HoneyJan

Check DB app, there are frequent trains at low prices, some right from the Munich airport.

I just sailed with them for a Christmas Market cruise in December. We had a great time and thought the ship, Monarch Queen, was excellent. We have sailed on Uniworld and Grand Circle before. Here our the differences I noticed, free wine only at dinner, no special excursions beyond the basic tour of the docked town, limited evening entertainment, and large bedrooms with lots of storage. I would certainly sail with them again as they give you terrific value for your money!

I have bought a couple of wool hats at the markets, about 20 -25 euros. I find they are much warmer than the ones I find at home with a soft wool lining that covers your ears well. German made nutcrackers are a higher quality than ones made in China and are easy to spot with extra details especially on the faces that are more than painted on (example eyebrows or a mustache made of wood.) The nutcrackers come in all sizes and are priced accordingly. They start about 35 euros and go up, and up!

I cruised a few years ago on a smaller ship with Grand Circle Cruise Line.  Why I would recommend it over other lines with bigger ships is the beginning and end of the cruise. In Paris We docked at the Quai de Grennelle, opposite the Isle of Swans. We had a tremendous view of the Eiffel Tower right in front of the ship. When it “twinkled” at night it was one of the most memorable nights I’ve had! Also at the end of the Seine we docked in the old harbor at Honfleur. Most cruise lines bus you in to the charming town instead. So as most companies have very similar itineraries, I recommend checking where they dock in Paris and Brittany.

Grand Circle ships can moor at Honflure also.

   I have been on many Christmas Markets river cruises, but not with Viking. The companies I traveled with would have an included onshore tour in the morning, lunch on board, then afternoons free. The evenings were spent sailing. To experience the Christmas Markets at night we would go at 4:00 because it is getting dark in Europe that early! Your first and last night might have the ship docked overnight in which case you can go to the markets later. They don’t stay open late, about 9 pm on weeknights, maybe an hour later on weekends.

   I have a feeling they may not want to give you exact sailing times because sometimes the docking times change. I would be more worried about being told included excursions are sold out. Why sail with Viking when there are so many other companies with a similar trip?

Uniworld does have some dress codes though. I remember sailing with them around Bordeaux in June with really hot weather. Men were told they couldn’t wear shorts or sandals to dinner.

   I have done the Christmas Markets on both the Rhine and the Danube and enjoyed them both very much. I have used 2 different cruise lines and I would recommend you choose by the itinerary offered. Here are my tips:

   Rhine - Be sure the cruise starts or ends in Basel, a charming city in Switzerland with multiple Christmas Markets. Strasbourg is not to be missed, beautiful decorations, food and being in France. Stay in the city for lunch but reserve at a restaurant ahead. Side trips in Alsace are wonderful (Obernai, Kayserberg, and Riquewihr were favorites.) Going north on the Rhine many cruises have options to go to Baden Baden in the Black Forest or Heidelberg. I enjoyed the Christmas Markets in Mainz, Wiesbaden and Rudesheim. Koblenz is where the Rhine meets the Mosel and I enjoyed wine tasting in the surrounding hills. The markets at Cologne can’t be beat!  They have many but the 3 largest are my favorites. They are very crowded at night so be sure to spend some time in the day for serious shopping. Anything north of Cologne I would skip.

   Danube - Be sure you include Regensburg (and Nuremberg if possible) where the private Thun & Taxis Christmas Market is on the castle grounds, done in medieval times. There is usually an option to go to Salzburg when you are near Linz. Vienna has numerous markets that are wonderful. My favorites are at the Rathaus (City Hall) around St. Stephens Cathedral, and on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace. Budapest has a couple of markets, but the best part is the night cruise on the Danube!

   You won’t make a mistake with either river. Look at the cruises’s stops which I would say is the most important. I find the food, drinks and rooms on the cruises are very similar.

I need to be clear on the Bavarian Markets being closed. Is Regensburg Thun & Taxis closing? Nurnemburg? I am in Budapest today and have a river cruise that departs from Regensburg on Nov. 27.

