December on a Viking ship in Europe means a few things: homemade gluhwein, Christmas music playing softly in the background and an approach to holiday décor that mirrors the line's classic Scandinavian design.
I sailed the Danube in December onboard the Viking Gullveig to experience a Christmas market itinerary, some of the line's most popular sailings. We cruised from Regensburg to Budapest, stopping each day at cities like Passau and Vienna to experience Christmas markets.
A festive gingerbread house in the lounge of the Viking Gullveig. Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
While on the cruise, we spent a week immersed in Christmas magic both on and off the ship. Rather than taking an over-the-top approach to holiday décor, Viking leans on the understated approach to design it is known for.
While some ships we passed were visibly decked out in elaborate holiday trimmings, the Christmas decorations onboard the Gullveig were simple but elegant: evergreen garland adorned with white lights and round silver ornaments, two Christmas trees and a gingerbread house embellished with meringue kisses and gumdrops.
The tree in the lounge was bare. That is, until Viking hosted an evening of ornament decorating for passengers, complete with gluhwein and eggnog to add some extra cheer. Each guest was gifted a silver Viking-branded ornament and permanent markers to create a custom ornament to display on the tree for the week and bring home after the cruise.
Passengers decorated ornaments on the Viking cruise. Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
The hand-decorated ornaments largely featured Christmas motifs: snowmen, boughs of holly, gingerbread men. I opted to draw some delicate stars for a subtle (and easy) design.
The evening of ornament decorating proved to be one of my favorite moments on the ship, due to the relaxed atmosphere and opportunity to get to better know my fellow passengers in the artsy setting, rather than just over dinner or on an excursion.
Decorating ornaments while enjoying gluhwein and eggnog. Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
Other passengers seemed to welcome the hands-on activity, as well. One woman was so impressed by an ornament she saw on the tree with an innate medallion design that she went from table to table to find the talented artist to compliment.
The itinerary included other holiday onboard experiences: cookie decorating and a Christmas carol singalong. Oh, what fun!