Avalon River Cruise Reviews
The 493 Avalon River Cruise reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Avalon. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
4.7
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
River Cruise through South of France 0
Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
Norman and Gloria, ON, Canada, Oct 2025
We greatly enjoyed our river cruise. The staff on Poetry II were top-notch. We thank those who were especially helpful, like Matheus in reception, Marya in the dining room, and Carmen in housekeeping. Some really went out of their way to help me when I got sick during the cruise, such as Adrian who was super-accommodating in adjusting local tour arrangements, read more and Margarida who diligently served me a special medicinal drink using a very effective Portuguese recipe. This was a very positive experience and we look forward to joining another Avalon river cruise in the not too distant future.
The river of gold 0
Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro
Susan, New Zealand, Oct 2025
Absolutely loved the cruise. Lovely new ship with great room and bathroom. Staff were fantastic - without fail friendly and helpful. Food was really good with plenty of variety, choice and local dishes. Really appreciated "compulsory happiness hour" with generous free drinks. This in contrast to another cruise line who I found over advertised and read more underdelivered. Ditto the included excursions - not just one ("not another dreary war memorial!") but a choice of three. Great dilemma to have. Good crowd - and never heard a complaint!
Avalon River Cruise 0
Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound)
Bert and Annie, Australia, Sep 2025
The ship, the crew, the food, the Cruise Director were fantastic. Interaction with the Global team was also first class and happy to recommend you to our friends. xox
Best Vacation EVER 0
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)
Karen and Patrick, IL, United States, Aug 2025
Perfect from start to finish. Globus covered all the details needed to start this fantastic journey. Avalon picked up right with Globus finished up. Our trip was perfect from the moment we met our transfer ride at the airport, to meeting our cruise director Carlos at the hotel, to getting on the boat and all the excursions. Everything was planned read more so well - even when our schedule had to be changed due to water levels on the Danube River. The excursions were fantastic, but the best part of the trip were the friendships we made. It was a sad to say good bye to our new friends the last evening aboard. Looking forward to working with Global Journeys on our next adventure.
Lovely cruise Amsterdam to Basel - amazing places, great included excursions, good mix of fellow travelers from around the world. Beautiful ship and crew. Thoroughly enjoyed this cruise and would definitely recommend it. Traveled in August which was a bit warm but nice.
Paris & Bordeaux 0
French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux
Tony and Lesley, WA, Australia, Aug 2025
Well this was a wonderful trip. Two very good river cruises with Avalon. Great food great touring and well organised by tour guide Marco. Thanks to Hannah for yet another well organised river cruise.
Rachel was professional and answered all my enquiries promptly. We had a great time on the cruise. The staff, food & drinks were excellent. We met lots of lovely people and exchanged contact details to meet again. We really enjoyed the classical music evening. More of those please! The excursion tours were well done. Would we go again with Avalon...yes!
Visiting the previous Eastern bloc countries was something we had wanted to do for a while, and when we found this Avalon cruise through some of those locations, we were keen to go. Apart from being fascinated by how developed some of these cities are now, it was an eye-opener to hear stories of the Soviet-era communist regime and how people lived then. read more There were also relics left in their original condition as reminders of the world then, which was barely 30 years ago. A trip worth doing for us.
A special mention to Hannah, our travel advisor, who just made everything so easy for us to book and organise our cruise. She was extremely responsive and helpful to the questions we had and provided top class support for everything we needed. She's a real asset to Global Journeys.
A special mention to Hannah, our travel advisor, who just made everything so easy for us to book and organise our cruise. She was extremely responsive and helpful to the questions we had and provided top class support for everything we needed. She's a real asset to Global Journeys.
Great river cruise 0
Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound)
Neville and Aynsley, New Zealand, Jul 2025
Relaxed and interesting, meals ranged from excellent to outstanding and wines good. Staff excellent and nothing was too much trouble. A good choice of excursions that was what attached us to the trip.
Magnificent back to back river cruises from the South of France to Normandy 0
Grand France (Northbound)
Denise, QLD, Australia, Jul 2025
It was my first experience of visiting Europe and booked with Avalon River Cruises - Grand France doing back to back from Arles to Paris then Paris to Normandy and back to Paris. It was the most wonderful experience from being welcomed onto the Avalon vessels, the spacious suites, the tours provided, the exception food and wine, lovely group of travelling read more companions, entertainment but most of all the exceptional Crew on both vessels their service was a step above. Thank you to you all you were amazing. I will certainly be recommending your Company and book another river cruise soon.
Relaxing River Cruise in French regions with few other tourists 0
Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages
Al, SA, Australia, Jul 2025
This being the third Avalon cruise I have booked with Global Journeys through Hannah, I know what to expect. River cruising is the best way to be a tourist and surpasses ocean cruising with 1000s of other passengers. Based around Bordeaux we visited chateaux and villages where there were few tourists, apart from locals, a stark contrast from other parts read more of France. Every day there were various options from which to choose. The passengers were mainly retirees, so it was an older crowd compared to a previous Avalon cruise. The focus was strongly on wineries, so would appeal strongly to those that appreciate and understand the finer things in life. In my case, I, however stuck to Orangina. This is the 12th trip that I have booked with Hannah and expect to continue with Global Journeys due to their efficient service.
