AmaWaterways has announced its 2025 holiday cruise program, offering travelers a range of festive river voyages across Europe. The lineup includes Christmas Market Cruises, Festive Delights sailings, New Year’s Eve departures and special discounted fares for early bookings.
© AmaWaterways
On select Danube and Rhine itineraries, travelers can explore the famed European Christmas markets, with sailings scheduled Dec. 17–24. These cruises combine visits to seasonal market highlights ashore with special holiday programming onboard, creating a seamless festive experience. Festive Delights Cruises extend the season further, with itineraries through Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Portugal that start as early as Nov. 27 and provide a variety of regional holiday traditions and culinary treats.
For those who prefer to celebrate the turn of the year at sea, AmaWaterways is offering several New Year’s sailings—such as Colors of Provence, Enchanting Rhine and Best of Holland & Belgium—designed to mark 2026 in style. Select departures allow guests more time in Europe with options to arrive earlier or extend their stay, combining onshore celebrations with onboard festivities.
“From mid-November, our ships become floating winter wonderlands, offering guests the magic of the season both onboard and ashore,” said Alex Pinelo, chief of sales at AmaWaterways. “With Europe’s rivers continuing to grow as premier holiday destinations, we’re especially pleased this year to give travelers the chance to spend a little more time in Europe on select New Year’s Cruises. Whether arriving earlier or extending the celebrations onboard, it’s a lovely way to share even more moments with family or new-found friends.”
AmaBella © AmaWaterways
Travelers who reserve their cabins by Oct. 31 can take advantage of limited-time savings of up to $2,500 per stateroom. In addition, select New Year’s cruises include up to two complimentary nights in Europe, providing more flexibility for pre- or post-cruise exploration. These promotional incentives apply to new bookings only and make the seasonal departures especially attractive for travelers planning holiday gatherings or extended European stays.
Across the holiday collection, AmaWaterways highlights local culture, cuisine and seasonal traditions, pairing guided excursions with curated onboard events. Guests can expect regionally inspired menus, festive decorations, themed entertainment and optional shore excursions that showcase market stalls, historic town centers and seasonal performances. The combination of intimate river vessels and thoughtfully planned itineraries aims to deliver a warm, hassle-free holiday experience for families, couples and small groups.
Whether visiting the iconic Christmas markets along the Danube and Rhine, savoring the culinary specialties of Belgium, France and Portugal on Festive Delights sailings, or ringing in the New Year aboard a celebratory cruise, passengers can choose from a variety of route lengths and departure dates to match their holiday plans. With early-booking promotions and carefully timed itineraries, the 2025 holiday program is positioned to appeal to travelers seeking a memorable, scenic and culturally rich way to celebrate the season.
For travelers planning winter holidays in Europe, these river cruises offer a combination of convenience and immersive experiences—small-ship comfort, multiday access to Christmas markets and festive activities both on deck and in port. Potential guests should review specific itineraries and booking terms to confirm inclusions, promotional details and eligibility for any special offers.