viking christmas market cruise reviews

Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing

Sailing down one of Europe's stunning rivers is a dream trip no matter the time of year, but at Christmas time it's even more special. Ships take travelers from port to port to experience the incredible Christmas markets where stalls are adorned with glittering lights, the smells of sausages and baked goods fill the air, and the sounds of carols can be heard.

Starting in late November through Christmas every year, the cities and towns along the Danube, Rhine, Seine and other rivers set up markets that display each region's holiday traditions. Many of the most popular river cruise lines with ships based in Europe schedule festive cruises to take travelers to shop and dine at these seasonal markets.

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If you're thinking about booking a Christmas market river cruise but don't know where to start, we've got you covered. Here, we've answered the most popular questions about Christmas market river cruises and shared our top tips and tricks to get the most out of the trip.

Is a Christmas market river cruise worth it?

The number-one question people asked me in person and online after I did a Christmas market river cruise down the Danube with Viking in December 2023 was: Is the trip worth it? I vote yes, but there are some things you should know before booking a Christmas market cruise.

If you've had visiting the Christmas markets of Europe on your bucket list, a river cruise is a great way to explore multiple markets in one trip. One of the biggest perks of a river cruise versus a land-based trip is that you unpack once, and your accommodations and dining options float with you down the river from town to town.

Additionally, the cruise director on board acted more like a personal concierge for guests who had questions, giving suggestions for things to do, places to eat and what each Christmas market was known for.

On my seven-night river cruise, I visited six ports and enjoyed a half day of scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our ports of call were Budapest; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna; Krems, Austria; Linz, Austria; and Passau, Germany. Each port had at least one Christmas market.

I was most impressed by Vienna, which had two, but the one near City Hall is the one that makes most of the viral TikTok videos and Instagram reels. The City Hall Christmas market is the larger of the two in the city center and is more photogenic. But be sure to go to both Christmas markets in the city. They are about a 10-minute walk from each other and have different foods to try and souvenirs to buy.

Related: The best Christmas market river cruises to book

Which rivers are the best for a Christmas markets cruise?

Picking a river for your cruise can be a challenge, especially if you're not familiar with the destinations on the itinerary. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine are the most popular at this time of year because their ports of call are where most of our Christmas traditions were first created.

On the Danube, you can visit destinations like Vienna, Austria and Passau and Regensburg, Germany. Alternatively, on the Rhine, destinations of interest include Amsterdam; Cologne, Germany; Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.

After you find a few river cruises that fit your travel dates, dig into each destination and what it has to offer. Christmas markets are open from midmorning until between 8 and 10 p.m., but there's not enough to do at each market to fill that entire time. I usually spent about an hour at the smaller markets in places like Passau and Linz and about two to three hours at the larger markets in Vienna and Budapest. In each port, you'll want to be sure there are more activities and attractions to fill the rest of your time in port.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Which river cruise line is best for a Christmas cruise?

Cruise lines that offer Christmas market cruises include Viking , Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways , CroisiEurope, Uniworld and Tauck.

Uniworld cruises are the most expensive, with prices ranging from $3,399 to $7,199 for 8- to 11-day sailings throughout the season. Tauck is also pricier than its competitors, but it's one of the few options that has a family cruise option.

Avalon Waterways offers a more affordable way to see the Christmas markets, with cruises starting at $2,167 for six days of traveling from Budapest to Vienna. But be warned, some cruises do sell out almost a year in advance. CroisiEurope cruises are also more affordable and offer closed-loop cruises where you start and end in the same destination, which is not something that most other river cruise lines offer for Christmas market cruises.

If you're looking for a more active cruise, consider AmaWaterways, where bikes are always available to use in port. On the Danube Christmas Markets tour, you can bike from Weissenkirchen to Melk, passing picturesque villages and vineyards.

Viking is known to be slower-paced than its competitors, with a relaxed vibe. Guest won't have as many choices of activities off or on the ship. The included tours are mostly walking tours.

Related: AmaWaterways vs. Viking: Which of these popular river cruise lines is right for you?

How do I get a good deal on a Christmas market cruise?

Because of the short season for Christmas market river cruises, getting a deal can prove to be a challenge. The best way to get a deal is to book early.

It's common for people to book a Christmas market cruise a year or more in advance. Some companies will offer a discounted deposit for those who book early, and others will offer monetary savings for booking well in advance. Look for wave season (January through March) or Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday deals for river cruise discounts or other promotional offers.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know

Do Christmas cruises sell out?

Yes, Christmas cruises can and do sell out. Most riverboats only hold 100 to 200 passengers. The best way to ensure you get the type of cabin and sailing date that you want is to book early.

The more desirable balcony and suite rooms often sell out first, followed by rooms with only upper windows. Cruises that take place in the middle of the season, meaning the first two to three weeks of December, are often more popular than the last week of November or the week of Christmas since some markets might not be open at those times.

Related: These are the best Christmas cruises you can book

How cold is Europe in winter?

The weather is, of course, determined by when and where you're going. Middle and Eastern Europe is often colder than Western Europe, the latter of which has a milder winter season. The later in the Christmas market season you travel, the more likely you are to get rain or snow since winter is setting in across the continent.

On my Viking river cruise from Budapest to Passau in Eastern Europe, the winter weather varied from days with cold rain where I needed to bundle up with extra waterproof layers, to beautiful sunny days where I could strip off my winter jacket for a few hours while touring the Christmas markets.

I used the weather app on my phone to help me determine what to pack. Even 10 days out from my trip, the app was fairly accurate with what the temperatures would be, which ranged from the 20s to the high 40s, and what the day would look like.

What should I wear on my river cruise?

Packing for a river cruise in the middle of winter was the most challenging part of the trip for me. Not only did I have to buy winter clothes since I live in Florida, but I needed to make sure I brought enough layers to keep me warm.

