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Cruise · AMA Waterways · 7 nights

Iconic Christmas Markets (Smithsonian Journeys)

  • Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ship AmaMora with included stateroom
  • Choice of guided tours including castle visits, bike rides and brewery tastings
  • Smithsonian Journeys Experts accompany you throughout the journey
From
$7,149 pp twin share
7 nights
Enquire
When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Sat 28 Nov 2026 → Sat 5 Dec 2026 7 nights · Nuremberg → Budapest · AmaMora Outside $7,149 Balcony $8,797 Suite $13,145 from $7,149 pp twin share Enquire
  2. Sat 12 Dec 2026 → Sat 19 Dec 2026 7 nights · Nuremberg → Budapest · AmaMora Outside $7,149 Balcony $8,797 Suite $13,145 from $7,149 pp twin share Select
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Eight-day Danube river cruise through Christmas markets in Germany, Austria and Hungary with expert guides

  • Visit iconic Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna and Budapest
  • Cruise through Wachau Valley and cross Main-Danube Canal
  • Exclusive museum tours at Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and Liszt House Budapest

Trip Details

Departs
Sat 28 Nov 2026
Returns
Sat 5 Dec 2026
Embarks
Nuremberg
Disembarks
Budapest
Ship
AmaMora
Operator
AMA Waterways

Embark on our Iconic Christmas Markets Cruise: A River Cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest. Savor the timeless holiday traditions of Central Europe as you cruise the Danube through Germany, Austria, and Hungary, discovering delightful Christmas markets in world-class cities like Vienna and Budapest as well in charming towns and palaces from Regensburg to Salzburg. Sip glühwein and nibble lebkuchen amid festive stalls in the historic cities of Nuremberg and Regensburg, and experience Salzburg’s palaces transformed into a winter wonderland. Plus, enjoy specially curated tours at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Liszt House in Budapest, exclusively available on this itinerary. You will also have the unique opportunity to engage with and learn from two Smithsonian Journeys Experts throughout your journey whose specialized expertise will further immerse you in the history, art or culture of the region

This river cruise journeys through Germany, Austria and Hungary, calling at Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest and Budapest.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaMora.

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Life in transit

AmaMora

AmaMora
Details · AmaWaterways
AmaMora
Deck plans
4
AmaMora · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaMora — Piano Deck deck plan

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Nuremberg

    Sat 28 Nov
    NUREMBERG, GERMANY – EMBARKATION. Arrive in the walled city of Nuremberg, the capital of the German Renaissance, and settle into your stateroom aboard the ship.
  2. 2

    Nuremberg

    Sun 29 Nov
    NUREMBERG. Venture into Nuremberg’s main square, where the city’s spectacular Christkindelsmarkt has been held nearly every year since the 16th century. Immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere of Germany’s largest Christmas market, browsing stalls where merchants sell all manner of holiday treats and crafts. Or tour the castle and then head to a local brewery for a tasting of Franconian specialties, including wheat beer and bratwurst. Continue to Sebalder Kirche to nibble on sweet and spicy lebkuchen, a form of gingerbread. Alternatively, visit sites associated with World War II including Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg trials took place. Set sail late in the day, crossing the European Continental Divide on the Main-Danube Canal, a waterway established by Emperor Charlemagne to create a passage from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
  3. 3

    Regensburg

    Mon 30 Nov
    REGENSBURG, GERMANY. Discover the delights of Regensburg, which was spared damage during World War II and is now a World Heritage site. Once the capital of Bavaria, the city dates back to the Celts and was an outpost of the Roman Empire. On a guided walk, see architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, a gate in the original Roman city wall. Then enjoy free time to browse the enchanting Christmas market, perhaps sipping one of the region’s signature varieties of glühwein, or hot, spiced wine, or watch craftspeople at work at the Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Palace. Alternatively, set off on a Bavarian tasting tour or visit the House of Bavarian History Museum, acclaimed for its architecture as well as its exhibitions, and continue to the impressive monument of Walhalla, built in the style of a Greek temple.
  4. 4

    Passau

    Tue 1 Dec
    PASSAU, GERMANY. Arrive in the medieval trade center of Passau, scenically situated at the confluence of three rivers. On a walking tour of the Old Town, admire baroque and Gothic architecture and seek out Bavarian crafts at its Christmas market. Or choose a full-day excursion to the World Heritage site of Salzburg. Take a walk along the cobbled lanes of its fairy-tale Old Town, and visit the Christmas market on the grounds of Mirabell Palace, and visit the home where Mozart was born.
  5. 5

    Melk

    Wed 2 Dec
    MELK, AUSTRIA – VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Begin the day with a visit to Melk Abbey, a gem of baroque architecture perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. Visit its recently renovated museum and its renowned library, and meet a librarian to learn how medieval books are meticulously restored. If you prefer a more active pursuit, join a guided bike tour of Melk and its environs. Enjoy lunch and lovely views on board as the ship winds its way through the Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its vineyards and charming riverside villages. Arrive in the elegant capital of Vienna and venture into the historic center for an evening at the city’s famous Rathaus Christmas market.
  6. 6

    Vienna

    Thu 3 Dec
    VIENNA. Spend the morning exploring the imperial landmarks of the “city of waltzes.” See the majestic Opera House, beautifully reconstructed after being destroyed during World War II, and Hofburg Palace, the home of generations of Habsburg monarchs—including the famous Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi. Then follow a guide through Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, home to a world-class fine art collection housed within an opulent neoclassical building. You’ll have an opportunity to stop at the city’s smaller Christmas markets just outside the museum. Alternatively, choose to take a guided bike ride along the Danube. In the afternoon, tour Schönbrunn Palace, transformed into a winter wonderland with a festive holiday market set against the backdrop of its resplendent façade.
  7. 7

    Budapest

    Fri 4 Dec
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. The Danube flows through the center of Budapest, its banks dotted with the iconic monuments of the once-separate cities of Buda and Pest. Ascend Castle Hill by vehicle or on foot for a walking tour of the leafy Buda side of the city, strolling through Dózsa György Square to Fisherman’s Bastion. Attend a private concert at the former home of composer Franz Liszt. During an afternoon tour of Pest, view the magnificent Parliament building and discover city squares brimming with festive market stalls where merchants sell Hungarian handicrafts and holiday treats such as strudel and grog. Or join a Jewish heritage walking tour visiting the largest synagogue in Europe, then see the evocative Shoes on the Danube memorial. Celebrate your holiday voyage at a farewell dinner this evening.
  8. 8

    Budapest

    Sat 5 Dec
    BUDAPEST – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before your return flight home.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Nuremberg Christmas Market visit.
  • WWII walking tour with Courtroom 600 visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive.
  • City Tour & Christmas Markets.
  • “Tastes of Franconia”.
  • Main-Danube Canal.
  • UNESCO City tour and Christmas Market.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaMora.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category CA
  • Category CB
  • Category D
Romantic Danube (Taste of Christmas) stateroom
Romantic Danube (Taste of Christmas) stateroom
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 28 Nov 2026 and 19 Dec 2026, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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