European Christmas Markets

[easyas123]

Covid aside...

Has anyone done any of the river cruises over the holidays, specifically to see the Christmas Markets, who would care to share how they enjoyed the trip? I'm doing a bit of research on it, especially when the markets open, and it seems that the dates in the past varied a fair bit from place to place from early or mid November, to some being open the 2 weeks prior to the holiday. I've also discovered that some folks were a bit underwhelmed because the ships often were moving during the evenings when the markets were most active and alive. We have been kicking around finally booking another river cruise and we keep coming back to the holiday ones, so I thought I'd put this out there in case anyone has any experience with them. We've been in October as well - thought the weather was lovely then - and the cold of winter doesn't bother us.
Thanks!

 

[jsmith]

We did the AMAwaterways Christmas on the Rhine cruise in 2018-had a wonderful time. We extended by three days prior in Basel and a extra overnight in Amsterdam to make flights a bit easier, and we are huge foodies so the chance to get in some extra Swiss and Dutch cuisine was nice too. We got a good balance of day and evening visits to markets-we had the three evenings in Switzerland, and were in Rudeshiem, Gegenbach, and Cologne in the evenings. There were some day market visits as well of course and lots of historical sightseeing as well. The one place we missed out on -which should have been both an evening and day time visit was Strausborg as there was a shooting in the Market just about the time we docked. Cruiseline-which is LA based -made the decision to dock across the river and we toured Baden Baden instead-which was very interesting. We were very lucky since our trip was the first to actually run in 12 weeks due to drought conditions in the fall of 2018.
the markets run from the last week of November to the 23rd of December, with some extending to New Years day so you usually have some choices for travel dates. We left the US on the 6th of December and returned on the 18th.
We enjoyed it immensely and had booked a second Christmas Markets trip for December of 20. In August when it became clear that COVID was not a small or passing thing I rebooked that trip-which will include three days in Prague, embark in Nuremburg and end in Budapest-for December of 2022. Heres hoping things will have mellowed a bit by then.

 

[easyas123]

Thanks so much! That is super helpful...I'm thinking of adding 2 nights in Nuremburg at the end of our, too!

 

[YachtClubWoman]

In 2017, my husband and I went for our 25th wedding anniversary. We went on the Danube on Avalon Illumination. It was fantastic. We started with 2 days in Prague and then they took us to Passau to board the boat. We ended up in Budapest and flew home from there. My favorite markets were Regensburg at an old castle and Vienna. We did tours each day and plenty of time at the markets. It was a trip I recommend to everyone.

 

[easyas123]

Thanks

 

[Alicefan]

This may have zero to do with what you're asking but when I went to London, the Christmas markets were open and I was so excited to hit the first one....and then....I saw a second one, and it had exactly the same booths with the same merch as the first. Here I was thinking that the stuff was artisan crafts and such and it was just a bunch of store bought junk. I was so disappointed. Anyway....carry on. lol

 

[easyas123]

This may have zero to do with what you're asking but when I went to London, the Christmas markets were open and I was so excited to hit the first one....and then....I saw a second one, and it had exactly the same booths with the same merch as the first. Here I was thinking that the stuff was artisan crafts and such and it was just a bunch of store bought junk. I was so disappointed. Anyway....carry on. lol

You make a good point - we noticed the same thing when we do the one in Philly...hmmm. Something else to think about, thanks for the tip!
I'm due to call in at 11 AM to talk to the agent at Viking who helped me set up a cruise for my folks this past December so I'm going to get more info (biased, but...oh well) from him as well.

 

[easyas123]

Thanks again everyone, for your tips and recommendations.
I booked a 12/2022 trip! Really looking forward to it -

 

[boop0524]

Thanks again everyone, for your tips and recommendations.
I booked a 12/2022 trip! Really looking forward to it -

Hi! We are looking into a Christmas Market cruise too. May I ask what cities you’re visiting during your itinerary?

 

[TLSnell1981]

We have visited the Christmas Markets all over Europe at least ten times in the last dozen years. We have not done the River cruise although several family member have. The one complaint was being unable to enjoy the markets in the evening. We normally travel by car and/ or train at our own pace


Markets are very different by region. They can also be quite varied within a city. The most striking difference was Krakow and VIenna. Krakow…many were thrilled to be there sampling simple treats and wares. Vienna…much more sophisticated. Dom sold by the glass and high end merchandise sprinkled thoughout…. next to Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. Although there is also a nice artist market., children family market, etc, Many many markets in VIenna. Although Germany’s are by far the best IMO

 

[easyas123]

Hi! We are looking into a Christmas Market cruise too. May I ask what cities you’re visiting during your itinerary?

Lets see, according to the itinerary on my river cruise site, we are going to:
Budapest
Vienna
Krems
Passau
Regensburg

We also added a few days at the end in Nuremberg after the cruise is over...I'm most excited about Vienna and Nuremberg.

Wish we had booked for Dec., 2021 instead of next year.

 

[boop0524]

Lets see, according to the itinerary on my river cruise site, we are going to:
Budapest
Vienna
Krems
Passau
Regensburg

We also added a few days at the end in Nuremberg after the cruise is over...I'm most excited about Vienna and Nuremberg.

Wish we had booked for Dec., 2021 instead of next year.

