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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1 Star
Thank you Hannah for organising my recent river cruise. All went well, one complaint was our Tour director, Yvette. She worked hard, but was an unfriendly lady, which I have never found before in a tour director. Thanks once again Hannah.
Will definitely book again with Global Journeys 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Catherine Bowman, Australia, Apr 2014
Prompt and informative communication. My booking went as planned with no issues at all. Will definitely book again with Global Journeys. Great support from Yvonne.
Our tour was exceptionally enjoyable. From the start we received excellent service from Yvonne at Global Journeys. All our queries were answered quickly and our bookings were perfectly attended to. On the cruise itself we could not have been happier. The Avalon Felicity is a well presented comfortable ship providing for all our needs . The meals were read more excellent, as was the wine which was free flowing, with a great variety being provided over the seven days of our trip. The accommodation was clean and comfortable as were the general areas of the ship. The staff were always pleasant and nothing was too much trouble. We really enjoyed the fact that some of the included tours were bus and canal trips which provided a variety to our experiences. We would readily book again with Global Journeys and Avalon should we choose a River Cruise again.
Could not have been more pleasantly surprised 1
Romantic Rhine
Michael & Sandra Raynor, Australia, Apr 2014
My wife had always wanted us to take a European river cruise. I was the reluctant one worrying about being locked up for day after day and the cruise like being held in a low security prison. However, I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. The organisation of our Avalon cruise was outstanding from our smooth loading until our last morning read more disembarkation. There was a range of daily activities to suit all tastes from tours for history lovers to people who just wanted to see local culture. All tour guides seemed to have a detailed knowledge of their subject. The dining on board was first class and the three young ladies who looked after our table had the Asian culture of customer service and made sure dining was a delight. The evening entertainment was also good. The staff on board took their job seriously to ensure all passengers came away with a first class experience. The only minor issue on the Amsterdam to Basel was not enough time in the city of Cologne. Whilst my wife and I had visited Cologne last year two hours was not enough time for people to take this great city. As I said we had a wonderful experience and are now planning another cruise in 2015.
A wonderful experience - 5 star in every regard, we intend to go on a similar river cruise again.
Cruise was a most enjoyable experience for us 3
Romantic Rhine
Peter & Sandra Dent, Australia, Apr 2014
The River Cruise on the ship, The Avalon Visionary, from Basel to Amsterdam 5th to 12th April 2014 was a most enjoyable experience for us. We have travelled by coach and rail and independently, through parts of Europe, and this was our first river cruise. The cruise was so relaxing and perfect in every way that we are now looking forward to travelling read more again with Avalon. The ship, the Avalon Visionary, was modern and spacious and offered us all the comforts of home, and our cabin on the top deck was very comfortable and gave us a lovely view of the passing scenery along the Rhine River. The Cruise Director, Hans, was extremely professional and detailed and we were very impressed with his personal organisation and management skills. The daily newsletters and general information on the day's activities were so informative and appreciated by everyone. The Captain and crew and staff were exemplary in their care of us during the tour and made us feel welcome and comfortable. The meals were extremely appetising and beautifully presented in the ship's Restaurant, with a Chef and catering staff personally attending to our individual needs. The tours were well researched and the guides were very informed on the local and general history as they showed us around the beautiful old towns and cities and castles along the Rhine. We also would like to thank Hannah, our Global Journeys Tour Consultant, who was very helpful in attending to our booking and requests. Thank you again for a most enjoyable and memorable tour and holiday.
