Why You Should Consider a Christmas Market River Cruise with Kids
If you’ve been with me for a while, you already know how deeply my childhood trips to EPCOT shaped my love of travel. Meeting cast members from around the world, listening to them share stories about their home countries—it lit something in me long before I ever held a passport.
So it’s no surprise that one of my favorite places to be during the holidays is Walt Disney World, but not for the Christmas Party or the parade on Main Street—it’s EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays that has my heart. I’ve always loved the storytellers who bring their country’s traditions to life. Germany was my favorite as a kid, and as an adult, I’ve adored warming my hands around a cup of Glühwein while listening to the stories that shaped so many of our own traditions.
A few years ago, I started digging into the origins of Glühwein when I got home and fell down the most wonderful rabbit hole—Germany’s Christmas Markets. Around the same time, when I entered the travel industry, I learned about Christmas Market river cruises and immediately added them to my “someday” list. I assumed it would be years before I could take Annabelle, since most river cruises were traditionally adults-only. But things are changing! More and more river cruise lines are offering dedicated family experiences, making them the perfect candidate for a Christmas cruise!
What is a Christmas Market?
Europe’s iconic Christmas Markets usually begin to open around November 25 and run right up until December 23 or 24. They’re set in the very heart of each city—those historic town squares that everything was built around—so stepping into one feels like stepping straight into a storybook. Twinkling lights drape from every corner, the scent of warm street food fills the air, and locals gather with friends and family, creating this cozy sense of community. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a gentle dusting of snow settling over the rooftops.
Each market has its own personality, but they all offer a treasure trove of handcrafted gifts, regional treats, and festive specialties. This is where you’ll find warm mugs of glühwein (mulled wine), steaming cider, roasted nuts, gingerbread, bratwurst, nougat…there’s no better time to truly embrace local customs than at Christmas, especially when they taste this good!
And unlike the crowds and parking-lot chaos we associate with holiday shopping at home, visiting Europe during this season actually feels peaceful. You skip the peak summer crowds and get to explore these beautiful cities at a slower pace. Just don’t forget your winter coat!
Why River Cruising?
If the phrase river cruise makes you think of groups of retirees in matching sneakers and headsets, I get it—but the industry has changed so much in recent years. River cruising has quietly become one of the easiest, most meaningful ways for families to explore Europe together.
For families who want to see multiple cities without constantly packing, hauling suitcases over cobblestone streets, or figuring out trains and taxis, a river cruise is a dream. You unpack once. Everything is taken care of. And many lines now offer connecting rooms specifically designed for families. Most itineraries are all-inclusive, too, so you can spend less time budgeting and more time being there.
Unlike the mega–ocean ships that hold thousands of people, river ships top out around 200 guests. You won’t find water parks or climbing walls, but what you will find is an attentive crew who learns your preferences by day two. On my last sailing, after I ordered the same omelet twice, the chef had one waiting for me every morning. The onboard experience is intentionally simple, because the heart of a river cruise is the destination. Programming centers around local culture—hands-on crafts, performances, cooking demonstrations, and regional cuisine. One of my favorite moments was joining the ship’s chef on his morning market run, watching him select ingredients that would end up on our dinner plates that night.
A Christmas Market river cruise is especially magical. It’s the kind of trip that brings people together and creates memories that outshine any wrapped present. And after the past few years, when so many celebrations were postponed or overlooked, a holiday cruise is such a meaningful way to make up for missed milestones.
Instead of filling your house with toys your kids will outgrow, imagine gifting them time together—wandering twinkling market stalls, tasting new foods, and learning how different cultures celebrate Christmas. To me, that’s the kind of present that lasts.
Adventures by Disney
One of my favorite options for family cruising is Adventures by Disney, and it’s no exception when it comes to planning the perfect Christmas cruise. They host a Very Merry Christmas celebration on the AmaViola, a ship from river cruise line AmaWaterways. The sailings are on the Danube between Budapest and Vilshofen, with several market experiences along the way. In Vienna, guests experience the impressive Schönbrunn Palace, where the outdoor Christmas market offers music, handicrafts, and children’s activities—you can even go ice skating in the center of the city! The itinerary includes an excursion to iconic sights from the Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria, alongside the charming city’s own famed Christmas extravaganza.
Beyond featuring unforgettable destinations, Adventures by Disney’s “adventure guides” set it apart from other Christmas cruise options. These Disney-trained guides aren’t just experts—they’re local experts who handle every detail of your time in port, recommending stand-out experiences and sharing their own stories. If you’re looking for cultural immersion and local expertise that’s still fun for the whole family, Adventures by Disney is a perfect pick.
Classic German Christmas Markets with Uniworld
Each December, upscale cruise line Uniworld sails its 128-guest River Queen along Germany’s Main River from Nuremberg to Frankfurt on a family-focused, seven-night “Classic Christmas Markets” itinerary. In addition to shopping at regional Christmas markets, families can visit the “Christmas with Dinosaurs” exhibit at Frankfurt’s natural history museum, sample gingerbread in Nuremberg, or take a pretzel-twisting class in Wertheim. Onboard, kids can take advantage of a lounge just for them, peruse children’s menus at mealtimes, consult a “soda sommelier,” and sit at Young Travelers’ Tables—no grown-ups allowed.
Generations (Uniworld’s family-friendly itineraries) departures offer onboard Family Hosts, special ship tours with the Captain or hotel manager, the use of bicycles, and onboard language and dessert-making lessons. Each night with turndown, children receive a special gift reflective of the destination.
Tauck Bridges
Tauck Bridges’ family vacation tours are designed to inspire a sense of wonder and understanding of this big, wide, wonderful world we live in. But, most of all, they’re fun! They span interests as well as generations, connecting you and your loved ones for the best family trips imaginable.
On the Christmas Market itinerary, your family will discover Europe’s time-honored holiday traditions in historic cities and towns along the Danube featuring the sights, flavors, and music of the season.
On Your “Holiday Magic Journey” guests enjoy visits to Europe’s popular Christmas markets and to Oberndorf, Austria, where the beloved classic Silent Night was written and first performed in 1818. A workshop in Passau, Germany, highlights traditional treats, including their famous gingerbread, and a festive dinner aboard the ship invites guests to dress in their holiday best and celebrate the season. Families will also enjoy an exclusive Imperial Evening inside a private Viennese palace with a waltz lesson, and they can take part in a scavenger hunt in Bratislava’s Old Town.
A-ROSA
I haven’t had any experience with A-ROSA, but I came across them a few times while I was researching this post. I found them especially appealing because each child ages 2 to 15 sails free with an adult! A-ROSA’s ships have triples, family suites, and adjoining staterooms to cater to the family market. And unlike the many other river cruises, A-ROSA’s ships also have swimming pools, and during holiday periods, an A-ROSA kids’ club is available for ages 4 to 15.
They also offer more itinerary options, including 4 and 5-night itineraries on the Danube (like the options above) as well as the Rhine (Amsterdam to Cologne), and the Seine (Paris).
Whether you’re considering a Christmas cruise or are hoping to spend your holidays on land, I’d love to help you make your next Christmas a bit more magical!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
