Best Christmas River Cruises Worldwide — Our Top 5

1.Festive London Christmas Day River Thames Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 3h 15m · from $235Our pick

Board at Westminster Pier for a 195-minute Christmas Day cruise with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, three-course lunch, tea or coffee, festive music, and a licensed bar. You will see Parliament, the London Eye, South Bank, and St. Paul’s Cathedral from a heated saloon and 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.”

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2.From Rüdesheim: 2-hour Christmas Boat Tour on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 44 reviews · from $22Best value

Take a 2-hour Christmas cruise from Rüdesheim Pier 12, passing Rhine castles and landmarks from a heated boat with an onboard restaurant. Saturdays bring Christmas stories and medieval traditions. Sundays feature St. Nicholas, balloon art, songs, and holiday tales.

“Very nice with the narrator. Service also very good.”

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3.Dresden: Christmas Lunch – festive river cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $71

On December 25 or 26, board a decorated Weiße Flotte ship in Dresden for a three-hour Christmas cruise to Pillnitz Castle and back. Enjoy a seasonal three-course meal, German-hosted service, atmospheric music, and views of the Elbe. Ships are warm and wheelchair accessible.

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4.Winter Spree Cruise with Mulled Wine and Christmas Stollen

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 15 reviews · 1h 30m · from $37

Cruise Berlin’s Spree for 90 minutes past the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, and Nikolai Quarter. The boat has central heating, blankets for the outside deck, and onboard drinks and Christmas stollen for purchase. The captain may explain sights, but there is no formal audio guide.

“De kunde ha berättat vad vi åkte förbi, vad vi såg. Pyntat båten med ljusslingor och ev spelat lite julmusik”

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5.Christmas cruise on the Spree with drag queen Audrey.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2h 30m · from $46Top rated

Join drag queen Audrey Naline aboard the MS Audrey for a 150-minute German-language Christmas cruise on the Spree. Expect evening views of Old and New Berlin, a festive show, sing-alongs, games, tree decorating, predictions for the new year, and an optional €9 meal.

“Im festlich geschmückten Salon der MS Audrey verbrachten wir , liebevoll umsorgt , eine fachkundig begleitete gute alte , wunderschöne Dampferfahrt 😃 Audrey , ließ die Zeit mit Unterhaltung, kleinen Spielen und Witz , der nie unter die Gürtellinie ging , wie im Fluge vergehen Danke für diesen schönen Abend”

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