Oh wow that sounds amazing!! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[easyas123]

Oh wow that sounds amazing!! Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks! Looking forward to it, like I said- wishing now I had booked for this year, but it is what it is. I just didn't want to deal with rebooking and credits and all that hassle. It's only our second cruise ever - and second river cruise - and we really enjoyed the ability to dip our toes in so-to-speak and not have to unpack. I think after this we will probably just venture out on our own at our next destination(s). And, to be truthful...we like the no kids, no frill but somewhat nicer than usual vibe of the river cruise.

 

[boop0524]

It's only our second cruise ever - and second river cruise - and we really enjoyed the ability to dip our toes in so-to-speak and not have to unpack. I think after this we will probably just venture out on our own at our next destination(s). And, to be truthful...we like the no kids, no frill but somewhat nicer than usual vibe of the river cruise.

That’s certainly appealing to us as well. We don’t have kids and appreciate a more “adult” atmosphere. For that reason cruising was never top on our to do list but I think this will be fun and different and more of a one-off type of trip.

Did you happen to book through an agent? I have had a heck of a time trying to find an agency for Viking that’s not their website customer service…

 

[easyas123]

That’s certainly appealing to us as well. We don’t have kids and appreciate a more “adult” atmosphere. For that reason cruising was never top on our to do list but I think this will be fun and different and more of a one-off type of trip.

Did you happen to book through an agent? I have had a heck of a time trying to find an agency for Viking that’s not their website customer service…

I did not book through an agent, no. I booked directly with Viking and I found them to be great to work with both times. Just know what you want when you call, which departure date which category of room your preferred airport to fly out of if they are doing the air for you that sort of thing.
They’ll ask you (at least this was my experience) exactly which room you want so it may also be helpful to have ship detail in front of you when you call. Otherwise they’ll happily assign you one.

 

[boop0524]

I did not book through an agent, no. I booked directly with Viking and I found them to be great to work with both times. Just know what you want when you call, which departure date which category of room your preferred airport to fly out of if they are doing the air for you that sort of thing.
They’ll ask you (at least this was my experience) exactly which room you want so it may also be helpful to have ship detail in front of you when you call. Otherwise they’ll happily assign you one.

ok thank you!!!

 

[jsmith]

I know most of the responses were regarding easy123 but we are also traveling 12/22-we are using AMA Waterways rather than Viking -our first cruise with them was amazing and they are friendlier in terms of payment. I did book with an agent because i have a dear friend who is an agent who does a really outstand job of taking care of things like hotels for extended stays if you are not doing that through the cruise line, ground transportaton and so on. Also when i rebooked from 12/20 to 12/22 she was able to find me a number of incentives that are made a higher end double balcony room with a three day extention cheaper than what i had originally booked.
the Itenerary for that trip is
3 day pre in Prauge-thru AMA
Nuremberg
Regensburg
Passau
Melk
Vienna
Budapest
2 days post in Budpest ( on our own)

 

[boop0524]

I know most of the responses were regarding easy123 but we are also traveling 12/22-we are using AMA Waterways rather than Viking -our first cruise with them was amazing and they are friendlier in terms of payment. I did book with an agent because i have a dear friend who is an agent who does a really outstand job of taking care of things like hotels for extended stays if you are not doing that through the cruise line, ground transportaton and so on. Also when i rebooked from 12/20 to 12/22 she was able to find me a number of incentives that are made a higher end double balcony room with a three day extention cheaper than what i had originally booked.
the Itenerary for that trip is
3 day pre in Prauge-thru AMA
Nuremberg
Regensburg
Passau
Melk
Vienna
Budapest
2 days post in Budpest ( on our own)

oh nice! Also looking at a cruise on Ama. Their prices are higher than Viking but from what I understand they are nicer? What was your experience like?

 

[easyas123]

I know most of the responses were regarding easy123 but we are also traveling 12/22-we are using AMA Waterways rather than Viking -our first cruise with them was amazing and they are friendlier in terms of payment. I did book with an agent because i have a dear friend who is an agent who does a really outstand job of taking care of things like hotels for extended stays if you are not doing that through the cruise line, ground transportaton and so on. Also when i rebooked from 12/20 to 12/22 she was able to find me a number of incentives that are made a higher end double balcony room with a three day extention cheaper than what i had originally booked.
the Itenerary for that trip is
3 day pre in Prauge-thru AMA
Nuremberg
Regensburg
Passau
Melk
Vienna
Budapest
2 days post in Budpest ( on our own)

That sounds great! I really, really wish we had booked this December instead of next....I'd also love to hear how you found AMA. I hear you about the payment. I did ask Viking to push it back and they gave me a 9 month extension on the balance due after I put down the deposit, which was nice. I booked my folks on the 18 day Chile/Argentina/.Fjords over Christmas of this year cruise ship trip and they got a wrap around suite. THAT they wanted paid in full when I made the reservation!

 

[jsmith]

hat sounds great! I really, really wish we had booked this December instead of next....I'd also love to hear how you found AMA. I hear you about the payment. I did ask Viking to push it back and they gave me a 9 month extension on the balance due after I put down the deposit, which was nice. I booked my folks on the 18 day Chile/Argentina/.Fjords over Christmas of this year cruise ship trip and they got a wrap around suite. THAT they wanted paid in full when I made the reservation!

We LOVE AMA-great food, great rooms, great people, They are definately a luxury line just a little less high profile and a little less advertised than Viking or Avalon.