Christmas Market cruises not to be missed

If the first thing you need during the festive season is a Christmas market, we’ve got you covered. Sip delicious mulled wine against a backdrop of festive sounds and twinkling lights at one of our festive destinations.

What Christmas markets can I go to?

This year we are heading to the beautiful Hamburg and Bruges markets, both of which are rich with Christmas culture for you to explore.

Did you know... Christmas Market cruises have no luggage restrictions, so you don't need to worry about how many trinkets and presents you’re bringing back!

What we love about Christmas Markets in Hamburg and Bruges

cooking sausages in a German Christmas market

Cuisine from around the world

You can't have a Christmas market without delicious homemade wurst sausages! There are also so many more tasty foods to sample like mouth-watering hot chocolate and waffles in Bruges and oh-so-sweet marzipan-covered stollen in Hamburg. Delicious Glühwein makes for a complete authentic festive experience.

Gifts galore

Christmas markets are great places to shop for unique artisan gifts. Bruges features over 200 wooden chalets that offer a huge array of craft products and delicacies. If you're visiting Hamburg, look out for traditional decorations from the Erzgebirge region of Germany and wooden creations from the Tyrol region made by local carpenters and craftsman.

Immerse yourself in cultural heritage

Christmas markets in Bruges and Hamburg perfectly capture the sound, smells and sights of times gone by, with some markets running since the 15th and 16th centuries. Nativity stalls, performances and much more await to create an authentic Christmas experience.

Find your Christmas cruise

Which ports can I visit on a Christmas Market Cruise?

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Christmas in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is packed with mesmerising decorations and fun-filled activities over the Christmas period.

Ice-skate the night away

What could be more festive than wrapping up and dusting off your ice-skates? With various ice rinks to choose from, the biggest and most easily accessible is the Schaatsbaan Rotterdam, with a 400m tunnel, magical rainbow lighting and a curling rink.

Take a trip to Amsterdam's Light Festival

With tours running from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, why not explore the Amsterdam Light Festival? The event brings colour and brightness over the festive period through a range of over 40 light installations all made by international artists. There's also a host of jaw-dropping special events, performances and interactive workshops to enjoy.

Christmas tree in Rotterdam Christmas market

Feel the spirit at Markthall

As Christmas approaches, the Rotterdam Markthall is transformed into a festive paradise with bright and spectacular decorations, market stalls, places to eat and so much more.

Christmas in Hamburg

Hamburg has more than 30 Christmas markets to discover, where you can indulge in favoured festive treats – or try something new!

Wander through a winter forest

Winterwald market transforms a part of the city centre into a magical winter forest, where you can discover an atmospheric Christmas village. Below the half-timbered huts, you’ll discover craftsmen hammering, chiselling and painting their wares live for you to watch. Baked apples and mulled wine are waiting to warm you up as you marvel at the life-size nativity scene, nostalgic carousel and the ginormous Christmas tree. You might even spot Father Christmas himself!

Celebrate Winter Pride

The friendly neighbourhood of St Georg hosts a local Christmas market, WinterPride, and its electric atmosphere. A giant, sparkly reindeer welcomes visitors into the market where you’ll find yummy festive treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate. Watch as the stage transforms for its extravagant characters, spreading joy with their Christmas-themed entertainment.

Visit the Märchenschiffe Boats

Found on the docks of Jungfernstieg, these ceremoniously decorated ships host a range of festive activities for children to enjoy, from the chance to bake and decorate cookies to fairyland theatre shows. They could even get their face painted after listening to the stories of witches, watching the tricks of magicians and discovering new books and games. Watch the magic of Christmas come alive on their little faces.

Snow and Christmas scenery by night, Lüneburg, near Hamburg, Germany.; Shutterstock ID 713278714; Invoice Number: -

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Christmas in Bruges

The entire city is wrapped in a “Winter Glow” through the festive season and transforms into a festival that celebrates light, Christmas cheer and unforgettable experiences.

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride

There’s no better way to tour the snow-dusted fairy-tale city of Bruges than in a horse-drawn carriage. Listen to the horses’ hooves echoing off of the cobbled streets and stone walls as you discover parts of the place you may not have seen on-foot. Can you spot the chocolate makers through their shop windows?

Experience a wonderful winter

Hundreds of Christmas trees and thousands of lights give Bruges its “Winter Glow” during the festive season. The whole city is dressed up and transformed into a winter wonderland where you can find over 500 trees (some of them metres high) and 41 streets and squares decked to the halls. No matter where you go in Bruges during the holidays, you’re sure to discover beautiful Christmas wonder.

Defrost at the bar

You’ll need warming up after taking your skates for a spin on Bruges open-air Christmas ice rink or going for a romantic stroll around Minnewater (lake of love). If you head to The Vorst Winter Bar (which means “frost” in Dutch), you’ll be welcomed by local drinks and delicious snacks ready to melt off your icicles. Sit below the thousands of lights and watch your fellow ice skaters continue the festive fun for an unforgettable evening.

Buildings decorated for Christmas in Bruges

Bruges Market Square decorated for Christmas

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Find your perfect gift

Find your Christmas Market cruise

We suggest you pack warm and comfortable clothes for walking around the festive cities you’ll be visiting. There’s so much to do so make sure you pack for your plans and shore experiences, not just the destinations. Remember, you don’t need to pack pool and bath towels or a hair dryer as they’ll be provided for you. You’ll also find toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in your bathroom – if you run out, your cabin steward can provide you with extra.

Your Christmas Market cruise is what you make of it! The destinations we visit are packed full of all sorts of festive fun from ice rinks and the markets themselves to cosy bars and amazing light shows. We’ve got lots of shore experiences for you to choose from, or you’re free to venture into the cities by yourself. Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or by yourself, you’ll find unlimited amounts of festive fun on a Christmas Market cruise.

It’s best to pack warm, comfortable clothes for wandering around the cities we visit. It’ll be winter so it’s best to prepare for cold weather. We also suggest packing clothes you can wrap up in on deck for those starry night skies at sea. When it comes to dinner on board, you could try something a little extra special for a holiday meal in a chic eatery. Or, if you feel more comfortable in casual dress, you can dress as you would for a meal in a nice restaurant. We suggest packing suitable evening wear, such as smart jeans or trousers and a nice top, open-neck shirts, skirts and dresses.

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