Christmas

on the Rhine

An 8-Day Viking River Cruise Through Europe's Most Magical Holiday Markets

Amsterdam to Basel

November 26th, 2028 - December 3rd, 2028

People gathered at a Christmas market at night with festive holiday lights, a sign that says 'Christkindlmarkt', and holiday decorations including candy cane shaped lights and ornaments.

Christmas was made for the Rhine Valley.

So we're celebrating it properly.

Join us for an 8-day journey through some of Europe's most enchanting destinations — from the glittering Christmas markets of Cologne to the storybook villages of Alsace, all from the comfort of a Viking Longship.

This is not a rushed bus tour hopping between cities. This is a relaxed, all-inclusive river cruise designed to feel like the holiday season actually should — warm, wonder-filled, and wonderfully stress-free.

The Experience

Twinkling market stalls reflected in the Rhine. Mulled wine warming your hands in a medieval town square. The thundering pipes of a centuries-old organ echoing through Freiburg's Münster. The aroma of gingerbread drifting through cobblestone streets older than Christmas itself.

With guided tours at every port and multi-night anchoring in key cities, you'll experience the magic of a European Christmas at a comfortable, unhurried pace — with everything taken care of before you even step aboard.

Night scene of a festive outdoor fair showing a decorated carousel with illuminated lights, surrounded by people, and traditional half-timbered buildings in the background.
Display of Christmas decorations and figurines, including nutcrackers, Santa figurines, elves, and Christmas trees in a store window.

Where You'll Go

  • Amsterdam — Your grand departure point, where canal houses glow with holiday lights

  • Dordrecht — The Netherlands' oldest city, rich with history and charm

  • Düsseldorf — One of Germany's most beloved Christmas market cities

  • Cologne — Home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral and some of the Rhine's most spectacular holiday festivities

  • Koblenz — Where two great rivers meet, dressed in its finest for Christmas

  • The Middle Rhine Valley — Scenic cruising past castles and vineyards cloaked in winter mist

  • Rüdesheim — A fairytale wine village in the heart of the Rheingau

  • Mannheim & Speyer — Yuletide markets and historic streets

  • Strasbourg — The self-proclaimed "Capital of Christmas," with markets dating back to 1570

  • Breisach & Freiburg — Gateway to the Black Forest and an unforgettable organ concert

  • Basel — Your elegant Swiss finale

What's Included

Cruise & Accommodations

  • 8-day cruise visiting 4 countries (Netherlands, Germany, France & Switzerland)

  • River-view stateroom with all the signature Viking comforts

Tours & Experiences

  • 7 guided tours included — one at nearly every port

  • Visits to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • Düsseldorf at Christmas

  • Christmas in Cologne

  • Historic Koblenz at Christmas

  • Panoramic Mannheim & Yuletide Market

  • Speyer & Its Christmas Market

  • Festive Markets of Strasbourg

  • Freiburg Yuletide Market & Organ Concert

Culture Curriculum

  • Destination performances & live concerts

  • Lectures on Germany's history and Rhine River cruising

  • Watch a traditional glassblower at work

  • Gingerbread decoration workshop

  • Christmas tree trimming party

Food & Drink

  • All onboard meals, including regional specialties

  • Beer, wine & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner

Everything Else

  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the ship

  • All port taxes and fees included

The Day-by-Day Itinerary

Tree decorated with illuminated starburst-shaped string lights at dusk or night.

Day 1 — Amsterdam Embark your Viking Longship and settle into your stateroom. The Rhine awaits.

Day 2 — Dordrecht Arrive in the Netherlands' oldest city for a guided tour through centuries of history, architecture, and holiday charm.

Day 3 — Düsseldorf & Cologne A day of two cities. Start with Düsseldorf's celebrated Christmas markets, then glide into Cologne for an evening under the shadow of its legendary cathedral — one of the Rhine's most spectacular holiday backdrops.

Day 4 — Koblenz & The Middle Rhine Explore historic Koblenz at Christmas before a breathtaking afternoon of scenic cruising through the Middle Rhine Gorge — UNESCO-listed and lined with castle ruins and terraced vineyards. Arrive in Rüdesheim as the stars come out.

Day 5 — Mannheim & Speyer A morning panoramic tour of Mannheim leads to an afternoon in Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, where the Christmas market unfolds in the shadow of a magnificent Romanesque cathedral.

Day 6 — Strasbourg A full day in the "Capital of Christmas." Strasbourg's markets are among the oldest and most spectacular in all of Europe — this one is worth every minute.

Day 7 — Breisach & Freiburg Step off in Breisach and travel to Freiburg for its beloved Yuletide Market, followed by an organ concert at the Freiburg Münster. Then sail to Basel for your final overnight.

Day 8 — Basel Disembark in Switzerland's cultural capital, rested, inspired, and full of Christmas memories.

Your Stateroom Options

Every stateroom aboard the Viking Longship is a river-view retreat. Choose the experience that suits you best.

Your Stateroom Options

Every stateroom aboard the Viking Longship is a river-view retreat. Choose the experience that suits you best.

