Overview
Step aboard your Avalon Suite Ship® festively decorated and beautifully dressed in Christmas colors of the season. Embark on this festive Christmastime river cruise in Frankfurt, Germany, and join us behind medieval walls and towered gates to enjoy a guided walking tour in a picturesque village along the Main River. Celebrate the season in charming Würzburg, known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” and surrounded by sloping vineyard-covered hills. Visit the ornate Bishop’s Residence—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted, then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein read more (hot mulled wine).
Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the many nativity scenes exhibited throughout the town are sure to delight. Take a guided tour in Nuremberg, with free time to visit the Christmas market—one of the most famous in the world. Wander through Old Town illuminated with holiday lights and decorations, and be sure to sample some traditional lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), a Nuremberg specialty. While on board, you’ll also hear all about German Christmas traditions. Historical treasures of Germany are perfectly paired with the sights, sounds, and sumptuous treats of the joyous holiday season on this unforgettable European Christmas river cruise.
Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the many nativity scenes exhibited throughout the town are sure to delight. Take a guided tour in Nuremberg, with free time to visit the Christmas market—one of the most famous in the world. Wander through Old Town illuminated with holiday lights and decorations, and be sure to sample some traditional lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), a Nuremberg specialty. While on board, you’ll also hear all about German Christmas traditions. Historical treasures of Germany are perfectly paired with the sights, sounds, and sumptuous treats of the joyous holiday season on this unforgettable European Christmas river cruise.
Save 14%
Our Price From
A$4,484 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $750 per person
Itinerary
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
Included Meals:
Dinner
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
- Discovery: Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
- Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes.
- Discovery: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Legends and History Lessons
- Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Life On Board
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining more options, activities that help you tailor your experience.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Tranquility II
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
Our Vision. Your View.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Avalon Choice
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Active & Discovery
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
From View to Table
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
River Cruise Reviews (2)
Our experience with Global Journeys was exceptional 2
Roger Harrison, Australia, Dec 2013
Our experience with Yvonne at Global Journeys was exceptional. We enjoyed our Avalon Christmas Markets cruise. The towns visited were wonderful and the shore excursions used excellent local guides. The ship was very comfortable with the catering excellent. Beginning in Prague, there was a significant amount of 'free time'. The tour commenced on 7/12 read more at 18.00 and we bused to Nuremberg on Monday at 13.00. Only 1/2 a day (Sunday am) was organised. Some other expensive 'pay for' excursions were offered. The ship cruise director (Nico) was good. The welcoming cruise director (Hendrick) was abrupt and not welcoming at all. Ironic that the Saturday night commencement is described as a 'welcome'. Some issues were experienced by some passengers (not us) of fumes entering their cabin. We are aware of some passengers changing cabins. This needs to be addressed as cruise fares are expensive and this should not happen.
Only criticism was too much food on the Cruise 2
Amanda & Julian Andrews, Australia, Dec 2012
The tour was great, everything went smoothly except a transfer, but these things happen. The only criticism was there was simply too much food on the Avalon River Cruise, especially the dinners. We only went to one dinner, it was not worth sitting through all the courses of food you couldn't eat. The staff and crew were all helpful and friendly and read more most of the guides informative and easy to understand.
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Avalon River Cruises (2026)
At Avalon, we are redefining river cruising by charting a different course than the big ships - no crowded tourist ports
or rushed schedules, just immersive journeys that keep you in the heart of each destination. Our modern Suite Ships sail
the world’s legendary rivers and waterways, placing you just steps from vibrant cities, charming villages, more and breathtaking scenery. Wake to Vienna at your doorstep, watch Budapest sparkle at night, or take in 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, savour fine cuisine in Lyon, or sample sweets in Linz, then retreat to your spacious suite without missing a moment.
From Southeast Asia and Egypt to the Amazon and Galápagos, Avalon offers a front-row seat to the world’s most extraordinary places—all while unpacking once. Backed by nearly a century of Swiss heritage, we infuse precision, care, and timeless craftsmanship into every journey. Welcome aboard the wideopen wonder of Avalon. Your journey begins here.
or rushed schedules, just immersive journeys that keep you in the heart of each destination. Our modern Suite Ships sail
the world’s legendary rivers and waterways, placing you just steps from vibrant cities, charming villages, more and breathtaking scenery. Wake to Vienna at your doorstep, watch Budapest sparkle at night, or take in 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, savour fine cuisine in Lyon, or sample sweets in Linz, then retreat to your spacious suite without missing a moment.
From Southeast Asia and Egypt to the Amazon and Galápagos, Avalon offers a front-row seat to the world’s most extraordinary places—all while unpacking once. Backed by nearly a century of Swiss heritage, we infuse precision, care, and timeless craftsmanship into every journey. Welcome aboard the wideopen wonder of Avalon. Your journey begins here.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
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GJ Loyalty Discount
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Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
Sunday
06 Dec 2026
06 Dec 26
Frankfurt
Friday
11 Dec 2026
11 Dec 26
Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Tranquility II
Exclusive Savings
Balcony
A$6,008
Save $797
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Monday
14 Dec 2026
14 Dec 26
Frankfurt
Saturday
19 Dec 2026
19 Dec 26
Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Imagery II
Exclusive Savings
Balcony
A$6,077
Save $800
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
