Table Of Content
Besides being Bavaria's Oktoberfest destination, Munich also has a huge downtown Christmas Market (Marienplatz) surrounded by an enormous tree with 2500+ lights. Tourists can find traditional Bavarian gifts - wood carvings or gingerbread (called lebkuchen), while sipping on beer or gluhwein (mulled warmed wine). In Europe, boats navigate on the largest tributaries of Danube, Rhine and Rhone during spring, summer and fall. However, only several boats of major companies (like Avalon, AMA, Viking) offer Xmas-themed voyages - and until January 1st. The following table shows exemplary Christmas Market cruisetours as itineraries (departure / arrival ports), companies/brands, voyage themes, land tours/activities. The travel season in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia is in full swing in December, so it's easy to find yourself on a beach in Bali, far from the last-minute holiday frenzy.
Christmas Holidays cruise travel destinations
No visit to Austria -- birthplace of composers including Mozart and Strass -- would be complete without music and both itineraries include a classical concert. As one of Europe's best-known waterways the Rhine is a popular Viking river cruise Christmas market destination. There's a scenic drive through wintery countryside to medieval Freiburg, on the edge of Germany's Black Forest, for a market visit and festive organ recital. The cruise then departs for Germany, where you will be able to explore the Christmas markets in Cologne and Rüdensheim on days three and four. Day five is when travelers can enjoy Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum or travel further on a bus to Heidelberg to explore Heidelberg Castle. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship.
December 2024 Cruises
THE 16 BEST Cruises from Mobile, AL 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 16 BEST Cruises from Mobile, AL 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:43:05 GMT [source]
Every year they show a unique theme - the scenes are set up throughout market and tell stories related to the theme. Solo travelers should know that these cabins don't have a balcony and are the smallest on the riverboat at 150 square feet, but you likely won't be spending much time in your room on this sailing. The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits, and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers.
View 2023 Caribbean Christmas Cruises
Day three is split between Vukovar and Novi Sad, where you can explore the historic towns and enjoy the holiday cheer with live music, artisan crafts and delightful bites of food. These stories, from travelers of varied backgrounds, showcase the universality of the festive spirit, the magic of the seas, and the unique charm that a Christmas cruise brings to the holiday season. Rooms are filling up fast on this eight-day cruise from Tauck, which takes guests along the Rhine River. The itinerary has several market visits, including Aachen, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg, Colmar, and Riquewihr. Guided sightseeing tours take guests to Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremburg, and Prague.
Best Christmas Cruises For 2023
If you have particular dietary restrictions or a favorite festive treat, consider packing them. While cruise lines are accommodating, having your favorite Christmas cookie or specialty tea can add a touch of home. This could include battery-operated fairy lights, door decorations, or window clings with festive designs.
Upgraded cabins, luxury cruises or specialty itineraries, on the other hand, could cost 10 times that amount. Like many southern Caribbean cruises, this trip is port intensive with only two sea days, one of which falls on Christmas Day. There are a total of seven island visits to keep you busy—or not—including some lesser-visited stops such as St. Vincent and Guadeloupe. Azamara is known for its travels to less-frequented ports, often with longer stays providing more time for immersion.
All our Christmas and New Year cruise schedules show only itineraries and prices per person. All rates are based on double occupancy (twin share) and don't include cruise lines or travel agencies promotions, group booking rates or any other special offers and discounts. If you love the holiday season and want to make the most of this time, opt for a cruise that encompasses both Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
The Festival of Lights burns brightly with a menorah‐lighting ceremony, themed crafts, festive décor and special events, like a reading of Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah on the first night of Hanukkah. Discover incredible ways to take togetherness — and competitive spirit— to new heights. Cheer each other on while scaling the signature Rock Climbing Wall, or see who’s brave enough to plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠. Holiday highlights often include Christmas Eve caroling, an ugly Christmas sweater crafting competition, Christmas ornament and gingerbread cookie decorating classes, and holiday games and trivia. The cruise doesn't call on Australian ports, but you can easily tack on a land-based pre- or post-cruise stay since the ship sails from Sydney. It can't hurt to ask if any extra-fee restaurants are doing a Christmas or New Year's menu if you're looking for a more intimate holiday meal.
night Monteverde Cloud Forest & Arenal Volcano cruise tour on Windstar Cruises
Feast on traditional meals designed by a Michelin-starred chef—without worrying about any of the prep or cleanup. Marvel at our festive decorations, like Christmas trees covered in trimmings and tinsel that will make you feel right at home. Sing along with carolers, watch holiday-themed shows at The Theatre, and welcome Santa on board as he pays a special visit to all of the lucky kids spending Christmas at sea. Catch a ride on the world's largest cruise ship during the 2025 holiday season.
But during the week, explore the Christkindlesmarkt in tranquility, eat the local sausages (three in a roll) and drink gluhwein (hot mulled wine). The Christmas market in Krakow takes place every year amid Old Town historic district, on city's Rynek Glowny central square. It starts in the last November days and lasts through the 26th of December or even longer, to the 6th of January sometimes.
Then on day two in the city, enjoy all the chocolate you can with a tour and chocolate tasting, plus a visit to the Christmas market. On day three, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture and a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food. France is known for some of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Europe, and you have the chance to see some of them on a five-night Christmas in the Seine Valley river cruise with CroisiEurope Cruises. These shorter cruises are great if you'd like to spend a few days in Paris before stepping onto the cruise ship and sailing to three other beautiful towns.
By being proactive, embracing the onboard offerings, and keeping a few key tips in mind, you can ensure a festive voyage that might just become your new favorite holiday tradition. While cruises can offer a luxurious experience, there are ways to keep the trip affordable without compromising on the festive fun. One of the primary advantages of opting for a cruise during the holidays is the ease and convenience it brings. With meals, entertainment, accommodation, and often even excursions bundled into your package, there’s no need to fret over planning every intricate detail. The American Queen Steamboat Company offers a Christmas-market itinerary with a nine-day cruise from Memphis to New Orleans.
A river cruise through Europe is the most convenient way to visit many of the continent's famous Christmas markets. The outdoor markets themselves include a variety of handmade items, as well as an abundance of food and beverages. The atmosphere is far more relaxed and congenial than your average crowded shopping center at home, making it easy to shed the holiday stress and slip into a jolly attitude. The cruise fare includes premium spirits and wine, access to bikes and walking sticks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, enrichment lectures, and shore excursions in each port. Onboard gratuities and group transfers to and from the airport are also included. In Vienna, Austria, the whole city comes alive with lights and a festive spirit.
This means that even if each cruise line has its own dress code and vibe, as a rule of thumb, plan to join the festivities donning your smartest attire -- especially if you’re spending New Year’s Eve onboard. Admire the beautiful holiday window displays in famous-name stores such as Galeries Lafayette and visit some of the city's many markets. Tuileries Garden is the largest, combining traditional market stalls with fairground attractions including a ferris wheel. Atmospheric Montmartre, once the home of famous artists such as Picasso and Dali, is the place to find one-of-a-kind fashion and jewelry.
