Rhine Christmas Market Cruise Day 1 & 2: "Decking the Halls (and Ourselves): A Key Girl Adventure on the Holiday Market Cruise along the Rhine"

Ahoy, holiday enthusiasts! Our journey to the Rhine Holiday Market Cruise began today in the bustling metropolis of Pensacola International Airport. (Yes, the “International” part always gets me too. Does that mean we’re worldly? I digress.)

Dad insisted we get here a little early so we arrived 4 hours prior to takeoff. Our last few international trips have been a complete disaster in regard to air travel – specifically American Airlines - so we are hoping this goes smoothly. If not, we have plenty of books, Sudoka, humor, and knitting to keep us busy regardless of what happens. Too, Dad gave us each a little spending money in the form of a crisp $100 dollar bill. He’s the only man in our lives that ALWAYS sends us off with some money in our pocket.

Mom - Get in the wheelchair! We get through customs so much faster. Be a team player already.

Snow on the ground in Paris

Plane Selfie

Touchdown in Basel: Where the Fun Begins

After a smooth flight into Basel, Switzerland, we stepped off the plane filled with equal parts jet lag and holiday cheer. I had been dreaming of this moment for months: stepping onto the ship, sipping a welcome cocktail, and sinking into that “on vacation” feeling.

But first, the airport. As the carousel started spinning, bags began to trickle out, and one by one, we each grabbed our bags. Everyone except poor Alice. I knew something was wrong when her cheery, “It’s probably coming!” turned into a less optimistic, “Do you think it’s still in Paris?”

Spoiler alert: it was.

All Aboard: A Festive Welcome

Despite the luggage debacle, stepping onto our ship felt like walking into a holiday wonderland. The halls were decked with garlands, twinkling lights framed every window, and the staff greeted us with warm smiles and champagne flutes. The festive music in the background was just the cherry on top.

Alice, determined not to let her luggage ruin the mood, joined us in raising a toast to the trip ahead.

The Captain’s Tasting Dinner: Fine Dining at its Festive Best

The captain greeted us personally, with a smile that said, “You’re in for a treat,” and he wasn’t lying. The multi-course meal started with a perfectly crafted amuse-bouche, followed by more dishes I can only describe as edible works of art. Each new dish was paired with local wines which might explain why we don’t recall what the deserts were – but we have pictures!

If this dinner set the tone for the rest of the trip, then I’m ready to gain five pounds in festive bliss. Good thing it’s too cold outside to think I need to fit in my bathing suit. I don't know - maybe a polar plunge on the last night.

Exploring Basel: A Christmas Market Distraction

The Basel markets were everything we hoped for: rows of wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, steaming cups of glühwein, and enough twinkling lights to make the whole city look like a snow globe. Alice bought herself a knitted hat and gloves — because Swiss winter doesn’t wait for luggage.

New Friends

A mid market break

The Basel Christmas Markets

If you’ve never been to a European Christmas market, let me paint you a picture: wooden stalls decorated with twinkling lights, the scent of spiced wine and roasted nuts wafting through the air, and vendors selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to cozy scarves. Basel’s markets are among the most famous in Europe, and for good reason. We wandered through the stalls like kids in a candy store, marveling at the intricate nutcrackers, sampling Swiss chocolates (a lot of Swiss chocolates), and debating whether we really needed another set of hand-painted ornaments. (Spoiler: we did.) I tried glühwein (hot spiced wine) for the first time, and let me just say, it’s like Christmas in a cup. I was so inspired by the holiday cheer that I briefly considered buying a Santa hat made of felt.

The Dollhouse Museum: A Tiny World of Wonder

After soaking up the holiday magic, we made our way to the Spielzeug Welten Museum, which boasts the largest collection of dollhouses in Europe. Now, you might think dollhouses are just for kids, but this museum proves otherwise. Each display was a miniature masterpiece, with intricate furniture, tiny porcelain dishes, and even teeny-tiny holiday decorations. My favorite was a Victorian parlor scene, complete with a miniature Christmas tree and the tiniest wrapped presents you’ve ever seen. Alice, on the other hand, was fascinated by the more whimsical pieces, like a carnival-themed dollhouse with tiny moving parts. We spent hours marveling at the craftsmanship, and I might have gotten a little too emotional over a 19th-century farmhouse diorama. (What can I say? The attention to detail got to me.) Of course I came back and wrote a grant to create progressive agriculture dioramas of our area.

Back to the Ship: Hope Floats (and So Does Champagne)

After a whirlwind afternoon of shopping and soaking in the holiday vibes, we returned to the ship. Alice checked with the concierge about her suitcase and was assured that it was “en route.” In the meantime, she borrowed a sweater from one of us (Christmas red, naturally) and joined us for dinner, where she declared, “If my suitcase doesn’t arrive, I’m just buying an entirely new wardrobe from these markets.”

Honestly, that doesn’t sound like the worst backup plan.

Wrapping Up Day One

As the sun set, we returned to the ship with full hearts and slightly lighter wallets (those ornaments weren’t going to buy themselves). Basel had charmed us completely, from its bustling markets to its nostalgic dollhouse displays. Back on board, we sipped hot cocoa while the ship prepared to set sail for our next destination, and I couldn’t help but feel like we were living in a real-life Christmas movie.

Stay tuned for more festive adventures as we continue our journey along the Rhine. Next stop: Strasbourg and Baden-Baden more markets, more mulled wine, and, undoubtedly, more stories to share. Until then, merry cruising! We are off to eat dinner with our new friends and decorate our ship tree together.

🎄🚢

-Betsy ✨