christmas river cruise nottingham

Princess River Cruises

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Christmas Day Trip - Princess River Cruises

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Absolutely fantastic Xmas party night. Boat couldn't sale due to the high water level but didn't... read more

We had our 60th birthday celebration with family and friends. Everything was really well organised... read more

Christmas Day Trip

Excellent day out, first class service on board boat, meal was fantastic. Would use them again. Well done Princess River Cruises.

Thank you so much! Its lovely to get such an honest review and we certainly look forward to seeing you all again.

This was a gift from our Daughter as part of our Christmas gifts we thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the cruise

Fantastic! We hope to see you again this Christmas. Warmest regards from all at Princess River Cruises.

What a wonderful afternoon spent on the Princess River Cruise, the staff were fantastic, the children were so excited. The food was excellent, nothing was left on the plate. The visit from Santa was the highlight of the trip and he was great, the presents were of top quality. I would recommend this trip to anyone young or old. Fantastic

Thank you so much! Our Santa Cruise is so popular and we are all glad that we made your Christmas that little bit merrier!

We had a Christmas dinner on board the Princess Cruise. We are a group of people with Asbestos and Lunge Cancer.

My apologies for taking so long to answer this review, we have been really busy with the new River Lodge project. All we need to say is thank you so much for your custom and we very much look forward to welcoming you all aboard in the near future.

This is the second year that we've taken our grandson on the Santa Special and very enjoyable it is too. This year deserves special mention as his present from Santa was missing a few parts. Not only did the staff immediately supply a different present with which he was highly satisfied, but when we got back to 'base' took the time to find an identical present to replace the first. Altogether outstanding attention to ensure everyone onboard was satisfied. Not often you come across such dedicated staff - well done.

Hi Paul, we were all really pleased that you enjoyed yourselves. Have a merry Christmas from all at Princess River Cruises.

We joined the Princess River Cruise for a daytime Company Christmas event up and down the Trent for approximately 2.5hrs. Drinks on arrival served swiftly from a small Bar followed by a full 3 course Christmas Lunch. The food was hot & tasty given a small galley kitchen... the Disco was was good and the environment conducive to a really great Social Event...

Hi Phil, Thanks for your review, we look forward to welcoming you all aboard in the near future.

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Princess River Cruises

The Princess River Cruise provides style and the best quality and value for their river cruises.

Their fleet consists of two cruises which cruise through River Trent. The Nottingham Princess can carry upto 150 passengers and the Prince can carry upto 60. A small, fun and intimate experience.

Their all new and modern River lodge reception with a full house bar only makes your experience better. It’s a south facing terrace that overlooks the river.

Both their cruises are centrally heated, for a comfortable and cozy time. They’re equipped with a full bar and a groovy dance floor for their resident DJ and they cater to buffets, snacks and a traditional three-course dinner for the family and couples.

They’re functioning all year through, so be any season or month during the year, you can always enjoy a budget-friendly, exotic and relaxing cruise!

To know more or book your slots, visit their website - www.princessrivercruises.co.uk

BOOK a night at the Nottingham Mercure, minutes away from the Princess Cruise and lots of other exciting experiences!

Address: River Lodge, 100 Racecourse Road, Colwick, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4RF

Telephone: 0115 910 0400

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Exclusive Book Direct Discount Lowest Prices Guaranteed Here Our rate £70, Booking.com rate £80

Princess River Cruises

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Princess River Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Kings Norton Coaches has been a operating safe and efficient coach company for over thirty years. We are a family-owned business that specialises in private coach hire. We offer luxury minibus hire, national coach travel, Birmingham getaways and day trips from Birmingham. We also offer coach services for schools and minibus hire for sports teams. Our customers know that they can always rely our our coach company to provide them high quality hire and services. We are always willing to help give advice on how to get the most from your journey.

