A Christmas market cruise lets you explore some of Europe’s oldest and most charming cities at a leisurely pace, over the four weeks of Advent. Cruising by river to Europe’s Christmas markets are a magical and relaxing way of starting your Christmas shopping.
Mainland Europe hosts fantastic Christmas markets
The great thing about cruising to the Christmas markets is arriving in style, whether you prefer the traditional cruising of Fred.Olsen or the understated elegance of Cunard. Each cruise sails directly from UK ports to must-see destinations such as Bruges, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. There are no flights to worry about, no messing around in airports and no luggage allowance issues – you can shop to your heart’s content in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
And with cabins booking quickly this year, there isn’t much time to snap up festive treat.
Iglu Cruises expert Stephen Adam gives us his top tips this Christmas.
Best Christmas Market Cruise Deals
Best for elegance : Cunard’s Queen Victoria | |
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The cruise takes in Amtserdam (from Rotterdam) – Bruges – Paris (from Le Havre) – before returning to Southampton Queen Victoria 5 Night Christmas Markets from £499 pp with free upgrade to Oceanview Stateroom 5 nights from £499 per person |
Best for value : Marco Polo | |
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3 night cruise, departing from Tilbury on the 3rd December Prices from £249 per person |
Best for British : Fred. Olsen Cruises | |
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8 night cruise on the Fred.Olsen Balmoral Prices from £649 per person |
7 night Christmas Markets cruise with Fred.Olsen Boudicca
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One week cruise which takes you to from Portsmouth – Gothenberg – Copenhagen – Kiel Canal – Bremerhaven – Ostende – before returning to Portsmouth Prices from £557 per person. |
7 night Christmas Markets cruise with Fred. Olsen Black Watch | |
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Over one week the extensive itinery will take you to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) – Kiel Canal – Copenhagen – Travemunde – Ostende – before returning to Southampton Prices from £469 per person |
Fred. Olsen 3 Nights Festive Flanders | |
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Fred Olsen’s Black Watch will take you to Belgium to explore historic Antwerp and back over three magical nights. From £199 per person |
Europe’s Best Christmas Markets
Click here for Sue Bryant’s look at Europe’s best Christmas Markets
• Zeebrugge gives you the chance of visiting the cobbled streets and gothic architecture of the enchanting little city of Bruges, or a short bus ride to the European capital of Brussels.
• Copenhagen, Denmark’s largest city, is home to one of Europe’s best Christmas markets, the famous Little Mermaid statue and boasts fantastic shopping.
• The Baltic port of Gothenburg has fantastic market.
• Le Havre is a short bus ride from one of Europe’s most stylish cities, Paris, which is never more dramatic than in the winter, and is the ideal place to stock up on great wines and cheese.
• Amsterdam is also a popular Christmas destination with its vibrant café culture and intriguing tourist spots, such as Anne Frank’s house.
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