Dec 14, 2025 Danube Christmas Markets. from Vienna
Any other Taucksters on this trip starting 12/14/25? We arrive in Vienna on the 12th - 2 months from today ! Looking forward to another great Tauck adventure ( #10).
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Any other Taucksters on this trip starting 12/14/25? We arrive in Vienna on the 12th - 2 months from today ! Looking forward to another great Tauck adventure ( #10).
Comments
Reading the Tauck forum from 2022 for Danube Christmas markets - comments from several state the lunches at 2 palaces are mediocre at best and time consuming. Any recent updates ? Has Tauck made upgrades or options to eat in the markets ? Appreciate any recent comments.
The lunches were a good break for me. In Vienna on one day there were demonstrations and many people on the streets. When we finished lunch Tauck ushered us away from the areas affected very efficiently. That day it was also very cool and damp and a warm lunch and entertainment by children was much appreciated. The lunch in Salzburg was very long and time consuming, It was a good meal though. We were treated to lunch and a ride up to the castle in the funicular . I still had plenty of time at the markets both times.
We had some really cold weather on our cruise including a very wet snow storm the day in Salzburg so the lunches were a nice chance to sit and warm up. In Vienna it was a buffet meal and the food was ok but not great. Some people went off after to other markets nearby but most took the coach back to the ship. The Salzburg lunch was table service and was excellent. I would have liked time to tour the castle.
On our Yuletide holiday cruise the weather did not cooperate…rain and gusty winds. Several times we were greeted back on the boat with hot broth and the usual hot towels. On one occasion we were encouraged to meet in the lounge in a few minutes where we were served hot chocolate and cookies.
Even with the horrific weather at times, I don’t recall any grumbling; everyone was in a festive mood throughout the tour. I plan on doing this same journey again. It may not be suited for those who only wish to experience the markets, but if you want cultural events and some markets, it serves that purpose.
I just found this article.it was so interesting. I have little chance of ever doing a Christmas markets river cruise, the nearest I could ever dream of is Yuletide Spirit. While my husband loves to travel, he absolutely draws the line at Christmas markets. 😟
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251114-the-best-christmas-market-in-europe
I have no desire to do the other holiday markets, but the new one along the Seine seems to be focused on culture and cuisine which appeals to me.
In the most recent mini brochure from Tauck, I was pleasantly surprised to see a picture of one of the new Arthur’s. It has a mantled fireplace and beautifully appointed seating with multiple tables for two. Very nicely done!
I'm the one who wrote that review about the lunches in both Vienna & Salzburg being VERY time consuming w/very average food. Many guests like these LONG meals. But we take this trip to see the towns & enJOY the markets & food in the markets, NOT sit in a fancy hotel restaurant for 2+ hours. One of the great things about Tauck is you can skip out on things you aren't interested in & do your own thing. I can tell you, we've done this trip 4 times and we are going again Dec. 7 - 14 w/10 friends. We do plan to skip the lunches again, but I will report back on what others say. I know from doing it BOTH ways, for US, the soup in a bread bowl we got at the St. Stephan's Market in Vienna & the local's fav joint curry sausage sandwich in Salzburg were 2 of our fav meals and the experience of the atmosphere was perfect for us. Just depends on what you want to do. We just aren't fans of LONG drawn out meals that take us away from what we are there to see. We get a HUGE breakfast on the boat and a HUGE dinner on the boat, so we enJOY eating lighter lunches and snacks on the markets- we don't need or want a HUGE lunch (we really enJOY the food on the markets). Others love the experiences of the fine dining. We will be gone Dec. 3 - Dec. 18 - but I will post a trip report when we return.
AND, this trip is not just about the markets - there is a lot of touring, Abbeys, history, education, demos, etc.
Definitely more to do that than markets. All our stops had other sight seeing options. I loved the vibe on board. Kind of a week long Christmas party. These days Christmas is often such a busy time with gift shopping, wrapping, mailing, cards, decorating, cooking, etc much of which falls on women so for me it was great to just enjoy it all letting others do the work.
FYI, the best "lunch" was the day in Passau where Tauck treated us to the excellent sausages.
thanks to all for the comments. Yes, terrilynn, I read your excellent detailed review from 3 years ago, and was just looking for 2025 updates or improvements. Personally, don't want 2.5 hour long lunches - but it's my wife's birthday trip, and I totally agree with her lunch decisions !!!
I loved the Christmas Market cruise on the the Rhine, like Claudia says it was a week long Christmas party, lots of fun.
Does anyone know if a sports coat is needed for men? The clothing and packing suggestions suggest a sport coat and tie for men for special dinner or other unique evening events. However, it looks like it is lunch and not dinner events for this trip. With the bulky winter clothing do not want to pack something additional I do not need.
No sport coat needed. You are required to have a Ugly Christmas sweater.
Just joking about the sweater. But if you have one and want to wear it, this is the cruise for it.
It's a very casual river cruise. Mostly sweaters and warm pants.
Merino sweater or quarter zip that you can also wear during the bay with a bottom down and a nice pair of pants.
It is very much a personal choice in my opinion. I can only report on our preferences. Our Yuletide cruise was over the Christmas holiday and there were two formal dinners—Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We were docked in Antwerp and many guests walked over to the cathedral for Mass on either one or both days. They were dressed accordingly, especially the European travelers who we had the pleasure of dining with a few times.
For anyone who prefers more cultural, immersive experiences with less market focus, you might consider this tour. I plan on taking it again.
We've taken the Rhine Xmas Markets once w/Tauck, The Danube once on Uniworld, and 3 times w/Tauck (w/our 4th next month). We've also taken a few other River Cruises outside of the Xmas season. I will say that the Xmas Market Cruises are VERY casual compared to to the other cruises we've been on. It is about warmth & comfort. It is dark by 3:30 or 4 over there in December. By the time you get back on the boat in the evening, there isn't even time to change clothes for dinner - everyone wears what they had on all day (most do change their shoes). There are no dinners in palaces. There is a Captain's night that is VERY SLIGHTLY dressier, I'd say more resort casual than dressy. There is always the rare dress & coat & tie - but we have found this to be SO RARE on the market cruises. We mostly see sweaters, an occasional button up for men - pants and sweaters for women. It's really about warmth & comfort. Even the Tour Director & Guides mostly wear Xmas outfits & sweaters.