Esilef Posted February 21, 2019 #1 Share Posted February 21, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted February 21, 2019 Author #2 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Also we have just done a Mediterranean cruise to Europe. Cruising is is my addiction..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megsie Posted February 21, 2019 #3 Share Posted February 21, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted February 22, 2019 #4 Share Posted February 22, 2019 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.. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewgood Posted February 22, 2019 #5 Share Posted February 22, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted February 22, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted February 22, 2019 At least there will not be deck chair hogs by the pool if it’s snowing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lyndarra Posted February 22, 2019 #7 Share Posted February 22, 2019 We found Avalon to be excellent. Complimentary wine and beer with meals. https://www.avalonwaterways.com.au/experiences/festive?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtbnjBRDBARIsAO3zDl8luB2l55h5AatNo8zdHAoR-b8jxeO5nckIRkiiLdvTSFCD2gySqzAaAj_aEALw_wcB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinbadThePorter Posted February 22, 2019 #8 Share Posted February 22, 2019 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. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted February 22, 2019 #9 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Perhaps keep your thongs on as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmiss6253 Posted February 23, 2019 #10 Share Posted February 23, 2019 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/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joybook Posted February 23, 2019 #11 Share Posted February 23, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted February 23, 2019 #12 Share Posted February 23, 2019 wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted February 23, 2019 #13 Share Posted February 23, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted February 23, 2019 #14 Share Posted February 23, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted February 24, 2019 #15 Share Posted February 24, 2019 I like the idea of a land cruise, 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vozzie Posted February 24, 2019 #16 Share Posted February 24, 2019 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...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmiss6253 Posted February 24, 2019 #17 Share Posted February 24, 2019 So many gorgeous markets! The Innsbruck one in particular was gorgeous. I kept expecting to find Bing crooning around the corner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted February 24, 2019 #18 Share Posted February 24, 2019 12 hours ago, MicCanberra said: I like the idea of a land cruise, 😎 Is that what Scenic did? 😜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted February 25, 2019 #19 Share Posted February 25, 2019 11 hours ago, The_Big_M said: Is that what Scenic did? 😜 Ha!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted February 25, 2019 #20 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I prefer having all the luxury that normally comes with a cruise as well though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky55 Posted February 25, 2019 #21 Share Posted February 25, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted February 25, 2019 #22 Share Posted February 25, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted February 25, 2019 #23 Share Posted February 25, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vada_9 Posted February 25, 2019 #24 Share Posted February 25, 2019 If you are looking to do a river cruise, probably look at the specific family sailings as most sailings do not allow/encourage children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jldev Posted February 25, 2019 #25 Share Posted February 25, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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