2027.
These cruises will travel through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, visiting Christmas markets in cities and smaller communities along the Rhine. The announcement did not specify the ships allocated to individual departures.
Emerald Cruises plans Rhine sailings
Emerald Cruises will operate eight-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine itineraries throughout the 2026 and 2027 holiday seasons.
The programme includes destinations such as Cologne, Strasbourg and Amsterdam. Guests will sail aboard the line’s Star-Ships while visiting seasonal markets and cities situated along the river.
The Rhine itineraries form one of two principal festive programmes announced by Emerald Cruises for the two-year period.
Danube voyages include Budapest and Vienna
Emerald Cruises will also offer eight-day Christmas Markets on the Danube voyages through Hungary, Austria and Germany.
The itinerary features Budapest, Vienna and Passau, providing access to Christmas markets and seasonal activities in each destination. Selected 2026 departures are scheduled to begin on 24 November.
Further departures will operate during the 2027 festive season, although the announcement did not list every sailing date or identify the vessels assigned to each voyage.
Seasonal activities planned aboard both fleets
Alongside visits to European Christmas markets, the Scenic and Emerald Cruises programmes will include seasonal celebrations aboard their respective river ships.
The companies also highlighted locally influenced cuisine and included excursions as elements of the festive sailings. Guests will travel past riverside towns, castles and winter landscapes while moving between destinations along the Rhine, Main and Danube.
Scenic operates the programme aboard its Space-Ships, while Emerald Cruises uses its contemporary Star-Ships. The cruise brands have not announced additional vessels, itinerary extensions or activities beyond those included in the released programme.
