Fa La La La La…Fun on a Festive European Christmas Market Cruise! (part 1)

In part 1 of the 4-part series, Bethany explores some practical tips for taking a European Christmas Market cruise.

In December 2021 I had the pleasure of sailing on my fifth Avalon Waterways river cruise. The Christmastime in Alsace and Germany itinerary is a European Christmas Market cruise chock-full of festive holiday cheer from start to finish. Even though it was a wee bit chillier than the other cruises I have done, this Florida gal thoroughly enjoyed it! I spent four glorious nights aboard the Avalon Passion. I also added a few extra days before and after the cruise on my own.

My Itinerary

• Basel, Switzerland
• Breisach, Germany
• Endingen, Germany
• Colmar, France
• Strasbourg, France
• Mainz, Germany
• Frankfurt, Germany

Things to Know About a Christmas Market Cruise

A Christmas Market cruise is definitely different than the river cruises that most people do in Europe. The main difference, of course, is the weather. While the typical season for European river cruises spans from April through October, many lines also offer festive Christmastime cruises. These Christmas cruises sail in November and December, when the weather in central Europe can be cold and damp.

But the good news is that it is still a river cruise, so you still get all of the same wonderful things that come with travel on a river cruise! Some things I love about Avalon are the gorgeous ships, the large and comfortable staterooms, the gourmet meals, and the fantastic crew. This cruise did not disappoint on any of those items, as I got to experience the same high level of service I have come to know and love on Avalon.

This cruise set sail not long after Avalon resumed operations in 2021 after Covid lockdown. We had 33 passengers and 48 crew! The Avalon Passion has 16 staterooms and 67 suites onboard so her typical capacity is up to 166 passengers. Also, due to some Covid restrictions Avalon changed the original itinerary slightly. Some of the markets originally scheduled were unfortunately closed. But Avalon did a wonderful job of adjusting the itinerary to ensure there were still plenty of festive stops along the way.

Packing For a European Christmas Market Cruise

Taking a European Christmas Market cruise requires a bit of a different approach to packing than a warm weather cruise. Deciding what to pack for a cold weather cruise may seem daunting at first. But it can be easy if you focus on one key word: layers. Pack a few key layers to mix and match. Layers are also great to put on and take off throughout the day, as temperatures do fluctuate.

What I Packed For My Seven-day Trip

For daytime:

• 2 pairs of jeans – 1 regular and 1 lined
• 3 cozy sweaters
• 4 turtlenecks
• 1 pair of sturdy waterproof boots
• Plenty of warm socks

For evenings on the ship:

• 1 pair of basic black pants
• 1 pair of festive leggings
• 2 sweaters
• 1 blouse
• 1 turtleneck
• 1 pair of loafers
• 1 pair of cozy Christmas pajamas – great for lounging in the stateroom!

Ultimately, your daytime look will almost always be covered by a coat when you are out and about, so don’t worry too much about wearing the same thing multiple times! Don’t forget to bring some festive accessories as well…scarves, necklaces, and pins are simple (and easy-to-pack!) ways to switch up your look each night.

Outerwear

Sturdy shoes are a must any time of the year in Europe, as there are a lot of uneven cobblestone sidewalks everywhere – charming to look at but brutal on your feet! Ensuring your shoes are waterproof is a good option for a European Christmas Market cruise as well, as the weather can also be damp this time of year. Warm and dry feet make for a happy traveler! Also, don’t forget to bring a pair of comfy shoes to wear while on the ship.

Consider bringing a longer coat that can provide better overall coverage and keep you warmer. Also try to find a lightweight down or down-alternative coat as these are easy to pack. I found a great mid-calf length down-alternative coat at Eddie Bauer that had a detachable hood…yet another layering option. To save space when packing the coat, I used an extra large Space Saver bag. I slid the coat in, zipped up the bag, and rolled out the extra air. It made it much easier to pack an otherwise bulky item!

Finally, be sure to bring warm hats, gloves, and scarves. These are small and lightweight so they are easy to pack. I chose to bring a few different ones so I could mix and match these as well. After all, most of your pictures are taken while you are bundled up in your coat, so use a few different colorful hats and scarves to switch up your look from day to day!

European Christmas Market Cruise Itineraries

Another key difference on a European Christmas Market cruise is the overall itinerary. Other river cruises focus on the main things to do in each port of call. Options will vary, but often include walking tours of the city, visits to museums, and hands-on experiences like wine tasting. On a European Christmas Market cruise, however, the primary focus is on (you guessed it!)…Christmas markets! Every stop along the way will include one or more markets to explore.

So what are the European Christmas markets like? While they do vary from town to town, they are all fundamentally the same. Each market includes different stalls where vendors sell everything from holiday trinkets to toys to clothes. Some of the goods are mass-produced and you will see the same or similar things from market to market. However, if you look closely you will also find some hand-crafted unique items as well. You can’t always count on the next market having the same items, so if you see something you like definitely get it before you leave that market. But it is a good practice to walk through the full market first to see what is on offer. This also allows you to see if the same things are sold in multiple stalls so you can compare prices, quality, and options.

My favorite part of the markets is the warm drinks served in collectible mugs. The traditional beverage is mulled wine (called “gluhwein” in Switzerland and Germany, “vin chaud” in France). But if you are in Switzerland you HAVE to try the hot chocolate…made with delicious Swiss chocolate, of course! Each market has its own version of the mug – some are ceramic, some are glass, and some are plastic. But each one has a unique design and shape. When you purchase a warm drink they charge a small (usually around 1 Euro) deposit. After you have finished your drink you can either return the mug and get the deposit back, or keep the mug as a beautiful (and inexpensive!) souvenir. Finding each market’s mug and purchasing a delicious drink became my favorite game as I made my way through the markets!

Another delightful aspect of the European Christmas markets is the wonderful food for sale. Each town or country has its best local favorites readily available. I loved the raclette (warm, melted cheese served over potatoes) in Switzerland, fresh made-to-order crepes filled with Nutella in France, and hearty brats in Germany. There are plenty of food options available at each market, so go hungry and leave happy!

Check out part 2 of the 4-part series where Bethany explores a few of her favorite things on her European Christmas Market cruise!