The Channel 5 TV series ‘Christmas Cruising with Susan Calman,’ is set to return, as the presenter visits German Christmas markets aboard the Vega, a modern Travelmarvel river ship.
This special episode will broadcast on Channel 5 at 8pm on Friday, 21 November 2025 and will then be accessible on demand at channel5.com. Susan explores a number of quaint Christmas markets, savours scrumptious Bavarian delicacies, and visits the charming towns and cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Miltenburg, and Cologne.
Susan affectionately refers to the Vega as a “warm cocoon of Christmas loveliness” as she navigates the custom-designed ship, launched under APT’s four-star Travelmarvel brand in 2021. Vega, one of three sister ships, boasts 91 cabins and inviting public areas such as the True North Lounge, Alfresco Lounge, and the Sky Deck Terrace & Bar. Susan and other guests enjoyed time at McGeary’s Bar, the vessel’s distinctive Irish Pub, engaging in a festive Gingerbread House making competition. For relaxation and fitness, a whirlpool, walking track, and gym are available to all guests on the Sun Deck.
There are several opportunities for viewers to experience this for themselves, as APT is offering a selection of Christmas markets cruises in 2026. Among them is the eight-day Rhine and Moselle Christmas Markets, departing 1 December 2026. Featured experiences include taking a journey on the Winzerexpress Mini Train to explore the enchanting Christmas market in Rüdesheim, and delving into the world of Moselle wines at a traditional family winery close to Cochem.
Travelmarvel’s eight-day Reflections of the Rhine & Main cruise follows in Susan Calman’s footsteps. Notable activities include a culinary walking tour in Miltenberg where guests can taste local specialties from a butcher and baker, followed by a distillery tasting; a tour of the UNESCO-listed Augustusburg Castle; and exploration of the medieval towns of Bamberg and Wurzburg.
For more information on Susan Calman’s Christmas markets cruises, give our Cruise Experts a call on 01246 819 819.
3 thoughts on “Susan Calman Explores German Christmas Markets for New TV Special”
I’ve just found out that this programme was pulled from the schedule following the incident at a Christmas Market in Magdeburg last week.
Thank you for the update – hopefully the Christmas markets episode will air soon, it certainly sounds like a great cruise!
Sadly just before the Susan Calman programme was aired an announcer stated that the programme was not the (German Christmas Markets) one advertised in some television listings and as in your article. We were really looking forward to seeing her cruise in Germany but a programme where she went to Finland was shown. Does anyone know when the German Christmas Markets programme will be aired?