Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Danube River cruises in December
Christmas market season peaks, with Advent concerts in candlelit churches and ships decorated for the holidays. Snow is possible, and the cold makes the markets feel even more festive. Most markets close by Christmas Eve, and a few sailings celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vienna or Budapest. These departures sell out early.
- Best time to go
Photo: Gabor Eszes ( UED77 ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Danube River in December: Best time to go
Christmas market season peaks, with Advent concerts in candlelit churches and ships decorated for the holidays. Snow is possible, and the cold makes the markets feel even more festive. Most markets close by Christmas Eve, and a few sailings celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vienna or Budapest. These departures sell out early.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late March to December; Christmas market cruises from late November
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights Passau–Budapest; 10–15 nights for the lower Danube or Amsterdam–Budapest
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Danube River in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Danube River?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Christmas market season peaks, with Advent concerts in candlelit churches and ships decorated for the holidays. Snow is possible, and the cold makes the markets feel even more festive. Most markets close by Christmas Eve, and a few sailings celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vienna or Budapest. These departures sell out early.
When is the best time to cruise Danube River?
Late March to December; Christmas market cruises from late November. The best months are usually May, June, September, December.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.