Notamermaid what is the caveat about the Frankfurt Christmas market? Thanks, I have a cruise that ends there on Dec. 4.

Does anyone know the web site to use to locate where ships are currently? I have a cruise in late November and would like to know if the ship is currently sailing. Thanks!

Liketotravel, did you have any idea there was a problem with your cruise or did the cancellation come out of the blue? What was the reason given? Which cruise? I have one scheduled with Gate 1 in December.

I’ve been on 5 river cruises in December. (I love the Christmas Markets!)

I never wear jeans. Once they get wet they take forever to dry. Find some synthetic type pants that dry quickly, Columbia, etc. and pair them with some long underwear. Even though river cruising is casual, people do dress up a little at dinner, especially the 1st and last night with the celebrated Captain’s dinner. You would definitely feel out of place in jeans.

   Why worry about only a carryon suitcase. You unpack once and put your suitcase under your bed for a week. I always bring a big bag so there is room to bring home all my goodies I’ve been having fun shopping for.

   I good raincoat with a hood is essential. Also buy a wool hat at your first Christmas market. The ones in Europe are warmer than any I have found in the US.

Sound of Music Pavilion at Helbrunn Castle on the outskirts of Salzburg. River Salzach, Austria 

Thanks for the link, a perfect way to do some armchair traveling. I have in fact rented a bike in T.T. and biked along the Moselle, though not as far as Cochem. Brought back great memories.

   I’ve been on both ships. I was on the bottom level on the River Queen. The room was fine, nothing special. On the Antoinette I was on an upper deck and the room was very fancy and a much better and bigger bathroom. I don’t know what the rooms were like on their lowest level.

   As for the rest of the ship, the Antoinette is by far a more luxury ship. The pool is fabulous, there is a second lounge in the back that is like a night club, there is a movie theater and the main lounge and lobby are beautiful. If you want the full Uniworld experience, I’d choose the Antoinette.

   I have been on 5 Christmas Market River Cruises, I love them! I always wear socks that are part wool because when your feet are cold you’re not having a good time. My favorite are Smartwool. I could rinse them out at night and hang them to dry overnight.
   You also need a warm hat. Bring one from home but at your first Christmas Market look at hats in the stalls. Most are much warmer than the ones we get here, with warm lining bands along the ear area. My family of 4 all bought knitted hats at a hat store in Vienna that we refer as our “Vienna hats” that will even keep you warm on a winter trip in Yellowstone!

6 hours ago, Barrheadlass said:

 

   So I have only been on 6 Grand Circle cruises, maybe other cruises are different than the ones I was on. It all depends on how comfortable you are in your attire. What do you wear when you go out to dinner at a nice restaurant in your home town? 

Thanks notamermaid for your info about Sunday of the Dead. Those dates are crucial for anyone planning a Christmas Market cruise. (I’m looking for a deal I can’t afford to miss!)

   The ships have a laundry bag and list of prices in the closet. You pay by the piece. My husband loves this service and always uses it. About half way through the cruise they have a laundry “special” about 20% off.

   I always change for dinner. Having a nice top is needed at their two special dinners. Men don’t need a sport coat, but a button down shirt works. You won’t see jeans in the dining room at dinner.

Old town Lyon has one of the worst cobbled streets I have been on. I walked in the smooth narrow gutter when I could. I have no mobility issues.

Taking Uniworld, starting in Frankfurt and ending in Nuremberg.

Any updates on the Main? My Christmas market cruise is less than a month away!

I took that Grand Circle trip and really enjoyed it. Being in the harbor at Honfleur was great. It was so easy to walk down the gangplank and be in the center of the town. There was a fish market very nearby where you could get a plate of oysters for a song. I think Grand Circle trips are under played on CC.

I have been on Uniworld and Grand Circle. The trees and boughs were artificial. Inside the room there was a small arrangement with real pine and fruits, easily something that could be removed. The decorations go up in late November and have to look good all through the season so I’m sure artificial trees are much less work for the crew.