Line 2 · Cruises

Rhine Christmas Markets river cruise

Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam

Best timeNov–Dec
Getting thereFly
Good forCruises, Christmas & holiday, History & culture
DocumentsPassport needed

A new Christmas market every day: Strasbourg, Rüdesheim, Cologne and more, with castles along the Middle Rhine.

River ships are small, with few triple cabins and no kids' clubs. Most lines set a minimum age of about 4. Some sail family dates.

Price it for your family from your ZIP →

What it costs

Example for 2 adults and 2 kids, 5 days, including fare, taxes, port fees, tips and excursions. Flights to the port depend on where you live, so price it from your ZIP for the full total.

Where you stayEstimated total*
Inside cabin$3,810
Balcony cabin$6,770
Top suite$16,220

*Planning estimate from typical recent prices, before travel to the port, with an 8% buffer. Holiday weeks and school breaks cost more.

Best time to go

  1. JanOff
  2. FebOff
  3. MarOff
  4. AprGood
  5. MayGood
  6. JunGood
  7. JulOff
  8. AugOff
  9. SepGood
  10. OctGood
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest

Top attractions on this cruise

  1. Basel Christmas marketSwitzerland
  2. Strasbourg ChristkindelsmärikOne of Europe's oldest
  3. ColmarStorybook Alsace town
  4. Breisach & the Black ForestCuckoo clocks
  5. Middle Rhine castlesWorld Heritage valley
  6. Rüdesheim Christmas Market of NationsRhine wine town
  7. KoblenzWhere the Rhine meets the Moselle
  8. Cologne CathedralMarkets below it
  9. Cologne Chocolate MuseumChocolate fountain
  10. AmsterdamCanals and lights

Where to eat on this cruise

  1. Ship dining$Included
  2. Maison Kammerzell$$$Strasbourg
  3. Früh am Dom$$Cologne brewhouse
  4. Drosselgasse$$Rüdesheim's lane of wine taverns

Things to do on this cruise

  1. Market hoppingA new one each day
  2. Kinderpunsch and GlühweinKeep the mugs
  3. Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocksBreisach excursion
  4. Castles cruiseMiddle Rhine
  5. Siegfried's Mechanical Music CabinetRüdesheim
  6. Chocolate MuseumCologne
  7. Canal cruiseAmsterdam
  8. Little VeniceColmar
  9. Astronomical clockStrasbourg Cathedral

Places change. Tap any name to check it on Google Maps before you go.

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