Christmas-Market Cruise FAQ: 25 Questions Answered

We get the same questions over and over. Here are the answers to the 25 most common.

Booking & timing

• ❄When should I book? — January–March for the following Christmas (best fares + flight perks)
• ❄Do Christmas sailings sell out? — Yes, especially early December. Book 8–10 months ahead.
• ❄Can I get a last-minute deal? — Sometimes for late November or post-Christmas; prime dates are gone.
• ❄Are flights included? — Sometimes, as an early-booking perk (Viking, AMA). Otherwise extra.

Onboard

• ❄Is there Wi-Fi? — Yes, free on every line we compare. Speed varies; it's fine for email, slow for streaming.
• ❄Is there a gym? — Yes, small, on every ship. Spa services vary by line.
• ❄What's the dress code? — Smart-casual. One nice outfit for the captain's dinner. No formal wear.
• ❄Can I do laundry? — Yes, paid laundry service on every ship; Scenic and Uniworld include some for free.
• ❄Are kids allowed? — Viking: no (18+). AMA, Tauck, Uniworld, Avalon: yes. Emerald: yes.

The markets

• ❄Are markets open every day? — Yes, usually 10am–8pm (some until 9 or 10pm).
• ❄Are they crowded? — Very, especially weekends and after 4pm. Go early or late.
• ❄Do they take credit cards? — Most stalls take cards now, but bring some euros for small purchases.
• ❄Is the glühwein mug a souvenir? — Yes, if you don't return it. The deposit is €3–€5.
• ❄What if I'm vegetarian? — Easy. Kartoffelpuffer, crepes, roasted nuts, Schupfnudeln.

Logistics

• ❄What if water levels are too high/low? — Rare in December. The ship may dock at a different port and bus you; lines have contingency plans.
• ❄Do I need a visa? — Schengen area: 90 days visa-free for U.S. citizens. Check current requirements.
• ❄What about travel insurance? — Strongly recommended. We can help you choose a policy.
• ❄Can I extend before/after? — Yes, every line offers hotel extensions (Prague, Paris, Lucerne).