For days exploring the ports, I wore jeans and waterproof boots with long cozy socks, plus a thermal long-sleeved shirt under a sweater. I also brought a midweight puffy winter jacket to wear off the ship. Accessories like a warm hat or ear warmers, gloves and a scarf were also helpful.

Depending on the river cruise line you book, the onboard attire may range from casual to a little more fancy. During the day on Viking, many people wore jeans or sweatpants and a casual shirt. Evenings brought out the more elevated fashion; women donned cute sweaters and dresses, while men dressed in jeans and nicer tops or sweaters.

If you can, I suggest bringing at least two pairs of outdoor shoes in case your waterproof shoes can't handle the snow or a few days of rain in a row. I brought a pair of fleece-lined Crocs to wear off the ship in a few ports where the weather was warmer with no precipitation.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

When should I arrive at the embarkation port?

Always try to arrive at least a day early for any river cruise, especially if you're flying overseas. For some river cruises, the embarkation port is just that, a place to get on the ship and leave. If you arrive the day your cruise begins, you could miss out on exploring the city.

Even if your Christmas market river cruise does have an overnight stay in the embarkation city with tours the next day, it's still best to arrive a day early. Travel days from the United States to Europe can be unpredictable, with delays and missed connections, so you should give yourself plenty of time to get to the ship so you don't miss it.

Some river cruise lines offer pre-cruise extensions that you can bundle with the cruise booking and allow you to arrive early at the embarkation port. These extensions include a hotel stay, and some include a few meals and a guided tour, plus transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship.

Are the markets all the same?

Every Christmas market is different in the overall vibe and what it has to offer for visitors. Do some research before you leave home to see what the highlight of each Christmas market is. I did a lot of my research on TikTok and Instagram so I could see what the person was talking about.

In Budapest, the Christmas market in the square in front of St. Stephen's Basilica was a good mix of crafts, decorations and tasty food to try. On the other hand, the Christmas market in Bratislava was more of a food market with just a few stalls for buying goodies to bring home with you.

My favorite Christmas market was the one at City Hall in Vienna, which happens to be one of the most popular in Europe. It had everything from ice skating and photo-worthy backdrops to prepackaged sweets and plenty of Christmas decorations to try to fit into my already full suitcase.

What are the best things to buy at European Christmas markets?

Popular things to buy at Christmas markets throughout Europe include nativity scenes, handmade toys, nutcrackers, candles and glass or wood ornaments. If something catches your eye, buy it; there's no guarantee you'll find a similar item at the next market.

For example, in Vienna, I spotted a gold beaded ornament that I loved, and I bought it for about 10 euros (about $10.86). I never saw any other beaded ornaments at the Christmas markets before or after Vienna, so I was glad I purchased it when I saw it.

Do make sure that you're buying local products. On my Viking cruise, we were told that some markets are starting to sell mass-produced goods from China. If you want to support local artisans, ask the vendor or look for stickers that say where the products were made.

What should I eat or drink at each market?

Eating and drinking is a key component of the Christmas market experience. Each market sells an abundance of food, and the food options change from town to town.

Before you cruise, make a list of regional foods you wish to try in each market. Once at the market, look around to see which food stands are popular with locals. Follow their lead because they likely know who has the best treats.

Here are my favorite sweet and savory treats from each Christmas market I visited on my Viking cruise.

• Budapest: chimney cake rolled in crushed hazelnuts
• Bratislava: pork and garlic spiral sausage, potato pancakes similar to latkes but the size of a dinner plate
• Vienna: Champagne cream-filled donut
• Linz: raclette cheese on toasted bread
• Passau: cheese, ham and onion sengzelten (a sort of flatbread with toppings), traditional German bratwurst

Drinking at Christmas markets around Europe normally means getting a hot glass of glühwein, which is mulled wine made with red wine, spices and fruit. The drink is normally served in cute mugs that you can keep as a fun and cheap souvenir. If you don't want to keep your mug, you can return it and get back a euro or two.

What else can I do in each market besides shop?

Each Christmas market is different, and the things to do besides shopping are also varied.

Most of the larger markets, like the ones in Bratislava and Budapest, have live music playing from a bandstand that you can enjoy. In Budapest, the market near St. Stephen's Basilica had a projection show on the exterior of the church, too.

While touring one of the Linz markets, I stumbled upon a small carnival where rides and games were set up for kids to enjoy. Then in Vienna, the City Hall Christmas market had an ice skating rink that was popular with families and couples.

Related: Are river cruises right for kids?

What times do the markets open and close?

Generally, the Christmas markets open in midmorning, anywhere from 9 to 10 a.m., and close between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Some markets will open earlier, and some will close later.

The best way to know the times of each market you're visiting is to do a quick internet search close to the time of your river cruise. Put the name of the city and the words "Christmas Market hours" into your preferred online search tool to get the operational hours for each market.

Do you need cash for the Christmas markets?

You should always carry some cash with you for the Christmas markets. While many of the vendors will take credit cards or Apple Pay, others only want cash.

It's also a good idea to know the currency of each destination you're going to. For example, in Hungary, euros are not accepted anywhere, so I exchanged dollars for Hungarian forints to use at the Christmas market.

What can I do in each city before or after the Christmas market?

Your river cruise will offer an included tour every day. On my Viking river cruise, each day's included tour was a walking tour of the city to point out historic landmarks and show people how to get to the Christmas markets.

After a few days, I found the walking tours somewhat repetitive. They all showed off the major church in the city center and described how the city navigated various wars. The guides make or break the tours, and you never know who you'll get. So I used the tours to help navigate to the city center, then ventured off on my own with my travel companion. We used walking directions on Google Maps as a way to get to destinations we were interested in and to get back to the ship once we were ready to warm up for a while.

