Fa La La La La…Fun on a Festive European Christmas Markets Cruise! (part 4: Full Itinerary)

In part 4 of the 4-part series, Bethany explores the full itinerary of the Christmas Markets 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 Markets cruise chock-full of festive holiday cheer from start to finish. Even though this 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.

Click below for more information about Avalon Waterways Christmastime cruises:

Basel, Switzerland

Initially, my glorious trip kicked off in beautiful Basel, Switzerland. I spent two days here in Basel at the Hotel Krafft Basel before embarking on the Avalon Passion. The city is indeed full of Christmas cheer on every corner, with several different Christmas Markets to visit. Basel also has a wonderful selection of museums to choose from, with something for any interest!

Furthermore, check out Part 3 of this series for a full recap of everything that I explored in Basel:

Onboard Avalon Passion

I enjoyed a last breakfast at Hotel Krafft and checked out. Afterward, a short taxi drive from my hotel took me to the port to embark on the Avalon Passion. Firstly, I was warmly greeted by the wonderful Cruise Director, Karolien, and the rest of the marvelous crew. Later I settled into my beautiful stateroom and wandered around the ship to see all of the festive decorations.

First Dinner Onboard

Initially, the first evening onboard kicked off with a welcome reception of cocktails and canapés in the Panorama Lounge. Because there were only 33 passengers on this sailing it was easy to meet and mingle with everyone. Later, I enjoyed a lovely first dinner on Avalon Passion. While breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, dinner on Avalon is a four-course meal with an a la carte menu. Accordingly, several local specialties and traditional dishes are available to choose from. Undeniably, the local specialties are always fantastic. I chose caramelized Taleggio cheese topped with beetroot chutney; roasted tomato bisque with basil foam and rice; beef cannelloni al forno; and Germknödel (a yeast dumpling filled with plum jam, poppy seed topping, and vanilla sauce). The cruise is off to a fantastic start!

Endingen, Germany (Monday, December 13)

After an overnight sailing from Basel we arrived in Breisach, Germany to kick off the first full day on the ship. There were two different included excursions offered this morning: Black Forest (including an open air museum and cuckoo clock shopping), or Endingen local winery tour and tasting. Since I had already visited the Black Forest on my first Avalon cruise, I chose the Endingen option.

Endingen Wine Tasting and Tour

After a short bus ride from the ship, we arrived in the beautiful small town of Endingen, Germany. Altogether we visited three different wine cellars and tasted three different wines along the way: two whites and a red. All are produced locally and are natural (unfiltered) so they are a bit more cloudy than typical wines. Needless to say, all were delicious (even if it was all before 11:00am!). I also had an opportunity to walk around the small town during some free time.

Breakfast and Lunch Onboard

After the wine tasting we headed back to the ship for lunch. Breakfast and lunch onboard are both served buffet-style. There are delicious local specialties and some more traditional options available. I am not sure what magic wand the Avalon chefs have in that tiny galley, but every morsel of food is always delicious! Be sure to try the soup – available at lunch and dinner. Every soup I have tried on an Avalon ship has been exquisite. Another great feature of Avalon cruises is that beer and wine are included at both lunch and dinner. The selection varies by meal and by location; I enjoyed it all!

Colmar, France (Monday, December 13)

The afternoon excursion option, also included on this sailing, was to Colmar, France. The excursion included a guided walk through the town, plenty of free time, and an optional visit to a museum. Colmar is a short (30 minute) bus ride from Breisach. I visited Colmar on my first Avalon cruise back in the summer of 2017 and was immediately captivated by her charm at that time. Visiting Colmar at Christmastime is downright magical! The entire town is festively decorated for Christmas. The town itself is basically one large Christmas market spread across most of the town center and surrounding area.

Second Dinner Onboard Avalon Passion

After having plenty of free time to thoroughly explore the charming city of Colmar, we returned to the ship for another fantastic dinner. My dinner choices this evening included: Dream Goddess salad; Christmas wine soup with caramelized cinnamon apples; herb-crusted roasted New Zealand rack of lamb; and Lebkuchen parfait (gingerbread parfait with rhubarb compote) for dessert. This evening we also had some onboard entertainment by Klang Poesie in the Panorama Lounge. The lively duo entertained us with songs from famous musicals.

Strasbourg, France (Tuesday, December 14)

The Avalon Passion arrived in Kehl, Germany at around 8:00am on Monday. Today’s included excursion was a sightseeing tour of Strasbourg, France. Part of the tour included a visit to the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral and its beautiful astronomical clock. Like Colmar, Strasbourg is another magical city at Christmastime. Strasbourg has had a Christmas market since 1570, so I was there for their 451st one!

