Christmas Trips · CHRISTMAS CRUISES
A heated deck beats a cold square, and the lights look better off the water. These 15 range from a twenty-minute mulled-wine loop to a full dinner sailing, each priced and honest about what the ticket covers.
Spend 90 minutes cruising Cologne’s Rhine aboard a warm panorama boat with live festive music, table service, and views of Cologne Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, and the crane houses. Buy Glühwein, hot chocolate, coffee, drinks, and snacks as you sail.
“It was relaxed, the music was festive and got us in the Christmas mood. Crew on board were friendly and welcoming.”
Take a 50-minute winter cruise from Heidelberg’s Neckar pier, passing the Old Bridge, Heidelberg Castle, Neuenheim, Philosophers’ Walk, and Wieblingen Weir Bridge. Your ticket includes one cup of mulled wine or a non-alcoholic version. Choose the open upper deck or a heated indoor seat.
Cruise the Odra River near Wroclaw’s Old Town aboard a small, heated 12-person boat decorated with Christmas lights, wreaths, and ornaments. The 45-minute ride includes an onboard restroom, festive music, and a QR-code audioguide. Mulled wine is available for an extra charge, but no human guide is provided.
“Audioguida scaricabile tramite QR Code ma, per quanto riguarda l'italiano abbastanza pessima, praticamente inutile (alcune parti non tradotte, erano in spagnolo). Forse conviene prendere le imbarcazioni più grande che offrono la guida almeno in inglese.”
Spend 60 minutes aboard a Silverline Cruises boat beside Budapest’s Elizabeth Bridge. Enjoy unlimited mulled wine in seven flavors, non-alcoholic winter drinks, indoor seating, and views of Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Chain Bridge. Bring earphones for the nine-language audio guide app.
“Amazing views. Comfy seating and cozy vibes. Drinks are regularly brought to you. It was absolutely amazin.”
Party Wave takes you on a 45-minute Christmas cruise from Xawery Dunikowski Boulevard. Expect a sheltered, heated catamaran, festive decorations, Polish and English announcements, and views of Ostrów Tumski, the Cathedral, bridges, and the Old Town at night. Bring your own drinks.
“I think we would like to be during the day. We choose the trip when it was dark outside and we cannot see to much outside the boat. But inside the boat was a really Cristmas atmosphere :).”
Board at Port de Solférino for a two-hour Bastille Day dinner cruise with a three-course French meal, Champagne, wine, water, and coffee. You’ll pass the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, bridges, and illuminated Paris, with a chance to watch the national fireworks from the Seine.
“Terrible experience, awful food and different from what was advertised when purchasing the tickets. We bought the dinner option with veal and were served duck liver pâté and a piece of guinea fowl, and the portions were tiny for the very expensive price we paid. The only good thing was the super attentive waiters, because the guy who checked the table reservations was also rude. I do not recommend this boat; you can find better and cheaper boat tours.”
Cruise Wrocław’s Oder River for 45 minutes aboard a Christmas-decorated ship with heated lower-deck seating, seasonal music, and one included hot mulled wine or another hot drink. An onboard audio guide uses a QR code, but there is no live guide. The cruise starts near Market Square.
“No audio guide - no information whatsoever . Ship was supposed to be heated but was freezing. Mulled wine was pretty undrinkable. Not good value - don’t bother.”
Sail from Funchal Marina at 11:00 PM, view Madeira’s Christmas lights from the water, then settle in the bay for the midnight fireworks. English and Portuguese guides are provided, with champagne, Madeira wine, and snacks served on board. Return is planned for about 12:30 AM.
“Picie i przekąski no limit, widoki warte każdej ceny. 10/10 i chętnie bym tam wróciła”
Cruise New York Harbor aboard the classic Yacht Manhattan or Yacht Manhattan II for 90 minutes of skyline views, holiday décor, narration, and one included drink. You’ll pass Battery Park City, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty from comfortable indoor seating or the outside deck.
“Great cruise! We saw all the great sights along the River! The crew was fantastic and the food and beverages were spectacular! I highly recommend this river cruise on your trip to New York City!”
Board a comfortable Special Tours boat at Reykjavik's Old Harbor at 11 p.m. Cruise into Faxaflói Bay, watch fireworks across the city, toast midnight with champagne or non-alcoholic Prosecco, and return around 12:30 a.m.
Spend six hours aboard the elegant Gróf Széchenyi, sailing past Budapest's lit monuments while enjoying a five-course dinner, unlimited drinks, Rajkó Ensemble folk music and dancing, a midnight buffet, and a DJ. Choose a meat, poultry, or vegetarian menu before you go.
“Repas n’est pas raffiné! Cher pour rien!!!! Pas beaucoup d’ambiance.”
Board at Westminster Pier for a 195-minute Christmas Day cruise past Parliament, the London Eye, South Bank, and St. Paul’s. You’ll have a welcome sparkling wine, three-course roast lunch, tea or coffee, festive music, and time on the open-air upper deck.
“A fabulous way to spend Christmas. Great vegetarian option. Loved the space between parties on the table to allow for a more intimate setting. Staff were friendly, hospitable and nothing was an issue. Entertainment was great to set the mood.”
Board Sydney Sundancer at King Street Wharf at 5:00 pm for an eight-hour New Year’s Eve cruise. Expect a seafood-heavy feast, Bollinger Champagne, wine, beer, Opera House photos, Harbour Bridge views, and a prime fireworks anchorage for up to 50 people.
“This truly checked off a top item on my bucket list. John maneuvered the boat so that we had a front row view of the New Years fireworks over the Harbor Bridge. In addition, the food was abundant and tasty, and there was champagne, wine, and beer flowing freely for those who wanted it. It was an experience I will never forget!”
You’ll spend two hours on a heated boat from Rüdesheim, passing Rhine castles while a Christmas program brings seasonal stories and medieval traditions to life. Saturday sailings feature Christmas tales, while Sunday trips add St. Nicholas, balloon art, songs, and stories. Food and drinks cost extra.
“Very nice with the narrator. Service also very good.”
Spend one Christmas hour on a heated City Cruises boat from Westminster Millennium Pier. You’ll pass Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s, the Shard, and Tower Bridge, with live crew commentary, recorded languages, and a bar serving mulled wine and mince pies.
“Contrairement à ce qui est marqué, il n’y a pas de traduction en plusieurs langues, dommage pour ceux qui ne sont pas encore a l’aise avec l’anglais Cependant, superbe croisière au départ du Palais de Westminster jusqu’à Tower Bridge, je recommande car ça permet de commencer la journée tranquillement et en ce temps frais, le bateau es chauffé”
Pick a market, a lights run or a night in the snow.
