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German Christmas Markets All-Gay River Cruise 2026
8 days from Passau (Munich), Germany to Amsterdam, Netherlands
December 09 – 16, 2026
Emerald Cruises Emerald Sun
 Come sail with us through the heart of Germany at Christmas! Experience the magic of the holiday season as we sail along the Danube River to the Christmas markets of Germany. Wander the twinkling city of Regensburg and uncover the medieval charm of Würzburg before sailing into the majesty of Cologne. Originating in Germany and dating back as far as the late middle ages, the European Christmas markets, or Christkindlmarkts as they are known, are one of our favorite events each year. From Passau to Amsterdam, you’ll see the best of Germany light up with festive holiday markets offering hand-carved toys and ornaments, spicy glühwein and authentic gingerbread. Come celebrate an old fashion family Christmas with your chosen all-gay cruise family!
The waft of delicious mulled wine and roasting chestnuts, along with a backdrop of festive sounds and twinkling lights ensure the air is filled with delightful Christmas-time cheer. Remaining true to their roots, many stall-holders at these wonderfully festive markets are local trades-people selling hand-crafted gifts and decorations, along with a delicious array of seasonal food to tempt you. From sizzling bratwurst and candied toasted almonds to Christmas cookies known as Lebkuchen, not forgetting the fruity festive favorite, stollen.
Be sure to join us for a special “Welcome to Munich” night, starting with our special holiday welcome toast at our host hotel. We’ll break out the egg nog for this festive night of holly jolly cheer.
Next, join us for a stroll through town to a couple of the larger Christmas markets. Munich’s markets create fairy-tale settings along the city squares, made all the more magical during the holiday season. Typical of traditional markets are clusters of wooden huts manned by artisans selling their handcrafted wares. You might even see the vendors at work… carving wood, making candles or decorating gingerbread.
Cruise through the heart of Europe’s finest cities, many of whom host large traditional Christmas markets. There’s nothing quite like taking an all-gay river cruise at Christmas time, as you’ll be able to take advantage of the hundreds of stalls all selling ideal Christmas presents for the folks back home.
All Included! All Inclusive!
Remember, EVERYTHING is included from the moment you step onboard! From your food and alcohol to the incredible entertainment to the tours we'll take together as a family and even the minibar in your suite or stateroom... everything is included in the price of your trip! The only thing you'll need to budget for is your airfare, transport to and from the ship and any souvenirs or purchases you make while touring some of the incredible cities we'll visit together.
Your Ship - Emerald Sun
The Emerald Sun is specially designed to traverse the Rhine River in style with tasteful and modern décor visible throughout the ship. The Reflections Restaurant on the Vista Deck is the center of our dining experience, where oversized windows offer excellent views of the passing landscapes. For a more intimate experience, head to the contemporary Horizon Bar & Lounge, where all-gay cruise entertainment will be enjoyed by all.
Boasting more than eighty suites and staterooms, the Emerald Sun has a lot to offer when it comes to comfort, with features that would be aligned with those of a world-class hotel. You can spend your time on this vessel relaxing as picturesque views pass by, watching them from your private balcony as we sail past.
Horizon Lounge
The tastefully decorated Horizon Lounge, located at the front of the ship, was named for the superb views of the passing coastlines that guests will enjoy courtesy of the oversized windows. Intimate seating areas are peppered throughout the open floor plan, allowing you the choice of going all in with the group or enjoying a little private time between you and a smaller gathering of friends. The lounge also has a self-service beverage station with a machine that dispenses espresso, capuccino, mochaccino, hot chocolate, and hot water for a selection of teas... an OUTbounder favorite!
Horizon Bar
Enjoy a cocktail at the Horizon bar with us while watching a spectacular sunset together. Located within the Horizon Lounge, you’ll find originality and innovation, with a new twist on the ol’ purveyors of gin and tonics and buckets of beer. This is the place where you’ll spend an enjoyable evening nursing a cocktail with great friends, old and new! Whether you’re in the mood for a mixed drink or glass of wine, we invite you to join us and enjoy one of best bars on the river with your fellow OUTbounders. Order your favorite festive holiday cocktail you’ll savor after a long day exploring the Christmas markets.
Reflections Restaurant
Get set for a gastronomic adventure in Reflections Restaurant, your go-to dining area for sumptuous local dishes expertly prepared by skilled chefs. Spacious and contemporary, with flexible seating options, this is your space to discover the local tastes of the season. Located on the Vista Deck, the restaurant comfortably seats all our OUTbounders at tables which vary in size with a panoramic view. The atmosphere is casual but elegant. The selection and presentation of the food is outstanding, and you’ll find the quality of service is unmatched.
Terrace Café
An idyllic spot for breakfast and light lunches, the Terrace Café is a unique indoor/outdoor dining area located just forward of the Horizon Lounge. With a commanding position at the very front of the ship, inspiring views are guaranteed. This open-air bow seating and eating area has electric doors that make it easy to carry a drink or meal outside for a unique snack experience... snacks that are available throughout the day near the ship’s lounge at the end of the bar.
Wellness Area
Your space for relaxation and rejuvenation, the onboard Wellness Area provides everything from facial treatments to massages, delivered by a trained beauty therapist. Downstairs on Riviera Deck is the hairdresser, where you can get haircuts, head and neck massages, and other services. Be sure to book quickly at the front desk when you embark because availability is limited.
Indoor Pool
The indoor pool is located aft on Horizon Deck. It’s surrounded by a glass-walled lounge area with chairs, tables, dressing rooms, and a bar with a self-service machine for coffee drinks and tea. The heated pool, complete with a retractable roof, is the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening, soaking with friends while watching the incredible scenery of the Rhine drift by.