River cruises include a lot of perks, including docking right at the edge of most of the towns you visit. This means that in many destinations, you can walk from the ship to the middle of town in mere minutes. Before or after visiting the Christmas market, you can spend your time exploring the city, dining in a local restaurant, sipping hot coffee in a cafe or popping into shops.

For larger destinations like Vienna, Paris or Amsterdam, you might want to do extra research on what there is to do in the city for free or at a discount. Many museums offer free or discounted entry on select days or to select ages.

Bottom line

If you've ever wanted to explore European Christmas markets, a river cruise is an easy way to do it. Many of the best river cruise brands and guided group tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe.

You'll make the most of your vacation if you do a little bit of research to determine what there is to do in each city before or after your market visit, which local foods you should try and what to shop for at the markets themselves.

No matter which river you traverse, cruise line you pick, or Christmas markets you visit, you'll be able to immerse yourself in European holiday culture, learning about the food and drink specialties of the places you visit and how each destination celebrates the holidays. And since you're on a river cruise, you can experience multiple cities and countries while someone else does the navigation for you, and you only have to unpack once.

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Viking Christmas Market Cruise with Prague

My wife and I have just returned from a Viking River Cruise that visited Christmas markets from Nuremberg to Budapest. We also added the three day pre-cruise extension to Prague. This was our second Viking Christmas market cruise. When I retired several years ago, we took our first cruise. We enjoyed it so much that when my wife retired, she insisted that we repeat the experience. It was just as wonderful and magical as our first time. We sailed on the Viking Jarl, one of Viking’s long boats. The Jarl was beautiful. We opted for a smaller cabin this time, a french balcony. It was small, but beautifully appointed. The bed was fantastic and after a day of walking we both slept wonderfully well. The climate control in the cabin worked great as well. The bathroom was also small, but well arranged. One feature we really liked was that the bathroom—and shower—had heated floors! Service on board was wonderful. Our cabin steward, Dario, kept our cabin neat and clean—and he was fast too. In the dining room, Jayson and Connie, were our favorite servers and made each meal a delight. Oh—and the food was outstanding too. Over the course of the week on the Jarl, we also became acquainted with several of the staff that served in the bar/lounge area. They were all great, and despite being somewhat rushed, always seemed to provide personal service. Our first three days in Prague we fantastic. Prague was on my bucket list of cities to visit, and Viking made sure our experience was great. We stayed at the Marriott Hotel which was very convenient to Old Town Square as well as Wenceslas Square. All major sights were within walking distance. One feature of Viking we appreciate is how they take care of their clients. We were met at the Prague Airport by a Viking representative who escorted us to to our bus, after making sure our luggage was accounted for and stowed. The provided tours were all well organized and the local guides were super. Will we take another Viking River cruise? Oh Yes! But, maybe in the summer next time!

Our southern Mediterranean ocean cruise is 2 weeks away. 8 days, 4 countries (Italy, Spain, Algeria & Tunisia). I just received an email from Viking stating that they are cancelling the 2 African ports and substituting them with other Spanish and Italian ports for safety reasons. The only problem for me is that the only reason I booked this particular cruise was because of the 2 African ports. We've aleady been to Italy and spain numerous times and were really looking forward to visiting Africa which we've never been to. So things are alreay bad...but they get worse when I call their so-called "customer relations" department. Here are some exact quotes they said to me, "100% penalty", "no cancelations", "no reimbursements", "no upgraded drink packages", "no free premium excursions", and my very favorite for which i've saved for last, "if i give one to you, i have to give one to everybody else". A reasonable person will understand that sometimes things happen beyone one's controll. Thats not the issue here although i'm very disappointed that crossing off "Visiting Africa" from my bucket list will probably never ever happen now. Safety is the priority here and I get that. But my trip is now ruined before i've even left and you're telling me there is nothing you can do about it. If you're going to drastically change an itinerary such as you have, be prepared to deal with alot of unhappy people and have a plan in place to make it right. All you've done is make an alreay bad situation even worse. First and last time Viking. And you should probably stop adversting yourself as the "Worlds #1 Cruisline"

This was our first river cruise and we chose Viking after recommendation by our travel agent friend. We boarded Viking ship Mani in Basel and cruised over 8 days stopping in Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Kinderdijk. The whole trip including all flights and transfers was very well organised by Viking. The boat was bright and modern with space to accommodate the guests comfortably and our stateroom clean and functional with plenty of storage space for all of our clothes etc. The food was fresh and of good quality; well cooked with choices to suit all tastes. We opted for the beverage upgrade to enable us to budget and avoid unexpected bills on checkout. The trips were well organised and included in the cost and our tour guides were knowledgeable and brought the history of the area or building to life. Special mention to Malcolm who was our guide on the Audie Murphy trip - he was exceptional at bringing the history of World War II to life emotionally. The staff made this trip special for us - Kristina who looked after our stateroom couldn’t do enough for us and left our room tidy and spotless twice a day. Also Rene the travel Director was entertaining, engaging and extremely knowledgable about everything asked of him. We will miss his ‘chow for now’. Finally Marlon one of the waiters - he remembered our names after the 2nd day and brought a smile to our faces day in day out. The only things stopping this fantastic trip being a 5* cruise was two things - firstly an optional trip to Eberbach Monastery described as a dining experience within the cloisters of a monastery at a cost of £230 - it wasn’t; we were given a tour of an empty and very cold monastery, with wine tasting in the freezing cold and dark cellar. We were then forced to go to the monastery shop selling wine and other items, although the monastery no longer produces the wine they were selling! After 30 minutes in the shop, we were taken to a restaurant outside of the grounds and given a set menu with one glass of unpleasant German wine. The main course was veal which I don’t eat on ethical grounds. No other choice was offered. We felt this was expensive and not the experience we, nor other members of our cruise expected. The director was interested to hear our feedback as this was a new tour to Viking this year and we weren’t the first to be disappointed. Finally the stop at Kinderdijk was disappointing because apart from the windmills and 2 gift shops, the area offered nothing else. After the previously interesting destinations, offering a wealth of things to see and do, this destination felt like a waste of a day. It would have been preferable to stop in Amsterdam? That said, these disappointments didn’t detract from a really enjoyable river cruise and we wouldn’t hesitate to travel with Viking River Cruise again.

