A seven-day cruise that takes in some of Europe’s heaviest-hitting Christmas market cities is currently on offer for £384.

Iglu Cruises has just slashed the price of the week-long voyage from Southampton aboard the MSC Poesia, which sets off on November 28.

The no-fly cruise offer includes a huge amount, including all meals onboard, including a midnight buffet for those needing a pick-me-up snack after a hard day scouring the market stalls for some festive bargains.

The ship, which can hold around 3,000 passengers, has five restaurants, 16 bars and lounges, sports facilities including tennis, basketball, and mini-golf, two swimming pools, a gym, sauna, and whirlpools, and the award-winning MSC Aurea Spa.

As if that weren’t enough, MSC Poesia has a library, casino, and games room onboard, as well as evening entertainment in the form of Broadway-style shows. While all of that may tempt you to spend the week onboard, the cruise is perfect for those looking to explore some new places. Happily, the ship will dock at four cities known for their Christmas markets.

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Hamburg

Hamburg has long been famous for its food markets—the fish markets have been exported around the world—but the second-largest city in Germany also does a good job in Christmas Markets. Hamburg’s best-known and biggest market is Hamburg’s main Weihnachtsmarkt, which is held in front of the Town Hall and has a large Christmas tree marking the location. Other, slightly less usual markets are dotted around the city, including the ‘Santa Pauli’ festival on the Reeperbahn. This very German affair claims to be the world’s first erotic Christmas market.

Rotterdam

The Winter Fair is held at the Ahoy Convention Centre, where you can buy goods and culinary treats, including Rotterdam staple ‘kapsalon’ – a layer of thin chips topped with gyro meat and covered in cheese.

Bruges

Inarguably one of the most picturesque cities in Europe, Bruges really comes to life when its medieval architecture is lit up against the dark winter night’s sky. The market is a kaleidoscope of color and sound, with stalls offering a curated selection of holiday goods, from handcrafted ornaments and decorations to gourmet chocolates and festive clothing. Traditional Belgian food in the form of waffles and chips, as well as lashings of beers, are bound to be highlights.

Le Havre

A less well-known festive stop, but a good one. At the foot of the Castle, on the Esplanade St Vincent, Intra Muros can be found. It features a variety of chalets selling food and drink, such as delicious cheeses, crêpes, and mulled wine, as well as arts and crafts and lots of gifts. There’s also an ice rink in the town and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Iglu has two other Christmas market-friendly cruises on offer right now. They are:

Christmas Markets from Tilbury £572

Iglu Cruise offers ‘Christmas Markets from Tilbury’ from £572 per person (was £619), for 6 nights, full board, departing December 14th, 2025. Visits Hamburg, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge (for Bruges). Based on two sharing an outside cabin on board Ambassador’s Ambience. Solo cabins only £552 (was £679).

Christmas Markets Hamburg, Rotterdam & Bruges from Southampton £621

Iglu Cruise offers ‘Christmas Markets Hamburg, Rotterdam & Bruges from Southampton’ from £621 per person (was £649), for 7 nights, full board, departing December 14th, 2025. Visits Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Rotterdam and Hamburg. Based on two sharing an inside cabin on board Cunard’s Queen Anne.