There’s no more magical way to enjoy the holiday season than with a visit to a Christmas market. And on an all-inclusive, luxury river cruise, you can wander the stalls of many such markets in one trip, encountering the delights of each city’s unique rendition along the way. The holiday season in Belgium is something truly special. Not only will each city have its own quintessential Christmas setup, with rows of stalls offering handcrafted gifts and delicious wintertime treats, but they’ll also surround these markets with enchanting festivals, ice skating rinks, elaborate light displays, Ferris wheels and more characterize the holiday season in towns across Belgium.

Bordered by the bigger tourism magnets France, Germany and the Netherlands, Belgium is a small country bursting with cultural impact and well worthy of being the highlight of any European trip—whether it’s your first time on the continent or your tenth. Chocolates, french fries, specialty spirits and beers are amongst the many things this stretch of the Earth is known for doing well, and you’ll get to experience it all during Belgium’s most festive time of the year.

Visit Christmas towns unlike any other in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands—such as Brussels, Bruges and Aachen, where the markets are often named amongst the best in Europe. Discover why as you sip vin chaud and the world’s most delicious cups of hot chocolate between bites of warm liege waffles and spiced gingerbread.

Who will enjoy this cruise: This trip is perfect for those who have been to the classic markets of Germany and are looking for something new, for anyone looking to explore a different side of Belgium than most tourists see or for those excited to lean into a holiday extravaganza for their next winter season.

With the introduction of the River Empress in 2002, Uniworld raised the standard of river cruising in Europe. No other cruise company in Europe offers the luxuries and amenities you’ll find on this ship.

You are welcomed aboard through a striking two-story lobby. The Europa (Main) Lounge, with its panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, is a floating showcase for the ever-changing scenery. The beautiful Panorama restaurant offers elegant dining in one luxurious seating.

With only 138 fellow passengers, the River Empress offers an intimate, friendly environment that large ocean-going ships cannot match.

Sail aboard the dazzling River Empress. This is the ship of your dreams, part of the most luxurious and modern fleet in Europe.

Award-winning luxury river cruises in Europe, Russia, Egypt, and China for the discerning traveller.

“Uniworld’s “Six-Star Experience” represents a core value in delivering the highest standards of EXCELLENCE in the six most important aspects of luxury river cruising: Expertise, Service, Unique, Culinary, Choice & Truly All-Inclusive Europe River Cruising.

For nearly four decades, Uniworld has taken guests to the world’s greatest destinations—Europe, Egypt, and China. Since 2006, when Uniworld was acquired by Travel Corporation, parent company of many popular travel companies such as Trafalgar, Insight, Brendan, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels—the award-winning five-star luxury hotel collection—Uniworld has made major investments in its ships and its people. The ultimate goal of these investments—a first-class European river cruise boutique hotel-style experience. The winning combination of Uniworld’s sister companies’ expertise in tour planning and in first-class hotel management coupled with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created a new dimension in river cruising.

Boutique hotel designers often invest a lot of thought, time, and resources into an interior decor reflective of a destination, as well as the amenities that assure an elegant, relaxed, and intimate experience. This is apparent on each of Uniworld’s nine company-owned ships. Over the course of the last couple of years, Uniworld’s ships have been completely refurbished to the highest standard of comfort, so guests travel from one exciting destination to the next with access to stylish lounges, cozy libraries, panoramic restaurants offering sumptuous cuisine and inviting riverview staterooms.

Complimentary airport transfers on arrival and departure days.

All tips and gratuities included (excluding optional extensions.)

Free onboard Internet and Wi-Fi Access.


In 2014 – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduces All-Inclusive European River Cruises

All gratuities for all onboard and onshore services; unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages; shore excursions with local experts as your guide; free Internet and Wi-Fi; and all arrival and departure day transfers.

Note: Unlimited beverages do not include premium wine and premium spirits.