luxury river cruising company waterways of europeThe new ‘Christmas Market Cruise’ departs from Strasbourg, France and sails through France’s Alsace-Lorraine region, close to the German border.
Passengers will visit the market aboard the 12-seater hotel barge Panache. Panache has six junior suites, each with a private bathroom. Additionally, there is a communal dining area, cocktail bar and heated spa pool.
European Waterways’ Christmas Market Cruise will depart for three days starting in late November in 2024.
Source: Waterways of Europe
Cruise price is $7,990 per person (based on 2 people). Alternatively, guests can charter the entire barge for $87,000, European Waterways managing director Derek Banks told CNBC Travel.
The cruise also includes daily guided tours, wine, and meals prepared by the onboard chef.
The 7-day itinerary includes guided tours to 13 Christmas markets in Strasbourg, 6 in Colmar, and 1 in Haguenau.
Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and calls itself the “capital of Christmas”. oldest in france Christmas Market, Christkindelsmerik.
Here, guests can stroll through the 13 Christmas markets spread across the city’s Old Town, or stroll through Strasbourg’s historic districts of Place Gutenberg and Petit France.
France’s oldest Christmas market, the Strasbourg Christmas Market, attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Frédéric Florin | AFP | Getty Images
Colmar, a town and commune in Alsace, is known for its colorful streets. half-timbered house and medieval architecture. Here you can explore the old town of Colmar. 6 Christmas markets — Gourmet markets, local produce markets, children’s Christmas markets, and more.
Colmar’s half-timbered houses are decorated with Christmas lights during the holiday season.
Source: Waterways of Europe
Guests will also visit Haguenau, home to the only Christmas market in northern Alsace. Open every day From late November to December. According to the Alsace Tourism Board website, the small town is famous for its traditional Alsatian Christmas market experience and old nativity scenes made of wood and clay.
In addition to the Christmas market, the cruise also includes “additional holiday-related guided tours,” Banks said. These include a visit to the Meisenthal glass bauble factory in Lorraine; traditional blown glass baubles — and the Musée du Chocolat, Strasbourg’s chocolate museum.
Guests watch chocolate being poured at the Chocolat Museum in Strasbourg, France.
Source: Waterways of Europe
European Waterways’ last Christmas cruise this year departed on Dec. 10, but reservations for 2024 and 2025 are now being accepted, a company representative told CNBC Travel.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise is organizing similar holiday-themed cruises on larger ships. The company’s Christmas She Cruises will be held on her three-story 128-passenger cruise ship with 64 guest rooms.
The luxury cruise line offers seven holiday season itineraries from November to December.
Uniworld’s Christmas-themed cruises start at $2,299 per person.
Source: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
“Our most popular Christmas market itinerary, the eight-day ‘Classic Christmas Market,’ is an outstanding favorite among our guests,” a company representative told CNBC Travel. .
The itinerary includes visits to nine Christmas markets and sails from Nuremburg, Germany to Frankfurt, with stops in Bamberg, Rothenberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, and Wiesbaden.
“Classic Christmas Market” cruises cost between $2,299 and $6,899 per person, depending on room type. Company website.
“We offer Christmas market cruises in several European destinations, introducing guests to the traditions of different regions. Within each region, selected markets are…famous markets and some hidden gems. market,” the representative said.
Uniworld also organizes holiday-themed cruises that call at multiple countries. This includes the 13-day Grand Christmas & New Year cruise to Austria, Germany and Hungary and the 11-day Enchanted Christmas & New Year cruise to Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary .
