The Christmas Markets River Cruise – December 2023

4 Comments / Cruises, Europe / By

This cruise should be titled How I Got 2 Cruises For The Price Of One. Thanks to Mother Nature, heavy snows and abundance of rain caused the Rhine River to rise, making it impossible to sail under the bridges. Halfway through the cruise, our captain sailed the AmaSiena as far south as he could go. All 144 passengers disembarked, left the captain and crew behind, and were transported to another ship, which was waiting for us in Strasbourg. Here we were greeted by a whole new crew and captain. The passengers on the AmaLucia did the same and continued on with the ship we just vacated. These things are out of their control but AmaWaterways did an amazing job with the logistics. Meeting the new crew on a second ship was like starting all over again. The only person to transfer to the new ship was our Cruise Manager Nikola, who was upbeat, humorous and patient throughout. Note to Ama: He’s worth his weight in gold.

Christmas decorations on board the AmaSiena
Christmas tree aboard the AmaSiena
Captain aboard the AmaSiena
Captain aboard the AmaLucia
Talk about good intentions gone awry. After switching ships, we never made it out of the port in Strasbourg, and weren’t able to sail to our final destination in Basel, Switzerland, but Ama made sure to keep the same shore excursions and shopping at the Christmas markets. We just had to be bussed there and sometimes it took longer than expected.
 
At the start of the cruise, we sailed out of Amsterdam, heading south on the Rhine. Most of the time we were sailing at night and would wake up in port the next morning. But one morning, we sailed through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge on the way to Rüdesheim. That 3 hour sail with CM Nikola doing commentary was one of the highlights of this cruise. Picturesque castles, little villages and vineyards in abundance on each side of the river. We passed by the Lorelei, a large rock on the bank at a narrows of the Rhine River near Sankt Goarshausen, Germany. We didn’t hear the echo that the rock produces, but the story behind the rock is that a beautiful maiden threw herself into the Rhine in despair over a faithless lover and was transformed into a siren who lured fishermen to destruction. Nikola said our captain wore earplugs to resist the temptation!
Morning walk in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Windmills at the Zaanse Schans in Zaandam North, Amsterdam
Narrow house sandwiched between two larger ones in Amsterdam
The Anatara Grand Hotel Krasnapolski is adjacent to the Dam square and on the outskirts of the Red Light district
Castles and villages on the Rhine Gorge
The Lorelei is a promontory rock 132 meters high along the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, France
Village along the Rhine Gorge
The rising river water completely covered the garden surrounding this villa
For each trip, there is a must see on my bucket list. This one was Riquewihr, a little French town which was the inspiration for Disney’s movie Beauty and the Beast. This little village was unlike the other Christmas markets b/c it had shops selling foods that you can buy and take back home. Sausages, cheeses, jams, pates, mustard, etc. but be careful about bringing anything with pork back into the US b/c customs will confiscate it. Also, jams and mustard over 100 grams will get snatched by TSA, unless packed in your check-in luggage. Cheeses that are totally sealed in wax/plastic are fine, but not the vacuum-sealed ones.
 
Christmas Market in Riquewihr, France
Christmas Market in Riquewihr, France
Choo Choo Train ride to wine tasting in Rudesheim, Germany
When planning this trip, I read that you should consider taking an empty suitcase and bubble wrap. How I wish I had listened to that advice. Those wooden nutcrackers take up a lot of space! My favorite store for authentic Christmas ornaments is Käthe Wohlfahrt. The Rudesheim hot coffee and Gluwein are a must try, as well as Muenster cheese, Alsatian wines, Wienerschnitzel. While wandering through the market in Strasbourg, I grabbed a takeaway cup filled with hot spaetzle covered with cheese and ham sauce. For €9, it was delicious and perfect for a cool 40 degree F day.
 
The ultimate Christmas store
Galerie Lafayette. Strasbourg, France
Hot tomato bisque is perfect for a cold day
Dutch wooden shoe making demonstration

I really thought that going to a Christmas market at every port would be an overkill. But not so as each market in the region provided something different. The specialty food, drink and crafts made every market stand out on its own. Would I go on this cruise again? Probably will, but not anytime too soon. And now, for some final parting shots of the trip.

One of Amsterdam's 165 canals
After visiting the Heidelberg Castle (in the background), we went to one of the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg France. Had the most delicious wienerschnitzel there.
Clock in the Cathedral. Strasbourg FR
For this island girl, it was darn cold in the Dam Square, Amsterdam
Dutch pancakes are not just for breakfast. This one was topped with bacon and mushrooms. Pancakes Amsterdam gave us cute little wooden shoe keyring souvenirs.
Did I mention that there are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam? The bicyclists have the right of way. They say if you hear them ringing their warning bell, it's too late.
Burgers and fries at Cannibale Royale, Amsterdam
Crepes Suzette dessert on board the ship
Sauteed whitefish entree onboard ship. I liked the food better on the AmaLucia
Sit down dinners daily onboard the AmaSiena
Gourmet-inspired meals

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4 thoughts on “The Christmas Markets River Cruise – December 2023”

  1. Elsa

    Hi Valerie and Tom. It’s 4:30 am and couldn’t sleep. I’m browsing on my FB page and wishing friends Happy New Year. Then I saw this and to my delight, your blog is fun to read. A lot of information. All the places that I visit, it’s very hard to remember the names. Too busy and excited to look around. I should take note so on my Golden Years, which its already here. I can go back and look with photos that I might no longer remember,
    I look forward for more blogs on your next trip. Happy New Year. May the dragon treats you well. 👍❤️🐉

    Reply
    1. Val

      Thanks Elsa. I love seeing your adorable grandkids on FB! You are blessed with a loving family. Happy New Year to you and your ohana!

      Reply
  2. Susan

    Dear Val, thank you for another well written and picturesque blog! I seeing LOVE Christmas decor and where better than Europe’s Christmas Markets through your eyes! I’m looking forward to seeing your next blog in New Zealand!

    Xoxo,
    Susan

    Reply

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