I don’t know about all of you, but I can’t believe it’s already time for the holidays! This time of year always brings back warm memories of my childhood in Germany, especially when I start discussing AmaWaterways’ Christmas Time cruises. Just the thought of Nuremberg’s 200 stalls brimming with authentic, unique German gifts makes me think fondly of my former home.
At AmaWaterways, we go to great lengths to ensure our Christmas Time cruises capture the true essence of what the season is all about, adding local European touches at every possible turn. It all starts on board our beautiful ships, which are decked out in breathtaking décor that transforms each vessel into a holiday wonderland.
Our onboard activities further the festive feeling, and we hear so often how the special things we do during our Christmas Time sailings warm the hearts of our guests, making them feel right at home. From tree decorating contests, gingerbread-making sessions and a Captain’s Christmas party to a traditional holiday dinner, surprise visits by St. Nicholas and strolling shipboard carolers, we carry the spirit of the season throughout each weeklong sailing.
One of the ways our Christmas Time cruises stand out from the rest is in the delicious themed food and beverage offerings on board. I can say with certainty that our corporate chef, Primus, really outdoes himself during the holidays! Travelers feel the warmth of the holiday season with traditional German Gluwein – hot mulled wine – rich, frothy hot chocolate and warm apple cider. To top it all off, we serve traditional German, Austrian and Hungarian fare throughout every meal, delighting the taste buds of our guests with local Christmas flavors.
AmaWaterways’ three unique Christmas Time itineraries are, of course, the crown jewel of the experience. Joyful visits to Europe’s charming centuries-old Christmas Markets create an unforgettable moment for those sailing with us this time of year. Some of the majestic ports we visit include Prague, Nuremberg, Vienna and Strasbourg, all of which offer renowned Christmas Markets.
The rivers of Europe are beautiful any time of year but in my opinion, the Christmas Markets cruises we offer are a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience that should not be missed. The holidays are all about spending time with your loved ones and during our Christmas Time cruises, we often see families with children who are out of school on winter vacation, including the grandparents, aunts and uncles, as well. These special sailings really do seem to bring the entire family together for a special multigenerational holiday vacation!
I so enjoy watching families create long-lasting memories together on board our ships at this special time of year, and creating memories myself, meeting new friends and making wonderful relationships for the New Year!