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Daytime Christmas Party Cruise

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Princess River Cruises, 100 Racecourse Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4RF

Mon, 28 November 2022 - Thu, 22 December 2022

• 11.30 am - 2.30pm
• £20.50
• Contact Organiser
• Save to calendar 2022-11-28 00:00:00 2022-12-22 00:00:00 Europe/London Daytime Christmas Party Cruise Daytime Christmas Party Cruises at Princess River CruisesMonday to Friday from the back end of November up to and including Friday 22nd December, enjoy a leisurely 2 ½ hour cruise aboard one of our fully heated vessels with festive background music and a sumptuous two course meal, comprising:-Succulent turkey breast-Sage and onion stuffing-Minted new potatoes-Roast potatoes-Brussel sprouts-Sliced carrots-Rich gravy-Chocolate yule log served with whipped cream (may contain rum)-Tea and ... 100 Racecourse Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4RF Princess River Cruises

Daytime Christmas Party Cruises at Princess River Cruises

Monday to Friday from the back end of November up to and including Friday 22 nd December, enjoy a leisurely 2 ½ hour cruise aboard one of our fully heated vessels with festive background music and a sumptuous two course meal, comprising:

-Succulent turkey breast

-Sage and onion stuffing

-Minted new potatoes

-Roast potatoes

-Brussel sprouts

-Sliced carrots

-Rich gravy

-Chocolate yule log served with whipped cream (may contain rum)

-Tea and coffee

Only £20.50 per person

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Princess River Cruises

100 Racecourse Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4RF

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Princess River Cruises

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PRINCESS RIVER CRUISES (Nottingham) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

0115 910 0401

Call us now on 0115 9100401/400/402

Evening Cruises - Party Onboard!

Celebrate in style aboard Nottingham's largest party boat. We cater for Hen parties, Birthdays, Works night out, Student Boat Ball's and many more. Scroll down to view our evening party packages or contact us for a Private Hire quote 

Evening Cruises

A party cruise with Princess River Cruises has without doubt got to make your shortlist of activities when planning a night out in Nottingham.

A fun filled evening on the Nottingham Princess has party revellers travelling from all over the country to experience the quality and value we offer in our evening cruise packages.

If you're looking for something different, then you can't go far wrong with 3 hours of frolicking good fun aboard our renowned party boat.

Celebrate in style and let us do the hard work for you, all you need to concentrate on is partying the night away!

All of our cruise packages include a meal and entertainment.

Click on one of the links to view our party packages or contact us with your requirements for a private hire quote.

Booking procedure:- To make your booking, simply phone us on 0115 9100401/400. Once you make your booking we will require a non refundable deposit to be paid within 7 days of making the booking and the balance will become payable two weeks prior to the cruise.

Evening Party Packages

Please click on the links below to view the packages and prices on offer.

Party Cruises January - April 2024 CLICK HERE

Party Cruises May - July 2024 CLICK HERE

Party Cruises August - November 2024 CLICK HERE

Evening Christmas Party Packages 2024 CLICK HERE

Valentines Cruise and Dine 2025 coming soon.

Valentines Cruise and Dine Menu coming soon.

Students - Boat Ball Packages - Please Contact Us For A Quote  

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Whatever The Season

Our party boat is conveniently located two miles from Nottingham City centre and are the perfect venue in which to celebrate your special occasion. We are now able to enhance your experience with a pre-cruise drink from our River Lodge, complete with bar, reception room and terrace overlooking the River Trent in a beautiful countryside location.

Our Cruises

Celebrate your special occasion with other groups and companies and join on to one of our popular forthcoming event packages renowned countrywide for their quality and value. Perfect for Hen parties, Birthdays, or just an excuse for a great night out! Alternatively, if you require a quote for a private party, please contact us whereby it would be our pleasure to discuss your personal requirements in further detail.

All Year Round

Whatever the season, you can enjoy the scenic River Trent in all of its seasonal glory throughout Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. (Subject to the Captain`s safe sailing parameters being met)

Friendly Staff

Our staff are renowned for their friendly and professional service and whether your purchasing a drink from our fully stocked bars or being served a quality meal from our on-board chefs, for a great time, take to the water with Princess River Cruises.

Ready to book?

Once you have decided on a date please contact the bookings office on 0115 9100401 to check availability or to make a booking. Once you make your booking we will require a non refundable deposit within 7 days of making your booking. The balance will become due 2 weeks prior to the cruise. Alternatively, please email us your enquiry.

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Princess River Cruises Christmas Parties 2024

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If you're looking for a private hire venue in Nottingham, something unique, look no further than Princess River Cruises. We have two river cruisers in our fleet, the Nottingham Princess able to cater for parties of up to 140 passengers and the Nottingham Prince able to cater for parties of up to 50 passengers and are ideal venues in which to host your next special occasion.