Very impressed with Viking. Well-organized and professional all the way. Cruise director was super, food was very good, excursions were wonderful. Exceeded my expectations.

We joined Vikings cruise from Basel to Amsterdam in July 2018. The staterooms are very nice and functional, the personnel on the ships are very pleasant and accommodating. The food was excellent, and the port trips were all interesting. There was always good seating for their on ship events, and the cruise director was very enjoyable.

My wife and I took a Viking River Cruise from Lyon down the Rhone River to Avignon. It was, in brief, wonderful. The Viking staff was excellent and the food was great. The staterooms are small but completely functional and comfortable. The lounge, bow deck, and restaurant and great as well. No complaints! We were well taken care of the whole trip. The daily excursions were amazing; it was fun to see these old French cities and their sites.

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My View from the Middle Seat

Travel Advice for DINK Couples

Cruise Review: A Journey Down the Danube on the Viking Jarl

December 20, 2016

We are back from our incredible Christmas Market Cruise journey down the Danube on Viking River Cruises! River cruising is so different than ocean cruising, I think we’re both still trying to wrap our heads around it (& catch up from jet lag!). But there’s one thing we both definitely agreed on: the Viking Jarl made a fantastic home for seven days.

One of Viking’s 35 river ships, the Jarl was designed to traverse the rivers of the world, which means it’s long, low & sleek. The ship is decorated in Scandinavian style, with light wood, frosted glass & calming neutrals throughout. The main public areas of the ship include the light-filled two-story atrium (with the reception desk, library & internet cafe, public seating areas & coffee stations), the passenger lounge (the largest space on the ship), the glass-enclosed terrace (& amazing deck) all the way in the front of the ship, the dining room & the top deck, which spans the length of the ship. All the public rooms have floor to ceiling windows, offering scenic views as the ship moves along the river.

The crew, small but mighty, was incredible! From the Program Director Cornelia (basically the cruise director, on a traditional ocean vessel), to the friendly reception desk staff, to the excellent dining room staff (shout outs to Efran, Ruth & Carmen), the crew of 50 worked hard throughout the journey, but always with a smile, often greeting us by name.

The ship was festively, but tastefully, decorated for the holidays. There were three Christmas trees scattered around the ship (one of the trees had ornaments decorated by the passengers), lots of lighted green garland & even a little gingerbread house village.

Our initial impression of our Veranda Stateroom (#317) stuck with us throughout the trip: small but well organized, with a calming color scheme. The bed was large, with two twin beds pushed together, as was the flat screen TV that hung on the wall, full of news stations (CNN, CNBC, BBC) & movies which were selected to match the itinerary ( Sound of Music & Amadeus , anyone?). There are three decks of passenger rooms (95 rooms total); ours was on the top. We did get some noise from the wheelhouse moving up & down on the roof above us, but it wasn’t too bad. Our room also had a small balcony, which would have been perfect in warmer weather (we did pop out there once or twice to watch us going through a lock).

The bathroom was the best we’ve had in quite a while on a cruise, with ample shower space with glass doors, higher end toiletries & plenty of spots for storage. Our toilet seemed to be a bit “off” during parts of the trip & there was often an unpleasant odor when we were cruising, but from what I understand that was normal & just part of life on the river. Most importantly, the towels were huge & fluffy & the hot water ample.

After being burned so many times by traditional dining on ocean cruises, we were eager to try something different. On the Jarl, meals were served in the dining room by breakfast buffet, one lunch seating & one dinner seating. Lighter meals were also offered daily on the terrace (we had lunch up there one day & it was lovely). All seating in the dining room is open, which means we got the opportunity to meet many of our fellow passengers. Beer & wine is included with your meal at lunch & dinner, & we enjoyed trying local wines & beers from along our itinerary. Carmen, our wine steward, was rather heavy handed with the pours!

The food was somewhat hit or miss – about 90% of it was pretty good, 5% not so good & 5% exemplary. Some of my favorite bites included the regionally-appropriate cookies baked daily, the pecan pastries at breakfast, soups (which changed daily & were all fantastic), beef wellington, lamb shank & lamb with pumpkin ravioli. Portions might be a bit small, depending on what you’re used to – especially compared to most restaurants in the U.S.

Guests were often greeted with a snack or a beverage when returning from an excursion as well. The Mozart Drinks (Kahlua & peppermint) & mulled wine were especially welcoming! While there is no room service, like on a traditional ocean cruise, there was a 24 hour coffee station with complimentary espresso drinks, coffee & tea.

The Romantic Danube itinerary took us to three new countries: Hungary, Austria & Germany – such a beautiful part of Europe! We started in Budapest, Hungary & cruised to two places in Austria ( Vienna & Krems) & three places in Germany (Passau, Regensburg & Nuremberg). The day we were docked in Passau, we took a Viking sponsored trip back into Austria to visit Salzburg . In addition, the day we were docked in Regensburg, some passengers took a trip to Munich. Being December, the primary focus of our trip was Europe’s famous Christmas Markets & they definitely didn’t disappoint! From the festive Christkindl Market in Vienna, to the quiet Advent Market tucked into a courtyard in Salzburg, to one of Europe’s largest markets in Nuremberg, each market had its own flavor, food, mulled wine & flare.

