After years of dreaming of sailing along the Rhine River on the Viking Cruises’ Christmas Markets itinerary, I finally made it happen last year. I can now say, from experience, there is simply nothing like the wonder of the holiday season set against the backdrop of Europe’s most cherished Christmas markets.
If this has been a dream of yours, too, read on to learn about what a Viking Christmas Markets Cruise is really like. From festive onboard traditions to the markets and excursions along the Rhine, you will love this unforgettable Christmas market cruise experience.
What Are the Christmas Markets?
The Christmas markets are a European tradition, bringing city squares to life with lights, music, and the scent of spiced wine and roasting chestnuts. Some of the most famous markets unfold along the Rhine River during the holiday season.
Each city puts its own spin on the experience, but you can expect wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts, ornaments, seasonal treats, and plenty of local specialties. In fact, some cities have more than one market. I went to four markets in one city!
Most markets begin opening in mid to late November and continue through December 23 or 24, just before Christmas. We flew to Europe in late November, departing on Thanksgiving Day, to begin our cruise on November 28 from Amsterdam.
It was a great way to kick off the holiday season, and we loved arriving just as the markets were starting to open, before the biggest crowds arrived. It really is a magical time to be in that part of the world.
Why You Should Explore the Christmas Markets with Viking Cruises
The Viking Christmas Markets itinerary takes the same route along the Rhine that we took in the summer of 2017 with our adult daughters. It’s an incredible cruise any time of year, and both warmer temps and the holiday season have their own charms.
If you’ve ever thought about a river cruise with your family, I can’t recommend it highly enough. We came home with stories, laughter, and memories we’ll talk about for years. See the photo of me crying in Amsterdam for proof!
Viking River Cruises offers a wide range of river itineraries across Europe and beyond, with select promotions, special fares, and occasional free international airfare available on new bookings, depending on sailing dates and availability.
The Ship
Sailing with Viking Cruises during the holidays has the perfect mix of festivities, relaxation, and true holiday spirit while traveling between Europe’s famous Christmas markets. Our ship, the Viking Hönir, was just built in 2025 and sails select 2026–2028 river cruise itineraries.
With 95 staterooms hosting 190 guests, you won’t find any inside cabins. Every room has a view. Every room also has a queen-sized Viking Explorer bed, with upscale luxury linens and pillows. The bed can easily be split into two twin beds at your request.
The private bathroom has plush towels, upscale toiletries, and a heated floor. Robes and slippers are available upon request. Each room also has a refrigerator and water that is replenished daily. Wifi is free.
With a small ship, you get to know many of the other passengers. You show up at the cappuccino machine at the same time a couple of times, and the next thing you know, you’re having lunch together, or you’re on the same excursion.
My husband and I have many friends we met on a Viking Cruise. We’re actually still in touch with some people we met on our very first sailing almost ten years ago, and made more friends on this trip.
The Viking Honir was beautifully decorated with holiday spirit for the season, from the lobby to the dining room. The lounge areas, bar, and dining room were comfortable and inviting, making it easy to unwind after full days of exploring the markets and cities.
And let me add that your days can be as full or as relaxing as you want them to be. Much of the time, you are docked nearby so you can wander around and come back to the ship when you’re ready.
Culinary
Food is always a highlight with Viking, and the Christmas Markets cruise adds an extra layer of seasonal charm. On board, we designed ornaments and helped decorate a Christmas tree, learned how to make Rüdesheimer Kaffee (recipe coming soon!), and decorated traditional European gingerbread cookies.
One evening featured a Taste of Germany dinner with regional specialties that tied perfectly into the destinations we were visiting. A regional dinner happens on every cruise, and it’s always my favorite night.
The Route
For this sailing, you have the opportunity to explore four countries. You can begin in either Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, or Basel, Switzerland, and will also sail through Germany and France. We chose to begin in the Netherlands.
And of course, we sailed along the Middle Rhine, where castles and fortresses dotted the hills above the river. Many were built in the Middle Ages, some as early as the year 966, and once played an important role in protecting the river and collecting tolls from passing ships.
On every Rhine sailing, there will be a Scenic Sailing period of a few hours with commentary from the Program Director. Be sure to pick up the Castles of the Middle Rhine brochure at the front desk so you can follow along. It also makes a fun and memorable souvenir from your trip.
The Christmas Markets Excursions
You’ll find plenty of choices for visiting the Christmas Markets along the Rhine River, which is why this sailing is so special. All the excursions we chose were included with our cruise fare, with the exception of the Christmas Flavors of Alsace experience.
I had read about how special this market was and did not want to miss it. Christmas Flavors of Alsace is available at an additional cost, but it includes several tastings of traditional Christmas foods and a wine tasting. All excursions include one of Viking’s incredible guides.
Christmas in Cologne
Cologne’s Christmas market sits right next to the cathedral, which is impossible to miss. It’s part of a larger group of markets spread throughout the city center, all within easy walking distance.
The main market is large, with rows of stalls selling ornaments, gifts, and classic market foods, but it never felt overwhelming. We had time to wander, sample a few things, and enjoy the setting without feeling crowded or rushed.
Rüdesheim Festive Market
Rüdesheim is a small wine town along the Rhine, known for its half-timbered buildings and long history of winemaking. The Christmas market was smaller and more traditional, which suited the town well. I still managed to make some new friends!
The stalls were easy to browse, and everything was set up in a way that made it easy to stroll, with plenty of room to stop and look around. This stop also tied in beautifully with our onboard experience of learning to make Rüdesheimer Kaffee, which helped us appreciate the local traditions even more.
