River Cruising During the Christmas Season

River

Cruising

During

the

Christmas Season T

I P S

F O R

H

O L I D A Y

T

R A V E L E R S

W H Y TA K E

A

CHRISTMAS RIVER CRUISE?

Christmas is a magical time to be on

board a festive river cruising vessel.

Europe is the ideal destination for a Christmas-time cruise. The sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday season are in the air as you travel through some of Europe’s most beautiful towns and cities.

Let’s look at some travel tips to ensure a smooth trip during the holiday season.

B O O K Y O U R C R U I S E E A R LY To ensure the best rates and reserve your spot, book well in advance.

Christmas holiday trips inherently have limited spots. To ensure your spot and avoid

disappointment, book at least 6-12 months in advance.

CONSIDER

THE

S HIP’ S FACIL ITIES

It’s important to consider the ship’s facilities and accommodations before you book.

If you’re looking for a kid-centric vacation with all-day activities for the kids, an ocean liner cruise with one of the major carriers is probably your best bet.

If you’re looking for a more

sophisticated adventure for adults only, or you’re traveling with an older child, a European Christmas river cruise is ideal.

B O O K A I R T R AV E L E A R LY ( B U T N O T T O O E A R LY ) You’ll want to book your air travel early, but not too early, say the experts.

Research from travel search engine kayak.com reveals that the ideal number of days to book airfare prior to departure is 34 days.

Best day of the week to book: Tuesday

Best time of day to book: Morning

F LY

TO

D E PA R T U R E C I T Y

A

D AY

IN

A D VA N C E

A flight delay could end your trip before it even begins. This is why it’s so important to fly in to your departure city at least 24 hours in advance of the cruise departure.

Flying in a few days in advance is a great way to extend your vacation, enabling you to explore the city from which you’re departing and the surrounding areas.

P LAN Y OUR WARDROBE Traveling during winter means packing all of the essentials to keep warm, including a scarf, hat, gloves, warm winter coat, thick socks, and sturdy, closedtoed shoes.

If you’re from a warm climate, it can be easy to overlook just how chilly it can get in northern regions. Be well prepared!

Variety is key—make sure you have an array of clothing for every occasion, from casual wear to formal wear.

U S E L AY O V E R S

Using layovers to explore additional cities is a great way to extend your trip without adding significant travel costs.

You can extend a layover in some cases for as little as $100. A seasoned travel

agent can work wonders in terms of working in extended layovers for you.

It’s ideal to work in an extended layover at the time you originally book your flight, but it’s still possible to call the airline and ask for an extended layover after booking.

TO

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

ENJOY

THE

MAGIC

A European river cruise during the Christmas season is nothing less than magical.

Explore the Christmas markets of Prague and Vienna and marvel at centuries-old castles

and churches as you traverse the streets of Europe’s ancient cities at stops along the way.

The magic and mystery of Europe await on a holiday-time river cruise with AmaWaterways.

C O N TA C T U S

Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways operates the finest river cruise fleet, providing all-inclusive vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) and Africa.

With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of customdesigned ships, the river cruise line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising, providing guests with an unparalleled experience.

Please visit www.amawaterways.com to learn more.