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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An excellent insight into Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong river 1
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Northbound)
Greg & Vicky, VIC, Australia, Jun 2018
The highlight of this holiday was the exceptional quality of all the staff who provided service throughout this trip. The other aspect that was excellent was the out of the way places that going on the Mekong river enabled us to go to. We certainly had many highlights on this tour and I would recommend it to anyone.
Avalon boat cruise up the Rhine 9
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Paul & Meryl, QLD, Australia, Jun 2018
We had a great time, even though there was trouble in the channel with it being blocked by another ship. Avalon overcame the problem by changing us to another one of their ships on the other side of the blockage, so we could continue our trip, if we had gone with a smaller company this would not have been possible. Staff were very good and food was read more great, the site seeing was good but I would have preferred to stop longer in some ports.
Wonderful trip from Budapest to Amsterdam 8
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Donette, Robert & Lynne, New Zealand, Jun 2018
We had a wonderful experience on board the Illumination. Maria was an amazing cruise director. The staff were all very pleasant and went out of their way to please. One of our group had food allergies and they always met her requirements and in fact always remembered. We would recommend this way to travel to all our friends. We really enjoyed the small read more town experiences but the big cities had their points of interest as well. Included sightseeing was always led by excellent guides.
The river cruise with Avalon was lovely. Coming from a sea cruise with 2000 people to the small river cruise of 120 people was great. So much more intimate and the cruise director (Isobel) really looked after everyone like we were all family.
An easy way to enjoy 3 capital cities 5
The Blue Danube Discovery
Michael & Diana, New Zealand, Jun 2018
Overall the accommodation was excellent but the Hilton in Prague disappointing due to location, too busy & very noisy due to hotel alterations being done - the noise was such you could not stay in your room during the day. Also the trip to Nuremberg was very disappointing.
Every aspect of the trip was outstanding. The ship was immaculate; the crew, from the Captain down, were efficient, friendly and courteous, particularly those with whom we were in daily contact in the dining room, lounge and cabins - they made us feel as though it was a real pleasure for them to serve us. The Cruise Director, Tony, was knowledgeable, read more entertaining and approachable; the local guides for each excursion were well chosen and effective.
Dining room menus were varied and interesting and the food was attractively presented. Wines provided with lunch and dinner were of good quality and were usually sourced from the region through which were travelling. Included and optional shore excursions provided the opportunity to obtain as good an impression of the local area as was possible in the time available. Onboard accommodation, both cabin and public areas, was well designed and immaculately maintained. The only thing missing which would have enhanced our experience was a large wall map in, e.g, the lobby, that would have enabled us to trace the journey from start to finish.
Dining room menus were varied and interesting and the food was attractively presented. Wines provided with lunch and dinner were of good quality and were usually sourced from the region through which were travelling. Included and optional shore excursions provided the opportunity to obtain as good an impression of the local area as was possible in the time available. Onboard accommodation, both cabin and public areas, was well designed and immaculately maintained. The only thing missing which would have enhanced our experience was a large wall map in, e.g, the lobby, that would have enabled us to trace the journey from start to finish.
Great trip! 1
Natasja, NSW, Australia, May 2018
No complaints. It was a bit isolating to be 20 years younger than most of the passengers, but that can't be helped.
We had a wonderful time travelling the Rhine. Our ship was a joy to stay on. The cabin was small but we were only in it to shower and sleep after busy exciting days ashore. Avalon were a great company to travel with, supportive and helpful. The crew were always willing to ensure we experienced a happy holiday.
Great short cruise - next time the whole thing! 1
Robin & Valerie, New Zealand, May 2018
From the time we first contacted Leanne at Global Journeys right through to the last day, the whole cruise was magic. The only thing I would add was that on the final day it sort of fizzled out in the hotel... I realise that people coming off the cruise have planes to catch etc. but it would have been nice to wrap up the cruise with a final dinner at the hotel.
A busy yet well organised holiday on the Danube River. 6
The Legendary Danube
John & Ann, NSW, Australia, May 2018
This river cruise base cost included many off shore excursions. However, to get maximum value, the extra off shore activities are an extra cost. This needs to be taken into account when working out the total cost of the trip, but does add flexibility. Avalon is clearly trying to be the best company to travel with on the waterways of Europe. This is read more our second cruise with this group and we will be booking our next trip with them.
Loved every minute of my river cruise, cabin was great, food & wine were excellent. Enjoyed the variety of excursions and the towns visited. Cruise Director Isabel was wonderful. I am a solo traveller and was made to feel very welcome onboard. Met other solo travellers who hopefully will keep in contact. Would definitely recommend a river cruise read more and in particular Avalon. Best holiday of my life!!!!!
We had an absolutely fabulous time cruising through Eastern Europe. The Avalon Passion is the newest ship in the fleet and it is outstanding. Our stateroom was extremely comfortable and luxurious, the staff were very friendly and helpful and the daily tours were very informative and well planned. This is the second time we have booked through Global read more Journeys and we will definitely use them again.
Balkan Discovery with Burcharest Extension 2
Balkan Discovery with Bucharest and Transylvania
Patricia & John, QLD, Australia, Apr 2018
We chose Avalon because of our previous wonderful trips and we weren't disappointed. The food was incredible, the service outstanding, and our suite excellent. We visited countries of Europe we hadn't been to before and really enjoyed the experience. The extension was a great trip to end our cruise.
Our booking was arranged by Madeline from Global read more Journeys. We found Madeline to be very professional, friendly and extremely helpful.
Our booking was arranged by Madeline from Global read more Journeys. We found Madeline to be very professional, friendly and extremely helpful.
