Celebrate the season with a Christmas Markets Cruise

If you feel the festive season can leave you feeling frazzled, why not carve out a slice of seasonal calm for yourself to really get in the mood - take time out of the endless planning and pressures and enjoy a short indulgent cruise to a European Christmas Market. Of course you could fly, but why not sail instead, and let the journey become part of the whole experience? Chloe from our Jarrolds shop in Norwich sailed on a five-night itinerary to Hamburg onboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral and had a wonderful wintery time.

Cruise ships go above and beyond to celebrate the season, as Chloe found out, “WOW! As I walked on it was beautiful, all decorated for Christmas. I was very impressed from the moment I stepped onboard!” A short Christmas Market cruise can be the perfect option for first timers as they are short itineraries, hugging the European coastline – brilliant for testing your sea legs and discovering the joys of life onboard.

“I was pleasantly surprised, the ship was more modern than I was expecting, with spacious cabins and a lovely selection of places to sit and have a drink.” says Chloe. “We spent most of our free time in the Lido Lounge, and the Observatory was a lovely place to be, with fantastic panoramic views. The Neptune Lounge is the theatre venue, and this was very spacious, with comfy seating, good views of the stage all the way round, and the comedian we saw was very funny.”

If Chloe had thought she’d be in the minority as a younger, solo traveller, she was mistaken, “Balmoral is a small, traditional ship, but the clientele is quite varied. There are lots of 50+ passengers, but also a wide range of families with older children and babies, as well as solo travellers, who have social activities tailored just for them to get to know each other.”

Time on board can be as full or relaxed as you prefer, with a varied daily programme of activities to take part in. Quizzes, dancing, arts & crafts, games, sports, the gym, spa – no chance of getting bored, and although Chloe skipped the heated outdoor pool, other passengers were having a festive dip in the dark!

Food is a major part of any cruise, but as everyone back home wrestles with turkey shopping and frozen party food, a festive cruise offers a huge variety of dining, and the most you’d have to plan is which venue to dine in that evening! “During my five-night cruise I made sure I tried as much food as possible!” confirms Chloe, “I ate at the Buffet restaurant, in the Main Dining Room, in the Observatory for afternoon tea, in Asian fusion specialty restaurant Colours and Tastes, and also had room service in my cabin! I loved all the food I had, particularly the steak, teriyaki chicken, Caesar salad, and slow cooked duck! I also really enjoyed the cocktail experience onboard the ship - the Pornstar Martini was excellent! “

Chloe’s itinerary took her for an overnight stop in Hamburg, home to one of Germany’s most renowned Christmas markets. The town square comes alive with fairy lights and wooden huts offering festive wares to browse whilst you sip glühwein and nibble on lebkuchen and bratwurst. She also joined an excursion to  Lübeck, just an hour from Hamburg, with its charming Gothic architecture and famous marzipan. After a walking tour there was free time to wander and soak up the city before returning to the ship.

Other Fred. Olsen festive itineraries travel to France & Belgium, sailing where only small ships like Balmoral can venture, to dock right in the heart of atmospheric gems such as Antwerp, with Bruges just a short journey away, and medieval Rouen.  

If you struggle to feel festive amongst all the commercialism of modern Christmas, plan a minibreak and take time out onboard a ship where you will be cossetted and entertained, as well as immersing in a more traditional way of seasonal celebrating – in a medieval European city, wrapped up against the cold with a cup of something spiced and delicious warming your hands!