Strasbourg Christmas Markets

Fortunately Avalon offered shuttle buses throughout the day between the ship and Strasbourg, which made it easy to get back and forth and take time to really explore the Christmas markets. I took a shuttle back to the ship for lunch and then headed back into town in the afternoon. I wandered through the very large Christmas market area, did a little shopping, and enjoyed collecting another mug (while also enjoying the vin chaud that came in it, of course!). It was just starting to get dark just before the last shuttle was leaving so I saw just a glimpse of the markets with the lights on before heading back to the ship.

Gala Farewell Dinner

Tonight’s dinner was the gala farewell dinner, even though there was one more night on the ship. The gala farewell dinner is a great opportunity to get a bit more dressed up than usual (although everyone is still fairly casual…no tuxedos or ball gowns needed!). This dinner also includes one extra course, an intermezzo between the soup and the main course. I enjoyed the amuse-bouche, lemon pepper-crusted salmon; soupe à l’oignon (because of COURSE you must have French onion soup whilst in France!), broiled half rock lobster tail; Côte de boeuf à la Bordelaise (Angus beef in Bordelaise sauce); and a medley of sweet treats for dessert.

Mainz, Germany (Wednesday, December 15)

Back in Germany today, to explore the beautiful city of Mainz (pronounced “mines”). Today’s included excursion was a walking tour of Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum. This was another stop I already did on my earlier cruise so I chose to skip the excursion and instead relax in my favorite spot on the ship, the intimate Club Lounge at the rear of the ship on the Royal Deck. After breakfast I grabbed my Kindle and a nice hot cup of tea and relaxed for a while before the Christmas markets opened at 11:00am.

Mainz Christmas Markets

The ship was docked mere steps from the city center so it was easy to get on and off throughout the day. I did a quick walking tour of the market area in the late morning before heading back to the ship for lunch. Of course, the Black Forest Cake dessert at lunch was heavenly!

Mainz Gluhwein Stand

After enjoying lunch, I headed back to spend more time in the Christmas markets. I found a delightful area in the middle of the main market that is a large gluhwein stand with several small enclosed booths shaped like wine barrels. So I just HAD to stop and have another gluhwein (and get another mug!). As the Germans say, “Prost!”

Mainz Christmas Markets After Dark

As the afternoon came to a close I walked back to the ship to warm up a bit and enjoy the afternoon tea that is served onboard every day. Afternoon tea includes several gorgeous (and delicious!) cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats served with coffee or tea. I then had some time before dinner to head back out for a quick stroll through the market area at night to see all of the amazing lights! The markets are beautiful and festive during the day, but seeing them at night is something else. I highly recommend visiting at least one market after dark if possible.

Captain’s Farewell Toast and Final Dinner Onboard Avalon Passion

Before tonight’s dinner we gathered once again in the Panorama Lounge to enjoy the Captain’s farewell toast. We all enjoyed a glass of champagne and heard speeches from Captain Laszlo, Cruise Director Karolien, and Hotel Manager Istvan as we reflected on the wonderful journey so far. Accordingly, the joyous mood carried over into dinner itself, which was one final delicious masterpiece. My dinner included: Magret de canard fumé (smoked duck breast); lobster bisque with tomatoes, vegetable cubes, and brandy cream; fillet of pork Wellington with Madeira sauce, sautéed green asparagus, and sweet potato rosette; and a sinful chocolate lava cake with Grand Marnier chocolate sauce.

Frankfurt, Germany (Thursday, December 16)

I enjoyed one last delicious breakfast onboard this morning and waited in the lounge for my transfer to the hotel in Frankfurt because I extended my trip one night. I checked into the Frankfurt Marriott hotel late morning and headed back out for one last Christmas market. Unfortunately the hotel is not within walking distance to the city center and main Christmas markets area, but there is wonderful, easy-to-use public transportation available. Indeed, I walked just a few short blocks to a train station and within about 20 minutes I was in the Christmas markets.

A Fun Day Exploring the Frankfurt Christmas Markets

Another day, another market, another mug! Of course there was plenty to see, buy, eat, and drink in the large market area in Frankfurt. Accordingly, I stayed in the city center the entire day and enjoyed all of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the markets.

An Evening at the Frankfurt Christmas Markets

Once the sun went down I was treated to more magical sights of twinkling lights everywhere. After a full day of exploring I headed back to the hotel after dinner to finish up the last of the packing (miraculously all of my new souvenirs fit in my luggage!)

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this overall journey on an Avalon European Christmas Markets Cruise with me! Whether you say Fröhliche Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas, or Season’s Greetings, I wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.

Explore the first three parts of this series: