Twelve Reasons to Book an Adventures by Disney Christmas Markets River Cruise

Adventures by Disney offers holiday Christmas markets river cruises along the Danube and Rhine rivers, combining European Christmas market experiences with Disney storytelling and Adventure Guide service aboard AmaWaterways ships. The itineraries take guests through multiple countries, multiple cities decorated for the holidays, and offer family-friendly activities including strudel-making, Junior Adventurers-only programming, ice skating in picturesque town squares, and signature Disney destination pins. Each river cruise is guided by expert Adventure Guides and anchored by a festive AmaWaterways ship serving gourmet seasonal cuisine.

Adventures by Disney is inviting travelers to experience Europe's world-renowned Christmas markets from the deck of a festive river cruise, with itineraries along both the Danube and Rhine rivers combining Disney storytelling, expert Adventure Guide service, and the holiday magic of multiple countries in a single journey. Each cruise departs on an AmaWaterways ship outfitted as a home away from home for the holidays, with gourmet cuisine, elegant staterooms, and onboard activities for all ages. The following twelve highlights — offered in the spirit of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" — capture what makes these river cruises a bucket-list holiday experience.

Twelve Days of River Cruise Magic

Adventures by Disney reimagined the classic "Twelve Days of Christmas" to capture the breadth of what guests experience on these holiday river cruises — from ice-skating in town squares to tasting Germany's iconic golden pretzels along the Rhine.

Twelve Skaters Skating

Ice skating in a picturesque European town square, surrounded by snow, historic churches, and holiday lights, is one of the most memorable experiences on the Christmas markets cruises.

Eleven Kids A-Laughing

Joyous memories are built into the itinerary for guests of every age. Activities range from strudel-making and wine tastings to Junior Adventurers-only guided programming that keeps the youngest travelers engaged throughout the cruise.

Ten Towns A-Twinkling

Each Christmas markets river cruise stops at multiple cities across multiple countries, all of them dressed in their holiday best — twinkling lights, decorated squares, and the unmistakable atmosphere of the season.

Nine Nutcrackers Cracking

European Christmas markets are filled with treasured keepsakes, and handcrafted nutcrackers are among the most iconic. Guests can browse stalls in Salzburg, Nuremberg, and beyond for holiday items to cherish for years to come.

Eight Daily Pins

One of the signature moments of every Adventures by Disney trip is receiving daily destination-exclusive pins — a Disney tradition that gives guests a tangible keepsake from each day's adventures along the route.

Seven Stands A-Selling

From festive gifts to unique holiday keepsakes, the Christmas markets offer something for every type of shopper. Adventures by Disney builds time into each itinerary to explore the stalls at leisure — and recommends packing extra luggage space.

Six Guides A-Guiding

Expert Adventure Guides lead the way on every Christmas markets river cruise, managing every logistical detail and allowing guests to be fully present for each holiday moment. Their storytelling, in-depth destination knowledge, and joyous surprises distinguish the Adventures by Disney experience from standard river cruise itineraries.

Five Golden Pretzels

Culinary exploration is built into every port of call. Along the Rhine, Germany's iconic pretzels are among the signature bites — golden, warm, and quintessentially festive. The broader menus include regional specialties from each country the cruise visits.

Four Countries Crossing

With each river cruise, guests can cross up to four countries off their travel bucket list — each bringing its own unique Christmas traditions, architecture, and festive sights to the journey.

Three Pianos Playing

Holiday music fills the air throughout the cruise, with visits to multiple musical locales featuring live performers, ornate instruments, and regional dancing traditions — including the acclaimed Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum along the Rhine in Rudesheim, Germany.

Two Cups of Hot Cider

A decadent cup of hot cider — or traditional European gluhwein — in the middle of a Christmas market surrounded by holiday lights is among the top memories guests carry home from these cruises. The combination of warmth, ambience, and season is distinctly European.

An AmaWaterways Ship with Everything You Need

At the heart of every Adventures by Disney Christmas markets cruise is the AmaWaterways ship itself — a floating holiday haven with elegant staterooms, dazzling seasonal decor, and gourmet cuisine inspired by the regions visited. The ship serves as home base for the entire journey, ensuring guests return each evening to comfort and magic.

Booking Window

Adventures by Disney Christmas markets river cruises along the Danube and Rhine are bookable now through adventuresbydisney.com or by calling 1-833-223-0103. Travel agents are also available to assist with booking. Every trip is guided by expert Adventure Guides who bring Disney storytelling and in-depth local knowledge to every destination along the way.