Crusing down considered one of Europe’s beautiful 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 could be heard.
Beginning in late November by means of Christmas yearly, the cities and cities alongside the Danube, Rhine, Seine and different rivers arrange markets that show every area’s vacation traditions. Lots of the hottest river cruise traces with ships primarily based in Europe schedule festive cruises to take vacationers to buy and dine at these seasonal markets.
For those who’re fascinated with reserving a Christmas market river cruise however do not know the place to begin, we have got you coated. Right here, we have answered the most well-liked questions on Christmas market river cruises and shared our high ideas and tips to get probably the most out of the journey.
Is a Christmas market river cruise price it?
The number-one query individuals 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 price it? I vote sure, however there are some issues it is best to know earlier than reserving a Christmas market cruise.
For those who’ve had visiting the Christmas markets of Europe in your bucket checklist, a river cruise is a good way to discover a number of markets in a single journey. One of many largest perks of a river cruise versus a land-based journey is that you just 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 recommendations 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 means of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Our ports of name have been Budapest; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna; Krems, Austria; Linz, Austria; and Passau, Germany. Every port had no less than 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: The very best Christmas market river cruises to ebook
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Which rivers are one of the best for a Christmas market cruise?
Choosing a river to your cruise is usually a problem, particularly in the event you’re not aware of the locations on the itinerary. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine are the most well-liked 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 just a few 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 total 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 may need to make sure there are extra actions and sights to fill the remainder of your time.
Associated: Finest river cruise traces around the globe
Which river cruise line is finest for a Christmas cruise?
Cruise traces that provide 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 be pricier than its rivals, however it’s one of many few traces with a household cruise possibility.
Avalon Waterways gives a extra reasonably priced 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 upfront. CroisiEurope cruises are additionally extra reasonably priced and supply 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 traces supply for Christmas market cruises.
For those who’re searching for a extra energetic cruise, think about AmaWaterways, the place bikes are at all times obtainable 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 understood 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 largely strolling excursions.
Associated: AmaWaterways vs. Viking: Which of those standard river cruise traces 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. The easiest way to get a deal is to ebook early.
It is common for individuals to ebook a Christmas market cruise a yr or extra upfront. Some corporations will supply a reduced deposit for individuals who ebook early, and others will supply financial financial savings for reserving properly upfront. Search for wave season (January by means of March) or Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Journey Tuesday offers for river cruise reductions or different promotional gives.
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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. The easiest way to make sure you get the kind of cabin and crusing date you need is to ebook 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, which means the primary two to 3 weeks of December, are sometimes extra standard than the final week of November or the week of Christmas since some markets may not be open at these occasions.
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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 commonly colder than Western Europe, which has a milder winter season. The later within the Christmas market season you journey, the extra probably you might be 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 different from days with chilly rain the place I wanted to bundle up with additional waterproof layers, to lovely sunny days the place I might strip off my winter jacket for just a few 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 seem 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 stay 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 trend; ladies donned cute sweaters and attire, whereas males wearing denims and nicer tops or sweaters.
For those who can, I recommend bringing no less than two pairs of outside footwear in case your waterproof footwear cannot deal with the snow or just a few days of rain in a row. I introduced a pair of fleece-lined Crocs to put on off the ship in just a few ports the place the climate was hotter with no precipitation.
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When ought to I arrive on the embarkation port?
At all times attempt to arrive no less than a day early for any river cruise, particularly in the event you’re flying abroad. For some river cruises, the embarkation port is simply that, a spot to get on the ship and go away. For those who arrive the day your cruise begins, you can miss out on exploring 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 finest to reach a day early. Journey days from america to Europe could 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 traces supply precruise extensions you can bundle with the cruise reserving and mean you can arrive early on the embarkation port. These extensions embody a resort keep, and a few embody just a few 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. Perform a little research earlier than you allow dwelling to see what the spotlight of every market is. I did a variety 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 attractive meals. Alternatively, the Christmas market in Bratislava was extra of a meals market with only a few stalls for getting goodies to convey dwelling with you.
My favourite Christmas market was the Metropolis Corridor market in Vienna, which is without doubt one of the hottest in Europe. It had every 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 is not any assure you may 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 every other beaded ornaments on the Christmas markets earlier than or after Vienna, so I used to be glad I bought it once I noticed it.
Do just remember to’re shopping for native merchandise. On my Viking cruise, we have been instructed 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 standard with locals. Observe their lead as a result of they probably 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 form of flatbread with toppings), conventional German bratwurst
Ingesting at Christmas markets round Europe usually means getting a scorching glass of glühwein, mulled wine made with pink wine, spices and fruit. The drink is generally served in cute mugs you can hold as a enjoyable and low-cost memento. For those who do not need to hold 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 procuring differ with every Christmas market.
Many of the bigger markets, like those in Bratislava and Budapest, supply stay 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 youths to take pleasure in. Then, in Vienna, the Metropolis Corridor Christmas market had an ice-skating rink that was standard with households and {couples}.
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What occasions 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.
The easiest way to know the occasions of every market you are visiting is to do a fast web search near the time of your river cruise. Put the title of town and the phrases “Christmas Market hours” into your most popular on-line search device to get the operational hours for every market.
Do you want money for the Christmas markets?
You need to at all times 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 foreign money of every vacation spot you are going to. For instance, in Hungary, euros usually are not accepted anyplace, 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 supply an included tour each day. On my Viking river cruise, every day’s included tour was a strolling tour of town to level out historic landmarks and present individuals get to the Christmas markets.
After just a few days, I discovered the strolling excursions considerably repetitive. All of them confirmed off the key church within the metropolis heart and described how town navigated numerous wars. The guides make or break the excursions, and also you by no means know who you may get. So I used the excursions to assist navigate to town heart, 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 a variety of perks, together with docking proper on the fringe of a lot of the cities you go to. Which means that 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 town, eating in a neighborhood restaurant, sipping scorching espresso in a restaurant or popping into outlets.
For bigger locations like Vienna, Paris or Amsterdam, you may need to do additional analysis on what there may be to do within the metropolis without spending a dime or at a reduction. Many museums supply free or discounted entry on choose days or to pick ages.
Backside line
For those who’ve ever wished to discover European Christmas markets, a river cruise is a simple technique to do it. Lots of the finest river cruise manufacturers and guided group tour corporations supply Christmas markets river cruises all through Europe.
You may take advantage of your trip in the event you do a little analysis to find out what there may be 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.
Irrespective of which river you traverse, cruise line you choose or Christmas markets you go to, you’ll immerse your self in European vacation tradition, studying in regards to the foods 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 international locations whereas another person navigates for you, and also you solely should unpack as soon as.
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