Last Updated on December 23, 2022
River cruising, Europe, and Christmas markets come together for a great trip…
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
By Donna Manz
I love Christmas market cruises. In fact, after my life’s greatest passion, my grandchildren, they share a three-way tie for second-place: river cruising, Europe, and Christmas markets.
How better to embrace those three foci than to sail on one of Europe’s storied rivers to medieval towns? Many celebrate the Christmas season with market festivals featuring native crafts, local food, beer and glühwein. There are also activities ranging from live music performances to amusement rides?
For the past six years, I have experienced Christmas markets both by land as well as by sailing along Europe’s great waterways. Two years, in fits of unbridled enthusiasm, I did both.
Once I went to London for three days at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. I then returned home for three days, and then was off again on a Christmas river cruise. Another year, I sailed along the Main-Danube canal and spent three days hitting up Vienna’s multiple markets.
If you want to enjoy a Christmas market river cruise, however, you need to book early in the year.
Why You Need to Book Christmas Market Cruises Early
It is important to book as early as possible since the dates and itineraries for Christmas market cruises are dictated by the Advent season. And they are limited to those destinations that have large marketplaces. That means that sailings are limited, as is cabin availability.
I have two late-November sailings along the Rhine booked for this fall, both arranged so I am home for Thanksgiving. A wine-themed cruise is the first. The second sails along the Rhine to Christmas markets in quaint medieval towns with beautiful Christmas-market squares. I booked both of these Christmas market cruises early in the year to ensure I my cabin category.
Although I booked far ahead, for most people June is the very best time to make holiday-season reservations. But be aware that deals can expire in just a few days.
For example, I saw one cruise line once offer one of the most generous promotional offers in the river cruise industry. Book and deposit $400 per passenger by June 30 and you’d receive up to 40% off brochure prices.
Another option was to instead take advantage of a waiver of the single supplement if you’re a solo traveler. Christmas cruise deals, change every year and may not be as lucrative.
Why Sail on Christmas River Cruises to European Markets
It is such a surreal feeling to wake up on a small ship gliding down a winding river and look out at a gently-falling snow blanketing the woods. Then you round a bend and fairytale houses or castles appear.
What I delight in most, however, is docking in the heart of medieval towns and walking from the ship to the “old town.” There is an ease and a convenience of not being tethered to buses to get you to your destination. I always feel as if I am “on my own,” choosing whether I will walk along with the tour or wander by myself.
During the Christmas market cruises season, ships sailing to destinations are festively decked-out. Sometimes, a decorated tree sits in the reception area or lounge. Occasionally, a gingerbread house, surrounded by seasonal sweets, is laid out at the main door.
There might be a Christmas party with musicians onboard or a party with a passenger sing-along. On more than one occasion, Santa has surprised cruisers. Also, I don’t recall any Christmas river cruises in which a little “gift” from Santa or his elves had not been left in the cabin.
My Favorite Christmas Markets
Holiday market cruise itineraries are qualified, so-to-speak, to favor cities with a centuries’-old market tradition. If it is identified as a holiday-market sailing, you are assured of magical excursions. I have my personal preferences but they are not typically the most famous Christmas markets, either.
During the Christmas market cruises season you’ll find about seven popular markets in Vienna, including one at Prater Amusement Park and another at Schönbrunn Palace. My favorite Vienna market, though, is the main market at Vienna’s Rathaus, the town Hall. I don’t think I’ve ever walked more than about 40 feet before buying another glühwein, since the stands are that plentiful. I’ve collected more than 50 logo glühwein mugs over the years .
Markets in Nuremberg, Bamberg and Regensburg
Many of the season’s traditions started in Germany. Nuremberg’s Christmas market, anchored by a massive tannenbaum and a Gothic cathedral, is probably the most renown in Germany. I find the Nuremberg market to be more expensive compared to others in Germany; even the internationally known Nuremberg lebkuchen is more expensive in Nuremberg than in other towns.
On Christmas river cruises I love the markets in Bamberg and Regensburg where their “platz” are hugged by narrow, picturesque alleyways. While Bamberg is known for its smoked beer (yes, you read that correctly), Regensburg is known for a German food-favorite, sausages. In fact, the oldest sausage kitchen in Germany sits near the river-cruise ship dock. To me, however, it’s more fun to buy sausages from one of the many restaurants around town that feature sausage platters and beer made on-site.
There’s a river cruise itinerary for every taste and interest and a Christmas river cruise for anyone who loves the holiday season, particularly the occasional snowfall. There is no vacation I look forward to more than I do the holiday sailings in Europe.
I embark with goose bumps and a sense of anticipation. Each time I pass the complimentary lebkuchen selection onboard, I take a few for my cabin. And, while others fall asleep with visions of sugarplums in their heads, I fall asleep with visions of awakening to a white winter wonderland.
