Just over a month after announcing it would charter Transcend Evolve when it launches in 2027, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has debuted the holiday sailings for the modern river vessel. Sailing alongside sister ship Connect—which Lindblad previously said it would begin chartering for 2026 through 2028—Evolve will operate a collection of Christmas Market itineraries that broaden the co-brand’s footprint on Europe’s rivers.

According to Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, “Evolve gives us the ability to meet rising demand for our European river expeditions while staying true to our way of traveling.”

Evolve will offer two sailings: “Christmas Markets on the Danube” (eight days; departing December 2, 9 and 16) and “Christmas and New Year’s on the Danube: A Holiday Voyage” (11 days; departing December 23).

On the former, travelers will celebrate the festive season along the Danube, exploring the Christmas markets of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and beyond. Guests will enjoy private access to top sites—from a private orchestral performance in Bratislava to an after-hours tour of Melk Abbey and a private visit to the medieval Clam Castle—plus Salzburg’s musical heritage and the “storybook beauty” of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On board, specially curated seasonal menus reflect the culinary traditions of each region, while a guided visit to Domäne Wachau—where hundreds of small vineyards unite to produce Austria’s most distinctive wines—allows opportunities for tasting wines both familiar and new.

The 11-day sailing, alternatively, allows guests to celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s on the river. Guests will experience an organ concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau, an after-hours tour of Melk Abbey and a visit to historic Clam Castle—all while savoring the locally crafted wine of the Wachau Valley and immersing in the culinary traditions of each destination with festive traditional meals on board and ashore.