Guide to AmaWaterways' Christmas Markets Cruises: Details, Tips & Promotions
Updated: Oct 13
Experience festive traditions of fascinating destinations and feel the magic of the holidays in cities illuminated with millions of twinkling lights. Sail between ports in elegantly decorated ships whisking you between holiday customs, traditions, and excitement that awaits you each day.
I’d like to share with you:
What is a Christmas Market? Why go on a Christmas Markets riverboat cruise?
Christmas Markets are outdoor, pop-up stall markets that take place during Advent. They offer fantastic street food, drinks, local crafts, holiday items, and tons of Christmastime fun.
You’ll experience the excitement for all of your senses, pick up wonderful items to enjoy each holiday (or year-round!), and do your Christmas shopping!
Seven Most Popular European Christmas Markets River Cruises with AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is one of the most popular riverboat companies in Europe, offering 11 Christmas Markets themed cruises this year. When asked, I learned these are the seven most popular cruises offered on the Danube, Rhine, and Rhône Rivers.
Iconic Christmas Markets
7-night Budapest to Nuremberg, Germany cruise
Optional add-ons: 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic; 2 nights Budapest, Hungary
Marvel at the giant sparkling tree dominating Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, taste Nuremberg’s famous bratwurst and lebkuchen (gingerbread) and experience the magic of Bavaria’s most romantic Christmas Market at Regensburg’s Thurn and Taxis Palace.
Christmas Markets on the Danube
7-night Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany cruise
Optional add-ons: 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic; 2 nights Budapest, Hungary
Witness the majesty of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, savor Wachau Valley Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines as well as Vienna’s famous apple strudel and be awed by the more than 700 illuminated trees that line Salzburg’s Hellbrunn Palace. AmaBella, AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaViola
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
7-night Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland cruise
Optional add-ons: 2 nights Lucerne + 2 nights Zurich; 2 nights Amsterdam, Netherlands
Gaze up at Cologne’s impressive Gothic cathedral from its colorful Christmas Market, try pan-fried reibekuchen (potato pancakes) and Rüdesheimer coffee, and witness the whimsical lighting of Gengenbach, Germany’s artistic town hall Advent calendar.
Magna on the Danube Christmas
7-night Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany cruise
Optional add-ons: 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic; 2 nights Budapest, Hungary
Delight your palate with a wine evening in Spitz - exclusive with AmaWaterways aboard the AmaMagna. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts.
Colors of Provence Christmas
7-night Lyon to Avignon cruise
Optional add-ons: 3 nights Barcelona, Spain; 3 nights Paris, France
Celebrate the festive holiday season while sailing through the South of France. Discover the Christmas crèches in Oignt, browse a colorful array of local handicrafts at Christmas Markets throughout the region, and delight in nostalgic traditions that are fun for the whole family on board.
Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets
7-night Budapest, Hungary to Giurgiu, Romania cruise
Add-ons: 2 nights Brasov, 2 nights Bucharest OR 3 nights Istanbul, Turkey; 2 nights Vienna, Austria
Discover the Winter Markets along the Lower Danube region. Experience firsthand the unique traditions of Orthodox Christmas in Serbia. Feel the magic of the holidays and Christmas Markets in Bulgaria and Romania.
Grand Danube Christmas Markets
14-night Vilshofen, Germany to Giurgiu, Romania cruise
Add-ons: 2 nights Brasov, 2 nights Bucharest OR 3 nights Istanbul, Turkey; 3 nights Prague, Czech Republic
Browse the colorful stalls of the enchanting and magical Christmas Markets of Passau and Salzburg. Embrace the romance of the holidays while cruising through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and experience unique Christmas traditions and Winter Markets of the Lower Danube region.
What’s included in AmaWaterways’ European riverboat cruise package?
Accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with balconies)
Entertainment-on-Demand system featuring, movies, TV shows, news and music
Mini-fridge, desk, and sitting area
Bottled water replenished daily
Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host
Wi-Fi
Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track on some ships
Fitness room, massage services, and hair salon
Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
Daily entertainment including cultural performances
All onboard dining in a variety of venues
Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner in addition to all other meals
Unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
Tapas, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
Immersive tours in every destination
Gentle, regular, active, and late-riser tour options
Bike tours and hikes
Special Interest Tours
Personal headset for easy exploration
Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
What extras are included in AmaWaterways’ Christmas Markets river cruises?
Don’t miss the extra fun with traditions like Santa Claus, hiding the holiday pickle, and caroling as well as special holiday drinks and a gourmet holiday meal.
Who sails on a Christmas Markets river cruise?
Anyone who is interested in European cultures. It’s a great way to delve into learning about other cultures.
People who especially love Christmas traditions. There are many traditions we don’t learn about that are interesting. You may even find something you want to introduce into your own family’s traditions!
Couples. What’s more romantic than downtime just having fun in between being pampered on the cruise?
Laughs and fun with people you may not get to spend enough time with throughout the year.
Multi-generation families (Kids must be 4+ years old, though it’s suggested that 6+ years old is more age appropriate. AmaWaterways is one of the few Europe river cruise lines that have some newer ships with staterooms that hold more than two and also have some connecting cabins. What a great way for families to grow closer, share experiences and build memories!
People who have done a Christmas Markets river cruise in the past. You may be surprised at how many people, because of how much fun they had, book another Christmas Markets tour on a different itinerary.
Small groups. Groups of 5 – 30 cabins made up of community, family, organizations or friends can have fun on the cruise and have stories to share at get-togethers for years.
Three big tips to know for your upcoming river cruise.
1) Glühwein is a warm, mulled (spiced) wine. It’s pronounced “glue-vine.” Each market has Glühwein served in a special cup made for their market. The Glühwein is about 3 euro and the cup is 3 euro which you get back if you return the cup. Many people, instead, forgo the return of their 3 euro and keep the cup as a souvenir. Don't drink alcohol? Try a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate.
2) Pack bubble wrap and shipping or duct tape along with a collapsible extra bag for souvenirs and holiday gifts for those at home.
3) Carry cash in the local currency in small denominations for purchases at the markets. ATMs are pretty handy.
How to book your Christmas Markets river cruise
If you'd like to look at all of the options, visit our AmaWaterways' website to get the detailed scoop on all of the sailings.
Booking is easy. Email us or call 610-532-0989 to discuss options to determine the itinerary that best fits you, your party, or your group’s interests. We’ll book your cruise, be your advocate, and work with you on your trip components, needed documents, and other details. A deposit of $400 per person holds your spot and the balance has to be paid to AmaWaterways by 90 days prior to your trip.
When you book with Connie George Travel Associates, you'll get all of the promotions being offered by AmaWaterways PLUS you may qualify for additional promotions!
CHRISTMAS MARKETS PROMOTION
Would you like to have your gratuities included? Connie George Travel Associates will cover your cruise staff gratuities. You can save this money by booking any future AmaWaterways Christmas Markets Cruise or Taste of Christmas Markets or New Years cruise when you book between 10/15/24 thru 12/31/24 and mention the "Free gratuity promotion I read about in your blog."
This is a PER PERSON savings of $167 for AmaMagna sailings and $144 per person for all other sailings.
We're looking forward to helping you plan a very special Christmas Markets cruise adventure!
Happy Traveling!
-Connie
P.S. Would you like to hear the audio recording of this article? You can find it at https://youtu.be/gvmMilsM1gM.
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