While we visited every city we were scheduled to, we quickly learned after boarding that the schedule on the river is a bit different than the schedule on the ocean. Because of the number of locks along the Danube (& many rivers in Europe), the schedule is a bit fluid to allow for delays. In addition, river cruise ships don’t move very fast, which meant we had a lot of ground to cover each day. Often, we would get off the ship in one city, the ship would leave & we’d take a shuttle bus at the end of our tour to meet the ship upriver a bit. This led to a lot more time on charter coaches than we had anticipated & a bit less time in each port than we anticipated – we assumed that the ship would be docked in port for a full day, like on an ocean cruise. It all worked out in the end for the most part (we ended up skipping a tour we had originally signed up for to have more time to visit a Christmas market; however, the refund process with Viking has been fairly painless), but I wish we had known about it ahead of time.

Post-cruise, I traveled with Viking from Nuremberg to Prague . The four hour coach bus ride was comfortable & very convenient. Viking offers a complete post-cruise Prague excursion, including airport transfers, a city tour & the hotel, but I decided to venture out on my own & to stay closer to the center of the Old Town .

Fellow Passengers

We were most nervous about this aspect of our cruise, as we had heard rumors that we would be significantly younger than all the other passengers on board (& had sometimes experienced this on ocean cruises). The good news for us is that, while we were the youngest couple on board, it was not by a significant amount. I’d estimate that most of the other passengers were between their mid-to-late 50s to their early 70s (a young 70s though!). I was impressed at how well traveled the majority of our fellow passengers were – many had done all of Europe, Asia, Africa, South America & one was even planning a trip to Antarctica. Several of them asked us point blank why young people would go on a river cruise, but all of them were kind & seemed to welcome us aboard. The majority of the passengers were from the U.S. & U.K.

On a daily basis, there were several activities that took place: a complimentary tour in each port with a local guide, a daily briefing on the next day’s itinerary & port, & some sort of evening entertainment. The local tours were, for the most part, fantastic. Guides were well versed to an encyclopedic level on their town & I always learned something interesting in each tour. Most of the tours were walking tours, which was a great way to stretch our legs & see the town; when we were in Vienna, we were even able to join a tour that took the subway system into town!

Each afternoon was a daily briefing on an interesting aspect of the next day’s port – coffeehouses in Vienna, Christmas market shopping in Nuremberg – & sometimes even included a bonus talk on our journey (on the Danube-Rhine-Main Canal or on the ship itself). In the evening, we had several appearances by local performers, all of who were excellent. Our first night in Budapest, we were joined by members of the Hungarian opera, who sang both tradition opera arias & Christmas songs. The evening of the ship’s big “Taste of Bavaria” dinner, a local musicians playing a clarinet & accordion provided entertainment during dinner, followed by a Christmas sing-along with the crew. The last evening, we were joined by opera sings from Nuremberg. Having local entertainment really added to the flavor of the trip.

Embarkation/Debarkation

The arrival & departure process, as with everything on our trip, was well-handled by Viking & extremely organized. At embarkation, a porter met us at the curb & took our bags. We walked right onto the ship & up to the reception desk, where we were checked in with a simple swipe of the passport. Then a staff member took us to our room – super easy & painless. Debarkation was similarly easy: our luggage didn’t have to be outside our room until an hour before departure & all departures were scheduled based on where passengers were headed next. B caught a transfer bus to the Nuremberg airport & an hour later I left for Prague. Once at the Nuremberg airport, a Viking representative took passengers all the way to the check-in counter & made sure that everyone was on their way.

Overall: Viking Christmas Market Cruise Review

We really enjoyed our time on the Viking Jarl. I’m still not 100% convinced that river cruising is for me, but if we do another river cruise, it will definitely be on Viking. I know we’re not Viking’s target demographic – that’s our parents & grandparents – but I think, on the right itinerary, a river cruise is the perfect vacation, regardless of your age. It was truly luxury cruising, where no detail was too small or overlooked.

Know if you go…. 

– unlike many other cruises we’ve been on, we did not feel like we were nickle & dimed at all on this trip, largely because so much is included in your fare. Beer & wine at meals, high speed wifi (which actually worked pretty well the majority of the time), tours in every port – all included.

– while house beer & wine were included, if you have strong preferences or drink a lot of cocktails, the Silver Star beverage package is likely worth your money. We didn’t order anything from the bar, but the wine, beer & cocktail menus all looked nice.

– dress code was a bit more casual than most of the cruises we’ve been on. Even in the dining room, dark jeans & slacks were the norm, especially in the colder months. We spent most of the trip in our winter coats, hats & gloves! Good shoes are a must (we wore our hiking shoes most of the time).

– here’s a tip on the cookies at the coffee station, which I learned from a friend who had previously cruised: cookies are fresh baked & generally available until around 4pm. If you’re going to be in the mood for a midnight snack, take a few to keep in your room for later.

Note: we were guests of Viking River Cruises on our journey; as always, all opinions are my own. 

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Reader interactions.

December 20, 2016 at 9:35 pm

Thanks for the great review Christina! Not sure that a huge Caribbean Cruise is my thing, but I have thought about river cruising. I figured that you guys would likely be the youngest, but I guess there is no harm in that. I find that most people our age are not into the same things as we are because they have kids, so they are likely traveling to Disney and the like. My husband and I enjoy sleeping in a bit, nice meals, good coffee, beer and wine and seeing the area for what it really is, in addition to some of your typical touristy stuff. You definitely gave me something to think about for the future, but it might be a while. Gotta check off a few other places first. :)

December 21, 2016 at 11:35 am

I totally agree with your assessment – we can definitely travel differently than people our age because we don’t have kids (Viking doesn’t actually allow children on board, which is so nice).

