keelx2

We've signed up for a AmaWaterways Rhine River Christmas Market cruise that will take place over Christmas itself. This is my first river cruise and I'm really looking forward to it. But I do have one question: do the ships do anything special on Christmas Day itself? I've read how the ships are decorated for the holidays but nothing about anything special that the crew/cruise company does--entertainment? meals?

No matter what the answer, I'm still committed to and looking forward to this cruise, but I am curious.

doug_stallings

Yes in mat cases they have a special Chrstmas dinner.

keelx2

Thank you.

southeastern

They also have Christmas tree decorating, cooking something associated with Christmas, sometimes a glass blower, church services offered. Santa usually delivers a gift to your room. It's all very festive and fun. you will enjoy especially wandering around the towns decorated and drinking mulled wine. Great way to spend Christmas.

Dukey1

Obviously a lot depends on the cruise line you are using wouldn't you think????

rebeccawilliams

Yeah..that is really true, all depends on the cruise line which you choose. There a lot of cruise lines to choose from which offers different services. So its easy to choose according to your interest. I'm planning my next cruise with disney. My very first trip was with blount adventures.
http://blountsmallshipadventures.com...hould-i-bring/

southeastern

I believe the heading said "river cruise" and at Christmas all of the riverboat cruises we looked at indicated Christmas activites. The riverboats stop at the Christmas markets and that is one of their selling points. It's like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas card. Delightful and festive. This Dec. will be our 3rd one.

bettyk

In order to be competitive, most of the river cruise companies tend to offer the same amenities but it's good to have input from someone who has actually done one.

keelx2

Well, I did say it was a river cruise and gave the company name, saying I was committed. And I particularly asked about Christmas day.

But thank you everybody who gave responses, even if they weren't particularly applicable to the question.

Bettyk, you are right. It would have been nice to have input from someone who has actually done one.

SusieQQ

I think you can find your answer on Cruise Critic.

Luv2travel15

Hi keelx2, don't know if this will help you but we did a Christmas Markets River Cruise about 3 years ago. It was our first river cruise and we loved the experience. The Christmas Markets are so much fun and if the markets are operating when you go you will love the experience!

We went the first week of December and not during Christmas itself so I can't tell you what happens on Christmas Day itself. However, there is a lot of festivity taking place on these cruises. It changed our whole perspective about Christmas after our cruise. Everything is so commercialized here in the USA and totally different in Europe. We traveled on GCT and they had a Christmas tree in the lobby and each cabin had a chocolate christmas tree (edible) in our cabin window! Of course, we had to eat it. Lol

We had a glass blower onboard who gave a demonstration of his skills and you could purchase some of his Christmas ornaments after the demo. Kris Kringle came one night and left presents outside our cabins. The markets had all kinds of food you could purchase. The smells of the sausages cooking were to die for. You could wander from stall to stall and sample some of the wonderful German foods. We noticed how family-oriented it was at the markets. Parents and children (even pets) would browse the markets and sample the "gluehwein" and other delectable goodies. It was a wonderful experience.

So to answer your question, yes the ship we were on was very festive and Christmasy. Entertainment is usually only a piano player or other entertainment on a river cruise. Sometimes they will bring the local entertainers onboard to entertain the ship. We did not have this experience tho, only one of the crew playing the piano. All in all, it is a very festive time on a river cruise. We loved it and can't wait to go on another one. You will enjoy it also. Good luck.
Have a wonderful cruise.

Alecia_Travels

I'm hoping someone may still check in on this forum. Specifically to southeastern--which cruise line did you take your 3 Christmas cruises on? I'm looking into the Christmas Markets this year and would love some perspective on the different river cruises; good, bad & ugly.

Thanks!