Uniworld River Countess Christmas Market 29 Nov - 6 Dec

[sallyjo]

Uniworld Christmas Market November 29 – Dec 6

 

This is the second Christmas Market cruise we have taken with Uniworld. The first was in 2002 during the big flood. We thought Uniworld did a good job at the last minute even though we were bussed to most of the towns.

 

We did our own air and flew into Vienna a day early. We went to the Schonbrunn Palace market before going to the hotel. We had been to Vienna several times before and knew what we wanted to do. The market which is held in front of the palace was good and the stands were nicely spaced in a rectangle to allow people to move around easily.

 

Thursday morning we tried to go to the Spittelberg Market but it did not open until 2:00pm except on weekends. We found a market set up between the museums – Maria Theresia Platz. We also found some nice things in a store on the pedestrian street near the Stephensdom – Osterreichische Werkstaetten. They sell items crafted by Austrians. Later we returned to the Spittelberg Market which is in an area of shops of local artists. The largest of the markets in Vienna is the one at the Rathaus.

 

We boarded the “River Countess” about 2:30 and were allowed to go to our cabin because the boat was not in service before this cruise. This is not the same boat we were on last time and it was highly decorated for Christmas. Every cabin door had a stocking on it; the many windows in the lounge and dining room were lighted silhouettes and the stairs had garlands and Christmas balls. We were in a suite 411. We felt that there were many more amenities and upgrades than before. It was much nicer!

 

We noticed there was letter in the cabin but assumed it was the usual form welcome letter. After unpacking I got around to opening it and it was an invitation from the Captain to join him at his table tonight. It was totally unexpected and surprising. This gave us a chance to meet the cruise director, Tony Jenkins, hotel director Siegfried Penzenleitner (Siggy) and Captain Jord Zwall (Jordy). Jordy is only 30 and is one of the youngest captains. He is engaged to the purser and Siggy is married to the head housekeeper. Tonight we each received an advent calendar containing chocolates.

 

Friday we were still in Vienna and both a city/market tour and a market –only tour were offered; we took the tour that just went to the markets. We were driven around the ring road and stopped near the Rathaus where we walked to one of the oldest markets in Vienna – Freyung. We each received a cup of gluhwein. Then we went back to the market in from of the Rathaus. After returning to the ship for lunch some took the only optional tour this cruise to Schonbrunn Palace. We did not take this tour but understand from those who did that it included a tour of the palace as well as shopping time at the market there.

 

Uniworld uses the “VOX” system of ear pieces for the guests and microphones for the guides and it really makes a difference. We can walk and listen to the guide talk or if the wind is blowing go around the corner out of the wind and still know what is gong on. One guide told us that without this system, her voice does not last for the whole tour.

 

Friday night we were driven to the Kursalon for a concert of Austrian music, song and dance. It was very enjoyable. During intermission we were served champagne or orange juice.

 

Saturday found us in Durnstein. We had a walking tour and an organ concert in the Monastery Church. A few of the shops were open and did a good business for a few hours. We continued along the river passing Melk. Tony gave a talk on Made in Germany; his purpose was to educate us to differentiate between items made locally and imports.

 

The next day was Sunday and we were in Linz. The tour did not go into any of the churches and because we wanted to go in them we left the boat early on our own with our map and were able to visit the large churches before the services started. Shops are not open on Sunday. We walked down the main street to the Volksgarten where there was another market. It was mostly utilitarian items although there was one woodcarver shop that had some really nice things. The market in the main square was much more of a Christmas market. There was one booth that we noticed that had some metal and glass items displayed several feet in front of it. We thought it could be dangerous if someone stumbled back into them. Someone from our boat did it after we left and we were told that shouting, name calling, and demanding pay for the broken items ensued. We do not know what the outcome was.

 

As we were sailing to Passau the head chef gave an apple strudel demonstration in the lounge, provided us with the recipe (in American terms) and gave out some samples. After dinner a German group came aboard and played German, Bavarian and Swiss music with accordions, a horn and a tuba. They also played a couple of songs using many sizes of cowbells and other songs using 4 alpenhorns. It was very good.

 

Monday we were in Passau where we had a 2 ½ hour walking tour. We were taken to Café Simon and learned how the different types of gingerbread are made and saw an advent wreath making demonstration. We were each given large gingerbread figures. There was a small market near the Dom.

 

After dinner tonight the shop onboard had arranged a Christmas market in the lounge, Santa came for a visit and the crew sang Christmas carols. Most of the crew is from Eastern Europe and were not familiar with American carols. They did a great job learning “our” songs. Gluhwein and cookies were served.

 

Sometime during the night there was a lot of rain. Tuesday we were in Regensberg and this felt the coldest because of the wind. We had a walking tour lasting 1 ½ hours. There are several markets here – Lucrecia Christmas Market (more of an artist area), the main one in Neupharrplatz, and the Romantic Christmas Market at the Thrun and Taxis Castle where there is a fee in enter. We enjoyed all of them.

 

In the afternoon a lady form Nuremberg came aboard and made an excellent power point presentation of the German Christmas traditions. After dinner “River Music,” two men from Nuremberg, played and sang songs/requests.

 

Wednesday we disembarked at Roth and boarded busses for the tour to Nuremberg. It takes about 4 hours to pass through the locks to get there on the boat. We did not want to do the tour but there was no alternative offered for the transfer into the city. About half of us stayed on the bus through the **** related areas, skipped the Castle tour and walk, and rode the bus to the city center. This market has really grown in 5 years. We visited the Artisans Market, the Partner Cities Market, and the main Christmas market located in the Hauptmarkt. Many booths here had several locations, including stores along the main street, and there was duplication of merchandise. There were 12 boats in town today and it is really crowded.

 

Tonight was the farewell dinner with the baked Alaska parade. The entire crew was introduced.

 

When we opened our cabin door Thursday morning, we saw that Santa Claus had left chocolate Santas for us. As we were leaving at 4:00am and were already packed, we had to find a place to put them.

 

We enjoyed the cruise and thought that the company had made many improvements in the last 5 years. We really like the use of the “VOX” system. We went to enjoy the Christmas Markets and achieved that purpose.

 

From Nuremberg we flew to Zurich and took the train to Zermatt. We spent 3 wonderful days relaxing before returning to Zurich by train, flying to Frankfurt, and then on the states.

[lobsterlover]

Thanks for a very good review. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Glad you had such a great time.

 

L. L.

[fred111]

Thanks a lot. Great information. My wife and I are taking the Uniworld Christmas Markets cruise next year.

[Second seating]

Sallyjo,

 

We are go on a Rhine Christmas Market cruise next year and I have a question. Do they give you any information to ship purchased items home?

 

Deana

[sallyjo]

There was none given that I was aware of. There were several couples that bought more luggage in order to get everything home. Uniworld sent us each a carry-on type piece before we left home. IMO it was too small. We carried them with us and gave them away to those who needed them.