Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Rhine River cruises in December
The markets are in full glow, from Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik to Cologne’s cathedral market and Basel’s stalls on Münsterplatz. Cold, occasionally snowy weather adds to the atmosphere, and ships are decorated for the season. Holiday departures fill early, and most markets close by December 23 or 24.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 45°F
- 8 hrs daylight
Photo: Jörg Braukmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rhine River in December: Best time to go
The markets are in full glow, from Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik to Cologne’s cathedral market and Basel’s stalls on Münsterplatz. Cold, occasionally snowy weather adds to the atmosphere, and ships are decorated for the season. Holiday departures fill early, and most markets close by December 23 or 24.
Across Rhine River cruise ports, December brings average highs around 45°F (7°C) and lows near 39°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 8 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late March to December; tulip cruises in spring, Christmas markets from late November
- Average high / low
- 45°F / 39°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.1 in
- Daylight
- About 8 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights Amsterdam–Basel; 9–12 nights with the Moselle or the Main
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear.
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
Rhine River weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 436 | 457 | 499 | 5412 | 6217 | 6820 | 7021 | 7222 | 6719 | 5915 | 5010 | 457 |
| Low °F (°C) | 362 | 362 | 383 | 426 | 4910 | 5613 | 5915 | 6015 | 5513 | 4910 | 426 | 394 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.281 | 2.871 | 2.359 | 1.949 | 2.358 | 2.768 | 2.768 | 2.872 | 3.075 | 3.282 | 3.487 | 3.179 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 45°F | 39°F | 3.1 in | 8 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
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 →
Rhine River in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Rhine River?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The markets are in full glow, from Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik to Cologne’s cathedral market and Basel’s stalls on Münsterplatz. Cold, occasionally snowy weather adds to the atmosphere, and ships are decorated for the season. Holiday departures fill early, and most markets close by December 23 or 24.
What is the weather like on a Rhine River cruise in December?
Across Rhine River cruise ports, December brings average highs around 45°F (7°C) and lows near 39°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 8 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Rhine River cruise in December?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Rhine River?
Late March to December; tulip cruises in spring, Christmas markets 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.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.