The ports on this Christmas Markets cruise were the typical stops on any Danube River trip. What set it apart were all the different markets set up in each town/city. Browsing around was so much fun! And seeing some of the markets all lit up at night was special. The riverboat, the River Splendor, was typical of other riverboats we have been on. One huge disappointment, though, was the way the inside was decorated for the holidays. Very haphazard. There was a Christmas tree in the main lounge that looked like it came from someone’s trash. It was stuffed with white tissues at the base to hold it up, but it still kept falling over. (Maybe time for a new one, Vantage) Tinsel garland was used around support columns. Much of it fell down and just laid there in a heap on the floor for the duration of the trip. Not one crew member made any attempt to fix it. It was kind of sad, being we passed so many docked riverboats walking into port towns that were so beautifully decorated inside and out. Our boat looked like someone dragged out the box of Christmas decorations, threw it in the air, and wherever the contents landed, they stayed. This might seem like a petty complaint, but if other river cruise companies were able to achieve a beautiful, festive atmosphere, then Vantage should have been able to do the same. On a more positive note, the meals on this trip were outstanding and the service was exemplary. In fact, had it not been a Christmas themed cruise, everything would have been perfect. That one small detail of decorating should have been an easy task. After all, this was a Christmas Markets trip. Too bad they didn’t care what the ship looked like. It reflects poorly on Vantage.