Crusing down certainly one of Europe’s gorgeous rivers is a dream journey irrespective of the time of yr, however at Christmastime it is much more particular. Ships take vacationers from port to port to expertise the unimaginable Christmas markets the place stalls are adorned with glittering lights, the smells of sausages and baked items fill the air and the sounds of carols may be heard.
Beginning in late November by Christmas yearly, the cities and cities alongside the Danube, Rhine, Seine and different rivers arrange markets that show every area’s vacation traditions. Most of the hottest river cruise strains with ships primarily based in Europe schedule festive cruises to take vacationers to buy and dine at these seasonal markets.
In the event you’re desirous about reserving a Christmas market river cruise however do not know the place to begin, we have got you lined. Right here, we have answered the preferred questions on Christmas market river cruises and shared our prime suggestions and tips to get probably the most out of the journey.
Is a Christmas market river cruise value it?
The number-one query folks requested me in individual and on-line after I did a Christmas market river cruise down the Danube with Viking in December 2023 was: Is the journey value it? I vote sure, however there are some issues it is best to know earlier than reserving a Christmas market cruise.
In the event you’ve had visiting the Christmas markets of Europe in your bucket listing, a river cruise is an effective way to discover a number of markets in a single journey. One of many greatest perks of a river cruise versus a land-based journey is that you simply unpack as soon as, and your lodging and eating choices float with you down the river from city to city.
Moreover, the cruise director on board acted extra like a private concierge for friends who had questions, giving options for issues to do, locations to eat and what every Christmas market was recognized for.
On my seven-night river cruise, I visited six ports and loved a half-day of scenic crusing by the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Our ports of name have been Budapest; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna; Krems, Austria; Linz, Austria; and Passau, Germany. Every port had at the least one Christmas market.
I used to be most impressed by Vienna, which had two markets. The Metropolis Corridor Christmas market is the bigger of the 2 and is extra photogenic, inspiring all of the viral TikTok movies and Instagram reels. However undoubtedly go to each Christmas markets within the metropolis. They’re a few 10-minute stroll from one another and have completely different meals to attempt to souvenirs to purchase.
Associated: One of the best Christmas market river cruises to e book
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Which rivers are one of the best for a Christmas market cruise?
Choosing a river in your cruise could be a problem, particularly if you happen to’re not acquainted with the locations on the itinerary. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine are the preferred at the moment of yr as a result of their ports of name are the place most of our Christmas traditions have been first created.
On the Danube, you may go to locations like Vienna, and Passau and Regensburg, Germany. Alternatively, on the Rhine, locations of curiosity embody Amsterdam; Cologne and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.
After you discover a number of river cruises that suit your journey dates, dig into every vacation spot and what it has to supply. Christmas markets are open from midmorning till between 8 and 10 p.m., however there’s not sufficient to do at every market to fill that complete time. I normally spent about an hour on the smaller markets in locations like Passau and Linz and about two to 3 hours on the bigger markets in Vienna and Budapest. In every port, you will wish to ensure there are extra actions and sights to fill the remainder of your time.
Associated: Finest river cruise strains world wide
Which river cruise line is greatest for a Christmas cruise?
Cruise strains that supply Christmas market cruises embody Viking, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Uniworld and Tauck.
Uniworld’s fares are among the many most inclusive and costly, with beginning costs starting from $3,599 to $6,749 for 8- to 13-day sailings all through the season. Tauck can also be pricier than its rivals, nevertheless it’s one of many few strains with a household cruise possibility.
Avalon Waterways provides a extra inexpensive technique to see the Christmas markets, with cruises beginning at $2,149 for six days of touring from Budapest to Vienna. However be warned, some cruises do promote out nearly a yr prematurely. CroisiEurope cruises are additionally extra inexpensive and provide closed-loop cruises the place you begin and finish in the identical vacation spot, which isn’t one thing that the majority different river cruise strains provide for Christmas market cruises.
In the event you’re searching for a extra lively cruise, contemplate AmaWaterways, the place bikes are all the time out there to make use of in port. On the Danube Christmas Markets itineraries, you may bike alongside the river and thru the Wachau Valley.
Viking is thought to be slower-paced than its rivals, with a relaxed vibe. Visitor will not have as many decisions of actions off or on the ship. The included excursions are principally strolling excursions.
Associated: AmaWaterways vs. Viking: Which of those well-liked river cruise strains is best for you?
How do I get a superb deal on a Christmas market cruise?
Due to the quick season for Christmas market river cruises, getting a deal can show difficult. One of the best ways to get a deal is to e book early.
