Cruise Traveller has unveiled the Eastern Europe Christmas Markets river cruise for 2026, featuring exclusive savings and free hotel stays.
The journey showcases the seasonal enchantment and medieval charm of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary.
In partnership with award-winning river cruise line, AmaWaterways, Cruise Traveller is offering savings and stay-free offers on a range European river journeys in 2026 and 2027, including a festive season sailing from Bucharest in Romania to Budapest in Hungary in December 2026.
Cruise Traveller’s unique new, 11-night package – ‘Eastern Europe Christmas Markets’ – begins in Bucharest on December 12, 2026, with two free nights in a luxury hotel. Guests will transfer to nearby Giurgiu on the iconic Danube River for a seven-night, charm-filled cruise to Budapest aboard AmaWaterways’ deluxe river ship, AmaBella.
Far less busy than river cruises in western Europe, this storied journey through former Eastern Bloc countries once hidden behind the Iron Curtain, reveals grand cities and captivating towns filled with cobblestone streets bedecked with twinkling Christmas lights and decorations and lined by age-old yuletide markets that dazzle with handcrafted treasures, sweet carollers and the enticing aromas of hot-mulled rakia (fruit brandy), sausage rolls, roasted chestnuts and sweet treats of every kind.
The path along the legendary Danube through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary has been forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings for centuries. The graceful river is lined by majestic cliffs, imposing castles and quaint villages, which can all be enjoyed from the steaming hot tub atop the river ship, AmaBella.
Guests disembark the river cruise in Budapest for two more free nights in a luxury hotel to end the holiday, with time to explore the city’s famous thermal baths and castles.
“Most river cruises in Europe canvass the popular Amsterdam to Budapest route but our new package on the Danube takes intrepid travellers beyond into the furthest regions of Eastern Europe, allowing for enriched cultural immersion far beyond the busiest tourist trails, with the added magic of Christmas markets enhancing the allure,” Cruise Traveller managing director Joe O’Sullivan said.
“Our special, all-inclusive package with AmaWaterways is bookended by free hotel nights too, adding more value and time to relax and explore.”
Cruise Traveller’s 11-night ‘Eastern Europe Christmas Markets’ package beginning 12 December 2026, is available from $5,599 per person, twin-share, in a Window Stateroom – a saving of $2,181 per person. Included are a total of four free hotel nights, daily tours during the cruise, hikes and bike tours, speciality dining, onboard beverages with lunch and dinner daily, sparkling wine with breakfast daily, complimentary cocktail hour each day and onboard gratuities.