Please note that our packages are fully inclusive of drinks and catering and regrettably do not allow outside caterers.

The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024

Imagine sailing down one of Europe's iconic rivers as picturesque villages, castles and landscapes pass you by, all while twinkling lights from nearby Christmas markets dance on the water. While this might sound like a fairytale, it can be a reality on a Christmas market river cruise.

From late November through December every year, most river cruise companies with Europe-based ships take excited passengers to idyllic towns to learn about Christmas traditions, shop at local Christmas markets and try tasty seasonal treats.

These river cruises only run seasonally while the markets are open, so they tend to book up quickly with passengers ranging from older adults to all types of families looking for a winter holiday filled with festive fun.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here, we list the eight best Christmas markets river cruises to take in 2024, along with tips to get the most out of each sailing and highlights not to miss.

Best for short cruises: Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas on the Danube

If you're looking for a short sailing to tack onto the beginning or end of a trip, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers four-night Danube River sailings that start in Vienna, Austria, and end in Passau, Germany. The majority of the trip is spent in Austria, with port days in Vienna, Krems, Melk and Linz before a final day in Passau.

In Vienna, you can choose to visit one of the city's 100+ museums or visit the iconic Opera House before heading to the Christmas market for a glass of mulled wine and shopping. For those interested in wine, Krems is a must-see destination known for some of the best wines in the country. Before departing from Passau, be sure to explore the Christmas market as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral to see the impressive organ, which is the biggest cathedral organ in the world with almost 18,000 pipes.

Each ship in the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet is all-suite and comes with butler service. Ships offer an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi to use before or after your trips ashore.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas Atmosphere Along the Danube cruises depart in early and mid-December 2024. Fares start at $1,161 per person, based on double occupancy.

All your meals, one excursion per destination, gratuities, Wi-Fi, butler service and transfers are also included in your cruise fare. Alcoholic drinks are only included with the Premium All-Inclusive Package, which can be selected at booking.

Best for Francophiles: CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley

France is known for some of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Europe, and you have the chance to see some of them on a five-night Christmas in the Seine Valley river cruise with CroisiEurope Cruises. These shorter cruises are great if you'd like to spend a few days in Paris before stepping onto the cruise ship and sailing to three other beautiful towns.

The river cruise starts in Paris, where you can spend the day exploring the city, seeing the Christmas markets in Montmartre or Saint Germain or shopping for high-end gifts along the Champs-Élysées before the 5 p.m. all-aboard time.

Day two will bring you to Rouen, where you are invited to join Christmas Eve dinner and midnight mass. You'll also get to see more of Rouen on day four and take a guided tour. If you have free time, be sure to stop in at La Couronne, the oldest operating restaurant in France and the place that inspired Julia Child to start cooking.

Spend Christmas Day in Honfleur, one of the cutest cities on the voyage. Be sure to get the town's specialty, a steaming bowl of moules frites (mussels with fries), for Christmas lunch. After three days of touring smaller towns, you'll return to Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is visible from the banks of the Seine.

CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley cruise departs Dec. 23, 2024. Fares start at $1,570 per person, based on double occupancy.

Included with the cost of the cruise are all of your meals and most drinks, free Wi-Fi, all onboard activities and port fees. Headsets are also included for excursions if you choose to go with the group for tours rather than venturing off on your own.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Best for families: Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Christmas Markets Cruise

Families looking to explore Christmas markets through Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands will enjoy Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets sailing. The eight-day cruise allows kids as young as 5 to join, though Disney's suggested age is 8 or older.

What really makes Adventures by Disney stand out is the Adventure Guides, Disney-trained leaders who are experts in each destination. Each Adventure Guide travels with the group throughout the cruise so your family really gets to know them, and they get to know you. This allows them to make personalized recommendations about activities and meals. As you walk through each town they share the history, culture and legends of the destination.

The weeklong trip starts in Basel, Switzerland. The next two days make Strasbourg, France the home port from which you can choose to visit Europa Park in Rust, Germany, or head to Colmar, France, which is famous for its Christmas Markets and Cheese Museum. You'll have most of the second day to enjoy Strasbourg.

