River Danube Christmas Markets with Riviera Travel

Imagine twinkling Christmas markets, storybook cities, and watching the world float by from the comfort of a luxury river ship — that’s exactly what I discovered on my very first river cruise in December with Riviera Travel.

Setting Sail: A Festive Welcome in Budapest

Our adventure kicked off in Budapest, where we had a quick and seamless transfer from the airport to our ship, the elegant Emily Brontë. Stepping on board felt like walking into a Christmas card: the ship was beautifully decorated for the season, complete with a sparkling Christmas tree welcoming guests in the reception area.

My Diamond Deck Cabin: Light-Filled Luxury with Thoughtful Touches

I was shown to my cabin, a beautiful upper deck Diamond cabin.

Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling French balcony doors, the cabin was bathed in natural light, offering gorgeous views over the city. The space was impressively roomy too, with a sitting area featuring a small table and two armchairs, plus a desk equipped with a charging point for your audio guide and headphones, essentials for the included daily excursions.

The marble bathroom was another pleasant surprise, featuring a luxurious rain shower and plenty of space to move around. And because I was on the Diamond Deck, I was also greeted with a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for me in the fridge, such a thoughtful, celebratory touch!

Little Luxury: The turndown service, with a chocolate on your pillow each night, makes you feel truly pampered.

Each evening, an itinerary for the next day is placed in your cabin, so you always know what’s coming up. You can also check the information boards in the lobby if you’re out and about.

Exploring the Ship: Lounges, Locks, and Top Deck Views

Once I'd unpacked, it was time to explore Emily Brontë. Toward the rear of the Diamond Deck, I found The Riverview Kitchen — a relaxed spot open for lunch and dinner (by reservation), with direct access to the top deck, known as the sun deck.

Even in the chilly December air, I highly recommend bundling up and heading upstairs, especially when passing through the locks. Watching the ship rise and fall inside these giant structures is truly fascinating — and the views from up top are unbeatable. There’s also a small putting green and hot tub on deck, if you’re feeling brave!

Don't Miss: Watching the ship navigate the locks from the top deck — it’s an experience you won't forget!

On the upper deck or the diamond deck, the ship’s heart is the marble-floored atrium lobby, where you'll find reception and a small boutique. This floor is also home to the main lounge — the panoramic observation lounge and bar is a vibrant, inviting space filled with rich colours and comfortable seating. It’s a real hub of activity, hosting everything from welcome talks to afternoon teas and evening entertainment.

Cabins on the middle deck (ruby deck) are identical in layout to the Diamond Deck, though views are better the higher up you go.

The lower deck (emerald deck) houses slightly smaller cabins with small, high windows. It’s also where you’ll find the gym, a hair salon, and a treatment room — perfect if you fancy a little pampering between sightseeing stops.

Good to Know: If window views are important to you, book a cabin on the middle or top deck!

Tastes of the Danube: Delicious Dining Onboard

Dining on board was an absolute highlight. Breakfasts in the main restaurant offered something for everyone: a self-service area brimming with fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, breads, and hot cooked items, alongside à la carte options if you wanted something extra special.

Lunch followed a similar pattern, with a lovely salad bar plus an à la carte starter, main, and dessert.

Dinners were a real treat: a beautifully presented four-course à la carte menu, always featuring a regional dish alongside classic international favourites. Complimentary wine was poured generously during dinner, though you could also opt for soft drinks or something stronger if you preferred.

On our penultimate night, we had the Chef's dinner. This is a great opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy an extra special dinner.

Top Tip: Be sure to try the local dishes on the menu — it's a great way to taste the regional flavours of each country you visit!

For a slightly more intimate vibe, The Riverview Kitchen at the back of the ship offered comfort classics like sandwiches, burgers, and fish and chips at lunchtime with a wider menu in the evening, with beautiful river views all around. I loved the open kitchen in this restaurant.

Hot Drinks, Sweet Treats, and Cosy Moments

Another lovely touch was the self-serve tea and coffee station on the ruby deck, stocked with teas, coffee, hot chocolate — and cookies that were dangerously moreish. Perfect for grabbing a hot drink to enjoy on the top deck or to cosy up in the lounge for some late-night lock-watching.

We were also treated to afternoon tea in the lounge, along with ice creams on a couple of afternoons, both totally delicious!

Festive Cities & Fascinating Excursions

Rivieras included excursions are the ideal introduction to the city you are visiting.

The tours are led by local guides who really know their stuff, which makes exploring each city way more fun and interesting. We learned about local Christmas traditions, things we’d never have found in a guidebook, little things that really brought the place to life.

Our time in Budapest started with a brilliant coach tour, the perfect way to get our bearings and soak in the cities architecture. We cruised past grand boulevards, historic bridges, and beautiful old buildings before stopping at one of the city’s true icons: the neo Gothic Parliament Building. It’s even more impressive up close, all spires and drama right on the edge of the Danube. The view of this as you sail out of Budapest is something else!