It’s normal for folks to e book a Christmas market cruise a yr or extra prematurely. Some corporations will provide a reduced deposit for many who e book early, and others will provide financial financial savings for reserving properly prematurely. Search for wave season (January by March) or Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Journey Tuesday offers for river cruise reductions or different promotional provides.
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Do Christmas cruises promote out?
Sure, Christmas cruises can and do promote out. Most riverboats solely maintain 100 to 200 passengers. One of the best ways to make sure you get the kind of cabin and crusing date you need is to e book early.
The extra fascinating balcony and suite rooms typically promote out first, adopted by rooms with solely higher home windows. Cruises in the course of the season, that means the primary two to 3 weeks of December, are sometimes extra well-liked than the final week of November or the week of Christmas since some markets may not be open at these instances.
Associated: These are one of the best Christmas cruises you may e book
How chilly is Europe in winter?
The climate is, after all, decided by when and the place you are going. Center and Jap Europe is usually colder than Western Europe, which has a milder winter season. The later within the Christmas market season you journey, the extra possible you’re to get rain or snow since winter is setting in throughout the continent.
On my Viking river cruise from Budapest to Passau in Jap Europe, the winter climate various from days with chilly rain the place I wanted to bundle up with additional waterproof layers, to stunning sunny days the place I might strip off my winter jacket for a number of hours whereas touring the Christmas markets.
I used the climate app on my telephone to assist me decide what to pack. Even 10 days out from my journey, the app was pretty correct relating to anticipated temperatures, which ranged from the 20s to the excessive 40s, and what the day would appear like.
What ought to I put on on my river cruise?
Packing for a river cruise in the course of winter was probably the most difficult a part of the journey for me. Not solely did I’ve to purchase winter garments since I reside in Florida, however I wanted to verify I introduced sufficient layers to maintain me heat.
For days exploring the ports, I wore denims and waterproof boots with lengthy cozy socks, plus a thermal long-sleeved shirt beneath a sweater. I additionally introduced a midweight puffy winter jacket to put on off the ship. Equipment like a heat hat or ear heaters, gloves and a shawl have been additionally useful.
Relying on the river cruise line, onboard apparel can vary from informal to a bit of extra fancy. Through the day on Viking, many individuals wore denims or sweatpants and an off-the-cuff shirt. Evenings introduced out the extra elevated style; girls donned cute sweaters and clothes, whereas males wearing denims and nicer tops or sweaters.
In the event you can, I recommend bringing at the least two pairs of outside footwear in case your waterproof footwear cannot deal with the snow or a number of days of rain in a row. I introduced a pair of fleece-lined Crocs to put on off the ship in a number of ports the place the climate was hotter with no precipitation.
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When ought to I arrive on the embarkation port?
All the time attempt to arrive at the least a day early for any river cruise, particularly if you happen to’re flying abroad. For some river cruises, the embarkation port is simply that, a spot to get on the ship and go away. In the event you arrive the day your cruise begins, you could possibly miss out on exploring the town.
Even when your Christmas market river cruise contains an in a single day keep within the embarkation metropolis and excursions the subsequent day, it is nonetheless greatest to reach a day early. Journey days from the US to Europe may be unpredictable, with delays and missed connections, so it is best to give your self loads of time to get to the ship so you do not miss it.
Some river cruise strains provide precruise extensions you can bundle with the cruise reserving and will let you arrive early on the embarkation port. These extensions embody a resort keep, and a few embody a number of meals and a guided tour, plus transfers from the airport to the resort and from the resort to the ship.
Are the markets all the identical?
Each Christmas market has its personal vibe and choice of choices for guests. Do a little analysis earlier than you permit dwelling to see what the spotlight of every market is. I did plenty of my analysis on TikTok and Instagram.
In Budapest, the Christmas market within the sq. in entrance of St. Stephen’s Basilica was a superb mixture of crafts, decorations and engaging meals. Then again, the Christmas market in Bratislava was extra of a meals market with just some stalls for purchasing goodies to deliver dwelling with you.
My favourite Christmas market was the Metropolis Corridor market in Vienna, which is among the hottest in Europe. It had every little thing from ice skating and photo-worthy backdrops to prepackaged sweets and loads of Christmas decorations to attempt to match into my already full suitcase.
What are one of the best issues to purchase at European Christmas markets?
Fashionable issues to purchase at Christmas markets all through Europe embody nativity scenes, handmade toys, nutcrackers, candles and glass or wooden ornaments. If one thing catches your eye, purchase it; there isn’t any assure you will discover a related merchandise on the subsequent market.
For instance, in Vienna, I noticed a gold beaded decoration that I beloved, and I purchased it for about 10 euros (about $10.86). I by no means noticed some other beaded ornaments on the Christmas markets earlier than or after Vienna, so I used to be glad I bought it after I noticed it.