I will say this though: this was not a sleeping in itinerary! We were up most days between 6am – 7am, as the majority of our walking tours started between 8am – 9am. There’s a reason I skipped breakfast many days :)

January 1, 2017 at 9:56 pm

Wow. That’s definitely an early start for us, but we could do it if we had to. Did you look into any other cruise lines before settling on Viking?

December 22, 2016 at 4:27 pm

Cruise virgin here but I’ve always wondered how travellers can spend a week on a boat. Seeing how spacious the rooms are and reading what there is to do, I can see how!

December 22, 2016 at 6:02 pm

You actually don’t spend much time on the boat, honestly! Or, I should say, you spend as much time as you choose. Some cruises, I’ve loved just sitting around & reading five (5!) books. Some cruises, I love getting out there & exploring.

March 4, 2017 at 10:46 am

Interesting to see how different the Viking ships are from Ama. I’d love to try out a cruise to see how they compare!

March 4, 2017 at 11:21 am

I too would love to try other river cruise lines to see how they compare! I’m sure they each have their own personality, & I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ama.

March 4, 2017 at 5:13 pm

I traveled with Viking for the first time in the Spring last year and we did the Rhine River. Since I had my mom with me, it was a great mix of people closer to my age and closer to hers. I wouldn’t do it solo and I know my partner wouldn’t enjoy a Viking Cruise with me. But I thought it was the perfect journey for a mother/daughter when the daughter is in her mid thirties. In fact, I’d love her and I to do this cruise too since we’re both fans of Christmas Markets. Loved the honestly of your write up lady!

March 4, 2017 at 5:35 pm

Thanks so much! I’ve thought a lot about this after we got back & I think it would be the absolutely perfect mother/daughter journey (I’ve actually been thinking about taking my Dad!). I think it’s all in what you’re comfortable with – we’re the oldest 34 year olds in the world, so the older clientele may have bothered them more than it bothered us!

July 18, 2018 at 11:12 am

I could not open your link of spending a day In Salzburg so I will ask you questions…We are interested in the Viking river cruise optional day in Salzburg but cannot find any reviews of it. Could you help me out and give me your personal view. Thank you

July 18, 2018 at 5:47 pm

Hi Susie –

Sorry about that! My blog post on Salzburg is here .

Basic overview: it was a great intro to Salzburg and the guided tour was great. I wish we had more time to explore on our own (& actually skipped the tour-provided lunch to have more solo exploring time). It is a lot of time on a coach bus back & forth to the ship, which was the biggest bummer part about it. In addition, I heard that Passau was lovely, so I’m disappointed to have missed that; however, if you’re a Sound of Music fan & haven’t been to the city before, I think it is worth it!

Hope that helps – let me know if I can answer any other questions!

Happy travels, Christina

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Christmas Markets on a Viking Rhine River Cruise

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A Viking River Cruise is a wonderful experience any time of year, but is especially during the holidays.  Festive activities on the ship and as port excursions that include five of the best Christmas markets in Europe make a cruise to visit Christmas Markets on a Viking Rhine River Cruise a magical experience.

{I was invited as a guest of Viking River Cruises-my opinions are my own.}

I started my trip in Basel, Switzerland, on the Viking River ship Eir.  From the moment I boarded the ship, I was immersed in the celebration of the holiday season. The entire ship is festively decorated–Christmas trees glittered in the lobby and cocktail lounge; twinkle lights and garland glowed on outside ship railings. An elaborate handmade gingerbread village held center stage in the front lobby, beckoning shipgoers to marvel in its grandness. Throughout the cruise, staff kept the holiday spirit alive with nighttime activities centered around the holidays, such as special holiday foods, an ornament decorating party, and crew-led Christmas caroling in the lounge.  One could not help but get into the holiday spirit!

The European Christmas Markets

Viking Rhine River cruises visit several ports in Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands during the cruise, including five with holiday Christmas markets.  These markets are not just a few craft booths set up for tourists, they are some of the biggest and most popular Christmas markets in Europe.

For those not familiar, Christmas markets, Christkindlmarkt (German) or March de Noel (France), are holiday festivals featuring handmade crafts and wares, seasonal music, enchanting decor, and delicious holiday food and drinks. The tradition of the Christmas market began in Germany in the middle ages with the very first market in Bautzen, Germany in 1384. The Christmas market were a way for Catholic churches to celebrate the season of Advent and allow people to purchase holiday gifts and food before the Christmas holiday.  Today, most major European cities host some type of Christmas market, with some of the more well-known markets in Strasbourg and Cologne.

Colmar Christmas Market

Our first river port was Breisach, Germany.  After a morning excursion to the Black Forest, we had the afternoon free to visit Colmar for several hours.  The picturesque french village of Colmar is straight out of a fairy tale; the twinkling Christmas lights, narrow streets, medieval buildings, and joyous decor make Colmar absolutely enchanting.  Colmar has five Christmas markets, including a Children’s Market, an Indoor Craft Market, and a traditional nativity with live animals.

Note:  We visited Colmar on a Saturday, one of the busiest days for Christmas market.  The markets are spread throughout the city; if the main areas get too crowded, be sure to visit the stands on the side streets. 

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Strasbourg boasts one of the oldest Christmas markets in France, with the first market opening in 1570.  Set against the towering Strasbourg Cathedral the market has over 300 booths, with every kind of Christmas ornament, decoration, and homemade craft you could imagine.  I found security to be tight at the Strasbourg market and felt quite safe.  Be sure to pick up a white stork ornament or stuffed animal–the stork is the Alsatian region’s mascot and symbol of good luck.