The best decision we could have made 4
Balkan Discovery with Bucharest
Vikki Powell, Australia, Apr 2014
Although usually independent travelers we decided to book a cruise through the Balkans because of the difficulties of booking rail travel in that area. It was the best decision we could have made. Our brilliant service from Yvonne at Global Journeys set the standard for the entire cruise experience. Booking was seamless, documentation was sent to read more us early as requested and we were fortunate to receive an upgrade at the last minute. Booking on to the cruise at Budapest was efficient and the 5* pre and post cruise accommodation first class. Pre-cruise information was helpful and all information we received during the cruise about countries we were visiting was interesting and informative. Our cruise director, Andrzej, was brilliant, patient and amusing. Nothing was too much trouble for him and as he had been travelling to the Balkans for 20 years his advice was invaluable. All crew and staff on the Luminary were helpful, friendly and efficient and the accommodation was beautiful and far more spacious than we expected. We had read the cruise itinerary and information from travel guides and knew this wasn't a castles and cuckoo clocks tour, which is why we had booked it. It was very informative and gave us a great insight, through day tours and the knowledgeable guides, of the turbulent history of this region, which was exactly what we wanted. After what could be long and emotionally challenging day of sight seeing we had our haven, the beautiful Luminary, to come home to. This is not a cruise for everyone - it is not about wine tasting and classical music evenings in castles, which are offered in abundance on other cruises. It does involve some long day tours to interesting sights and some more challenging walking. We did, however, enjoy a great night of local food, wine and troubadour style music in a Belgrade restaurant. For that reason I believe it is a cruise which would be enjoyed most by a younger demographic as well as fitter retirees. Thank you once again Global Journeys and Avalon Waterways.
Excellent accommodation and service onboard. Local tour guides varied in their ability to provide interesting tours. Often found the tours did not allow enough free time to explore the places visited as too much time was spent giving in-depth history information. Overall a memorable experience!
Our experience with Global Journeys was exceptional 2
Festive Season in the Heart of Germany
Roger Harrison, Australia, Dec 2013
Our experience with Yvonne at Global Journeys was exceptional. We enjoyed our Avalon Christmas Markets cruise. The towns visited were wonderful and the shore excursions used excellent local guides. The ship was very comfortable with the catering excellent. Beginning in Prague, there was a significant amount of 'free time'. The tour commenced on 7/12 read more at 18.00 and we bused to Nuremberg on Monday at 13.00. Only 1/2 a day (Sunday am) was organised. Some other expensive 'pay for' excursions were offered. The ship cruise director (Nico) was good. The welcoming cruise director (Hendrick) was abrupt and not welcoming at all. Ironic that the Saturday night commencement is described as a 'welcome'. Some issues were experienced by some passengers (not us) of fumes entering their cabin. We are aware of some passengers changing cabins. This needs to be addressed as cruise fares are expensive and this should not happen.
Our river cruise was better than we could have imagined and we will highly recommend Avalon River cruises. Great food and excellent waiter staff. Our Tour Director was excellent and could not be faulted. All the crew were courteous and polite. All our tour guides were exceptional and made our excursions so informative and interesting. Just an amazing read more experience - a dream come true!
The best holiday we have ever had 2
The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)
Pamela & Peter White, Australia, Oct 2013
This European river cruise was the best holiday we have ever had. Every detail had been expertly planned by Global Journeys. Avalon Waterways cruise ship 'Affinity' was staffed by exceptional friendly, helpful and professional crew. The food and drinks provided were abundant, varied and delicious. Included sightseeing was thoroughly enjoyable. I read more would recommend this cruise to anyone considering a river cruise holiday and have plans to book another one in the future.
No negatives - all positive, many thanks 1
The Blue Danube Discovery
John & Maureen Clutterbuck, Australia, Oct 2013
We just loved everything, Robert our tour guide was excellent, everything was just wonderful. Avalon was better than expected and we would recommend it it anyone. No negatives - all positive. Many thanks.
Such a wonderful experience 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Stanley and Sandra Allen, Australia, Oct 2013
Almost every aspect of the tour we found excellent. Other aspect that Australians dont usually experience, like our American counter-parts, tipping. Although we paid for tipping as part of our package and in addition paid for our optional tours costs, tipping always seemed to be an expectation and some times an embarrassment, because we only had large read more Euro bills. After a couple of days we grew accustomed to the practice and always made sure we had sufficient 1 & 2 Euro coins at the ready. That doesn't seem a lot but 1 Euro was about $1.33. (Suggestion): Let Aussies' know 2 to 3 Euros is acceptable, given there are 10 to 16 couples on most optional tours that tallies to a nice tip. Don't include it as part of the tour cost, but as an optional extra. Our whole experience was beautiful, the staff bent over backward to assist our every need. The Captain so friendly and his Ship wonderful accommodation like a five star hotel. The menu's and beverage selection first class, really didn't have a single thing to complain about. Our tour guide Tibo, what can one say to a person who is such a perfectionist. The optional tours and guides he selected were the best we've ever experienced. Tibor was a great host and joined in with us a meals, on tours and was always available if or when we needed something sorted, day or night didn't matter. One unfortunate incident that happened to us, was credit card fraud and our Bank cancelled our card. This occurred on the day our Ship docked in Amsterdam and I reported the matter to Avalon Waterways as we paid our onboard account and optional tour invoices with the Mastercard in question. Our Bank assures this is but a coincidence, as computer fraud can happen anywhere, anytime nowadays. After such a wonderful experience, our next holiday will probably be another Cruise but of 7-10 days duration and possibly be through France in a couple of years. All we are going to work on to improve our travel is something for jet lag!
