Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours have announced their 2026 and 2027 European holiday river cruise programmes, with itineraries centred on Christmas markets, seasonal traditions and cultural experiences along the continent’s major waterways.
The programmes include calls at destinations such as Cologne, Vienna and Strasbourg, allowing passengers to visit traditional Christmas markets while experiencing regional cuisine, customs and festive events.
Emerald Cruises will offer an 8-day itinerary from Amsterdam to Basel and another 8-day sailing from Munich to Budapest. Scenic will operate a 15-day voyage from Budapest to Amsterdam, alongside an 8-day itinerary from Zurich to Amsterdam.
Scenic Group USA & LATAM president Ken Muskat said the programmes were designed around the combination of historic Christmas traditions and the convenience of river cruising. He noted that the markets provide access to local culture and seasonal customs, while river itineraries allow passengers to visit different destinations without repeatedly changing accommodation.
According to Scenic Group USA & LATAM vice president of marketing Robert Castro, the growing interest in experiential travel is also influencing demand for holiday river cruises. He pointed to Christmas markets, regional cuisine, village celebrations and winter scenery as elements that provide passengers with a more destination-focused experience.
The 2026 and 2027 programmes will therefore combine established European Christmas market destinations with multi-day river itineraries, offering passengers an alternative way to experience the continent during the holiday season.