Do just be sure you’re shopping for native merchandise. On my Viking cruise, we have been informed that some markets have began promoting mass-produced items from China. If you wish to assist native artisans, ask the seller or search for stickers exhibiting the place the merchandise have been made.
What ought to I eat or drink at every market?
Consuming and consuming is a key part of the Christmas market expertise. Every market sells an abundance of meals, and the meals choices change from city to city.
Earlier than you cruise, make an inventory of regional meals you want to attempt in every market. As soon as on the market, go searching to see which meals stands are well-liked with locals. Observe their lead as a result of they possible know who has one of the best treats.
Listed here are my favourite candy and savory treats from every Christmas market I visited on my Viking cruise.
- Budapest: chimney cake rolled in crushed hazelnuts
- Bratislava: pork and garlic spiral sausage, potato pancakes just like latkes however the dimension of a dinner plate
- Vienna: Champagne cream-filled donut
- Linz: raclette cheese on toasted bread
- Passau: cheese, ham and onion sengzelten (a type of flatbread with toppings), conventional German bratwurst
Consuming at Christmas markets round Europe usually means getting a scorching glass of glühwein, mulled wine made with crimson wine, spices and fruit. The drink is generally served in cute mugs you can preserve as a enjoyable and low-cost memento. In the event you do not wish to preserve your mug, you may return it and get again a euro or two.
What else can I do in every market apart from store?
The issues to do apart from buying differ with every Christmas market.
Many of the bigger markets, like those in Bratislava and Budapest, provide reside music from a bandstand. In Budapest, the market close to St. Stephen’s Basilica had a projection present on the outside of the church.
Whereas touring one of many Linz markets, I stumbled upon a small carnival with rides and video games for teenagers to take pleasure in. Then, in Vienna, the Metropolis Corridor Christmas market had an ice-skating rink that was well-liked with households and {couples}.
Associated: Are European river cruises proper for households?
What instances do the markets open and shut?
Typically, the Christmas markets open midmorning, between 9 and 10 a.m., and shut between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Some markets open earlier, and a few shut later.
One of the best ways to know the instances of every market you are visiting is to do a fast web search near the time of your river cruise. Put the title of the town and the phrases “Christmas Market hours” into your most well-liked on-line search device to get the operational hours for every market.
Do you want money for the Christmas markets?
You need to all the time carry some money with you for the Christmas markets. Whereas many distributors will take bank cards or Apple Pay, others solely need money.
It is also a good suggestion to know the forex of every vacation spot you are going to. For instance, in Hungary, euros will not be accepted wherever, so I exchanged {dollars} for Hungarian forints to make use of on the Christmas market.
What can I do in every metropolis earlier than or after the Christmas market?
Your river cruise will provide an included tour day by day. On my Viking river cruise, every day’s included tour was a strolling tour of the town to level out historic landmarks and present folks learn how to get to the Christmas markets.
After a number of days, I discovered the strolling excursions considerably repetitive. All of them confirmed off the foremost church within the metropolis middle and described how the town navigated varied wars. The guides make or break the excursions, and also you by no means know who you will get. So I used the excursions to assist navigate to the town middle, then ventured off by myself with my journey companion. We used strolling instructions on Google Maps as a technique to get to locations we have been considering and to get again to the ship as soon as we have been able to heat up for some time.
River cruises embody plenty of perks, together with docking proper on the fringe of a lot of the cities you go to. Because of this in lots of locations, you may stroll from the ship to the center of city in mere minutes. Earlier than or after visiting the Christmas market, you may spend your time exploring the town, eating in an area restaurant, sipping scorching espresso in a restaurant or popping into outlets.
For bigger locations like Vienna, Paris or Amsterdam, you may wish to do additional analysis on what there’s to do within the metropolis without cost or at a reduction. Many museums provide free or discounted entry on choose days or to pick ages.
Backside line
In the event you’ve ever wished to discover European Christmas markets, a river cruise is a straightforward technique to do it. Most of the greatest river cruise manufacturers and guided group tour corporations provide Christmas markets river cruises all through Europe.
You will take advantage of your trip if you happen to perform a little research to find out what there’s to do in every metropolis earlier than or after your market go to, which native meals it is best to attempt to what to buy on the markets themselves.
Regardless of which river you traverse, cruise line you decide or Christmas markets you go to, you’ll immerse your self in European vacation tradition, studying concerning the food and drinks specialties of the locations you go to and the way every vacation spot celebrates the vacations. And because you’re on a river cruise, you may expertise a number of cities and nations whereas another person navigates for you, and also you solely should unpack as soon as.
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