Trafalgar Opens Bookings for First Christmas Market River Cruises

Trafalgar has opened bookings for its first Christmas market river cruise itineraries, launching eight-day sailings on the Rhine and the Danube beginning Nov. 25, 2026, with additional departures scheduled through 2027.

Damien O’Connor, vice president of River Cruise at Trafalgar, positioned the new programs as a holiday-focused option for travelers and advisors. “Trafalgar’s Christmas market river cruises invite travelers to rediscover what the holiday season is truly about: celebrating time with loved ones and creating new, unforgettable memories,” O’Connor said.

Two eight-day itineraries built around holiday markets and hosted programming

Trafalgar’s two holiday itineraries are named Rhine Christmas Markets and Danube Christmas Markets. The sailings are designed around Christmas market calls paired with onboard hosting by Trafalgar’s Experience Directors and programming led by Local Specialists.

Both itineraries will operate on 128-passenger ships dedicated to the programs: Trafalgar Verity on the Rhine and Trafalgar Reverie on the Danube.

Rhine Christmas Markets: Basel to Düsseldorf on Trafalgar Verity

The Rhine itinerary cruises between Basel and Düsseldorf, with Christmas market-focused stops that include Basel, Strasbourg, and Cologne.

One highlighted experience is scheduled in Rüdesheim, where guests are invited to take part in a Trafalgar Be My Guest visit at the Breuer family’s historic weingasthaus, centered on regional wines and locally prepared food.

Rhine sailing dates and starting price

The inaugural Rhine Christmas Markets departure is scheduled for Nov. 25, 2026. Trafalgar also listed additional departures in both directions across late 2026 and 2027.

• Basel to Düsseldorf: Departures are scheduled for Dec. 9, 2026, plus Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 2027.
• Düsseldorf to Basel: Departures are scheduled for Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, 2026, plus Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, 2027.

Prices for Rhine Christmas Markets start at $3,299 per person, based on double occupancy.

Danube Christmas Markets: Budapest to Passau on Trafalgar Reverie

The Danube itinerary cruises between Budapest and Passau, with Christmas market calls that include Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava, along with Passau.

In Bratislava, Trafalgar highlighted programming that includes a look at the city’s Cold War-era history through first-hand accounts shared by a Local Specialist. The itinerary also includes a Be My Guest visit at DOCK7, where guests are scheduled to meet head brewers Tom and Mário and learn about the brewery’s process while sampling craft beer.

Danube sailing dates and starting price

The inaugural Danube Christmas Markets departure is also scheduled for Nov. 25, 2026, with additional departures across late 2026 and 2027 in both directions.

• Budapest to Passau: Departures are scheduled for Dec. 9, 2026, plus Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 2027.
• Passau to Budapest: Departures are scheduled for Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, 2026, plus Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, 2027.

Prices for Danube Christmas Markets start at $2,999 per person, based on double occupancy.

Wave season offers: Big Travel Sale extended to select 2026 and 2027 river cruises

Alongside the opening of holiday inventory, Trafalgar has expanded its Big Travel Sale to include select European river cruise sailings in 2026 and 2027. The booking window runs through Feb. 27, 2026, and applies to new reservations.

Whitney Ramirez, senior vice president of Sales North America at TTC Tour Brands, linked the promotion to peak booking season. “There’s no better time to book a cruise than during Wave season,” Ramirez said, adding that the offer was created to help advisors build demand for Trafalgar’s new river cruise product as sailings begin operating in 2026.

Trafalgar’s highlighted Big Travel Sale inclusions for river cruise guests include:

• A complimentary two-night Prague extension on Best of the Danube.
• 50 percent off a two-night Lucerne extension on Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam.
• For 2026 river sailings with air included, a $250 per person credit.
• On select 2027 river cruises, a complimentary cabin upgrade from Classic to Deluxe C.

TTC Tour Brands also said past guests can apply eligible offers alongside Trafalgar’s 5 percent Global Tour Rewards discount where applicable. In addition, through Jan. 31, the Global Tour Rewards discount is doubled to 10 percent on trips that are not part of the Big Travel Sale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do Trafalgar’s Christmas market river cruises start sailing?

Both Rhine Christmas Markets and Danube Christmas Markets are scheduled to begin with inaugural departures on Nov. 25, 2026, with additional departures listed through 2027.

Which ships operate the Rhine and Danube Christmas market itineraries, and how many passengers do they carry?

Rhine Christmas Markets operates on Trafalgar Verity and Danube Christmas Markets operates on Trafalgar Reverie. Trafalgar lists both as 128-passenger ships.

Where do the Rhine and Danube Christmas market cruises sail, and what are key experiences mentioned by Trafalgar?

The Rhine itinerary cruises between Basel and Düsseldorf with stops that include Basel, Strasbourg, and Cologne, and features a Be My Guest visit at the Breuer family’s weingasthaus in Rüdesheim. The Danube itinerary cruises between Budapest and Passau with calls that include Vienna and Bratislava, and highlights Bratislava programming that includes Cold War-era history with a Local Specialist and a Be My Guest visit at the DOCK7 brewery.

What is Trafalgar’s Big Travel Sale booking window for river cruises, and what does it include?

The Big Travel Sale applies to new bookings made through Feb. 27, 2026, for select European river cruise sailings in 2026 and 2027. Trafalgar’s highlighted offers include a complimentary two-night Prague extension on Best of the Danube, 50 percent off a two-night Lucerne extension on Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam, a $250 per person credit for 2026 river sailings with air included, and a complimentary cabin upgrade from Classic to Deluxe C on select 2027 river cruises.