Standard Stateroom — Category FFrom $3,174 per person (double occupancy) | $5,774 solo 150 sq ft · Main Deck · Half-height picture window Your comfortable home on the river, with a queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (twin configuration available), private bathroom with heated floor, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and all the signature Viking touches.

Standard Stateroom — Category EFrom $3,274 per person (double occupancy) | $5,949 solo 150 sq ft · River view · Half-height picture window Everything in Category F, in a preferred location.

French Balcony Stateroom — Category DFrom $3,874 per person (double occupancy) | $7,998 solo 135 sq ft · Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door Open your stateroom to the river breeze with a French balcony. All the comforts of the Standard, plus that direct connection to the passing Rhine scenery. - SOLD OUT

French Balcony Stateroom — Category CFrom $4,074 per person (double occupancy) | $8,398 solo 135 sq ft · Upper Deck The same beautiful French balcony experience in a preferred Upper Deck location. SOLD OUT

Veranda Stateroom — Category BFrom $4,374 per person (double occupancy) | $8,998 solo 205 sq ft (includes private veranda) · Full-size private outdoor veranda Step outside onto your own private veranda. Watch the Rhine Valley roll past from your own personal outdoor space, with a glass-enclosed shower, premium Freyja® toiletries, and plush robes available on request.

Veranda Stateroom — Category AFrom $4,574 per person (double occupancy) | $9,398 solo 205 sq ft (includes private veranda) · Upper Deck The full Veranda experience in a premium Upper Deck location.

Veranda Suite — AAFrom $6,874 per person (double occupancy) | $13,998 solo 275 sq ft · Separate sitting room · Full veranda + French balcony in sleeping quarters

Viking's true two-room suite experience. Your sitting room opens to a full private veranda, while the sleeping quarters feature a French balcony of their own. Suite privileges include:

  • 12 PM priority stateroom access (earliest in river cruising)

  • Welcome champagne waiting on arrival

  • Complimentary Viking Air Plus services

  • Complimentary laundry & shoe shine service

  • Mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks, replenished daily

  • Daily fresh fruit basket

  • In-suite premium bathrobes & slippers

  • Binoculars for scenic cruising

Explorer Suite — ESFrom $9,874 per person (double occupancy) | $19,998 solo 445 sq ft · Private wraparound veranda with 270-degree views · Two full rooms

The flagship suite on the Viking Longship — and genuinely one of the finest ways to experience river cruising in Europe. A spacious sitting room opens to a wraparound private veranda with panoramic views, while the sleeping quarters include their own French balcony. Everything in the Veranda Suite, plus:

  • Complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package (unlimited premium wines, beers, cocktails & more for the entire cruise)

  • Complimentary in-room breakfast service

  • Personal coffee brewer with premium coffee & tea

  • Cashmere blanket for the veranda

  • Private airport transfers in Europe (arrival and departure)

  • Complimentary Viking Air Plus flight customization services

A woman with glasses reading a book on a hotel bed in a modern room with a large window, wall-mounted TV, and wooden furniture.
A hotel room with a large bed, white bedding, and brown accent pillows. There is a window with a view of a river or lake and trees outside.
Hotel room with a bed, pillows, and a balcony view of water and greenery.

$50 per cabin to hold your room.

Due to the nature of this cruise and the limited capacity of the ship, Viking has set the final payment as February 15th, 2027.

People walking past a historic Gothic cathedral with a large Ferris wheel nearby, and a Christmas market with festive decorations in a city street.

Extend Your Journey

Make even more of your time in Europe with a pre- or post-cruise extension.

Amsterdam — 2 Nights Stay centrally located near Museum Square and the Anne Frank House. (Note: Anne Frank House tickets sell out fast — book well in advance at the museum's website.)

Amsterdam Premium — 2 Nights Upgrade to the elegant Pulitzer Amsterdam, set in beautifully restored canal houses, with a private small-group tour included.

Belgium at Christmas — 3 Nights Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp during the holiday season — UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic landmarks, and festive markets all in one.

Basel at Christmas — 2 Nights Linger in Basel and explore its quaint holiday markets and cobblestone medieval streets before heading home.

Lucerne — 2 Nights Spend two nights in this classic Swiss town — 14th-century Chapel Bridge, baroque churches, and a dramatic alpine lake.

Lake Como — 3 Nights (Available on Basel to Amsterdam direction only) End your journey on the villa-lined shores of Lake Como, one of Europe's most beautiful retreats.

Let’s Book!

Christmas lights display on city street with illuminated stars, snowflakes, and a neon sign that reads 'Strasbourg Capitale de Noël' at night.
Christmas market at dusk with decorated stalls, people shopping, and a historic church in the background.
Nighttime Christmas market scene with decorated wooden stalls, lit Christmas trees, and illuminated holiday figures including reindeer and Santa Claus, set against a backdrop of historic buildings and a castle.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It depends on your package and how you choose to book. Ask us and we’ll quote options.

  • Expect winter temps — Amsterdam and Basel average highs in the 30s–40s°F during the coldest months.

  • Yes — ask for current solo supplement / availability in each category.

  • Markets vary by city/date, but this itinerary is built around festive experiences and holiday towns.