Amsterdam Gay Christmas
There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a Christmas market to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And Amsterdam has no shortage of seasonal shopping opportunities, with a range of independent festive markets taking place every week leading up to Christmas.
From traditional Dickensian markets that aim to capture all the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas to trendy food festivals inside old industrial buildings, there’s a Christmas market to suit everyone.
The famous Dam Square and the flower market get a festive makeover for the season! Definitely worth a visit any time of the year, but especially during the Christmas period. Immerse yourself in the true Christmas spirit with many twinkling lights, festive music, gifts and treats on the Museumplein. The RAI Amsterdam (Amsterdam Convention Centre) is transformed inside and out into the place for your Ultimate Winter Experience.
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German Christmas Markets
All-Gay River Cruise 2026
Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 09 Dec |
Passau, Germany |
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9 PM |
| 10 Dec |
Regensburg, Germany |
12 PM |
9:30 PM |
| 11 Dec |
Nuremberg, Germany |
8:30 AM |
3:30 PM |
| 12 Dec |
Bamberg, Germany |
8 AM |
1 PM |
| 13 Dec |
Würzburg, Germany |
8 AM |
12:30 PM |
| 14 Dec |
Rüdesheim, Germany |
10 AM |
3 PM |
| 14 Dec |
Koblenz, Germany |
5 PM |
Overnight |
| 15 Dec |
Cologne, Germany |
2 PM |
7 PM |
| 16 Dec |
Amsterdam, Netherlands |
10 AM |
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Day 1 - Passau (Munich), Germany
Willkommen to Germany! Upon arriving in Munich, you’ll be met at the airport for your transfer to our ship in Passau. Today we’ll start our cruise in Passau, a city steeped in history, tradition and culture. After comfortably settling into your cabins, take some time to explore this fantastic city on your own, or just unwind with a cocktail and get to know your follow travelers up in the lounge. Later in the evening we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before sitting down for dinner. Later tonight we’ll begin our river cruise and set sail through Germany and the very best of the Christmas markets!
Day 2 - Regensburg , Germany
Today, we’ll visit Regensburg, a city that miraculously survived WWII with all of its old-world charm intact. This UNESCO World Heritage city is transformed during the holiday season as its medieval streets are donned with festive cheer. Narrow passageways open to hidden courtyards with stalls laden with handcrafted treasures that seem to go on forever. Do a little holiday shopping as you enjoy the scent of home-baked spiced gingerbread, cinnamon and glühwein filling the air.
Day 3 - Nuremberg, Germany
Today we’ll visit Nuremberg, a city steeped in history, tradition and culture. Nuremberg is filled with traditional half-timbered houses and Gothic churches with intricate spires. Although nearly destroyed during World War II, the remaining medieval city walls stretch some three miles and feature original gateways and original watchtowers. Nuremberg is well known historically for its metal and toy craftsmanship, the perfect stop to do a little Christmas shopping for some authentic souvenirs!
Day 4 - Bamberg, Germany
Delve into the history of Bamberg during a walk to view historic sights. Head to the medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing by the magnificent 11th-Century cathedral with its four imposing towers. The church was rebuilt in the late Romanesque and early Gothic style during the 13th -Century. After, visit the picturesque Rathaus, or town hall, built in the middle of a double-arched bridge over the Regnitz River. Be sure to try some of the town’s distinctive rauchbier, or smoke-flavored beer.
Day 5 - Würzburg, Germany
This morning we’ll take a guided tour of Würzburg, historic residence of the German Prince-Bishops. We’ll start with a visit to the Würzburg Residence (or Residenz), former palace of the Prince-Bishops where you’ll discover 40 rooms richly decorated with furniture, paintings and tapestries by 18th century master artists and climb the monumental Main Staircase designed by Balthasar Neumann. Our tour will continue to the historic city center of Würzburg where you will have some free time before returning to our ship by coach.
Day 6 - Rüdesheim, Germany
Today we’ll have a guided tour of Rüdesheim am Rhein, one of the most beautiful wine regions in Germany. On our tour we’ll stroll among the half-timbered buildings of the old town and Drosselgasse, see castles and vineyards, and sip local riesling and pinot noir in a Medieval setting. Along the way we’ll take a ride on a open air train, taste a few of the famous wines of this rich region and have a guided visit of the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments, a museum started by German collector in an old manor house, the Brömserhoflater.
Day 6 - Koblenz, Germany
After an afternoon sailing along the Rhine, we’ll arrive in Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful towns. Visit the famous Deutsches Eck, or German Corner, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers converge. Even in December, we’ll see vineyards, forests and the four mountain ranges that form the unique backdrop to this 2,000-year-old city. Save time to visit one of the town’s many Christmas markets for some unique German gifts to bring back home.
Day 7 - Cologne, Germany
Join us for a tour to Cologne’s most famous structure, the Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral, completed in 1880, survived World War II almost entirely intact. After, we’ll walk to Cologne’s Old Town to see its rustic narrow alleyways lined with traditional old houses. Enjoy a draft Kölsch beer or try Cologne’s typical Halver Hahn sandwich during your free time after our tour. Finally, browse one of Cologne’s many Christmas markets, the largest of which can be found surrounding the base of Cologne Cathedral.
Day 8 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
This morning we say “tot ziens” to the city of Amsterdam and our epic German Christmas Markets River Cruise. Spend your final hours exploring more of the city’s elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the Amsterdam’s 17th-century Golden Age. Take one last stroll through Dam Square in the heart of city, or head over to the Museum District which houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. However you choose to spend your time in Amsterdam, know that it will always be memorable!
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