A holiday season and Holiday Market river cruises are a remarkable way to enjoy the magic and fun of the season at the lowest prices of the year. What's really cool? It's not just about an exciting holiday season river cruise in Europe anymore. If you're a bit more adventuresome why not choose a river cruise in Southeast Asia drifting along the Mekong River exploring Vietnam and Cambodia, or a cruise on the Irrawaddy delving into the magical, mystical lands of Myanmar (Burma).
Holiday season river cruising, is actually broken into two somewhat distinct periods — the first is Holiday Markets cruises starting mid-November and continuing through just prior to Christmas. These Holiday Market cruises are only available in Europe along the Rhine, Danube and on France's Seine River. If you want to learn more about a Holiday Market cruise, CLICK HERE.
Or, if you’re more interested in a river cruise for Christmas and/or New Years, the options are Europe or Southeast Asia. Currently, you can enjoy cruises up to 17-days spanning both holidays, or merely pick the cruise of your choice over either Christmas or New Years. In either case, you’ll certainly enjoy a very different holiday season than you might experience here in North America.
European holiday season cruising the Rhine, Danube, and Seine.
European choices are still focused on the Rhine, Danube and, of course, the Seine with its focus being elegant Paris, the "City of Lights," with extended stays there and cruising the Normandy region of France. If you haven’t been to Europe during this festive period, you’re in for an unexpected treat. As an example — while most North Americans choose to travel in summer — we chose to be a bit different two years ago and enjoyed an incredible river cruise during the holidays! There was something so wonderful and different about exploring the enchanting, uncrowded medieval villages, towns, and cities along the Danube such as Salzburg and Heidelberg, Vienna and Budapest, as well as our favorite, Prague. We walked through and explored 2000 year old towns and villages and discovered some of the best shopping in the entire world. You can even enjoy a traditional Christmas mass in one of the stunning cathedrals of Regensburg or Cologne. All the locales we visited were decked out in their sparkling holiday best, creating memories we will never forget. What could be more beautiful than spending Christmas or New Years in the likes of Paris, Vienna, Budapest or Prague... almost nothing!
Of course, a festive cruise of this kind is made even better if you bring your own party along by planning it with two or more friends. How many times have you been home on New Years and watched the ball drop at Times Square or marveled at the awe-inspiring fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House and said, "It would be really cool to be there." Well, maybe that “someday” is now!
Imagine how cool it would be to take in the fireworks show in Paris along the Champs-Elysees (Paris' "Times Square"). Or, enjoy New Years as many Parisians do, by pulling up a chair or laying a blanket on the grounds surrounding the Eiffel Tower to watch a dazzling, spectacular laser light-show. Why not bring your own bottle of “bubbly” to truly launch the New Year? If you’re looking for something a bit calmer, wander across town to the Montmartre district to bid adieu to the current year. Because it’s on a hill, you’ll have a great vantage point to view all the fireworks being launched, mingle with the crowds of Parisiennes and enjoy a spectacular view of the Paris skyline. (Factoid: The French call the New Year “St. Sylvestre” and it begins January 1 for 30 days. That’s a lot of partying!)
Any of these remarkable cities can be used as your starting point for a very exciting and different European river cruise over the holidays. And don’t worry! Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean the sites, stores, and events are closed. Absolutely not... everything is open and available, but without the summer crowds and long, long lines!
Before continuing to read this article, why don't you CLICK the "present" graphic to the right, and take a quick read of EJ's Holiday Markets story to get her thoughts on our remarkable Holiday Season trip!
By the way... don't think for a moment that you can't go because it's “cold” in Europe! Think about recent winters here in North America and you'll realize that the weather in Europe during the holiday season is generally 20-30 degrees warmer than in Canada or along the eastern seaboard or Midwestern States in the USA. In Europe, you can expect daytime temperatures to be in the upper 40s in most of the places you would visit during the holiday season.
Holiday season river cruises in Southeast Asia.
I just wanted to interject a couple of comments here as my wife and I, along with another couple recently did a Christmas Time cruise on the Mekong and it was sensational. Our holiday trip down the Mekong may have been our best river cruise ever. You won't believe how this region has fallen in love with Christmas... christmas trees and holiday decorations are everywhere; it will amaze you!
Let's talk a little more about river cruising in Southeast Asia which includes both Vietnam and Cambodia as well as Myanmar (Burma). There are exciting holiday season river cruises to both of these exotic destinations. On the Mekong, sail aboard AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Waterays, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking and, of course, Pandaw. In Myanmar, Scenic, Emerald, and Pandaw will expose you to the wonderous mysteries of ancient Myanmar. In both of these regions, it's actually the best time of the year weather-wise to visit, so why not think out of the box and let Premier help you plan a memorable trip to Southeast Asia for the holidays.
Holiday season cruises are also great for "Solo" travelers!
Either of these incredible regions would be a remarkable adventure for any solo traveler seeking a blend of history, culture, some fun, excitement and meeting new friends for the holidays. Each year, our Premier team sends many solo travelers on a river cruise for the holidays. They must be great fun for our solo travelers as when they come home, right away they sign up for the following year!
Learn More about Holiday Markets, Holiday Season, Christmas Time and New Year's River Cruises.
The following exciting articles will introduce you to all the wonders of Europe during the Holiday Season on the Rhine, Danube, and France's Seine River (Paris, the "City of Lights" is glorious at holiday time!), and special pre- or post-cruise holiday markets in delightful Prague! Holiday Season river cruises are also ideal for 'Solo' travelers. Be sure to read these articles when you start to plan your holiday cruise...
Ready to set sail into your holiday adventure?
Embarking on a luxury river cruise with Premier River Cruises to shop and explore the Christmas Markets promises an unforgettable holiday experience – and you will bring home your memories with the treasures you find. Our River Cruise Specialists can guide you to the itinerary and ship that is perfect for you. Call 1-855-255-1200 today. It's time to weave your own Christmas magic along Europe’s most enchanting rivers.
You can also make this Holiday Season something truly special and memorable by selecting and enjoying not only a very affordable European holiday river cruise, but also great value holiday river sailings in North America and even on a Southeast Asia river cruise! To find the perfect holiday season river cruise for you, give one of our expert personal Travel Planners a call at 1-855-255-1200 (or use the "GET A QUICK QUOTE" email option below) — they’ll be able to recommend the perfect Holiday Markets, Christmas Time or new Year's cruise for you!
We know you're eager to start planning your river or small ship cruise vacation!
To help you get started, call and speak to a cruise expert at 855.255.1200, toll free, or submit a 'Get A Quick Quote' for a
Holiday Markets Themed Europe river cruise — we'll contact you right away to help you select and plan a perfect cruise vacation. |
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