If you want to take home the traditional cup for making this delicious coffee drink with brandy, Rüdesheim is the spot. It’s the perfect cold-weather treat, topped with whipped cream. It will be a new annual tradition for us!
Mannheim Christmas Market
Mannheim’s Christmas market is set around the city’s well-known Art Nouveau water tower, with the stalls spreading out across the surrounding square. There were plenty of vendors selling handmade items and regional foods, and it’s the kind of place locals enjoy.
We saw people stopping for glühwein, picking up snacks, and browsing as they passed through, which gave the market a welcoming everyday feel. Visiting the Christmas Market made me want to come back and spend more time in Mannheim.
Historic Koblenz at Christmas
Koblenz was one of the quieter stops, which made the Christmas market easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Instead of being contained in one square, the stalls are spread throughout the historic part of town, lining pedestrian streets and small plazas near where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
This market is small and easy to walk through. We had plenty of time to browse, stop for bratwurst, and take in the surroundings. The photo below is of me when they said the brats were almost ready. I do love German food!
One of the nicest touches is the Advent calendar in Jesuitenplatz, where the town hall windows light up each evening, a detail that fits the market’s quiet, understated character.
Speyer & Its Christmas Market
Speyer is a small Rhine town with a walkable old center, anchored by its cathedral and a cluster of traditional buildings. The Christmas market is set just outside the cathedral grounds, with wooden stalls arranged along the square and nearby paths.
It’s easy to move through, with people stopping for sausages, waffles, and hot drinks while browsing ornaments and handmade gifts. The market feels very much part of the town, with the cathedral always in view, rising above the stalls as you move through the market.
Christmas Flavors of Alsace
Christmas Flavors of Alsace was the one excursion we chose that wasn’t included, and it was well worth adding to the itinerary. Strasbourg is filled with holiday spirit, and you feel it as soon as you step into the old center.
The Alsace Christmas market stretches through the medieval streets, with stalls clustered around the cathedral and continuing into the surrounding squares. You move from one pocket to the next, passing bakeries selling gingerbread and pastries.
Many stands offer local cheeses, sausages, and the region’s Christmas beer, an amber seasonal brew with warm spice and citrus flavors. As you wander toward Petite France and its canals, the experience goes beyond the market itself. I was glad we had time set aside for a wine tasting and traditional bites.
It’s easy to spend an afternoon tasting, browsing, and picking up a small gift or two to bring home. With all the festive cheer, the half-timbered buildings, and the cathedral always nearby, this market ended up being one of my favorites.
Freiburg Yuletide Market & Organ Concert
Freiburg felt a bit different from some of the other stops, starting with the drive into the city and the scenery along the way. The old town is compact and easy to stroll around, with the Christmas market set in the main square.
The Freiburg Münster, the city’s Gothic cathedral and home to a historic pipe organ, sits right alongside the market. An unexpected highlight of this stop was stepping inside the cathedral for the organ concert. Sitting there and listening to the music fill the quiet space was the perfect way to end the excursion before heading back to the ship.
Our guides were wonderful at pointing us toward additional markets to explore during our free time. By the end of the cruise, we had likely visited more than ten markets in total. In addition, we were able to fit in a bit of history, too.
Seeing the Christmas markets was such a magical experience. In addition to the organized excursions, many cities have more than one Christmas market.
After all, Viking Cruises prides itself on being The Thinking Person’s Cruise, so you will always have a culturally immersive experience. It’s one of the things we’ve always loved about sailing with them.
Best Time of Year to Visit the Christmas Markets
I think the timing of our cruise was perfect, since late November often brings favorable date prices, air fares, and special fares on some select departures. Plus, our children live in Canada and come home for Christmas, but not Thanksgiving, so it was a great time for us.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to celebrate Thanksgiving en route to Europe, I can honestly say our experience was lovely. It wasn’t terribly crowded, and the airport lounge even had a delicious Thanksgiving meal waiting for travelers.
If you can’t go for Thanksgiving, the following week is wonderful timing, too. The closer you get to the actual Christmas holiday, the more crowded the markets become. Keep that in mind when planning new bookings or watching for air promotion offers and select gateways.
And if you have the time, I highly recommend adding a couple of extra hotel nights at the beginning or end of your sailing. Exploring Amsterdam and Rotterdam at a relaxed pace made the whole river cruising experience feel even more special.
With round-trip airport transfers and hotel transfers sometimes available through Viking-purchased cruise packages, it can be an easy way to extend the magic of the holiday season just a little longer.
FAQs
Viking River Cruise fares generally include your stateroom, onboard meals, and a selection of guided shore excursions in each port, creating a relaxed and well-planned river cruising experience from the moment you arrive. Transfers may also be included when flights are purchased through Viking or when part of a cruise extension, though exact inclusions can vary by itinerary and booking.
On some sailings, Viking offers promotions that include roundtrip international airfare from select North American gateways. Flight details such as airline, schedule, and routing vary by departure date and availability, and the most accurate place to confirm current offers is the official Viking River Cruises website.
In addition to river itineraries, Viking also sails ocean and expedition journeys such as the Antarctic Explorer, Antarctic Circle, North Pacific Passage, Chilean Fjords, Panama Canal & Central America, Grand Australia Circumnavigation, Scenic Shores, Great Lakes Collection, and Great Lakes Treasures.
Yes. Travelers who have previously sailed with Viking are automatically enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society loyalty program. Members may receive benefits such as advance notice of new itineraries or special offers, depending on the sailing and booking timing.
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