Austria & Germany Holiday Markets
December 8 – 15, 2025
Starting at $3799 per person, double occupancy
Experience Europe’s old-world charms during the most magical time of the year.
“Welcome, young and old, to my little community of wood and cloth.” These words spoken by the Christkind open the Nuremberg Christmas Market. Though the iconic representative of the market is named for the infant Jesus, she—yes, she—is a girl dressed as a crowned angel. All over Germany, the Christkind is a symbol of the holiday’s magic.
This cruise takes you to some of the most famous and delightful holiday markets in Central Europe. At each market, you’ll find wooden stalls displaying traditional crafts that range from quirky little characters made of fruit and dressed in Bavarian costume to beautifully carved and painted Nativity figures. You’ll also find exquisite ornaments and fine contemporary crafts, along with fairytale villages decked in holiday finery.
Sparkling lights illuminate ancient cathedral squares and the sound of children’s laughter mingles with carols. Enjoy Uniworld’s exclusive “Taste of Christmas” program in Vienna, where you’ll see astonishing confectionary decorations in Café Demel’s windows. Celebrate the season in a new way as you meander through old lands, and remember, as the Christkind says, “While this market’s splendor is fleeting, the joy it brings is eternal.”
WHO WILL ENJOY THIS CRUISE
Those looking to experience Europe at its most magical will enjoy the chance to discover the delightful holiday traditions and treats of Germany and Austria, and to find special gifts for loved ones back home.
ITINERARY
Day 1| Nuremberg (Embark)
Arrive at Nuremberg Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Note: For Arrival, Departure and Transfer details, please visit Uniworld.com/transfers. For Port Location details, please visit Uniworld.com/ports.
Day 2 | Nuremberg, Roth
For a truly over-the-top holiday extravaganza, look no further than Nuremberg, which boasts the largest and grandest Christmas Market in all of Germany—and that’s really saying something. The “Gingerbread Capital of the World” pulls out all the stops during the holidays, as you’ll see for yourself on a panoramic tour guaranteed to put you in a festive mood. Two hundred stalls filled with holiday wares—ornaments, nutcrackers, seasonal treats, and hand-carved toys—await you, and the irresistible aromas of roasting nuts, cinnamon, and grilled sausages waft through the air.
Featured Excursion: Nuremberg City Tour With Christmas Market
Masterpiece Collection ($93pp): Nuremberg WWII Historical Tour
A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Day 3 | Regensburg
The Old Town of Regensburg sparkles with holiday lights and decorations this time of year, adding to its already considerable charms. Check out the brightest cultural sights, then head to what may very well be the most romantic Christmas Market in all of Germany, nestled within the courtyard of a beautiful baroque castle—as you take in the delights of the markets.
Featured Excursion: Regensburg Walk with Thurn & Taxis Castle Visit and Christmas Market
Day 4 | Deggendorf (Theresienthal), Passau
Take some time today to explore the beautifully expansive and heavily wooded Bavarian Forest. As the largest continuous forested region in Europe, there’s plenty to uncover—like unspoiled landscapes, abundant wildlife, and idyllic atmosphere.
Featured Excursions: Bavarian Forest Adventure and Passau Walking Tour with Christmas Market
Day 5 | Cruising the Danube River, Linz
There’s more to Linz than its famous Linzer torte, although that alone makes it well worth a visit. The city has a thriving contemporary art scene, and its two Christmas Markets are over-the-top enchanting. In keeping with the Austrian traditions of good food and good music, Linz gave rise to both the Linzer torte and the Linz Symphony. The symphony is one of Mozart’s most celebrated works. The story goes that the composer was so inspired by the beauty of the city that he finished his Symphony No. 36 in less than a week here in 1783.
Choose Between: Linz walking tour with Christmas market and Linz Town Stroll and Cider Farm Visit
Day 6 | Cruising the Wachau Valley, Dürnstein, Vienna
After a scenic cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley, we’ll reach the tiny village of Dürnstein. Walk along its cobbled streets, browse the shops selling apricot schnapps, and perhaps take a quick jaunt up to the ruins of a castle (with an intriguing tale all its own). Later, you can taste a local spin on mulled wine and attend an organ concert at an Augustine church.
Featured Excursion: Dürnstein Village Stroll with Spiced Wine Tasting and Organ Concert in a Monastery
Masterpiece Collection ($140): Private Mozart and Strauss Concert
Day 7 | Vienna
Vienna is a city steeped in history, music and elegant architecture. Mozart, Austria’s most famous citizen, was at the height of his creative powers when he lived here, writing perhaps his best-known works, including The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. He found Vienna a very inspiring place, and so will you. You’ll have a full day to savor the Christmas spirit in Vienna with over 140 wooden stalls enticing you with every sort of delicacy. Be sure to try the rum balls and nutmeg-spiced macarons, which are local favorites, and amble through the adjacent park to admire the elaborately decorated trees.
Choose Between: Belvedere visit with Christmas market and “Taste of Christmas” Vienna Walking Tour
Masterpiece Collection ($81): Schönbrunn Palace with Christmas Market
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Day 8 | Vienna (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Vienna International Airport for your flight home.
