I went on a Christmas market cruise – but not on...

A Christmas market cruise on the Med requires a DIY method

The very first thing to notice is that, in contrast to my Viking river cruise, the place shore excursions to festive markets have been included as free excursions within the cruise fare, Windstar’s shoreside program does not function Christmas markets. This implies our Christmas market cruise on the Mediterranean was a do-it-yourself enterprise.

Fortuitously, not one of the markets have been too tough to succeed in on foot or by public transport (with the assistance of Google Maps). In Rome, our precruise lodge was a straightforward 10-minute stroll from the Christmas market on Piazza Navona. In Livorno, a free shuttle bus from the ship to the city middle dropped us a five-minute stroll away from the market.

In Genoa and Good, the markets have been lower than a half-hour on foot from the place we docked; it was simple to comply with the flat curve of the waterfront towards the vacation lights. Each walks additionally allowed us to take in among the foremost sights in every metropolis, comparable to Good’s pastel-pretty outdated city, Vieux Good.

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Our ship stayed in a single day in Good, so we have been additionally capable of tick off Monaco’s Christmas market. The bus from the port of Good to Monaco is without doubt one of the Mediterranean’s most scenic public transport routes and a vacationer attraction in its personal proper, so we fortunately paid the 1.70 euro ($1.76) fare every for the 45-minute journey. Most conveniently of all, Barcelona’s market was arrange simply exterior the cruise terminal the place Star Legend docked.

Mediterranean Christmas markets have a unique vibe

The three Italian cities we visited first — and significantly Rome — had a particular vacation buzz. They have been superbly dressed for the season; the streets glittered with festive lights, and elaborate decorations adorned store fronts.

In comparison with the fairytale medieval market squares full of picket chalets within the cities alongside the Danube, I discovered the Italian Christmas markets lacked the coziness and environment of their river counterparts. That they had fewer stalls, fewer individuals and a much less charming setting normally.

The markets in Livorno and Genoa have been so small that we visited all of the stalls in beneath quarter-hour. We could not discover an inviting spot to linger with a glass of mulled wine or — and this shocked me — stalls with recent meals.

Within the river cities, significantly Passau in Germany and Bratislava in Slovakia, freshly cooked meals was an enormous a part of the Christmas market expertise. In every single place, individuals have been having fun with native dishes comparable to bratwurst sausages, loksa (potato truffles with fillings) and cinnamon-dusted chimney truffles.

Surprisingly, the Italian markets targeted much less on seasonal eats. Aside from roasted chestnuts, I discovered little in the way in which of savory fare. They do promote conventional sweets — comparable to ciambelle (large donuts) in Rome and chocolate fudge in Genoa — nevertheless it was removed from the array of Christmas market meals I discovered on my river cruise.

Additional into the crusing, the Christmas markets we visited in Monaco and Good have been extra much like these I visited on the Danube — with the added benefit of heat winter sunshine. Distributors served Champagne and oysters alongside aromatic vats of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on open fires. In addition to the heavy plates of tartiflette and bratwurst sausages, stalls bought native meals specialties comparable to socca (a chickpea pancake) in Good and barbajuan (a fried ravioli) in Monaco.

To not be outdone, Barcelona’s large seasonal Port Vell honest was additionally nice enjoyable, with loud music, flowing sangria, massive forged iron pans of simmering paella and candy churros dipped in Nutella for dessert.

My youngsters’s enjoyment of using the large Ferris wheel in Monaco made me understand one thing else: Christmas markets in river cities are targeted on meals and presents, with the occasional ice-skating rink, whereas the higher markets we visited within the Mediterranean provided extra number of actions. After all, they promote seasonal specialties to savor and souvenirs to take dwelling, however the markets additionally included fairground rides and video games, which my youngsters cherished.

You may discover loads of conventional crafts to convey dwelling

I got here dwelling from my Viking river cruise laden with presents to position beneath the Christmas tree. I purchased hand-carved cookie stamps from Budapest, a horseshoe cast from metal in Bratislava Citadel’s medieval market and handmade ceramic mugs from Passau for my daughters.

Equally, I picked up some pleasant souvenirs from the Christmas markets we visited on the Mediterranean, comparable to a doll of La Befana in Rome. The figurine of an outdated girl with a sharp nostril wearing rags and clutching a brush fabricated from dried twigs is a basic Italian Christmas character: She is claimed to convey presents to good youngsters on Jan. 5, Epiphany Eve (or, as lore has it, a lump of coal to those that are unhealthy). Her brush can be believed to brush away any lingering issues of the earlier yr.

I discovered one other pleasant festive custom on the Cote d’Azur, too. Santons — or miniature clay collectible figurines of shepherds and lavender growers that individuals use to create Provencal nativity scenes of their properties — are on sale in each Good and Monaco. In Barcelona, we found the Tio de Nadal, a small ornamental picket log with a smiling face that’s stated to poop out Christmas presents.

Ocean vessels supply extra onboard points of interest than river ships

Christmas market river cruises construct market visits into the itinerary, which provides an ease to your go to {that a} do-it-yourself Christmas market cruise on the ocean does not have. That is additionally why Christmas market river cruises are so common — they usually ebook out years upfront.

Winter Mediterranean cruises are thought of offseason journeys and never as common as itineraries in hotter months. Which means ships sail much less full or have last-minute availability for spur-of-the-moment vacationers. On Star Legend, the ship was nowhere close to full capability; we sailed with simply 193 passengers on a ship that would carry 312.

