As the festive season approaches, Christmas market cruises are rapidly filling up, prompting several river cruise lines to inform travel advisors about the urgency of booking for 2026 and beyond.
This year, traditional trends of shorter booking windows have been flipped on their head for holiday cruises. According to Richard Marnell, executive vice president of marketing at Viking, an impressive 64% of its 2026 cruise offerings have already been booked. “Effective availability for this year is nearly nonexistent,” Marnell noted, encouraging travelers to book early for optimal selection in staterooms and departure dates.
Last-Minute Options Still Available
In a contrast to its competitors, Uniworld still has openings for last-minute travelers, with availability on four departures for its official Magical Parisian Holiday itinerary. This cruise offers a roundtrip journey from Paris, including stops at Rouen’s Christmas market and a cider farm in Vernon, making it an enticing option for those looking to celebrate the season.
Growing Demand for Future Sailings
As for Amadeus River Cruises, its 2025 sailings are almost fully booked, with many 2026 itineraries already seeing high demand. Victoria Singleton, their marketing director, confirms that the best availability for a Christmas cruise won’t be until December 2026. This trend underscores a growing appetite for festive river cruises.
The popularity of Christmas cruises extends to AmaWaterways as well. Chief Sales Officer Alex Pinelo reported sold-out markets for all their 2023 and 2024 sailings, which prompted an expansion of their holiday portfolio. Their Festive Delights sailings in November offer travelers a chance to indulge in early holiday experiences while still returning home in time for the main celebrations.
Trends in Capacity Expansion
Avalon Waterways is reporting that its upcoming 2025 Christmas market cruises are 97% booked, indicating a significant demand that has led to consecutive capacity increases over the last two years. President Pam Hoffee has stated plans to expand offerings further in the coming years.
Scenic Group, the parent company of Emerald Cruises & Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, has responded to this growing demand by adding three additional departure dates this year, with plans for further expansion in 2024.
Moreover, Tauck is set to double its capacity for its Christmas Markets on the Rhine itinerary by 2027. After launching a new Seine itinerary in response to surging interest, it sold out quickly, but will return for 2026. The Seine: Holiday Magic cruise allows passengers to explore the festive offerings of Paris, visit holiday markets, and partake in non-Christmas themed excursions throughout their eight-day journey.
With the festive season just around the corner, now is the time for travelers to explore various options for Christmas market cruises, whether looking for last-minute plans or considering future voyages for 2026 and beyond.
