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.
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Global Journeys & Avalon exceeded our expectations 2
Magnificent Europe
Ian Broadfoot, Australia, Jun 2014
In many ways the Global Journeys / Avalon River Cruise exceeded our expectations. Arrangements went off without a hitch. There were quite a few included activities that we were not expecting such as on board entertainment and lectures. The ship's cruise director, captain and staff did a great job in making the trip memorable. The only downside was that read more several passengers came on board with colds and flu and sickness spread in spite of attempts to contain the problem. It helps to be well prepared. We would certainly recommend the cruise with Avalon to friends. (Insufficient water in the river system can sometimes be a problem but we were fortunate to encounter no real issues. Some other ships having greater draft did experience difficulties.)
Tour was great and the staff on-board were terrific 2
Grand France (Southbound)
Larry Regterschot, Australia, Jun 2014
All went very well. Tour was great and the staff on-board were terrific. Must say that the staff on the first leg were better and more motivated than on the second leg. Tour director was out of this world. Sylvia Kok did everything that had to be done and did it with great aplomb! Gave her and the crew on the first leg (Paris-Normandy vv) a solid 10 out of 10.
We had some privately arranged before-and-after travel and we've only just returned hence the delay in this feedback. We were on 'Felicity' from Amsterdam to Basel. The crew were really excellent in all respects. The accommodation was very comfortable - the bed and pillows were great! The food and beverages were generally excellent - although bacon read more charred black is hardly healthy. Most of the guides for the optional tours were really good. Some negatives - seemed no logic in how cabins were allocated - we noticed that some passengers with disabilities were located a long way from the lift. Despite being advised that gratuities for crew had been pre-paid there seemed to be subtle pressure to pay additional amounts. Also, subtle pressure to provide gratuities for the optional tours - which were not cheap. Avalon seemed to have a very precise timetable for departure and arrivals and it's a pity this couldn't have been made available months before the cruise. Finally, travel by taxi from Schiphol to Movenpick and from Felicity to our Basel hotel was considerably cheaper than the price quoted for transfers by Avalon. Also, why the focus on transfer to Zurich airport when Basel-Mulhouse has a modern airport served by several airlines?
Cruise was smoothly executed with thoughtful planning 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Druce Dunne, Australia, Jun 2014
The cruise was smoothly executed, obviously an outcome of thoughtful planning and accumulated experience. The Avalon Panorama was similar in layout and standard to the Viking Rurik which took us from Moscow to St Petersburg a year earlier. We did a lot of optional excursions and fully filled the cruise time, but putting one's feet up and enjoying the read more rivers/canals and the ship-board pampering are also enticing alternatives.
Expected 'great' things and were definitely not disappointed 4
Paris to Normandy
Kathie Collins, Australia, Jun 2014
We were very happy with Global Journeys, the booking, ticketing etc went very smoothly. The paper tags for our luggage transfer from the meeting hotel to the ship were for the wrong Avalon ship. The error was noticed early and the problem solved very quickly. We were very happy with the Avalon experience. We were expecting 'great' things and were definitely read more not disappointed. The staff were very good, the cruise director very professional and helpful, the accommodation, food and tour guides were very good. Our only mildly adverse comment would be about the 'meeting hotel' prior to being transported to the ship. The experience was 'ordinary' to say the least, we were all held in a large conference room, in a somewhat isolated hotel, with nothing to do in the area to while away the waiting time...for us it was a 'wasted' day in Paris when there could have been so many more options.
Great experience - will do it again. But so glad we had a room in the forward half of the ship as we noticed that the engines were a little noisy and vibrated which would have penetrated through loudly to the rooms toward the aft of the ship. This did not affect us at all but we did feel for those who had were occupying the end cabins/suites directly read more above all 3 levels. We were on the Avalon Vista so don't know if this comment would be helpful to the other Avalon ships.
The service provided by Yvonne in arranging the river cruise was excellent and the Avalon River Cruise was fantastic. I can be picky but I was unable to fault the Avalon experience. The accommodation and service was first class, the food was excellent and the whole cruise was very well organised. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Global Journeys or Avalon to anybody.
Enjoyed the cruise and the standard of service 2
Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
Lore Candaten, Australia, Jun 2014
We enjoyed the cruise and the standard of service, including meals and entertainment provided. Having cruised with other Operators before, we found this Avalon river cruise excellent.
