A Christmas River Cruise - 2023

December 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

It's Christmas day! Happy Birthday, Jesus!! We're missing getting to celebrate the birth of our Savior in a worship service today. A few Catholics on board were able to attend a midnight Mass in the city last night. Everyone we met this morning was chipper and wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

Sure enough, Santa came again during the night and left treats in our stockings - this time it was chocolates, candy canes, tangerines, Holland Christmas ornaments and traditional Belgium candies (called "noses"). Those are cone shaped, jelly like and come in different colors and flavors.

Ronnie was up earlier than me this morning and had already eaten, so after showering I walked the few steps up to Arthur's (quiet and casual) for breakfast and ate while checking my mail. At 9:30 a.m. we gathered with others in the lounge to hear a talk by one of the cruise directors on Christmas traditions and transformations. It was very interesting.

Mid morning there was a beer tasting presentation in the lounge (Belgium is known for its many varieties of beer). Neither of us was interested so Ronnie went for a run and I started working on this blog. At noon we had a nice lunch in the regular dining room.

This afternoon, there was a cooking demonstration followed by craft activities, again in the lounge where most group activities take place. They had supplies for cookie decorating, painting wooden Dutch clogs and/or making Santa hats. We each painted a clog, neither of which we were very proud of but it was a chance to socialize with other passengers. 

 

one of many cute Dutch ornaments on the tree

 

Before dinner, a classical trio performance in the lounge followed by raw oysters and champagne. We skipped out on those as well. I confess I'm almost as picky as Ronnie is.

 

raw oysters

Being Christmas day, we were thinking of and missing our family and friends but even so, it turned out to be a very nice and relaxing Christmas day.

For dinner, the chef had prepared a five course meal. This area of Belgium is well known for its mussels, beer and chocolate. Again, we passed on the first two but we both tried a few things that we don't normally eat. 

I must say the main dinner was really delicious with turkey, stuffing, creamed sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, cooked red cabbage, a mushroom-shaped potato and variety of breads. For dessert there was a chocolate mouse cake and a "smoking" bubble. I don't know what the proper name of the dish is, but it was made just before the waiter brought it to our table and it "popped" within a few seconds of being set down. When it popped, something that looked like smoke (probably dry ice) emitted from the top, leaving only a meringue-like ring on the plate. Weird, but cool. It didn't have much flavor, as it was really a bit of  "nothingness."

 

3 not-so-large turkeys

 

smoking bubble on the left (just before it popped)

 

miscellaneous desserts

 

tuxedo-folded napkins

 

After dinner, there was a gift exchange. Each guest was asked to bring an ornament to hang on the tree. Once it was purchased, Tauck reimbursed us 10 Euros each. Not a bad deal, considering we got to keep the ornament after the gift exchange.

 

tree ready for gift exchange

surprise arrival by the real Santa Clause

After dinner, Santa arrived in the lounge and we exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Each person who wanted to participate was asked to bring a gift of no more than 20 Euros to exchange. When we left our gift under the tree, we were each given a number. Santa called out the numbers and we in turn each picked out a gift to open. Everyone on board under 18 was given an additional gift. I got a neat little rolling pin with designs carved into it to make patterns on gingerbread and butter cookies. I also got a couple of hot chocolate bombs. Afterwards I sat on Santa's lap for a photo op but the picture didn't turn out well (the funky colored lights made half my face blue!)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!