Cruising the European Christmas Markets

[Esilef]

We went as a multigenerational family to the Christmas Markets in Europe a couple of years ago. It was majestic but hectic as at every town you had to travel by train with all your luggage.

 

As as we all know cruising is the best way to travel as you get onto the ship and unpack once! 

 

Being a multigeneration group we have a 10 year old ASD child, a 45 year old asd male, a 74 year old grumpy grandad and me 43 and bitchy.

 

we are looking at going in Christmas 2020. Dates are 15/12-15/1/21.

 

i have looked at the river market cruises ie uniworld, scenic & apt.

 

i am also willing to look at ocean cruise ships if they can get us close to the Christmas Markets.

 

grumpy grandad likes fine dining & a good glass of wine (or 3) but mr 10 likes maccas 

 

Any suggestions from Australians whom have cruised the Christmas Markets? I’ve noted some of the cruises specialise in Australian cruisers.

 

 

[Esilef]

Also we have just done a Mediterranean cruise to Europe. 

 

Cruising is is my addiction.....

[megsie]

MY sister cruised to Bruges on Queen Elizabeth from Southampton.

She said then it was mostly very cold, wet and windy with rough seas (not allowed on deck).

They were the only 2 Aussies on board so there was no lack of conversations. Said the markets in Bruges were very good. She said there was another excellent Christmas market in London in Hyde Park, visited at night.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

1 hour ago, megsie said:

MY sister cruised to Bruges on Queen Elizabeth from Southampton.

She said then it was mostly very cold, wet and windy with rough seas (not allowed on deck).

They were the only 2 Aussies on board so there was no lack of conversations. Said the markets in Bruges were very good. She said there was another excellent Christmas market in London in Hyde Park, visited at night.

 

You could make snowballs on the deck..

[sewgood]

1 hour ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

 

You could make snowballs on the deck..

 

I think I will pass on the deck walking today.

Wow, what a photo.

[Esilef]

At least there will not be deck chair hogs by the pool if it’s snowing!

[lyndarra]

We found Avalon to be excellent. Complimentary wine and beer with meals.

https://www.avalonwaterways.com.au/experiences/festive?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtbnjBRDBARIsAO3zDl8luB2l55h5AatNo8zdHAoR-b8jxeO5nckIRkiiLdvTSFCD2gySqzAaAj_aEALw_wcB

[SinbadThePorter]

2 hours ago, Esilef said:

At least there will not be deck chair hogs by the pool if it’s snowing!

 

The dedicated just take two towels. One to lie on and one to keep off the snow.

[MicCanberra]

Perhaps keep your thongs on as well.

[Swissmiss6253]

I don't know that I would cruise for this.  I would probably locate myself in two or three places.  Zurich and do day trips to the numerous wonderful Swiss Christmas markets and then somewhere like Colmar and head around to the Alsace Christmas markets.  Then possibly Nuremberg for the christmas market on steroids they have there.  This way you wouldn't have to drag your bags around all the time but will still be able to see heaps of them.

 

http://www.helloswitzerland.ch/-/top-christmas-markets-in-switzerland

https://www.noel-colmar.com/en/

http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/en/

 

 

[joybook]

What a great photo. I haven't checked but I would have thought that Christmas cruises in Europe  (which is in winter of course) would be a bit like they are here in OZ in winter - few and far between.

[MicCanberra]

wow.

[The_Big_M]

Yeah, I love the Christmas markets as a land trip, as you can spend more time enjoying them, and head where you want. 

 

But river cruises have them as an option for those who prefer. A bit like cruises around Australia really!

[Aus Traveller]

9 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

Yeah, I love the Christmas markets as a land trip, as you can spend more time enjoying them, and head where you want. 

 

But river cruises have them as an option for those who prefer. A bit like cruises around Australia really!

I agree with your comments. I would not go on an ocean cruise for the Christmas markets. You would not see the best of them. Either a land cruise or maybe a river cruise.

[MicCanberra]

I like the idea of a land cruise, 😎

[vozzie]

We did a land tour in Austria at Christmas time, with Albatross Tours. You stay in one hotel in a little village and then head out each day to see the markets and sights.No packing or unpacking......

[Swissmiss6253]

So many gorgeous markets!  The Innsbruck one in particular was gorgeous.  I kept expecting to find Bing crooning around the corner

 

[The_Big_M]

12 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

I like the idea of a land cruise, 😎

 

Is that what Scenic did? 😜

[Aus Traveller]

11 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

 

Is that what Scenic did? 😜

Ha!!

[MicCanberra]

I prefer having all the luxury that normally comes with a cruise as well though

[Porky55]

On 2/22/2019 at 7:28 AM, Esilef said:

Also we have just done a Mediterranean cruise to Europe. 

 

Cruising is is my addiction.....

Esilef,

Hurtigruten do some great Christmas Market Cruises in December - nearly did one this year! Good prices, could suit all your wants - great reviews, smaller ships - worth a look .... Rose

[Cruise Junky]

On ‎2‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 5:06 AM, The_Big_M said:

Yeah, I love the Christmas markets as a land trip, as you can spend more time enjoying them, and head where you want. 

 

But river cruises have them as an option for those who prefer. A bit like cruises around Australia really!

Agreed - we did it by land (15 nights) a couple of years back and absolutely loved it.  I couldn't imagine having the same experience by ship.  We stayed 3 or 4 nights in each location in fantastic hotels, eg. Le Meridian in Vienna.  Would do that by land again in a heartbeat.  We did Paris, Munich, Salzburg & Vienna.

[MicCanberra]

5 hours ago, Cruise Junky said:

Agreed - we did it by land (15 nights) a couple of years back and absolutely loved it.  I couldn't imagine having the same experience by ship.  We stayed 3 or 4 nights in each location in fantastic hotels, eg. Le Meridian in Vienna.  Would do that by land again in a heartbeat.  We did Paris, Munich, Salzburg & Vienna.

Sounds very cool.

[vada_9]

If you are looking to do a river cruise, probably look at the specific family sailings as most sailings do not allow/encourage  children.  

[jldev]

We did a family trip to Europe 4 years ago which included visiting the Christmas markets in Munich, Innsbruck, Seefeld-in Tirol and Colmar. I found them all totally magical especially Colmar (just Google Image "Colmar at Christmas"  to see what I mean). I'd have loved to go back another year at take my parents as I know my Mum would love to see the Christmas markets.  However, I think the only way that I think my parents would do it is if they were on a river cruise.  I looked into it and then I realised that my favourite time to experience the markets was at night time when the sparkly lights were at their most magical.  But I think that, by that time of later afternoon/evening,  you'd need to be back on your river cruise ship as it would be departing.  Hence we have not done it.