Scenic & Emerald 2026 Christmas Market Group Cruises

August 13, 2025

It’s official … we’re headed to visit the MAGICAL European Christmas Markets, and we want YOU to join us! In this blog, you’ll find everything you need to know about both of these sailings opportunities with Scenic and Emerald.

SPARKNOTES

WHO: The Maxwells + amazing people from all over who love to travel!

WHAT: Two fantastic group cruise opportunities on the Emerald Sky & the Scenic Opal

WHEN:

Week 1 (Emerald) : December 8 – December 15, 2026
Week 2 (Scenic) : December 15 – December 22, 2026

WHERE:

Week 1 (Emerald) : Embarks in Budapest, Hungary (overnight) — Bratislava, Slovakia — Vienna, Austria — Durnstein, Austria — Linz, Austria — Passau, Germany (overnight into disembarkation)
Week 2 (Scenic) : Embarks in Regensburg, Germany (overnight) — Passau, Germany > Schlogen, Austria – Melk > Durnstein, Austria — Vienna, Austria — Bratislava, Slovakia — Budapest, Hungary (overnight into disembarkation)

WHY two different cruise lines?

Emerald and Scenic offer two different levels of luxury with two different price points! Emerald Cruises is a bit more approachable, offering amazing voyages at a slightly lower price as compared with Scenic, with a few “add-on’s” optional, such as a drink package and Wi-Fi connectivity onboard. Scenic Cruises is 5-star luxury – all-inclusive fare, butler service, & a bit higher of a price point!

HOW (to book): Read all of the details below, fill out THIS FORM, and our travel partners will be reaching out to you to secure your spot via a deposit through Emerald / Scenic!

What’s Included?

Week 1 with Emerald Cruises will include shore excursions, cultural experiences, all meals, beer/wine/soft drinks served with meals, and all taxes, fees, & gratuities! Just for being a part of The Maxwells Travel Group, each guest will also receive the Premium Beverage Package as an additional perk!

Week 2 with Scenic Cruises is all-inclusive & the epitome of luxury! Fine dining, complimentary beverages, excursions, transfers, onboard Wi-Fi, luggage handling, port charges, tips and taxes are all included with no hidden extras to worry about!

Let’s talk ITINERARY! Where are these group cruises going?

Week 1 on Emerald is a 7-night river sailing & it’s broken down like this …

December 8th : Budapest, Hungary
December 9th : Budapest, Hungary
December 10th : Bratislava, Slovakia
December 11th : Vienna, Austria
December 12th : Durnstein, Austria
December 13th : Linz, Austria
December 14th : Passau, Germany
December 15th : Passau, Germany (transfer to Munich or Regensburg depending on plans)

Week 2 on Scenic is another 7-night river sailing & it’s broken down like this …

December 15th : Regensburg, Germany
December 16th : Regensburg, Germany
December 17th : Passau, Germany to Schlogen, Austria
December 18th : Melk, Austria to Durnstein, Austria
December 19th : Vienna, Austria
December 20th : Bratislava, Slovakia
December 21st : Busapest, Hungary
December 15th : Budapest, Hungary

And now — PRICING :

Both Emerald and Scenic offer an array of beautiful staterooms for you to book! Emerald offers Standard Staterooms (with a window), Panorama Balcony Suites, Grand Balcony Suites, and an Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite. Scenic offers Standard Staterooms (window), Balcony Suites, Deluxe Balcony Suites, Junior Balcony Suites, Royal Balcony Suites, Royal Panorama Suites, and Royal Owners Suites.

But why book with us and join our group?

We have worked directly with Emerald and Scenic to secure preferred group pricing that you cannot find anywhere else! Our pricing is locked in and offers fantastic value for both of these sailings!

On top of our preferred group pricing, both Emerald and Scenic are running an amazing promotion if you pay your fare in full before February 2026! You may choose one of the following options:

Free Economy Airfare (up to a $1500 value per person)
OR $1000 off of your per person cruise fare

Being a part of our group sailing will also unlock an array of experiences, including private group meet-ups, additional excursion opportunities, and additional port activity recommendations! And of course, you will have a designated travel agent to assist you with with every step of your travel planning.

If you want to join us for this magical trip, we urge you to book NOW! Emerald Sky can only accommodate a total of 180 passengers and Scenic Opal can only accommodate a total of 163 passengers, so these boats will fill up quickly. Fill out the form HERE and you’ll be contacted by a travel advisor to complete next steps and secure your cabin!

Emerald Sky Pricing – Week 1 – December 8-15, 2026

Standard Stateroom (Category E): $3995 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $2995)

Standard Stateroom (Category D): $4345 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $3345)

Panorama Balcony Suite (Category C): $5045 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $4045)

Panorama Balcony Suite (Category B): $5245 per guest Pay in Full Price: $4245)

Panorama Balcony Suite (Category A): $5395 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $4395)

Grand Balcony Suite (Category S): $6395 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $5395)

Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite (Category SA): $7495 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $6495)

*Solo supplement is 125% of the current website price

Scenic Opal Pricing – Week 2 – December 15-22, 2026

Standard Suite: $4995 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $3995)

Balcony Suite: $6595 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $5595)

Deluxe Balcony Suite: $7145 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $6145)

Junior Balcony Suite: $7295 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $6295)

Royal Balcony Suite: $8995 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $7995)

Royal Panorama Suite: $9395 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $8395)

Royal Owner’s Suite: $9795 per guest (Pay in Full Price: $8795)

*Solo supplement is 125% of the current website price

Deposits are $500 per person and will be due immediately in order to secure your spot – payments will be made via our dedicated travel agent! If you are taking advantage of the Pay in Full Promotion, full payments will be due prior to February 2026.

We are so incredibly excited for these sailings and can’t wait to meet those of you who decide to travel with us!! If you want to experience the magical European Christmas Markets along the Danube with us, you can find the interest form below!