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2025 Christmas Markets
on the Danube

7-Night Cruise  |  December 1 - 8, 2025  |  AmaWaterways

Join Melissa Meredith Fail, CEO and Lead Travel Advisor with RLX Travel Group on this amazing 7-night Christmas Markets river cruise.  Imagine strolling through Europe's most magical Christmas Markets, enjoying a warm cup of cider, munching on chimney bread, and relishing the scent of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Passau, and Salzburg, where you'll shop for exquisitely handcrafted treasures, one-of-a-kind gifts, and tasty treats that will undoubtedly bring a smile to your loved ones' faces - and yours too!  

 

 

Sailing along the Danube, you'll experience European holiday elegance, with the winter scenery outside complementing the warm and inviting atmosphere onboard the beautiful ship, AmaBella, your home away from home. 

 

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This is the perfect river cruise getaway for Christmas shopping!

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Seeking to extend your vacation?

Add a Land package! Consider adding a 3 Pre-Cruise night package in Prague. More information about this add-on package is found below. 

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ITINERARY

 

December 1 - Vilshofen, Germany (EMBARKATION)

Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration

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December 2 - Passau, Germany

Passau walking tour and Christmas Market

OR Passau Hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf

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December 3 - Linz, Austria

Linz walking tour and Christmas Market

OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour

OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with Christmas Markets

OR ÄŒeský Krumlov excursion with Christmas Markets

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December 4 - Weissenkirchen, Austria

Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley

Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey

OR Dürnstein Apricots & Sweets tasting

OR Dürnstein Fortress hike

OR Danube bike tour

Wine tasting at local winery

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December 5 - Vienna, Austria

“Imperial Vienna” tour with Maria Theresa Platz Christmas Market

OR Vienna bike tour

Rathaus Christmas Market by night

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December 6 - Vienna, Austria

Bratislava Walking Tour (Christmas Markets)

OR Bratislava Castle Hike

OR Schönbrunn Christmas Markets

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December 7 - Esztergom, Hungary to Budapest, Hungary

Scenic Cruising with afternoon tours. Your choice of

“Queen of the Danube” tour

OR Castle Hill hike

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December 8 - Budapest

DISEMBARKATION

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Image by Gabriel Miklós
Women shopping at Christmas market iStock-1199196034
Gingerbreads at Christmas Market
Melk
Bratwurst cooking at Christmas Market
Passau
Passau
Vilshofen
Melk
Weissenkirchen
Vienna 2
Vienna 1
Bratislava 1
Budapest in Danube

STATEROOMS 

AmaBella Stateroom Category D and E
AmaBella Stateroom Cat AA and AB
AmaBella stateroom Category BA and BB
AmaBella stateroom category C
AmaBella Stateroom_SUITE_bedroom
AmaBella Staterooom _SUITE_living room
AmaBella stateroom _SUITE_bathroom

Relax in spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms, ranging in size from 170-235 square feet.  Suites measure at a generous 350 square feet featuring a larger sitting area with sofa and two chairs, and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower.  Most staterooms have twin balconies, both a French and outside balcony.

Additional stateroom amenities include: Entertainment-On-Demand, featuring free high-speed Internet access, unlimited Wi-Fi, movies, music and English language TV stations; climate-controlled air conditioning; and an in-room safe.

From the moment you step aboard AmaBella, you will feel welcome and right at home on this intimate small ship. 

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SUITE

From: $7,799 pp

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CATEGORY AA

From: $6,479 pp

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CATEGORY AB

From: $6,279 pp

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CATEGORY BA

SOLD OUT

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CATEGORY BB

From: $5,879 pp

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CATEGORY C

From: $5,279 pp

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CATEGORY D

From: $4,179 pp

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CATEGORY E

From: $3,880 pp

AMABELLA DECK PLAN

Ship Plan of AmaBella

ACTIVITIES YOU'LL EXPERIENCE WHILE ON THIS CRUISE

 

You'll begin your luxury river cruise adventure in Vilshofen, where you will board the ship for your Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise. Next, join Vilshofen locals and fellow guests for a glass of beer and a traditional German pretzel ashore at a festive Oktoberfest celebration.

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During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure during your time in Passau, enjoy a guided hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf.

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Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice excursions. The first is a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas markets. Or you could go on a guided bike tour along the Danube River. Alternatively, enjoy a full-day in Salzburg with a walking tour in the historic center, famous for its religious history, Baroque architecture, and as the birthplace of Mozart. While there, visit the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of ÄŒeský Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion.

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In the morning, sit back and relax as the Captain navigates the ship along the Danube River through Austria's narrow yet scenic Strudengau and Wachau Valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Melk. For a more active adventure, bike through Weissenkirchen or hike up to Dürnstein Fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive and enjoy incredible views of the river and village below. Alternatively, you can visit a local boutique where you’ll enjoy a tasting of local apricot treats. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to a local winery where you can sample some of the Wachau Valley’s finest wine

 

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. You will also have the chance to enjoy the festivities of the city’s Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna.

In Bratislava, you can go on a walking tour with Christmas Market visits, hike up to the Bratislava Castle, or visit the Schönbrunn Christmas Markets.

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In Esztergom, relax and enjoy the view during your scenic cruise into Budapest. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, this city offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. 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

The journey ends in Budapest, where you can choose between the "Queen of the Danube" tour or a Castle Hill hike. On the final day, you'll disembark in Budapest, having experienced an unforgettable holiday that was planned with great care and attention to detail.

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More tours are available.

RLX Travel Group gold logo

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Pre-cruise, 3-Nights in Prague for $975 per person.

This packages includes your hotel stay, daily breakfast, the services of a fabulous AmaWaterways Tour Manager, and a choice of tours.

 

OPTIONAL LAND PACKAGE

November 28 - Prague 

Arrive in Prague. Check into your hotel.

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November 29 - Prague

“Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour and Christmas markets

OR Prague Castle hike

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November 30 - Prague

Czech Beer Tasting

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December 1 - Depart Prague
Transfer to Vilshofen to board the AmaBella

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Join Melissa in this AMAZING Voyage!

Click Here for More Information

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