Day four brings the group to Mannheim, Germany, where you can enjoy a funicular ride to Heidelberg Castle or tour the town of Baden-Baden where the Christmas market is not to be missed.

In Rüdesheim, you can choose to take part in a coffee and hot chocolate tasting, marvel at one of the largest mechanical music box collections in the world, enjoy a wine tasting or explore the city on your own. The evening is spent sailing through the Rhine Gorge as you pass 30 castles along the shore.

The last day in Germany is spent in Cologne, where you can visit the beautiful Christmas markets that dot the city landscape, as well as lace up some skates to glide around an open-air ice rink. The cruise ends in Amsterdam, where you can choose to visit the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House Museum or the Van Gogh Museum, along with taking a scenic canal cruise through the city.

Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets cruise departs Dec. 19, 2024. Fares start at $6,599 per adult and $5,899 per child under 11, based on double occupancy.

Fares for the once-a-year cruise include most meals, drinks at lunch and dinner (plus a nightly cocktail hour where a range of mixed drinks are complimentary), excursions in each port of call, porter service, transportation in port, Wi-Fi, gratuities for onboard staff and Adventure Guides, and onboard entertainment.

Related: Are river cruises right for kids?

Best for couples: Viking's Danube Christmas Delights

Couples looking to get away for the holidays should consider Viking 's Danube Christmas Delights river cruise. The seven-night cruise takes passengers to four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. The trip combines opportunities to explore the ports of call with lectures and cultural performances onboard the ship.

In Budapest, you'll spend two days exploring the city at places like Castle Hill and the Grand Market Hall before shopping and dining at the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen's Basilica. Then in Bratislava, Slovakia, the group will attend an organ concert and shopping at the Old Town Christmas market.

In Vienna, Austria, the whole city comes alive with lights and a festive spirit. One thing not to miss here is the extra-charge excursion to a local winery, where you will celebrate the year's harvest and vintage.

Another highlight of the cruise is Krems, where the group will visit Göttweig Abbey and get exclusive access to the chapel in the inner courtyard to see the nativity scene. (The chapel is usually closed to visitors.) Finally, in Passau, you can watch an Advent wreath demonstration or take a flight to see the landmark Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

Viking offers Danube Christmas Delights river cruises from late November through mid-December in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $2,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include shore excursions in every port; free Wi-Fi; all meals; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; port taxes and fees; and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In select ports, passengers can sign up for optional excursions that are an added cost. These could be worth the upcharge, depending on the type of experience you want to have.

Best for old-world charm: Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets

Travelers looking to explore all of the Old World historic charm of Belgium will want to book Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets cruise. The seven-night cruise visits Belgium and the Netherlands, with port days in iconic cities like Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.

The cruise is a closed loop, starting and ending in Brussels. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship. Then on day two in the city, enjoy all the chocolate you can with a tour and chocolate tasting, plus a visit to the Christmas market. On day three, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture and a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food.

The cruise continues into the Netherlands at Maastricht, where you can explore the city and its Christmas market, or head to Aachen, Germany, for festive fun. Alternatively, you can visit Valkenburg's underground Christmas market, located inside a cave. The last stop of the cruise is Antwerp, Belgium, where you can enjoy a concert, a beer tasting and time to enjoy the city at your leisure.

Uniworld offers its Belgian Holiday Markets cruise on four departure dates from late November through mid-December 2024 (and three December dates in 2025). Fares start from $3,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

The cruise fare includes premium spirits and wine, access to bikes and walking sticks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, enrichment lectures, and shore excursions in each port. Onboard gratuities and group transfers to and from the airport are also included.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Best for solo travelers: Tauck's Yuletide Spirit

Solo travelers looking to enjoy a river cruise without the hassle of a single supplement should check out Tauck's Christmas market itineraries. On all European river cruises, including the seven-night Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise, the line waives the single supplement on Category 1 riverview cabins.

If your cruise starts in Amsterdam, you don't have to be on the ship until 4 p.m. so use the morning to walk around town or get tickets to tour the Anne Frank House. On your second day in Amsterdam, visit the Rijksmuseum and take an evening canal cruise with the group. Foodies will love it when the cruise heads to Gouda to explore the history of the city plus get a tasting of stroopwafels, which are cookie sandwiches invented in the city.