Bonus:  Obernai

I participated in one of the optional wine tour excursions available on our cruise.  After the wine tasting, our motor coach stopped in Obernai for a short visit before heading back to the ship.  This pretty little medieval town went all out for the holidays, with sparkling lights decorating every building from one end of town to the other.  Obernai also has several delicious-looking chocolate and pastry shops along the path of the markets.

Heidelberg Christmas Market

Nestled below Heidelberg Castle in the old town section of town is the Heidelburg Christmas market, with seven market areas within short walking distance of each other.  This market is very family-friendly, with ice skating and other children’s activities available.  I especially loved the food at this market, including the spaetzle and German sausage.  Be sure to buy a cup (or two) of glüwein, a hot spiced mulled red or white wine sold at most Christmas markets.  Each market has their own special collectors glüwein cup, so collect one from each market.  If you don’t want glüwein, you can grab a cup of hot cocoa, or le chocolate Chaud.

Koblenz Christmas Market

At the crossroads of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers lies Germany’s oldest city of Koblenz, with one of the most ethereal Christmas markets in Europe.  A veritable winter wonderland, Koblenz glowed with twinkling lights from every building in old town Koblenz, while horse-drawn carriages took shoppers to the six Christmas markets spread through the town.  Koblenz is known for its lebkuchenherzen, a heart-shaped gingerbread pastry, as well as its riesling wine cakes, so grab something sweet to nibble on as you shop.

Cologne Christmas Market

One of our last stops on the cruise was to the majestic German city of Cologne.  In addition to touring the Cologne Cathedral, we experienced one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe, with seven Christmas markets spread throughout the city.  Cologne is well-known for its Heinzelmännchen of Köln, or Elves of Cologne, and the elfin theme was whimsically found on wood carved booths, art, and decor throughout the markets.  Because these markets are spread out, visitors can purchase a tram ticket for 10€ to visit one market to another.  The food at the Cologne markets is plentiful and delicious so come on an empty stomach.

Christmas Market Tips

• Most Christmas markets only take cash, so be sure to have both Euros and French Francs available.
• The crowds can get heavy, especially on the weekends, so watch out for pickpockets.
• Christmas markets are scheduled during the Christian advent season, about November 23 – December 24th, so plan your cruise during this time.
• Christmas markets are a shoppers wonderland, but be aware that certain objects may be too fragile to transport by air.  Ask the vendor if you can have your snow globe or glass ornaments shipped instead of packing them in your suitcase.
• Most chocolate at the markets include praline (hazelnut), including the hot cocoa, so be aware if you are allergic to nuts.
• Come hungry, as there are so many delectable treats to eat at the markets.
• Christmas markets are open on Sundays in France, but many other shops, except restaurants, are closed on Sundays to observe Catholic tradition.
• Most Christmas market vendors speak English but learn a few words in German and French so you can talk money more accurately.
• Bring a warm hat, mittens, scarf, and winter coat–the markets can get cold, especially at night!

For more information about Viking River Cruises, please visit their website .  If you would like to book a cruise as a new traveler, please visit my travel advisor Viking page. 

Julie is the chief food, travel, and luxury lifestyle writer/photographer/publisher for A Cork, Fork, & Passport. Julie has 35+ years in the travel business as a writer, travel advisor, and traveler. She is an accomplished home chef, recipe developer, and mixologist, but her proudest job is wife and mom. She loves board games, 80's New Wave, and chasing dachshunds! Julie lived in the Phoenix, Arizona area for 25 years but recently moved back to upstate New York.

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I so miss the European markets. What a fabulous experience. I need to go! 😉

This is like my holiday dream. I love this area so much.

This looks amazing. I love Christmas and all these markets would be amazing to see. It’s a holiday dream come true.

This is an amazing post. These Christmas markets are absolutely fantastic. I love Christmas

This looks so idyllic! I love the holidays and this is like stepping into a movie or a book! Fabulous!

Taking a Viking River Cruise during the holiday season sounds amazing! I would love to check out some of those Christmas markets!

This is seriously such a fun way to enjoy the holidays! I would love to to go on one of the Viking River cruises just to check out the fun markets at each port.

This is a dream shopping trip for me. I love shopping for all things Christmas, especially decor and gifts.

Omg, I would be in heaven as Christmas is my favorite time of the year. The market would be lovely to shop for gift exchange.

This looks like such a great experience. I haven’t ever been on a viking rhine river cruise, but it looks like it has a lot to offer 🙂

I have been wanting to go on a cruise for some time now. It looks like you saw some great sights and events that will make for many great memories.

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Christmas Markets

Celebrate an Old World Christmas on one of Europe’s great rivers. Glittering cities across France, Germany, Austria and beyond light up with Christmas markets offering hand-carved toys and ornaments. While you shop, sample hot chocolate, spicy glühwein and aromatic gingerbread.

Christmas on the Seine

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Highlights of christmas markets.

Enjoy visits to Europe’s delightful Christmas markets, onboard festivities and more—all designed to complement your itinerary’s regular highlights. Join us in exploring the lands where our most cherished holiday traditions began and treat yourself to a true European Christmas. Here is a preview of all you will enjoy during a Christmas Market cruise with Viking

• Exuberantly decorated Christmas markets nestled in charming cities
• Yuletide cookies, cakes and other freshly baked treats
• Cobblestone streets illuminated by holiday lights
• The angelic songs of strolling carolers
• Storybook villages and snow-capped castles on the riverside
• Hand-carved toys and ornaments from Christmases past
• Onboard music performances, tree trimming and cooking demonstrations
• Good tidings and cheer shared with rosy-cheeked market vendors

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Viking Is Finally Getting Wall Street Coverage. Why Analysts Love the Cruise Stock.

V iking Holdings stock has had a stellar first month since it went public. Wall Street analysts have taken their time to assess the luxury cruise operator, but the consensus view now is that the shares can sail higher.

