Enjoy the Spirit of Christmas at European Markets with AmaWaterways

Before embarking on our AmaWaterways’ Christmas Markets on the Rhine river cruise in December 2023, we spent two nights at the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre. This four -star hotel is within walking distance of Amsterdam’s historical centre, its central station and many museums. Schiphol Airport is also only 20 minutes from the hotel. The extra time allowed us to explore the city a bit. Two Amsterdam highlights included the Anne Frank House — which includes the attic where the Frank family hid from the Nazis, and where young Anne penned her famous diary — which was very moving; and the wonderful Rijksmuseum — filled with 800 years of Dutch history and home of works from the great Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.

Before leaving Amsterdam, we took part in the AmaWaterways tour to Zaanse Schans. This delightful village in the Dutch town of Zaandam is known for the historic windmills and distinctive green wooden houses that were relocated to recreate the look of an 18th/19th-century village. The Zaans Museum has regional costumes, model windmills and interactive exhibits on chocolate making. Artisan workshops demonstrate rare handicrafts such as wooden clog carving, barrel making and pewter casting.

Once onboard the AmaCerto, we found our itinerary was changed slightly due to water levels on the Rhine, but the captain and crew handled everything beautifully and seamlessly. The onboard experience was festive and brought us so much joy. The ship was decorated beautifully for the holidays and each stateroom had a wreath on the door. As this was a Christmas market cruise, the evening entertainment was also holiday inspired and included decorating the Christmas tree with our shipboard family, singing carols with the crew and a visit from Santa Claus with gifts for everyone.

The AmaCerto (“Ama” means love) accommodates 162 guests, making the experience intimate. The smaller number of guests allows for more opportunities to connect with people from around the world. The ship is sophisticated, contemporary and elegantly appointed. We sailed in a twin balcony stateroom. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to offer this signature view-enhancing feature of two private balconies — a French balcony and a full outside balcony. Together, they provide a unique panoramic view of the beautiful sights along the river while inviting fresh air and natural light inside. With twin balconies, you can enjoy the river however you wish. Seeing the countryside, villages, farms and castles from your stateroom is so magical.

The bathroom is small but has a decent sized shower for a riverboat. The bed was outfitted with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet. Other room amenities included a soft robe, hair dryer, flat-screen TV, complimentary internet and Wi-Fi as well as complimentary bottled water that was replenished daily.

We had plenty of choices when it came to dining. Our favorite food memory was the Chef’s Table, which is an intimate specialty restaurant that seats approximately 30 guests. The kitchen — usually hidden — becomes part of the entertainment. We had the opportunity to watch the chef prepare a special multi-course meal right in front of us. The food was incredible with a nice wine paring for each course. The staff was extremely attentive and offered great service. The Main Restaurant serves regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge. Guests enjoy complimentary unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, as well as sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed juices during breakfast.

Shore excursions is one of the areas where AmaWaterways shines. Guests are free to choose from one of several guided tours — all of which are included in the cruise fare. Every tour is led by a local, English-speaking guide who is very knowledgeable in the culture and history of the place you are visiting. The cruise line also carries a fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, so you can pedal alongside enchanting riverside pathways and in city centers on a variety of included biking excursions. Whether you feel like joining one of their guided bike tours, or want to go discover on your own, there are many ways for you to explore on two wheels during your river cruise.

The seven-night Christmas Markets on the Rhine itinerary started in Amsterdam and ended in Basel, Switzerland, taking us through Germany and France.

In Düsseldorf, Germany, we had the two guide tour options. We could take a brief trip to nearby Cologne to see its enchanting Old Town, and visit sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Fishmarkt, which dates to the 12th century, and the Great St. Martin Church. The tour ended with a stop at Europe’s largest and most renowned Christmas markets. The other option had us exploring historic Düsseldorf on foot, then being treated to a tasting of Altbier, a clean and crisp beer crafted using traditional brewing techniques, and concluding with a visit to the local Christmas market.

We cruised through the castle-laden Rhine River Gorge before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim, where we had four choices of morning excursions. Wine connoisseurs could go to a wine cellar for a tasting followed by a Christmas market to enjoy holiday traditions from around the world. Hikers could explore the vineyards. Alternatively, there was a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola (cable car built for two) followed by a visit to the Christmas market. Another option was to join a guided bike tour through the town and along the Rhine River before visiting the Christmas market. Later in the day, there was a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet with more than 400 self-playing musical instruments, or trying a taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee — a drink with flambéed brandy, strong coffee and thickly whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar and topped with chocolate flakes as a garnish. Think Christmas in a cup!

Strasbourg, France is even more alluring during the season of Advent. The Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570, making it the oldest French Christmas Market. One of the tour options included a panoramic bus tour that goes past the Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique. Afterward, there is a walk through the historic town center on the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and through the lovely “La Petite France” district with the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. The day’s finale is a visit to the town’s famous Christmas market.

Europe takes the Christmas spirit to a whole new level. Each port had great excursions and all included a visit to the markets. Each one we visited was unique and I enjoyed the culture brought to each city along the Rhine River as well as the support for small businesses. The items in the markets were one-of-a-kind. All of the Christmas markets were amazing in their own right, but the Riquewihr Market in the Alsace region of France was magical. This quaint village that inspired the Disney movie Beauty and The Beast felt charming and cozy and the vendors had amazing souvenirs. I’ll always have fond memories of the seasonal sights and smells, the decorations, crafts, food and drink.

This itinerary is perfect for everyone who loves the magic and spirit of Christmas. We really absorbed the history, and the ports along the Rhine were truly memorable.

A few final travel tips: On a Christmas Market river cruise, the weather is going to be very cold. It’s best to dress in layers, starting with a warm base of garments. Don’t forget a good scarf and gloves! Always pack comfortable shoes with thick soles as there is a lot of walking on this itinerary, much of it over cobblestones. Another footwear must is a second pair of comfortable shoes as it can be rainy and you’ll need a dry pair. There is a lot of shopping on this itinerary, so save room in your luggage for treasures.