Are You Ready for the Christmas Markets of Germany?

Ho ho ho! Don’t look now but the Holiday Season is fast approaching and the countdown is on! It’s time to start planning and fine-tuning all those festive details that will make our OUTbound cruise through the Christmas Markets of Germany even more joyful! Below are a few things to help you make the most of your vacation with us. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our trip begins in Passau and ends in Amsterdam, flights can be a little tricky.

The best option is to book a ‘multi-city’ city flight, that allows you to arrive in Munich (MUC), which is the largest airport near Passau, and depart from Amsterdam (AMS). The advantage to a multi-city reservation is that your flights are all under one reservation number. Typically you won’t see a huge price difference between booking a multi-city reservation rather than a round trip fare.

Your transfers from Munich to Passau on Wednesday, December 9th are included.

The drive from our ship in Munich to our ship in Passau will take approximately two hours, so OUTbound doesn’t recommend any flights arriving in Munich (MUC) after 11:00am on Wednesday, December 9th, 2026.

And of course the standard disclaimer, you are always welcome to book any flight or airline you wish and OUTbound does not guarantee or endorse any airline or flight.

Munich Hotel

Munich Host Hotel

For those of you joining us before our cruise in Munich, our host hotel is the Novotel Muenchen City Centre, located in the city center just a few minutes walk from Munich’s Old Towne.

Address: Novotel Muenchen City Centre, Bayern, Hochstraße 11, 81669 München, Germany

By Taxi: Rates for taxis can often range from €35 to €40 (about $45 to $50 US dollars) depending on the time of day, and are readily available as you exit the Munich International Airport on the arrivals (ground) level. All cabs are required by law to accept credit cards.

By Rideshare: Uber and Bolt are both available in Munich. Uber fares from the Munich Airport to our host hotel will often run anywhere from €30 to €35 (about $40 to $45 US dollars), depending on the time of day and traffic.

Transfers from the Novotel Muenchen City Centre to our ship docked on the Danube River are included with the Munich Hotel Package.

Amsterdam Hotel

Amsterdam Host Hotel

For those of you extending your stay after our cruise in Amsterdam, our host hotel is the Swissôtel Amsterdam, located in the city center just a few steps from Dam Square.

Address: Swissôtel Amsterdam, Damrak 96, 1012 LP Amsterdam, Netherlands

Transfers from our ship docked near Centraal Station in Amsterdam to the Swissotel are included with the Amsterdam Hotel Extension.

Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked along the Danube River in Passau near the Domplatz Passau just east Schanzlbrücke Bridge.

Passau Dock Address: Kastnergasse 2, 94032 Passau, Germany

Transfers from the Munich Airport to our ship docked on the Danube River on Monday, December 9th, 2026 are included with your cruise package

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 3:00pm local time on Wednesday, December 9th, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 1:00pm. In the event your stateroom is not ready prior to 3:00pm, feel free to drop your bags at the reception desk, grab a drink from the bar and relax in the Panoramic Lounge or head up top to the Sun Deck to recover from your long travel day!

Theme Nights

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you’ve got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Be sure to check back as we get a little closer to our sail date to see the full list of our Theme Nights! We’ll announce these about three months before we sail… plenty of time to plan and get creative!

Enhanced Beverage Package

Upgrade Your Drink Package

As with every OUTbound trip, all of the standard beers, wines, mixed drinks, specialty coffees, sodas and bottled waters are included in the price of your trip. However, Emerald does offer an Enhanced Beverage Package for those of you looking for something special.

To download the full drink list, including what is included with your cruise and what the Enhanced Package offers, click… HERE.

Enhanced Beverage Package

The Enhanced Beverage Package can be added to your reservation for $105 per person, either before we sail or once you are onboard.

Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.

As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tipping is the ONLY thing not included with your OUTbound vacation. We never want to dictate anyone’s generosity or decide how much you think YOUR experience with a crew member, waitstaff or tour guide was worth. How much to tip depends on the type of service you receive and your personal experience.

During our trip together, you’ll come into contact with many different servers and hosts. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

Onboard our ship, you’ll receive an envelope in your stateroom on the last night of our cruise before disembarking the next morning in Amsterdam and heading home. It’s here where you will have the opportunity to leave a tip that will be split among the crew… waitstaff, bartenders, room stewards and the entertainment staff.

A general rule of thumb for tipping the ship’s staff is €10 per day, per person.

However, if your experience warrants something more, then by all means feel free to be as generous as you would like. If you feel that any individual in particular has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, then we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

Germany & Netherlands

Both Germany and the Netherlands are members of the European Union and each are one of the countries that use the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in each of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

EU Visa Requirements

Will I need a Visa to enter Germany?

American, Canadian and Australian citizens who are planning to visit Germany and the Netherlands with us in 2026 will most likely need to apply for the European Union’s new ETIAS. ETIAS is not a visa but a new mandatory entry requirement.

Scheduled to start sometime in 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require travelers from once visa-exempt countries, including United States citizens, to apply for a ETIAS and pay a small fee.

What is an ETIAS?

To streamline the entry process and enhance security, the European Union will be introducing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This system aims to simplify the process for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, by requiring them to obtain an ETIAS authorization before visiting any of the Schengen Area countries.

For all of the latest ETIAS information, visit the official European Union Travel website HERE.

EU Entry and Exit System (EES)
As of October 12, 2025, US citizens will need to go through the EU’s new Entry and Exit System when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Your fingerprints, facial image, passport details, and entry and exit dates will be collected upon entry to an EES country and stored digitally. You do not need to pay a fee to enter the Schengen Area or the EU. The new system will be introduced gradually, and no advanced action is required.

There is no online application, advanced registration, or fee required for the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). It is a biometric border control system that replaces traditional passport stamping. You will complete your EES registration in-person at a self-service kiosk or border desk the first time you enter a Schengen Area country.

Travel to Europe Mobile App (EES)
The Travel to Europe mobile application is now available, allowing pre-registration of travel information prior to arrival in Germany. The app allows non-EU travelers to pre-register their passport data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) before reaching a border crossing point.

Non-EU nationals can use the app to pre-register their data up to 72 hours prior to entering or leaving a European country.

The app is voluntary and does not replace border checks but makes border crossing more efficient. Use of the application is optional and free of charge, and it is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can get more information about the EES Mobile App by clicking HERE.

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Emerald Astra, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are joining us early in Munich, you’ll need a Type C adapter for use at our hotel as it has the same receptacles as standard EU power outlets.

The Type C is the plug which has two round pins, like this…

You can find a ton of options on Amazon or other retailers that will include USB ports for charging your phone, tablet and other devices all at the same time.

Keep in mind that the United Kingdom (UK) uses different power outlets than the EU, so the Type C adapter will not work if you are visiting England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland during your trip.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

Cancel for Any Reason
Unexpected Work Requirements
Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

Get Ready German Christmas Markets