Christmas Markets River Cruise in Europe (2026): Danube or Rhine, Dates and Lines
The easiest way to see several of Europe's great Christmas markets in one trip: which river to choose, when each market opens in 2026, and which lines sail them.
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Yachts & Sailing
55 guides in Yachts & Sailing
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which Luxury Voyage Suits You?
A luxury river cruise carries at most around 200 guests, moors in the heart of a town almost every day and usually folds meals, drinks, gratuities and shore excursions into the fare. An ultra-luxury ocean ship reaches coastlines, islands and polar waters a river never touches, with days at sea as part of the pleasure. The right choice depends on what you want between the ports.
St Martin, Anguilla and the Cays
The island as a base rather than a destination: a crewed day to Anguilla's beaches, another to the uninhabited cays offshore, and a lagoon behind you that shelters more yachts than anywhere else in the region. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in St Martin, The Caribbean, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$12,500 per traveler.
St Thomas by Yacht
A crewed yacht from Red Hook to the British Virgin Islands — Norman Island's sea caves at the hour the light comes through the entrance, a night at anchor in the bight of Beef Island, the Baths of Virgin Gorda at the tide that makes the rock pools accessible, and the run home before the trade wind drops. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in St Thomas, The Caribbean, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$18,500 per traveler.
St Thomas by Sail
A crewed yacht from Red Hook to the BVI — Norman Island's sea caves at dusk, a night at anchor in the bight of Cooper Island, the Baths of Virgin Gorda at the hour the tide pools are quietest, and the run back to Magens Bay. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in St Thomas, The Caribbean, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$14,500 per traveler.
Naxos by Sail
A crewed sail through Naxos — empty anchorages and sunsets on your schedule. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in Naxos, Greece, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$9,800 per traveler.
Milos by Sail
A crewed sail through Milos — empty anchorages and sunsets on your schedule. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in Milos, Greece, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$12,800 per traveler.
Paros by Sail
A crewed sloop through the Cyclades from Paros — Antiparos at anchor, the sea cave walked by torchlight, Despotiko's excavation seen from the water, a beach that appears on the skipper's chart but no passenger map. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in Paros, Greece, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$9,800 per traveler.
Mykonos by Yacht
A crewed wooden gulet from Mykonos Town to Rineia and Delos — the archaeological site of sacred Apollo from the water, anchorages no ferry calls at, a swim in Aegean water at the depth where it turns navy. A private, tailored journey of 8 Days · 7 Nights in Mykonos, Greece, designed end to end by a Forest Travel advisor — with Virtuoso privileges at the finest luxury hotels, from US$14,500 per traveler.
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