PRICES These prices are based on DOUBLE occupancy & include $210 pp Port Charges
$3799 Classic
$4599 French Balcony
$5099 Deluxe French Balcony
$7499 Suite
PRICE INCLUDES
- 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the majestic RIVERSHIP SS BEATRICE
- All transfers on arrival and departure days
- All gratuities onboard
- Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and bottled water. Some premium liquors are additional
- All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
- Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
- 6 days of shore excursions hosted by English-speaking local experts, with “Choice Is Yours” options
- Guided “Taste of Christmas” program
- State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
- Use of Nordic walking sticks
- Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
- Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
- 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
- Captivating onboard local entertainment
- Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airfare and items of a personal nature and premium alcoholic beverages. Airfare is estimated from $1500-$2000 per person depending on carrier, dates of travel etc.
Sharon Carr Travel group discount not combinable with any other offer except the $150 per person River Heritage Club offer.
SS Beatrice
The S.S. Beatrice boasts yacht-style light wood with blue and white finishes throughout, a renovated lobby featuring elegant mirrors, marble floors, a white Murano chandelier with blue shades and a grand staircase made of nickel and black iron—a signature design element of Uniworld’s Super Ships. The ship’s redesigned lounge features sofas and chairs with hand-made upholstery, a parquet floor and upholstered ceiling panels, solar shades and new USB ports allowing guests to charge anywhere they are sitting. The artwork throughout the ship includes pieces from Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder and Pino Signoretto.
S.S. Beatrice offers four dining options all inspired by famous Austrian composers, including Mozart’s, the ship’s main restaurant; Wolfgang’s bar and lounge and newly added Schubert’s and Max’s. For guests seeking an immersive culinary experience, Max’s restaurant offers intimate cooking classes where guests can create local European cuisines alongside the chef. Schubert’s, an 18-seat café located at the bow of the ship, offers guests shared plates from lunch through dinnertime. The cozy Austrian-styled eatery features menus reflecting the cuisine of the ship’s destinations.
Grand Suite 400 and Suite 402 have fixed king-sized beds that cannot be separated. Suite 405 has a fixed four-poster bed that cannot be separated.
Deck Plan
Staterooms
All Staterooms Include
- Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft – 14 sq m)
- Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, flat-screen TV with infotainment center and satellite, individual thermostat and bottled water
- Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes and slippers
CLASSIC
FRENCH BALCONY
DELUXE FRENCH BALCONY
SUITE
PAYMENTS
A 10% deposit of total price is due with booking. Final payment is due July 25, 2025. You may use a credit card for deposit (without fee). We accept AX, Visa, & MC. Final payment made be made by check or Zelle…or with a credit card & 5% fee.
CANCELLATIONS
120 days or more before cruise start: $250 per person for cruise-tour.
Within 119 – 90 days of cruise start: 25% of the fare*.
Within 89 – 60 days of cruise start: 50% of the fare*.
Within 59 – 30 days of cruise start: 75% of the fare*.
Less than 30 days before cruise start: 100% of the fare*.
*Fare is defined as the cost of any cruise, or land, element purchased from Uniworld. NO-SHOWS are subject to 100% penalty, applicable to bookings for all sailing regions. If air is cancelled one hundred and nineteen (119) days prior to departure or less, the full price of your air is non-refundable. These cancellation fees are in addition to any cancellation fees that might be levied by your travel agent. There is no refund for unused services or for unused portions of the trip.
FULL LEGAL NAMES must be given as stated on PASSPORT. Please send us a copy of your passport.
INSURANCE
Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Insurance information will be provided to you. If for some reason you have not been given an insurance application, please call our office immediately. Please read the information brochure carefully before sending payment to the insurance carrier. If you have a pre-existing condition, insurance must be purchased before final payment is made. If you wish to purchase “cancel anytime” insurance, it must be done when deposit is received. Insurance does not cover a pandemic.
SHARON CARR TRAVEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WEATHER-RELATED OR MECHANICAL DELAYS.
Any out of pocket expenses caused by airline delays are the sole responsibility of the client and any refunds due are at the sole discretion of the airline. Client must contact the airline directly for any reimbursement. Once again, INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RESPONSIBILITY
SHARON CARR TRAVEL is not the source or supplier of the travel services included in this package and they act solely as an agent for the actual suppliers of such service and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, war, insurrection, vendor bankruptcy, revolt or other civil uprising, other military actions, pandemic, strikes or any act of god occurring in either the country of origin, destination or through passage, or for any reason whatsoever. The suppliers whose names appear in the information supplied are those who are responsible for providing the travel services purchased. SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible should any of these suppliers fail to provide the travel services purchased SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour. Also, SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be liable regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. Acceptance of the Tour Contract will serve as a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. This agreement is binding on your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. If, for some reason, a trip must be rescheduled due to any of the above reasons, participants are bound by the new dates of travel, and can only obtain a refund if insurance has been purchased and insurer is contractually bound.
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