Latin Touch: AmaWaterways Offers Christmas Markets Cruise for Spanish Speakers
AmaWaterways’ new Latin Touch holiday cruise will visit captivating Christmas markets in Cologne and other festive cities and towns in Europe. (Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways)
Did you know that AmaWaterways offers special river cruises dedicated to Spanish-speaking travelers?
The cruise line’s Latin Touch program is entering its third year and has proved so popular that AmaWaterways is adding a second voyage in 2025. In addition to its Latin Touch sailing on the Douro River in Portugal, cruisers can choose a Christmas cruise that starts in Switzerland.
AmaWaterways’ Swiss Alps & Rhine & Castle Christmas cruise joins the previously announced Enticing Douro sailing. Departing Basel, Switzerland, on December 15, 2025, this new eight-day luxury cruise aboard the 162-passenger AmaVenita sails through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Travelers will enjoy the magical holiday season and the chance to visit cities and towns brimming with Christmas decor, beautifully trimmed trees and thriving holiday markets.
Your river ship will be decorated for the holiday season. (Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways)
Also, cruisers can add a three-night pre-cruise Lake Como land option, which features luxury accommodations, daily tours, daily breakfast and a dedicated cruise manager.
Hosted by a bilingual Cruise Manager, Latin Touch sailings offer a daily tour with Spanish-speaking guides, cruise programs, daily newsletters, and menus of exquisite dishes of local origin and first-class gastronomy — all in Spanish. Sailings also feature Zumba classes and two evenings of festive Latin-inspired entertainment.
This exciting holiday sailing goes from the shores of Lake Lucerne to the banks of the Rhine Gorge, home to more than 40 castles. Christmas markets, offered in every port of call, are certainly the center of attention. Top picks include the Market of Cologne Cathedral, the city’s largest with more than 200 stalls spread across two floors and offering a wide variety of traditional Christmas foods, drinks and gifts; Marche de Noel de Baden-Baden, a winter fairy tale site in front of the the city’s architectural jewel, Kurhaus; and Heidelberg’s Marktplatz, one of the largest markets in this historical city.
Additionally, AmaWaterways offers a wine tasting to show off the flavors of Rudesheim’s iconic vineyards. You also will enjoy a panoramic walking tour in Strasbourg that includes the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament, the Place de la République and the fairytale district of “La Petite France” and a guided hike up Ludwigshafen’s Philosopher’s Path with panoramic views of the city.
A guided tour in Cologne’s takes in the Cologne Cathedral, a 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage site that was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion.
In Amsterdam, visitors can choose from a canal cruise along some of the city’s 165 canals or a walking tour, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes.
The Latin Touch Christmas Markets Cruise will take place on the 162-passenger AmaVenita river ship. (Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways)
AmaVenita features spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms, most of which include balconies to take in views of the holiday-decorated towns and villages along the Rhine River Valley. Staterooms also include entertainment on demand, featuring free high-speed Internet access, unlimited Wi-Fi, movies, music and TV; climate-controlled air conditioning; and an in-room safe.
The ship’s Panoramic Lounge is a stylish and inviting space to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail along with the nightly entertainment. The ship also features a massage room, fitness room, sun-deck swimming pool, a gift shop, a fleet of complimentary bicycles and the company’s renowned cuisine at the Main Restaurant, serving regionally inspired dishes and hand-selected wines.
Happy holidays!