Counting Down to 2026 With AmaWaterways

This year, while counting down to 2026, embark on a journey of new holiday traditions with award-winning AmaWaterways’ Holiday River Cruises. On board, the holiday season begins in the middle of November and continues through the New Year. You can choose between AmaWaterways’ Festive Delights sailings, their dedicated Christmas Markets Cruises, or their celebratory New Year’s itineraries.

With a diverse array of unique seasonal excitements prepared for you on board, there is no better way to experience the end-of-the-year holidays in Europe. Here are just a few of the highlights that you can look forward to on these specialty festive sailings. 

Festive Delights

Whether you are embarking in Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, the Netherlands or Switzerland, festive activities and traditional delights await around every corner of your ship, with activities such as tree trimming and gingerbread decorating on every departure. During your journey, be treated to a delightful array of seasonal treats, from warm mulled wine to an assortment of festive cookies, all while enjoying the opportunities to participate in joyful traditions such as Christmas caroling. 

Every moment on board invites you to immerse yourself in the splendor of the holiday season, crafted to create memories that will be cherished forever. This same atmosphere is felt off the ship as well. When you disembark and explore, you will also see decorated town halls, seasonal delicacies and so much more! 

AmaWaterways Counting Down to 2026: Spectacular New Year’s Experiences

Alongside the wonders of AmaWaterways’ Holiday Cruises, you can also enjoy special festivities to both end and begin the year on a high note. Join your fellow cruisers and count down to the new year during the onboard New Year’s Eve gala. Available on every New Year’s itinerary, you can dance the night away to live music in the Main Lounge. With champagne toasts and an elegantly festive atmosphere, you can welcome 2026 in style.

If you would like to celebrate off the ship, you can explore the festivities in a variety of destinations. Multiple sailings stop in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve, giving you a special opportunity to experience this vibrant city and celebrate new beginnings. On AmaWaterways’ Colors of Provence (Festive Delights) cruise this year, Lyon will welcome cruisers to spend the last night of 2025 in the culinary capital of France. 

Limited-Time Offer: Extend Your 2025 Holiday Stay

Make the most out of your holiday by enjoying up to two extra nights in Europe on select New Year’s Cruise reservations – courtesy of AmaWaterways! Prefer not to fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Relax with a complimentary pre-cruise stay at a beautiful 4- or 5-star hotel and take an included transfer to your ship the following day. 

Depending on the departure date, you can also stay on the ship one extra night to celebrate New Year’s Eve, or you can sleep in on January 1st and be treated to an additional evening on board as well. For either post-cruise option, all meals will be included, as well as an airport transfer if you reserve your flights through AmaAir.  

Limited-Time Offer: Complimentary Airfare

On select Festive Delights itineraries in southern France and Portugal during this season, receive Complimentary Roundtrip Economy Airfare – an offer also combinable with up to $2,500 per stateroom savings on select sailings as well as past guests’ Loyalty Benefits. 

Savor the magic of the season with local traditions in cities such as Porto or Bordeaux. With typically milder winter temperatures through November and December and fewer crowds in the region, AmaWaterways’ Festive Delights itineraries on the Douro and through Bordeaux are a relaxing and wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. 

With so many experiences to choose from, you can find the ideal Holiday River Cruise for you and start new festive traditions to look forward to for years to come. Plan your next vacation on the most elegantly decorated ships cruising the rivers!

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to book your holiday river cruise and start counting down to 2026 with Amawaterways