S.S. Elisabeth, 7 Night Belgian Holiday Markets ex Brussels (Brugge), Belgium Return

The holiday season in Belgium is something truly special. Each city throws an enchanting winter festival, which could include anything from market stalls and elaborate light displays to Ferris wheels and ice skating rinks. 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. You’ll get to experience it all during Belgium’s most festive time of the year, when you can 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.

Please note that some of the winter festivals we visit may not be open during the sailing departing on the 2nd of December.

Day 1 - Brussels (Embark)
Arrive at Brussels Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 - Ghent
Visit one of two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, or fascinating Ghent, the capital city of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present. Belgium’s second-largest city, Ghent abounds in medieval architecture, which makes for a particularly magical canvas for the town’s Christmastime decorations.
* A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 3 - Antwerp
You’ll find a penchant for all things high quality in the country’s biggest port city. Diamonds, art, fashion, and more compete for attention here, so you’re sure to find just the thing to make your time in Antwerp memorable.

Day 4 - Hasselt
Today, you’ll explore the trendy-yet-quaint town of Hasselt. A blend of city interest—with plenty of cafés and shopping—and an easygoing, small-town atmosphere, the mostly car-free Hasselt is a charming place to explore on foot.

Day 5 - Maastricht
Venture into the Netherlands to visit Maastricht, known as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities of Holland and loved for its convivial lifestyle and historic center, which has long played a strategic role in European politics. Not only will you explore this city’s Christmas market, but you will also have the opportunity to head into Germany to visit the famous Aachen Christmas Market.

Day 6 - Antwerp
Discover an eclectic mix of historic and modern in Belgium’s “Second City,” Antwerp, a town where well-preserved medieval buildings are interspersed with artful modern architecture. After your included explorations today, you may find your final Christmas market for this journey centered in Antwerp’s Old Town, lighting up nostalgic facades and the local castle to create the perfect backdrop for this festive event. Please note that Antwerp’s Christmas Market will not be open during the December 2 sailing of this itinerary.
* A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 7 - Brussels
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, offers a treasure trove of historic architecture, along with a rich culinary tradition—chocolate!—and a vibrant culinary capital. Food lovers will be lured by the divine aromas drifting from the many holiday market stalls, while others will be attracted to the city’s enchanting architecture and elaborate Christmas displays.

Day 8 - Brussels (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Brussels Airport for your flight home.

Joining our fleet in 2025, the S.S. Elisabeth, sister ship to the S.S. Victoria, exudes contemporary style with luxe velvet and marble accents, while original artwork adds a touch of Uniworld’s signature boutique style. The S.S. Elisabeth has the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, boasting two Royal Suites that offer an incredible 506 square feet each. Guests can even reserve the adjoining standard Suite next door to create a 759 square foot suite with two bedrooms connected by a separate living room. All the Suites and Signature French Balconies offer abundant space—much higher than standard—with ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens.


The rest of the ship is equally stunning, featuring a relaxing pool, gym, and massage room. Guests can dine at their choice of three venues: a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, and even a sundeck bar.

Leading the Way since 1976
We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

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We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

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Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small®
“No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family
We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.