Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise with AmaWaterways (and Photos!)

At first thought, the idea of a Christmas Markets river cruise in Europe didn’t really interest me.  In my mind, I visualized tacky trinket markets in every town and city, overrun with aggressive shoppers, cheapskate lookers, sloppy drunks and of course, tourists.  I was curious but reluctant to go.

To be fair and dispel any of my preconceived notions, I had to experience this yearly phenomenon.  Hopefully, I’d prove myself wrong.  And I did.

Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise Review

My original Christmas Markets river cruise plan was a seven-night trip along the Rhine river from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland traveling with AmaWaterways.  Scheduled for the end of November, I hoped that the cities we’d visit would have their decorations set up and their markets in full swing. 

Several months earlier, I booked my return from Europe on the westbound Queen Mary 2.  The ship was scheduled to depart from Southampton on December 15th, so I had to adhere to the schedule, or be “stuck” in Europe til the spring.  

RELATED POST:  What to Expect on a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing 

On the day I boarded AmaCerto, an unexpected change of plans happened.  Without warning, I would be on back-to-back Christmas Markets river cruises through December 10th.  Not a bad way to spend an extra week in Europe.  All that was needed were new plans to get from Amsterdam to Southampton.  Five days in transit was plenty of time.

All that was needed to remain aboard AmaCerto for two weeks was an easy stateroom change between cruises at the turnaround point in Basel.  And an unexpected day at a new Christmas Market city.

This was probably my eighth trip up and down the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam. The more I traverse this historic stretch of river, the more I learn about each ancient and medieval city, town, castle, cathedral and ruins.  

I’m never bored and it gives me oodles of not-to-be-missed things to see and do to share with others.

When are Christmas Markets River Cruises?

Sounds like a simple question, right? But to be on the rivers in Europe at the right time for the optimal Christmas Markets experience takes a little knowledge and planning.

Christmas Markets in Europe, especially Germany, generally open the third weekend of November and run through mid-December. But not right up until Christmas. Almost every city closes its Christmas Markets a full week before Christmas.  No last minute rush to buy gifts.

This distinctly European extravaganza reaches its seasonal crescendo by the second weekend of December.  That’s prime time for Europe Christmas Markets.

Vendors from all around the continent flock to these extravagant events, whether in Germany, France or even England. Sellers haul their wares and set up elaborate little huts, many of which look like gingerbread cottages and mini log cabins.

You can find almost anything at the Christmas Markets.  From hand-tooled leather wallets and fluffy alpaca socks to steaming mugs of gluhwein (hot mulled wine), crispy potato pancakes and plates swamped with gooey melted cheese and dill pickles.  It’s sensory overload in every direction.  What you won’t find are cheesy, plastic ornaments.

Day One:  Embarkation Day in Amsterdam

Our itinerary, the “Enchanting Rhine”, began in Amsterdam and ended 764-miles upriver in Basel, Switzerland. The headwaters of the Rhine is not far from Basel, in Lake Constance, sourced from the Alps.

Here’s our “Enchanting Rhine” cruise itinerary:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight onboard)
• Cologne, Germany
• Rüdesheim / Rhine Gorge Cruising
• Speyer / Heidelburg
• Kehl / Strasbourg, France
• Breisach, Germany
• Basel, Switzerland

It wasn’t exactly a day for hoofing it around Amsterdam. Late November and inclement weather is the norm.   Sunny days are a welcome surprise.  We would have both over the next two weeks.

Day 1 in Amsterdam was a complimentary tour day for AmaCerto guests.  I chose to simply walk around, and I needed to buy a winter coat!

Everyone was back onboard by 5:00pm to get ready for the customary pre-dinner meeting in the lounge.  These meetings occur every night, and follow the same lounge-to-dining-room procession throughout the cruise.  It’s the same no matter which river cruise line you choose. 

Sometime during the chilly night, AmaCerto was quietly untied and began the slow cruise upstream. Yes, upstream.  The Rhine river flows north from the Alps into the North Sea.  

After a morning of sailing past farmland and industrial swatches in the Netherlands and northern Germany, we neared Cologne. 

AmaCerto reached its first stop in Cologne by late afternoon.  Christmas markets here really kick into high gear after 5pm and last all day and night on weekends.  Since this was the last week in November, even though just about every stall and food stand was set up, there weren’t wall-to-wall crowds as I expected.  Not yet.