Regardless that it is a smaller yacht-style vessel, Star Legend can be a lot larger than a Viking river ship. It could carry 312 passengers and has six visitor decks, in comparison with Viking’s 190 passengers and 4 decks. Our cabins have been bigger than these on the Viking river ship, with a separate lounge space. Our household of 4 booked two cabins, and we actually appreciated the area because it meant we weren’t at all times on prime of one another.

Windstar has a pleasant manner of arranging adjoining cabins. As a substitute of a door in the midst of the room you could open or shut, the ship places a small vestibule between the hallway and the doorways for every cabin. We might go away each cabin doorways open and shut the principle door onto the hall to create our personal personal area.

The ship provided extra public areas and facilities on board than the river ship, together with a spa and health middle, swimming pool and theater. Because it was heated, we used the swimming pool day by day. We spent most evenings within the lounge bar, Compass Rose, as all of us cherished the nightly dwell music. Nonetheless, we made certain to not miss the carols within the theater on Christmas Eve nor the crew present two nights earlier than we disembarked.

The additional measurement of Star Legend was most noticeable within the meals and beverage choices, with six restaurant and bar areas. In distinction, our Viking riverboats provided solely a small informal buffet space, a lounge and one restaurant. We needed to be seated at 7 p.m. each night round massive tables with different visitors. On the ocean, we might eat once we needed and with whom. I a lot most well-liked having this alternative.

The Mediterranean is a delight to cruise — even in winter

The standard Christmas market river cruising season begins when the markets open in mid-November and finishes earlier than Christmas.The Christmas markets alongside the Danube shut on numerous dates, often after Christmas day however earlier than the tip of December on the newest.

The markets in Mediterranean cities begin later, in early December, but in addition stay open till Epiphany (Jan. 6). Verify the markets are open throughout your potential sail dates earlier than finalizing your reserving.

In the event you favor cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and cheaper fares, winter is a brilliant time to cruise the Mediterranean. The identical seven-night Europe’s Winter Riviera itinerary as ours in December 2025 is presently priced at $3,892 with Windstar’s all-inclusive add-on package deal, primarily based on double occupancy. Compared, an identical summertime itinerary on Windstar’s Wind Surf crusing yacht in July begins at $5,692 primarily based on double occupancy and with the all-inclusive add-on package deal.

Nonetheless, it’s a must to method a winter cruise within the Mediterranean realizing that you don’t have any management over what climate you are going to encounter.

The evening earlier than we boarded in Rome, the climate was so unhealthy on the Italian coast that the ship could not go away Livorno. The Captain advised us that simply as he was about to place out the decision for buses to shuttle everybody up from Rome within the morning, the winds dropped, and the ship was capable of get underway just a few hours later than deliberate.

Fortuitously, we loved seven days of uninterrupted blue skies — the type of excellent winter circumstances you’ll order when you might. The heated Jacuzzi and plunge pool on the highest deck grew to become a part of our morning routine, as did lunch beneath the nice and cozy noon solar on the highest deck at Star Grill. The temperature even tiptoed into the 60s as we sailed out of Good into a day of superb Cote d’Azur cruising as we headed towards Barcelona.

The climate was excellent for shore excursions, comparable to a superb 3.7-mile hike of the hilltop fortifications that when protected Genoa from invasion. As a result of we traveled over the vacation week, we discovered crowds having fun with walks and meals within the solar with household and buddies wherever we went. Barcelona was so busy once we arrived that the amount of pedestrian site visitors alongside Las Ramblas was a well-liked matter of dialogue with fellow passengers at cocktail hour again on the ship.

The hotter climate means you will have to take a unique method to packing than you’ll when you have been on the river. We did not want lengthy underwear, gloves or heat hats. Layering is essential throughout winter within the Mediterranean. You will be in a T-shirt and denims for lunch within the solar, however the minute you step into the shade, you will wish to placed on a sweater and heat coat.

The costume code on Star Legend was similar to my river cruise with Viking: relaxed in the course of the day and sensible informal at evening.

Just a few cruise traces supply winter Mediterranean sailings

If you need some Christmas market cheer on a winter cruise within the Mediterranean, you will wish to think about two different cruise traces along with Windstar.

Viking’s fleet of ocean vessels carries fewer than 1,000 individuals, and kids beneath 18 aren’t allowed to sail. The road’s seven-night Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Barcelona calls at Marseille, Villefranche-sur-Mer (for Good and Monaco) and Livorno (gateway to Florence and Tuscany).

MSC Cruises is a good alternative for households desirous about winter sailings to ports with Christmas markets at cheap costs. The large MSC World Europa sails a loop across the Mediterranean year-round, calling at Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille. Different MSC vessels — together with MSC Splendida, MSC Orchestra and MSC Magnifica — additionally cruise the Western Mediterranean in winter.

Backside line

Whereas they don’t seem to be fairly the storybook markets in twinkling, snow-dusted cities that you just image whenever you consider the Rhine and Danube’s Christmas markets, the markets within the Mediterranean are a delight. They’ve all the festive elements to get you into the vacation temper — particularly given the area’s tendency for superb winter solar.

After all, it could be a lot simpler to go to the Mediterranean markets on a shore tour, however when you’re somebody who’s not afraid of organizing your personal actions, you will discover attending to them a breeze. In the event you’ve already loved a Christmas market river cruise and are on the lookout for a unique expertise in Europe over the vacations, an ocean cruise to Christmas markets on the Med presents an identical festive temper and a brand new array of equally pleasant seasonal traditions to uncover.

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