The midpoint of the cruise will bring you to the decision to visit either Ghent, which is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, or Bruges, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful canals. The cruise also visits Antwerp, where you can explore the various Christmas markets that are spread throughout the city. Your trip ends in Brussels, with a whole day to explore the cute squares and charming markets and try local fare.

Tauck offers four December departures of its Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise in 2024 and 2025, meaning the last cruise sets sail after Christmas. Fares start at $3,690 for solo travelers in a Category 1 room, but book soon as the single rooms are already selling out.

Solo travelers should know that these cabins don't have a balcony and are the smallest on the riverboat at 150 square feet, but you likely won't be spending much time in your room on this sailing. The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits, and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers.

Best for an extended cruise: Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine

Travelers looking for a longer cruise that sails deep into the southern part of Europe will want to consider the Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine river cruise, which includes one night in Lucerne and three nights in Lake Como. There are also Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine itineraries that don't include the land-based post-cruise days if you want a shorter trip.

For the longer 12-night cruise and land-based trip, guests will embark the cruise ship in Amsterdam, where they can enjoy a day of free exploration before boarding the riverboat, followed by an Amsterdam canal cruise on day two. The cruise then departs for Germany, where you will be able to explore the Christmas markets in Cologne and Rüdensheim on days three and four. Day five is when travelers can enjoy Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum or travel further on a bus to Heidelberg to explore Heidelberg Castle.

Day six brings the cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you can tour the La Petite France District and wander through the warm glow of the Christmas market. The cruise then heads back to Germany to visit the Black Forest, where you can learn about local traditions and German winemaking.

The final stop on the cruise is Basel, Switzerland, where you will disembark the ship to take a motor coach tour that starts in Mount Pilates, where you will ride 7,000 feet up the mountain in a gondola for incredible views. Your journey continues with a land-based post-cruise bus tour to Italy's Lake Como on days nine through 12. You can take a boat ride around the lake, explore the city on your own and marvel at the Duomo.

Avalon Waterways offer its Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine cruise on Dec. 8, 2024. Prices start at $4,822 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include meals, drinks during meals and happy hour, Wi-Fi, a library, excursions, bike rentals and a fitness center. Gratuity is not included for hotel stays and meals during the land portion of your trip.

Best for unique destinations: AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe

While many river cruises traverse the waters around France, Germany and Austria, AmaWaterways ' Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary takes guests to Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. The seven-night cruise sails between Budapest and Giurgiu along the Danube River.

If your sailing starts in Budapest, you'll need to arrive a day early if you plan to explore the city; the cruise does not offer excursions here. Your first stop will be Mohacs, where you can enjoy the nearby Christmas Markets in Pecs or venture to Szekszárd for a wine tasting. Day three is split between Vukovar and Novi Sad, where you can explore the historic towns and enjoy the holiday cheer with live music, artisan crafts and delightful bites of food.

The cruise continues to Belgrade, where you can wander around the city on your own, take a hike to Belgrade Fortress or put on a helmet and take a bike ride around town. Day five is exciting for nature enthusiasts as you sail through The Iron Gates, which is a series of gorges that mark the border between Serbia and Romania.

The cruise ends in Rousse, where you can venture further into Romania to Bucharest, which is known as the "Little Paris of the East" for a city tour and Christmas Market.

AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe departs on multiple dates between late November and late December in 2024 (2025 dates run mid-November to mid-December). Fares start at $2,880 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include Wi-Fi, wellness activities, daily entertainment and cultural performances, all meals, drinks at lunch and dinner plus a daily cocktail hour, excursions in each destination and access to knowledgeable guides.

Bottom line

If you've ever considered a Christmas market river cruise, 2024 is the year to finally cross the experience off your bucket list. Many of the best river cruise brands and tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe, whether you're looking for a family-friendly option, solo travel sans single supplement or a cruise with unique destinations.

It's most important to choose a cruise based on which destinations you wish to visit and which travel dates and itinerary lengths work with your schedule. But don't forget to consider the cruise line.

The inclusions on most of the river cruises are similar but can vary in scope, such as which drinks are included or cost extra, and how many complimentary shore excursions you can choose from. You'll also want to think about the overall vibe of your trip and what your expectations are, whether you're looking for a luxury trip with more upscale ships and higher service levels or a more affordable option that emphasizes exploring and finding your own adventures.

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