If you go:
AMA Waterways
http://www.amawaterways.com/christmas-markets
Uniworld
https://www.uniworld.com/en/themed-cruises/holiday-collection/
Avalon Waterways
http://www.avalonwaterways.com/Special-Offers/select-departures/
Donna is correct–Christmas market river cruises are wonderful ways to experience Europe in all its Christmas finery. I wanted to let your readers know that we at Grand Circle Cruise Line (www.gct.com) also offer a range of Christmas river cruises, including “Christmas Markets Along the Danube”–8 days from $995. Please feel free to check us out, and whomever you travel with, enjoy the season!
A travel agent will match up a river cruise compatible to YOU, whether it’s AMA, Uniworld or Avalon. Grand Circle markets directly to “mature” passengers and if you contact Grand Circle directly, rather than a river cruise specialist, you will not be matched up with the most compatible (common interests, themes, budget or age demographic) that an impartial specialist would find for you.
Every year I have guests request Christmas Market river cruises in the fall, when they’re all sold out. As Donna states, these are wonderful cruises to celebrate the holidays. Don’t wait until it’s too late to book your holiday river cruise!
You can go to Grand Circle and just deal with someone who really does not care if you go or not. They may be knowledgeable of their own product, but cannot give you what a True Travel Professional can give you. CHOICES !! As Donna has said, travel agents can match up anything Grand Circle can offer with what is actually compatible to to you as a traveler.
We love the Christmas Markets in Europe! I have already blocked space on AMA’s new AmaSerena for 2015 and will be escorting a group on the Rhine. This will be my 3rd group cruise at this season. It is such a festive time of year and we love the special events that take place at this time.
We always plan special events for our groups and then there is the unexpected pleasures that occur just by being there! Impromptu parades and celebrations make for wonderful memories!
My husband and I are on the AmaReina this year for the NYE sailing with a smaller group. Can’t wait!
Love the markets and love sailing with AMA!
I just had clients get off of a Viking River cruise . Once again, when I phone the client to welcome them home I get glowing reviews of a top shelf product. It is nice to be able to put my clients into hands that hold them as much as I can. Thank you Viking. And thanks for this wonderful article on river cruising.
Wonderful overview, and I agree with every word. Should be noted that a travel agent can provide invaluable advice and assistance should cruisers want to extend their trip with a land package before or after.
@priscilla, it is inappropriate for you to leave your business call to action in this venue. If you are a professional you will remove your post.
Normally “promotional” comments are not allowed. But since the article discussed pricing of companies in the river-cruise industry, and this comment came from a company in the same industry, it was allowed as a service to readers.
For example, if we published an article about frequent flyer benefits and discussed airlines A, B and C, we would welcome comments left by airlines X, Y and Z that would add to the discussion and provide insights to our readers. We would also allow comments on the subject, both positive and negative, left by consumers. We wouldn’t, however, allow a comment from another company not specifically related to the discussion and which might profit from the comment.
Jim – Donna did NOT discuss actual pricing, but rather talked about promotional discounts of vendors that DO work with travel agents that SHE works with. Since Grand Circle does NOT work with travel agents, and talked about their own starting prices, they do NOT have any business in this thread.
I am appalled that any company would use this article to make a balled-faced sales pitch. And equally appalled that there is direct name-calling retorts. I’m sorry, Donna, that your great writing was hijacked and that the topic of Christmas River Cruising was overshadowed by the comments.
Great time to be in Europe and particularly on a river cruise visiting the absolutely charming Christmas Markets. I’ve sailed on the Danube at this time of the year and its delightful to visit the smaller towns and villages along the way during the day and you have the warmth of your river vessel just steps away with a cozy and luxurious stateroom and a great bar and new friends to enjoy in the evening. At some stops you can even enjoy dinner in the evening in town. I have also enjoyed smaller charter sailings on river boats with friends and family in the summer that are a blast! The best values for this season are out there now and a trusted and professional travel advisor is a great resource to point you in the proper direction.
Christmas in Europe! Sounds spectacular, beautiful and a great way to get some unique Christmas gifts. While I’ve not personally traveled to a Christmas market, it is definitely on my bucket list. The Romantic Rhine took my breath away frequently this past November while cruising past all the castles and hillside vineyards. The little towns in The Netherlands and Belgium were my introduction to European river cruising in 2009. Gather your friends and family together for a Christmas market cruise and let a European river cruise specialist guide you through the planning and booking process. We’re good at it!!
Donna – excellent article. Makes me want to go right now. Being German and loving the Christmas season, I’ve always wanted to do this type of river cruise. I’ve got a group going next May, but maybe I can still get something together for Christmas time next year too.
Helga, I’m with you!!! I am SO addicted to river cruising …. I never miss an opportunity to take one, so, please, let me know WHEN you are planning yours. Best wishes, Donna ….
Donna – I will let you know. It would be fun to do both our groups on the same riverboat.
Helga, that’s what I love about “groups” … it’s like a neighborhood party …. tell me when and I’m there 🙂