Day Two:  First Christmas Market – Cologne, Germany

Cologne has six Christmas Markets and the largest four are located near the Cologne Cathedral.  I managed to find all four major Christmas Markets with no more than 15 minutes walk between each one.  

Day Three:  En route to Rüdesheim, Germany

Our morning was spent cruising the most famous and photo-taking portion of the Rhine River, the Rhine River Gorge.  In a span of less than three hours, the AmaCerto slowly cruised past no less than 30 castles and castle ruins.  And the sun was shining!  This stretch of the Rhine can get very windy, so the warmth of the sun was appreciated by all. 

Second Christmas Markets: A Day in Rüdesheim

AmaWaterways had a planned evening event in Rüdesheim.  After dinner, everyone walked the short distance to Rüdesheimer Schloss for a private pouring of flaming Rüdesheimer coffee (coffee with liquor, set ablaze and then topped with whipped cream).  A local oompah band, sans tuba, was the entertainment. Take a listen (above).

Day Four:  Third Christmas Markets in Speyer, Germany

Speyer is one of my favorite medium-size port towns.  Depending upon where your river ships docks, you might be just a short 15 minute walk into town. There’s a huge pedestrian shopping zone and at Christmas Markets time, it’s bustling with store shoppers plus those who come for the markets.

Day Five:  Strasbourg, France

Finally, the day many of us were most excited to see; Strasbourg, France.  River ships dock in Kehl, Germany, just across the river from Strasbourg.  The two countries are connected by the Bridge of Europe or Pont de l’Europe. It’s only a 15 minute bus ride depending upon traffic crossing the bridge and into Strasbourg.

 

Christmas Markets in Strasbourg

Almost all river cruises to Strasbourg plan an entire day there.  Guests can join a morning walking tour of Strasbourg and then either take the motor coach back to the ship for lunch or have lunch in the quaint and oldest section of Strasbourg, Petite France.

For those returned to the AmaCerto for lunch, a shuttle bus ran back and forth into Strasbourg from 2:30pm until 5:30pm. Since departure isn’t until 4:45am (that’s right, a.m.!), many guests chose to have a truly French evening dining experience ashore and took a taxi back to the AmaCerto.

Strasbourg’s Christmas Markets, “Christkindelmärik”, is one of the oldest in France, began in 1570.  There are several Christmas Markets within Strasbourg but the main one is Place de la Cathédrale.

Day Six:  Fifth Christmas Markets in Breisach and/or Riquewihr

Breisach, Germany was the fifth and final port on this seven-day Enchanting Rhine cruise.  Guests could choose either an afternoon walking tour of Breisach and then to Freiburg by motor coach, a bicycle tour of Breisach or a 45-minute bus ride to Riquewihr, a small French town in the heart of Alsace.  Sort of like the town in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Since I knew I’d be back in Breisach in three days to do a walk-around, a re-visit to the charming Alsatian town of Riquewihr was my destination. I was curious how the town would be dressed up for Christmas.

READ ABOUT: Five Unusual Museums to Visit in Cologne

It’s always sad to say goodbye to new river cruise friends. On small river ships like these, it’s easy to get to know almost everyone.

After the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, it was time to head to my stateroom.  With jacket on, I sat on the balcony and enjoyed the crisp breeze as the AmaCerto left Breisach for Basel, Switzerland.

Day 7:  Basel, Switzerland – Turnaround Day

When we woke up the next morning, we were in Basel.  It was important for me to stay out of the way of the crew this morning.  Tons of provisions were waiting to be loaded, rooms had to be cleaned as the ship prepared for its next guests.  The perfect opportunity to check out, wait for it… the Christmas Markets in Basel.

By tonight, I’d be settled into my new room, ready to re-explore the same Christmas Markets that we visited on our last cruise, except in reverse.  This time, I knew where to go for the best potato pancakes and glüewein!

For more info on a Christmas Markets river cruise, head over to AmaWaterways.com.

Disclosure: I was a guest aboard AmaWaterways AmaCerto.  As always, all opinions and photos are my own. How could I fake this stuff?  It was a spectacular pair of cruises on an excellent, award-winning river cruise line. Seriously.  You need to put this on your to-do list. And if you can budget the time and money, reserve a back-to-back river cruise.

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