Top 9 Christmas Cruises in Germany

1.Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 676 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28Our pick

Spend 90 minutes on Cologne’s Rhine aboard a warm panorama boat with live festive music, table service, and views of Cologne Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, and the three crane houses at Rheinau Harbour. Drinks and snacks cost extra. The open upper deck is best for photos, while the lower deck offers warmth and music.

“This was a great way to spend an afternoon! The live singer was very good and the atmosphere was brilliant! Highly recommend the cruise at Christmas time, it definitely gets you in the spirit! Also, for people afraid of boats or water, it was very smooth and hardly felt you were moving. There was a great selection of food and drink too. 5 stars!”

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2.From Rüdesheim: 2-hour Christmas Boat Tour on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 44 reviews · from $22

Set out from Pier 12 in Rüdesheim for a two-hour Christmas cruise on a heated Rhine boat. See castles and landmarks, hear seasonal tales and Rhineland myths, and enjoy a Saturday story program or Sunday visit from St. Nicholas. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board.

“Very nice with the narrator. Service also very good.”

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3.Koblenz: Christmas Boat Tour with Mulled Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 35 reviews · from $23

Spend one hour on a festive Koblenz boat cruise with Christmas music and one glass of mulled wine or punch. From the open-air deck, you’ll see Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, and Stolzenfels Castle. Food and extra drinks cost more, and the upper deck is reached by stairs. The boat returns to its starting point.

“We celebrated my mother's birthday with a large group of people. Everything was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, there were no crowds, and you could sit outside or go inside to warm up. We give it a 10 out of 10. Thank you to the organizers.”

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4.Hamburg: New Years Eve Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · from $78

Join Maritime Circle Line at Landungsbrücken, Bridge 10, around 22:15 for a two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise on a historic barge. You’ll see Hamburg’s illuminated harbour, fireworks, cheering crowds, and hear ship horns at midnight. One glass of Prosecco is included. The live tour is in German, and fireworks are not allowed onboard.

“There wasn't really anything to be had for the money. It was more of an up-and-down ride... What a pity.”

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5.From Bonn: Christmassy Advent Cruise on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · from $22

Settle aboard the festively decorated Petersberg ship for a 90-minute Advent cruise from Bonn. You will see the federal city from the Rhine and the Siebengebirge, with snacks available from the onboard galley. The host speaks German, and the relaxed format works especially well for families and anyone wanting a short Christmas-season outing.

“A very nice tour, I can only recommend it. It's a really nice experience with children. The service was excellent. The ordered food arrived within minutes. The service was excellent. The view was amazing, and the ship was fantastic.”

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6.Dresden: Christmas Lunch – festive river cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $71

Board a Weiße Flotte Christmas ship in Dresden for a three-hour round trip from the Old Town to Pillnitz Castle. You’ll enjoy a seasonal three-course menu, atmospheric German music, and river views from a warmly decorated boat. The German-speaking crew provides the service, while pier displays direct you to the correct departure point.

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7.Berlin: Winter Spree Cruise with Mulled Wine and Christmas Stollen

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 15 reviews · 1h 30m · from $37

Take a 90-minute winter cruise through central Berlin aboard Seminarschiff Berlin. You’ll pass the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, Central Station, and Nikolai Quarter while sitting in the heated salon, wheelhouse, or VIP lounge. Mulled wine and stollen are available to buy, but the ticket does not include food or drinks.

“Es hat Spaß gemacht,viele Sehenswürdigkeiten entlang der Fahrt,nettes Schiffsteam...leider nur,wenn man mit älteren Menschen fährt,es gibt zum größten Teil nur Bartische mit Barhockern im Innenbereich.”

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8.Berlin: Christmas cruise on the Spree with drag queen Audrey.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2h 30m · from $46Top rated

Spend 150 minutes aboard the MS Audrey with drag queen Audrey Naline, cruising through Old and New Berlin, Westhafen, and Charlottenburg. Expect German-language comedy, songs, games, Christmas cheer, tree decorating, and optional food for €9. The ship is a four-minute walk from Bellevue S-Bahn station.

“Im festlich geschmückten Salon der MS Audrey verbrachten wir , liebevoll umsorgt , eine fachkundig begleitete gute alte , wunderschöne Dampferfahrt 😃 Audrey , ließ die Zeit mit Unterhaltung, kleinen Spielen und Witz , der nie unter die Gürtellinie ging , wie im Fluge vergehen Danke für diesen schönen Abend”

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9.Rüdesheim am Rhein: Christmas Boat Cruise on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $18Best value

You’ll spend two hours on a heated Rhine boat from Rüdesheim Pier No. 12, passing medieval castles and snowy ruins with Christmas music onboard. English and German hosts are available. Waffles, coffee, mulled wine, and cookies are available to buy, with time afterward for Rüdesheim’s Christmas market.

“Nice boat trip but on board service is atrocious. 1 hour to bring us a drink and a waffle.”

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