After the tour, we were free to explore the Buda side of the city. The UNESCO listed Castle District is packed with charm, from the cobbled streets and colourful old houses to the soaring turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion.

From up on the hill, the views across the river to the Pest side of the city are breath taking, with the Danube shimmering in between.

To top it all off, we found a gorgeous little Christmas market tucked into the old streets. Twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine, handmade gifts, and delicious marzipan treats, it was pure festive magic.

You also get a bit of free time on the return to explore more of Budapest. Some of our group headed to the Christmas Markets on the Pest side, complete with a festive ice skating rink, while others opted to unwind in one of the city’s famous thermal baths.

Our next stop was the Bratislava, Slovenia’s capital city.

Known for its rich history, medieval architecture, and laid-back atmosphere, Bratislava feels refreshingly different from some of Europe’s larger, busier capitals. Its compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot, and the relaxed pace invites you to slow down and truly soak it all in.

We were collected straight from the ship for a guided tour, starting at the impressive Bratislava Castle. Perched on a hilltop, the castle offered sweeping panoramic views over the city and the Danube below, although very windy when we visited, it makes a fantastic spot for photos!

From there, we made our way down into the heart of the old town, winding through its charming cobbled streets. A guided walking tour really brought the cities history to life and we were given time to explore at our own pace (or head back to the ship with our guide if we preferred).

Bratislava’s Christmas market was a real highlight. Set against a backdrop of historic buildings and fairy lights, it was full of stalls offering delicious local treats. I tried a traditional Bratislava roll which is a crescent shaped puff pastry filled with ground walnuts (or poppy seeds) I also couldn’t resist trying the warm honey wine — absolutely delicious and the perfect way to keep the winter chill at bay!

The final city we visited on this epic Christmas market break was Vienna. In my opinion, we saved the best to last. Vienna is a beautiful city to visit at any time of year, but at Christmas it is a truly special experience.

We began with a guided coach tour, giving us a wonderful overview of the city’s iconic sights. The mix of imperial architecture, elegant palaces, and festive decorations made it feel as though we were stepping back in time. After the coach tour, we continued on foot, weaving through the historic streets where horse-drawn carriages clip-clopped past us, adding to the atmosphere.

We caught a glimpse inside the famous Spanish Riding School, where the world-renowned Lipizzaner horses train, a real treat for any visitor. Unfortunately there weren’t any tickets left for the sessions on the day we visited. I would recommend buying tickets in advance for this.

Our tour finished at the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

At Christmas, Vienna truly transforms into a magical wonderland. The entire city sparkles with fairy lights and Christmas markets.

One of the highlights is the Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus, where rows of wooden stalls sell everything from handmade crafts to sweet treats. Wandering through the markets with a mulled wine in hand was just lovely. You purchase a mug for your mulled wine and you can either return this at the end for a refund or take it home as a keepsake.

Given its popularity, this one gets very busy in the evenings.

Beyond the magical Christmas markets, Vienna’s cosy cafes and traditional coffee houses are the perfect spots to warm up and take a break from the Christmas markets.

Most people head straight to the famous Café Sacher for a taste of the original Sachertorte—but here’s my little tip: skip the long queues and pop around the corner to Café Mozart instead. It’s just as lovely (some might say even better!), with all the charm, atmosphere, and mouth watering cakes you could want—minus the tourist crowds. Grab a coffee and soak up that classic Viennese vibe.

Onboard Entertainment

While we were docked in Vienna, we were treated to a wonderful live performance by a local string quartet in the ship’s lounge. With the soft glow of the lights, a glass of wine in hand, and the city twinkling just beyond the windows, it was a truly magical experience. The music was absolutely beautiful - a perfect, elegant way to round off our time in Vienna.

On other evenings, we enjoyed live piano music, a fun quiz night, and a lovely mix of relaxed entertainment throughout the cruise. The atmosphere was always easy going, with no pressure to join in — just the option to enjoy it if and when you felt like it. The staff were brilliant at reading the room and tailoring the entertainment to suit the guests on board, which made each evening feel just right.

After a day out exploring in the crisp winter air, stepping back on board and being greeted by a friendly face from the Riviera team with a warm drink in hand was such a lovely touch.

Sailing Away with Festive Memories

River cruising is, in my opinion, one of travel’s best kept secrets. If you love exploring new cities but want to do it in a more relaxed and effortless way, it really is the perfect option. You get all the excitement of a city break, with the added bonus of only having to unpack once!

There’s something so special about sailing from place to place, watching landscapes glide by from the comfort of your cabin or the top deck, hot drink in hand. And after a day of sightseeing, returning to the warm, welcoming glow of the ship feels like coming home — just with better food and ever changing views!

This Christmas market river cruise with Riviera Travel was the perfect mix of festive magic, cultural discovery, and comfort — and for a first-time river cruiser, it couldn’t have been a more wonderful introduction.

Would I do another river cruise? In a heartbeat.