Cruise Collective’s first ever hosted cruise is here, and pleasingly, it involves Christmas markets, the Danube, proper river cruising and a reason to pack something slightly more creative than just your camera.

We’ve teamed up with Travelmarvel and Julie Peasgood to create Christmas Cruising with Julie & Cruise Collective: an exclusive festive river cruise for Cruise Collective members, built around Travelmarvel’s Christmas Markets on the Danube itinerary.

The idea is simple. You sail for seven nights along the Danube between Nuremberg and Budapest, visiting some of Europe’s great Christmas market cities along the way, while Julie and her Supercraft Cruises team host hands-on craft workshops on board.

So yes, you get the markets, the lights, the mulled wine and the old towns looking as though they’ve been briefed by a Christmas film director. But you also get something extra: a sociable, creative programme designed especially for this Cruise Collective sailing.

Plus you get the peace of mind that you won't be wrestling with train platforms while carrying fragile decorations and the last remaining shred of your festive patience...

Cruise Collective’s first hosted Christmas cruise

This is our first purpose-built Cruise Collective cruise, which means it has been shaped around the things our members actually care about: interesting travel, a strong theme, good company and experiences that add something to the trip rather than simply filling time.

The sailing is exclusive to Cruise Collective and brings together three parts.

First, the route: Travelmarvel’s Christmas Markets on the Danube, an eight-day, seven-night river cruise between Nuremberg and Budapest.

Second, the host: Julie Peasgood, founder of Supercraft Cruises and one of the most experienced craft-cruise hosts working today.

Third, the Cruise Collective element: a festive, creative sailing designed for travellers who want more than a standard Christmas market break.

The featured cruise departs on 8th December, with prices from £1,995 per person*, subject to availability and terms.

To book, call Travelmarvel on 0800 046 3002 and quote Cruise Collective Christmas Cruise.

Where the cruise goes

The journey follows the Danube through Germany, Austria and Hungary, with festive stops and guided sightseeing along the way.

The itinerary begins in Nuremberg, one of Europe’s classic Christmas market cities, before continuing to Regensburg, Passau and Linz, Melk and Dürnstein, Vienna and Budapest.

Nuremberg brings the big Christmas-market credentials. Regensburg adds medieval streets and Bavarian atmosphere. Passau and Linz give the journey more riverside charm. Melk and Dürnstein bring Danube scenery, abbeys and Wachau Valley mood. Vienna does what Vienna does best, namely look grand, cultured and better dressed than everyone else. Budapest provides the finale, with the riverfront, markets and enough city drama to fill an entire trip on its own.

What Julie Peasgood is doing on board

Julie Peasgood will be on board with her Supercraft Cruises team to host exclusive festive craft workshops for Cruise Collective guests.

Julie is an actress, presenter, producer, author, travel writer and founder of Supercraft Cruises. Many people know her from Brookside, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, while cruise guests may know her as a presenter, speaker and long-time cruise writer. Here, though, the important bit is Supercraft Cruises.

Julie and her team specialise in craft workshops at sea, designed for all abilities. The workshops are intended to be friendly, practical and enjoyable whether you are already a confident maker or someone whose previous creative peak was wrapping a present without visible panic.

Projects vary, but Supercraft Cruises has previously offered workshops including mosaics, lino printing, needle felting, bookbinding, jewellery, decoupage, card making, tote bag printing and other hands-on crafts.

On this Christmas sailing, the workshops will be festive and inspired by the destinations and traditions of the route. You go ashore, explore the markets, come back on board and make something connected to the season. 

How to book Christmas Cruising with Julie & Cruise Collective

To book, call Travelmarvel’s experts on 0800 046 3002 and quote Cruise Collective Christmas Cruise.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Places are subject to availability, and this is a limited Cruise Collective sailing. If you want a festive river cruise that is easy, sociable, creative and genuinely different, this is the one to look at.

*pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change and not to be used in conjunction with 10% member saving