Viking is known for its high-end European river cruises, which have proven popular with wealthy older Americans. Investors have also been happy to go along for the ride: The stock is up 24% from the price of its May 1 initial public offering. The shares were up 1.5% shortly after the open on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 was flat.

Much like one of the company’s river cruises, the journey so far has been serene. Buy ratings from Wall Street analysts keep coming in.

Stifel analyst Steven Wieczysnki initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a target price of $37, implying a gain of 25% from Friday’s closing price. “Viking is the ultimate growth story within the luxury/travel/cruise segment as we estimate the company will grow Ebitda on average around 17% for the next three years,” Wieczysnki said in a note Tuesday, referring to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

He added that this growth, coupled with a “preeminent balance sheet,” means the stock warrants a higher valuation than the cruise companies Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. He expects the luxury river cruise segment to grow significantly in the years ahead, citing an aging population that continues to accumulate wealth.

J.P. Morgan analyst Matthew Boss also launched coverage with a Buy rating Tuesday, though his target price is a bit lower, at $34. Boss said Viking was well positioned to increase its share of the growing vacation market over a period of years, for three main reasons.

First, the company has a target demographic of 55 years old and over, which Boss notes is the fastest-growing population segment and accounts for 70% of U.S. wealth.

The analyst also said Viking is very much focused on the places its cruises visit, unlike its peers, who sometimes market their ships as the destination. This means lower costs to build and maintain its ships, and consistent yields, he said.

Third, Viking has a “scalable business model with a strong foundation,” he said, noting that it has a 51% share of the river cruising market, and a 26% share in ocean luxury.

Viking has six Buy ratings and one Neutral call so far, according to FactSet data.

Melius Research analyst Conor Cunningham initiated coverage, also with a Buy rating, last week. He said that while the cruise sector is undervalued, partly because the larger operators are working through debt that piled up as they looked to survive the pandemic, Viking “is in a much different place” with minimal debt payments due in the coming years, he said.

The company’s intense focus on its travel offering and its customers makes it a “clean way to play the higher-end luxury travel market,” Cunningham wrote. He has a price target of $37.

The company is all about simplicity—it could be a similar story for the stock’s march higher.

Write to Callum Keown at [email protected]

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Viking cruises earnings: bets on 55+ demo, cuts debt, vague on forecasts.

Viking  on Wednesday provided its first earnings report since its IPO earlier this month. The company, which operates 92 luxury river and ocean cruises, gave a broadly upbeat report.

Here are some key takeaways from its presentation .

Betting on over-55s

Viking’s core customers are affluent, English-speaking travelers over age 55.

“In the U.S., this demographic has a large spending power and holds 70% of the wealth,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO. “They’re also the fastest-growing segment of the population, expected to increase from 98 million people in 2020 to 110 million in 2030. To put things in perspective, we carried about 650,000 guests in 2023.”

Executives said this demographic likes an all-inclusive product because they like to know their budgets upfront. That said, about 40% of passengers book an upsell, typically a package that includes a stay in a hotel before departure or at the end of a cruise. The company also offers optional excursions while in ports as upsells.

Strong 2024 and 2025 seasons

For sailings this season, it has sold 91% of its possible passenger cruise days — a measure of the number of passengers carried multiplied by the number of ship operating days.

For the 2025 season, it has sold 39% of its passenger cruise days. That amounts to $2.5 billion in advance bookings so far.

“Our current bookings pace is proceeding pretty much as we planned,” Hagen said. “We have had no surprises.”

Growing capacity

As the company adds ships, the volume of passengers it can serve obviously grows. Viking will boost its ocean cruise capacity by 17% for next year’s season, compared to the level in 2023, and its river cruise capacity by 12% next season, compared to last year.

Viking said it had exercised options with the shipbuilder Fincantieri. It expects delivery of two wholly new 998-guest cruise ships in 2029.

Vague forecasts

The company’s executives said that typical fluctuations in the mix of bookings over any given year make it impossible for them to provide a specific forecast for yields. Net yields last year averaged about $500 per passenger per day.

A few analysts were disappointed in the lack of detailed guidance. “It seems to us that giving guidance would be easier for you than your peers given that your booking curve is farther out [Viking is better at generating bookings farther in advance] and you don’t really generate much onboard revenue [because] Viking’s ships are smaller,” said Robin Farley, managing director and leisure stock analyst at UBS.

“Our goal is always to try to keep [price hike percentages from season to season] in the mid-to-high single digits,” said Linh Banh, executive vice president, finance.

Narrowing losses

The operator of river and ocean cruises said it has been reducing its cash burn. Its adjusted EBITDA was negative $214 million in the year through March 31, representing half the loss of the prior comparable period.

The company raised about $246 million in net proceeds from its IPO.

Viking’s net leverage slipped from 3.8x as of year-end to 3.4x trailing yearly adjusted EBITDA as of March 31.

“Our balance sheet is probably among the best in the industry,” Hagen said.

Viking IPO: Key Facts Behind the Luxury Cruise Operator’s Billion-Dollar Debut

Wednesday’s IPO will value Viking, an operator of luxury river and ocean cruises, at roughly $10 billion. Leaders in the luxury travel sector will be eyeing the move closely.

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What am I looking at?  The performance of cruise and tours sector stocks within the ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including both cruise lines and tour operators.

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In this episode, Cruise Addicts host John Shallo is joined by expert Michael Consoli to share Viking Tips on the best practices when planning and taking your Viking cruise in 2024. We cover what mistakes you shouldn’t make while planning and taking your cruise. Listen in as he offers expert advice while answering questions during our recent live Q&A and a member check-in.

If you want to watch a live stream video replay, you can  click here .

Viking Cruising In 2024 Q&A With Michael Consoli

Be sure to visit Michael Consoli’s agency website at planmycruise.com

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