Iconic Christmas Markets 2025

Dec 13, 2025 to Dec 20, 2025
Budapest to Nuremberg
 

Iconic Christmas Markets

Dec 13 - Dec 20, 2025 | 7 - night cruise aboard the AmaMora
 
CITIES & SIGHTS:
Budapest🔹Vienna🔹Melk🔹Passau🔹Regensburg 🔹Nuremberg
 
YOUR JOURNEY ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER

Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Nuremberg’s festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; Regensburg’s Artisan Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; and Budapest, where products sold in the market are traditionally handmade. Revel in a feast for the senses: sparkling lights; festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; and enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind.

INCLUDED WITH YOUR FARE

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS

  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with twin balconies)
  • Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
  • Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
  • Bottled water replenished daily
 
 
 

AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

  • Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host 
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land packages
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sun Deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
  • Fitness room, massage services and hair salon
  • Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances
 
 

AWARD-WINNING DINING

  • Regionally inspired cuisine from locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
  • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
  • Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
  • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
  • Bike tours and hikes
  • Special interest tours
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration
  • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
 
 

NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR FARE: Airfare, Travel Insurance, Gratuities and Laundry

 
ITINERARY: 
 
AmaWaterways
DAY 1: BUDAPEST - Embarkation

Board the ship in Budapest for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)
DAY 2: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both banks of the river. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and much more. Later, explore the city’s popular Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets where you can purchase delightful delicacies and hand-made gifts. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market and its spectacular festive atmosphere. Cap the day off at the beautifully decorated Town Hall (Rathaus), Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: MELK, AUSTRIA

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: PASSAU, GERMANY
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day
DAY 6: REGENSBURG, GERMANY

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. For those in a more festive mood, spend the afternoon at Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. (B,L,D)
 
DAY 8: NUREMBERG, GERMANY - Disembarkation

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home. (B)
  
  
 
 
 
AMAMORA OVERVIEW
 
Built: 2019 • Length: 443 ft. • Width: 38 ft. Staterooms: 78 • Passengers: 156 • Crew: 51
 

AmaWaterways’ twin balcony ships represent some of the newest vessels in our fleet. Heated pools with a swim-up bar provide a tranquil environment for viewing stunning mountains and spired skylines. Plus, spacious staterooms afford guests comfort and privacy to rejuvenate while still experiencing the magnificent scenery. 

 
 

Deposit and Final Payment:

To confirm a river cruise or river cruise and land reservation, we require a deposit of $400 per person.

Final payment is due no later than 90 days before the travel start date. Failure to provide full payment by 90 days prior will result in cancellation of all services booked with AmaWaterways. 

 
Cancellation Charges:
DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE  CRUISE & LAND CANCELLATION CHARGE
121 days or more prior to departure $200
 120-90 days prior to departure  $400
 89-60 days prior to departure  35% of cruise and land price
 59-31 days prior to departure  50% of cruise and land price
 30 days to 25 hours prior to departure  100% of cruise and land price
 24 hours or less  100% of cruise and land price

BOOK BY JUNE 30, 2024 TO GET UP TO $1,000 OFF PER PERSON, ONE CATEGORY UPGRADE AND $100 ONBOARD CREDIT PER CABIN:

Prices listed below are before savings

Available Packages

Suite (Violin Deck)- French Balcony & Outside Balcony 350 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $8,029.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
    AmaWaterways   
   

Category AA (Violin Deck)- French Balcony & Outside Balcony 235 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $6,729.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
 
     AmaWaterways

Category AB (Cello Deck)- French Balcony & Outside Balcony 235 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $6,529.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
  AmaWaterways    AmaWaterways 

Category BB (Cello Deck)- French Balcony & Outside Balcony 210 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $6,129.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
 

Category CA (Violin and Cello Deck)- French Balcony 170 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $5,529.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
AmaWaterways  

Category CB (Violin Deck)- French Balcony 155 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $5,129.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
AmaWaterways        

Category D (Piano Deck)- Fixed Windows 160 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $4,429.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
 

Category E (Piano Deck)- Fixed Windows 160 sq. ft.
Available until June 30, 2025

Starting At: $4,130.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Book now
  

Extra Options

2 Nights Budapest Pre Cruise (price per person based on double occupancy)
Available until October 15, 2025

$610.00

2 Nights Budapest Pre Cruise (price per person based on single occupancy)
Available until October 15, 2025

$910.00

Dec 11th to 13th

The Christmas season casts a spell of enchantment over Budapest, transforming the city into a true winter wonderland. Iconic squares like Vörösmarty and St. Stephen's come alive with festive Christmas markets, offering traditional Hungarian handicrafts, mouthwatering chimney cakes and mulled wine, and a joyous atmosphere illuminated by twinkling lights. Visitors can experience the magic of gliding across the ice at Europe's largest outdoor rink in City Park, or wander the enchanting light installations along Margaret Island. The city's rich Christmas traditions are celebrated through concerts and special events, while the historic thermal baths like Széchenyi provide a warm, rejuvenating escape. Hotels and restaurants embrace the season with special holiday menus and experiences designed to delight. With its spellbinding ambiance, Budapest becomes an utterly magical destination for immersing oneself in the holiday spirit.

 
   
 
  • 2 nights hotel in Budapest
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Convenient transfers between your hotel and ship
  • Enjoy a guided excursion, to take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler 
  • The services of one of our wonderful Cruise Managers – unique in the industry

3 Nights Prague Post Cruise (price per person based on double occupancy)
Available until October 15, 2025

$975.00

3 Nights Prague Post Cruise (price based on single occupancy)
Available until October 15, 2025

$1,395.00

Dec 20th to 23rd

Prague transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square come alive with lively Christmas markets, offering a festive atmosphere filled with twinkling lights, wooden stalls selling traditional Czech handicrafts, and the aroma of mulled wine and grilled sausages. The grand Christmas tree at Old Town Square, adorned with thousands of lights, is a centerpiece, accompanied by concerts and events celebrating Czech Christmas traditions. Visitors can enjoy strolling across the historic Charles Bridge, dusted with snow, or admire the intricate nativity scenes in churches like Prague Castle and the Church of St. Ignatius. With its enchanting ambiance, Prague becomes a magical destination for embracing the holiday spirit 

 
 
 
  • ​3 nights in Prague
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel    
  • Convenient transfers from the ship to your hotel    
  • Drive through the pastoral countryside to head to Prague 
  • Take a walking tour of Prague Castle, the romantic Charles Bridge and the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock   
  • Explore Prague’s renowned Christmas markets in the Old Town Square 
  • Join in a Czech beer tasting 
  • The services of one of our wonderful Cruise Managers – unique in the industry