Balkan Discovery 0
Balkan Discovery with Budapest, Bucharest and Transylvania
Beth, NSW, Australia, Jun 2025
Very good and interesting cruise. Avalon service excellent in all areas. Crew extremely helpful and friendly and all spoke very good English. Daily excursions very well organised with very good guides.
What an amazing boat, crew and experience. From the welcome with a light lunch before a quick walk through Vilshofen before recording for check in and departure. While we had a small room in steerage, it was comfortable for our needs, bathroom perfect and petite. The only downfall of our room was lack of ventilation and sometimes there was an unpleasant read more smell. Other guests said the same. Food and drinks were plentiful and of high standards. Excursions were great when the local guides met expectations. The few that didn't meet expectations didn't get a tip, simple. Great that gratuities were included, as NZ isn't a tipping culture, this took a hassle away. The overall crew was fabulous with having great memories of having met them and knowing their stories. Bonus we made more friends 🧡
As a solo traveller and first time cruiser, I had my hesitations about a 14 day cruise. But it was wonderful in every respect - my room, the ship, the extraordinary Tour Director, the friendly staff and the company of interesting and friendly travel companions. It was a joy.
Wonderful Tour of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. 1
The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound)
John and Rosalie, NSW, Australia, Oct 2024
A great cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. The Avalon experience is perfect for a relaxing time or being adventurous with the local tours on offer every day. October weather is a little cooler but perfect as there are fewer crowds and not too hot. We did encounter high water levels on the Moselle which required a ship transfer by bus from Koblenz up read more to Trier with a stop at Cochem on the way. Avalon made it easy and the rest of the tour went as expected. We spent 2 extra days in Basel which is well worth seeing. Booking was easy as usual through Global Journeys.
We absolutely loved our Avalon cruise from Prague to Budapest and the accomodation arranged for us at hotels in both Prague and Budapest by Global Journeys we’re fantastic. Everything went smoothly with on the holiday. The cabin on the Avalon cruise was perfect with floor to ceiling windows and the staff on the ship were great. It was our first river read more cruise and we would be keen to travel this way again in the future. The flights arranged for us with Emirates were well timed. I would gladly recommend Global Journeys and Avalon to others. The weather was very hot in August, so next time I would travel in September/October.
The cruise with Avalon was lovely. All personnel on board were great. Food and cabin great as well as optional excursions. However the optional excursion to Little Venice would not recommend had done a similar one the day before which was included in the trip.
The cruise along the Rhine beautiful and travelled through many locks.
The cruise along the Rhine beautiful and travelled through many locks.
The very best sailing the Danube 3
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)
Mike and Susan, New Zealand, Jul 2024
Avalon were exceptional. Our cabin on the top floor and closer to front is important as too near the back is more noisy and fumes.
Our biggest disappointment was that we were totally unaware that the first day we were staying at a hotel and not on the boat. Also there was available an additional staying after in Prague which again we were not aware of.
Our biggest disappointment was that we were totally unaware that the first day we were staying at a hotel and not on the boat. Also there was available an additional staying after in Prague which again we were not aware of.
Cruising the Seine before the Olympics 1
Active & Discovery on the Seine (Southbound)
Alick, SA, Australia, Jul 2024
The highlights for me included experiencing an organised bike tour for 3 hours during blocked Parisian streets before the Olympics, the Unusual Gardens of Etratat, historic Joan of Arc town of Rouen, and walking the path of Vincent van Gough. This is the second Avalon cruise I have done as I was able to avoid the solo supplement. I love the meals on read more board which are a contrast from my daily pre-packed dinners! I have already booked another Avalon cruise in France for 2025 with Hannah of Global Journeys who is always efficient and informative. (GJ: Great photo Alick!)
Absolutely wonderful trip. Loved every minute. The staff were so consistently cheerful and helpful. The Cruise Director was outstanding. Regarding embarkation - we were told we would be sent an email the day before to tell us the location of the ship, but it didn't come, which was a bit stressful. However, I emailed the ship early the same morning and read more was told the information.
The other suggestion I would have is to contact travellers a few weeks before, to ask for what they need after the cruise in terms of transport to airports, stations, whatever. I read a statement in the info that said not to have flights at Munich airport leaving before 8am. I assumed by that (wrongly) that there would be an automatic shuttle to the airport early in the morning. However, when I checked with the wonderful cruise director, she put me straight, and with difficulty managed to get me on a bus to the airport for my flight. Thanks again - amazing.
The other suggestion I would have is to contact travellers a few weeks before, to ask for what they need after the cruise in terms of transport to airports, stations, whatever. I read a statement in the info that said not to have flights at Munich airport leaving before 8am. I assumed by that (wrongly) that there would be an automatic shuttle to the airport early in the morning. However, when I checked with the wonderful cruise director, she put me straight, and with difficulty managed to get me on a bus to the airport for my flight. Thanks again - amazing.
