Christmastime on the Danube
7-Day River Cruise | Nuremberg to Vienna | December 3–9, 2027 | Avalon Tranquility II
Departure
December 3, 2027
Return
December 9, 2027
Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Ship
Avalon Tranquility II
Route
Nuremberg to Vienna
Group Host
Annie Schlegel, Suite Impressions Travel
Starting From
$4,065 per person
Included
Most meals per itinerary, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, taxes, port charges and gratuities
Additional Costs
Airfare, Pre-Nights, Transfers, Travel Insurance
Europe's most celebrated Christmas markets, from the deck of a river ship.
This isn't a bus tour. You unpack once, wake up in a new destination every morning, and step directly into some of Germany and Austria's most famous Christmas markets, Glühwein in hand. I'm hosting this group personally, which means I've done the work so you don't have to. One price, one ship, one incredible week.
Unpack Once, Wake Up Somewhere New
Your cabin is home base for all six nights and seven days. No hotels, no hauling bags between cities. Just wake up each morning in a new destination.
Multiple Christmas Markets
Each port brings its own distinct market. From Nuremberg's world-famous Christkindlesmarkt to Vienna's imperial squares. No two are the same.
Meals, Wine & Beer Included
Most meals are included throughout the cruise, with wine and beer served at lunch and dinner. Come hungry. The food is part of the experience. See the itinerary for full meal details by day.
Taxes, Port Charges & Gratuities Included
All taxes, port charges, and gratuities are built into your group pricing, and Annie is personally onboard as your host every step of the way. No surprises at the end.
Why the Danube, and Why December 3rd Is the Right Week to Be On It.
Most people comparing Christmas market river cruises are choosing between the Rhine and the Danube. Here's the thing, they are not the same trip, and the difference matters.
The Rhine runs through Western Europe, connecting cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, and Strasbourg. It's beautiful. But the Danube runs through the heart of Central Europe, Germany into Austria, and the Christmas market culture here is older, more rooted, and frankly more of what most people picture when they imagine a European Christmas.
Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt has been running since 1628. Regensburg's market fills a medieval square that hasn't changed in centuries. And Vienna, two full days in Vienna at Christmas, is in a category by itself. The Imperial Palace, the Schönbrunn, the Rathaus market with its enormous tree. There is nowhere else in Europe quite like Vienna in December.
And honestly, the timing of this sailing matters too. December 3rd puts you in the sweet spot. Every market is fully open, fully decorated, and fully alive. Travel the week before Christmas and you're fighting last-minute shopping crowds. Travel in late November and some markets haven't fully opened yet. Early December on the Danube is the window, and this is that window.
Your Home on the Danube: Avalon Tranquility II
The Avalon Tranquility II is an Avalon Suite Ship featuring the widest Open-Air Balcony Suites on the river. The entire wall of each suite opens up to bring the Danube scenery inside. Thoughtfully designed staterooms, exceptional dining, and all the amenities you need for a week on the water.
Your Week on the Danube
Nuremberg, Germany (Embarkation)
Board the Avalon Tranquility II. Tonight, explore the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt with bratwurst, Lebkuchen, and Glühwein surrounded by medieval architecture and festive lights.
Meals: Dinner
Nuremberg
Choose your guided tour: medieval architecture, the gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral and Kaiserburg Castle, OR the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Free time to browse the Christmas market stalls at your own pace. Live entertainment onboard as you sail to Regensburg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Regensburg
The only German city not bombed during WWII. Guided city walk of the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria. Browse Regensburg's sparkling Christmas markets. On-board Christmas Traditions Lecture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Passau
Guided walk of the "City of Three Rivers." Passau's Christkindlesmarkt set against the stunning backdrop of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Optional day excursion to Salzburg, setting of The Sound of Music and birthplace of the hymn Silent Night. Evening cruise to Linz.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Melk & Wachau Valley / Vienna
Guided tour of Melk's magnificent 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Austrian cookie tasting while sailing the scenic Wachau Valley. Arrive in Vienna. Optional evening Royal Waltz Concert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vienna
Full day in Austria's imperial capital. Choose a guided walk through the Old Town and Christmas markets sampling local winter specialties, OR a guided city tour of Habsburg landmarks including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Optional Schönbrunn Palace tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vienna (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
Choose Your Stateroom
All prices per person based on double occupancy in USD. All taxes, port charges, and gratuities included in your group pricing.
Cat. D
Indigo Deck Forward
Deluxe Staterooms
$4,065
per person
Cat. E
Indigo Deck Aft
Deluxe Staterooms
$4,065
per person
Cat. B
Sapphire Deck Aft
Panorama Suites
$5,865
per person
Cat. A
Sapphire Deck Forward
Panorama Suites
$5,950
per person
Cat. P
Royal Deck
Panorama Suites
$6,122
per person
Deposit: $250 per person (non-refundable). Final payment due August 15, 2027. Pre-nights available in Nuremberg on December 1 and December 2 from $243 per person based on double occupancy. Travel insurance, airfare, and airport transfers are additional. Contact Annie for details on any of the above.
Avalon Tranquility II Deck Plans
Explore the layout of the ship deck by deck.
Most people don't realize what they're missing when they book direct.
Here's the thing. River cruising looks simple until it isn't. Cabin categories matter enormously. Pre-cruise hotel logistics in Europe can derail an entire trip. And when something goes wrong mid-cruise, you need someone who knows the supplier. I've sailed Avalon myself. I know the ship, the experience, and the questions to ask before you commit a deposit. And honestly, it costs you nothing more to book through me than booking direct.
"When you travel with me, you have someone in your corner before you leave, while you're on the water, and when you get home. That's what working with a travel advisor actually means."
Annie Schlegel
Owner & Travel Advisor, Suite Impressions Travel
Verified Travel Advisor (ASTA) | Envoyage Member
What People Ask Before They Book
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