Did not enjoy this Avalon cruise as much as our APT cruise 1
Paris to Normandy
Veronica Simcoe, Australia, Oct 2013
We did not enjoy this Avalon cruise as much as our APT cruise and would not travel with them again, most of the tours we had to pay for, the food was mostly the same with not much variety, the newsletters from the tour director were too mixed up and hard to follow and a lot of the local guides were very rude, we were also expected to pay tips to drivers read more and guides even on the free tours and tips to crew and cruise director at end of cruise, also had to pay for most drinks - all of which we did not on APT.
Cruise was the most amazing 'hotel on water'. 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Honor Croaker, Australia, Oct 2013
The Avalon Panorama was the most amazing 'hotel on water'. The room was very comfortable (not that we were in it much)! Room service was excellent. The layout of the boat was very practical and our cabin towards the front of the boat was in a good position. Tours were very well organised and range was also very interesting with experienced guides in read more each town. We enjoyed being able to choose some optional extras online before we left home. Could not fault the lounge or dining room service and the food was simply wonderful....such a variety everyday. Entertainment on board was excellent and nice to get a feel for the different countries performers. All the staff without exception were amazing and could not do enough for us. Would go again tomorrow and definitely with Avalon. I would also be open to giving testimonies for you if it were required. We have since talked 4 other friends into going on the Panorama next April (2014). They have also booked through Global Journeys. Global Journeys were also wonderful to work with. Yvonne - our consultant was very obliging and answered all our questions. Yvonne contacted us by email when we needed to communicate. She was always available to take phone calls too. Her suggestions on room placement on the boat were spot on and made our travels very easy and comfortable. Our holiday experience was amazing and our memories will live on forever.
Couldn't fault any part of our cruise 1
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Una Sandeman, Australia, Oct 2013
Our river cruise was everything we expected and more couldn't fault any of it. Would recommend Global Journeys to all those wishing to do river cruises. Special thanks to Yvonne for all the help with our booking and friends bookings. Thank you we had an awesome holiday.
The whole Avalon experience is a class act 3
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
John & Alison Day, Australia , Oct 2013
The whole Avalon experience is a class act, except, one of the touted highlights of the Danube cruise is the trip down through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. We had seen it on a Trafalgar tour last year and eagerly looked forward to a return trip. For reasons that were not apparent, we entered the gorge just on dark and lost the spectacle completely. read more There was bitter disappointment on board. To our way of thinking, the shore excursion to Rudesheim that afternoon should have been shortened by at least an hour to have allowed sailing through this Unesco World Heritage Site in daylight. Missing the Rhine Gorge is close to a money back disaster in our mind. Five weeks later, I still seethe at the thought of missing this highlight through what appears to have been poor planning. There may have been a reason, but we could not get it on board.
I would highly recommend this cruise to my friends 2
Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
Pamela FitzPatrick, Australia, Oct 2013
This was a wonderful experience. There was a balance between sailing and visiting towns along the river. Life aboard the cruise was great! The crew went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and wanted for nothing. The Scenery is comfortable with contemporary furnishings and fittings. My cabin was more than adequate for me. I would highly read more recommend this cruise to my friends.
Our first experience on a river cruise - certainly enjoyed it. Cruise Director kept us well informed and was excellent. Would certainly recommend Avalon. Georgie was very helpful with our booking and answering our questions.
What an experience, and what a lovely group on board 1
Romantic Rhine
Robert Patterson, Australia, Oct 2013
What an experience, and what a lovely interactive small group on board. Day tours were excellent, although a little too much history - glad there was not an exam at the end! Accommodation on the lower deck was great, as time on board was either upstairs or asleep. Tour director did an excellent job - timings were great. Meals superb. I have recommended it to friends.