Enjoyed this cruise immensely 1
The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards and Castles
Lillian & Jeffrey Anderson, Australia, Jun 2014
Windmills, Vineyards and Paris. Enjoyed this cruise immensely. We are already looking forward to what we can do next. Can't really fault anything and we would recommend Avalon cruises to anyone. Value for money and you know what you are getting with no hidden costs.
This was the best holiday ever - can't say enough great food, great staff, fantastic bed. We did not do any of the options and there still wasn't enough time in the day - loved it.
Cannot believe how fantastic the whole journey was. I am amazed that we have been able to enjoy the same benefits for half the price of other travellers through other tour organisations. Maybe I shouldn't be saying that out loud! But really, thank you for making it possible for us to enjoy such fabulous holidays at an affordable price. We look forward read more to many more such experiences!
Would have to be mad to have gone elsewhere 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Gary Robinett, Australia, Jun 2014
We would have to be mad to have gone elsewhere. Everything was 100% perfect. Will be going through you guys in future. (Ed. That's what we think! Spread the word :)
Exceeded our expectations by far! Highly recommend, even other travellers from other river cruise companies travelling our route were envious of our river boat! Experienced and accommodating staff, new boat, great choice of food, comfy beds, amazing views, entertaining & fun group of travellers - what more can we ask for?
We had an amazing trip we loved the cruise 2
Magnificent Europe
Cheryl & John Baker, Australia, Jun 2014
We had an amazing trip we loved the cruise. The ship was luxurious and beautiful can not complain about a thing, the staff were delightful and friendly and the food was fantastic. Very happy with the service we received from Global Journeys, Yvonne you responded promptly to my email requests and explained everything to me thoroughly I would not hesitate read more to use your services again.
Our first cruise with Avalon and it did not disappoint! Great cabin, amazing staff, delicious food and selection of drinks. We plan to have many more!
Avalon provided an exceptional service 1
Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
Pauline & Paul Gray, Australia, Jun 2014
We found that Avalon provided an exceptional service. Having previously travelled with a pricier river touring company, we found Avalon every bit as good. We actually liked paying for optionals separately as we did not want to do a number of them anyway. We were happy to explore independently. Our only complaint was the final hotel in Paris which we read more felt was below the standard we'd come to expect. One of each type of tea bag and cardboard cups was a bit ordinary as was the breakfast and location. We do realise you don't get much for your money in Paris but we were disappointed with the Pullman Montparnasse. Otherwise, everything was wonderful. Thank you for your assistance. Global Journeys was excellent.
We had a lovely time with the highlight being the amazing food wine and service. We would recommend this river cruise to our friends. Many thanks. Just one thing, our itinerary etcetera got to us just 2 days before we departed. (Ed. Avalon had a few hiccups getting them to us in time, but normally we receive them about 2-3 weeks before travel. I'm glad read more you got them just in time!)
Everything on our river cruise was perfect. The ship with good-sized cabins and no wasted space. The crew were happy and always helpful, the service was exceptional, the food was unreal, Arkos the Tour Director handled everything with apparent ease, the on-shore excursions allowed for all levels of participation. The on-board entertainment was varied read more and top quality. Even the hairdresser Ildika was an unexpected delight. I would recommend Avalon Waterways to anyone thinking of doing a cruise. Happy holidays.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Excellent service and hospitality. All staff and crew were welcoming and customer focused. We have nothing to complain about. Our cabin and bathroom were kept spotless. The food and wines amazing. Optional tours entertaining and interesting. Thank you, it was a pleasure cruising with Avalon cruises.
Everything about the cruise was impressive 5
Magnificent Europe
Roger & Louise Dutton, Australia, May 2014
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this, our first cruise. Everything about it was impressive. The staff were all very courteous, friendly and efficient and made us feel very special. The meals were of superb quality and there were many options to choose from for each meal. The tour Director, Arkos, was outstanding in his vast knowledge of history and read more geography of everywhere we went. His organisation was superb, ensuring that everything ran like clockwork. He is a great asset to Avalon. The tours were all good, but some of the optional tours seemed a little expensive and a few of them perhaps should have been included in the tour price. Overall it was a wonderful experience and we have no hesitation in recommending it to others.
