Scenic and Emerald Plan 2026-27 Christmas Market River Cruises
The announcement did not assign specific vessels or starting fares; Scenic’s longest route is a fifteen-day Amsterdam-to-Budapest itinerary offered in both years.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours have announced a 2026 and 2027 collection of European Christmas-market river cruises across the Rhine, Danube and Main rivers. The program includes 15-day Scenic departures between Amsterdam and Budapest and eight-day Emerald Cruises holiday sailings on the Rhine and Danube.
Market calls include Cologne, Vienna, Strasbourg, Amsterdam, Budapest and Passau. Departures are scheduled across November and December.
“River cruising provides the perfect way to experience multiple markets and destinations,” said Ken Muskat, president of Scenic Group USA and LATAM.
Itineraries span the Rhine, Main and Danube
The longest program in the collection is Scenic Christmas Markets from Amsterdam to Budapest, offered on multiple 15-day departures in November and December 2026 and 2027. The itinerary follows the Rhine, Main and Danube through the holiday season.
Scenic Rhine Christmas Markets will operate on selected December departures in 2026 and 2027. That itinerary cruises through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, with market visits in both larger cities and riverside communities.
Emerald Cruises is offering two eight-day holiday products. Christmas Markets on the Rhine includes Cologne, Strasbourg and Amsterdam, while Christmas Markets on the Danube sails through Hungary, Austria and Germany, with Budapest, Vienna and Passau named in the program.
Scenic Group named several shore-side experiences in the announcement, including browsing ornaments near Cologne Cathedral, drinking mulled wine in Vienna’s public squares, visiting Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmarik and walking through decorated river villages. The sailings also include onboard holiday events, locally inspired dining and included excursions.
Ship assignments and fares remain open
The announcement did not assign specific vessels to the individual departures. Scenic’s European Space-Ships operate on the Rhine, Main and Danube, while Emerald’s Star-Ships serve the Danube, Rhine and Moselle.
Starting fares were not included in the announcement. The first dated departure in the collection is Emerald Cruises’ Danube sailing beginning Nov. 24, 2026.