It was an excellent holiday for the family. The food and services on the boat were superb. We all put on weight, of course. The excursions were mostly well organised. The Avalon crew was very professional and friendly. Would recommend this trip without reservation.
A fabulous Christmas cruise on the Danube! 8
Christmastime on the Danube (Westbound)
Joyce, QLD, Australia, Dec 2017
This was my first river cruise even though I had been on many ocean cruises. It was a completely different experience with only 152 people onboard and I really enjoyed it. Our cruise director, Tony, was excellent and we had some wonderful entertainment onboard. The accommodation on Sapphire deck with a bed facing panoramic windows was very comfortable read more and tastefully decorated.
There were so many lovely stops on this cruise but one memorable experience was a magical snowy day tour in Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. I would recommend staying a couple of extra days in Vienna and an extra day or two in Prague as there is lots to see in those two beautiful cities. My favourite Christmas markets were the ones at the Rathaus in Vienna and in Nuremberg.
Thank you to Yvonne at Global Journeys and to Avalon for making this such a wonderful Christmas holiday!
There were so many lovely stops on this cruise but one memorable experience was a magical snowy day tour in Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. I would recommend staying a couple of extra days in Vienna and an extra day or two in Prague as there is lots to see in those two beautiful cities. My favourite Christmas markets were the ones at the Rathaus in Vienna and in Nuremberg.
Thank you to Yvonne at Global Journeys and to Avalon for making this such a wonderful Christmas holiday!
My adult daughter and I had 7 wonderful nights aboard Imagery II. From first boarding until we left everything and everyone was just amazing. Our cruise director made sure we all knew what was happening every day and even made sure we didn't get hit by bicycles on our many excursions ashore. The Executive Chef and his team made sure we were well read more fed at all times, providing both healthy and not so healthy choices for each meal - we were in heaven.
Our friendly waitstaff made our meals, particularly dinner, very enjoyable and relaxing. Out wonderful cabin steward spoilt us every morning with a tidy of our room and also made an elephant with the towels (very talented). And lets not forget the Captain and his crew. We met some very lovely people, which helped make the cruise all the more special. I will definitely be taking another Avalon cruise at some time. Our agent at Global Journeys made our wonderful holiday very special. Thank you so much.
Our friendly waitstaff made our meals, particularly dinner, very enjoyable and relaxing. Out wonderful cabin steward spoilt us every morning with a tidy of our room and also made an elephant with the towels (very talented). And lets not forget the Captain and his crew. We met some very lovely people, which helped make the cruise all the more special. I will definitely be taking another Avalon cruise at some time. Our agent at Global Journeys made our wonderful holiday very special. Thank you so much.
Black Sea to North Sea: A Wonderful Adventure Abroad 4
From Romania to the North Sea
John & Heather, Queensland, Australia, Oct 2017
The "Avalon Passion" is a beautiful and comfortable ship. We were delighted with our cabin, the extremely comfortable bed, and the large ensuite. Storage space was more than adequate. The crew were excellent. We loved their friendliness and appreciated their willingness to meet our every need. Excursions were very good and very efficiently managed read more by the cruise director. We purchased several additional tours, and they were all very good value for money. We would love to repeat the cruise some time in the future. However, affordability will always be a factor that we will need to consider.
As we had never been on a river cruise before and only heard from others who had done this, we were unsure what we would find. Well the only word to describe it is luxury. The Imagery II we were lucky to get on, was in its second season, and wow what an experience. Capt Marian was a very friendly Host.
We were on the top floor for accommodation, read more it was spacious and beautiful, sitting at our table and chairs with the sliding door opened with a drink, sailing down the Rhine was very relaxing, our steward Jerry gave us a beautiful smile every day. The food was never boring, each region you visited the wine and food reflected this.
The tour director provided all information twice daily to us , once by a daily newsletter, always found on your bed after dinner and Vlads talk each evening before dinner. All places we visited they provided excellent local guides, optional tours were fairly priced and interesting. All we can say is this is our new way of holidaying.
We were on the top floor for accommodation, read more it was spacious and beautiful, sitting at our table and chairs with the sliding door opened with a drink, sailing down the Rhine was very relaxing, our steward Jerry gave us a beautiful smile every day. The food was never boring, each region you visited the wine and food reflected this.
The tour director provided all information twice daily to us , once by a daily newsletter, always found on your bed after dinner and Vlads talk each evening before dinner. All places we visited they provided excellent local guides, optional tours were fairly priced and interesting. All we can say is this is our new way of holidaying.
Avalon Waterways Amsterdam to Basel Cruise 5
The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound)
Harold & Wendy Koch, QLD, Australia, Oct 2017
Our first river cruise was with APT in 2016, so we can only use that very good experience as a comparison to the Avalon cruise. The upgrade to deck 2 was a real bonus. Another bonus was the optional excursions offered by Avalon. As with APT, most of the included excursions are half day, leaving a fair bit of time on the cruise spent on the ship or on read more 'own time' in the town where the ship is moored.
APT didn't offer any optional trips, so Avalon has the advantage in that respect. The only negative issue was that the buffet breakfast dishes were consistently lukewarm to cold. Similar dishes at lunch were fine. Overall, we'd be happy to travel with Avalon again. After four trips to Europe, which centered mainly on the culture (churches, cathedrals, palaces and castles), we'll be looking for something that offers a different theme next time. Maybe food, wine etc.
APT didn't offer any optional trips, so Avalon has the advantage in that respect. The only negative issue was that the buffet breakfast dishes were consistently lukewarm to cold. Similar dishes at lunch were fine. Overall, we'd be happy to travel with Avalon again. After four trips to Europe, which centered mainly on the culture (churches, cathedrals, palaces and castles), we'll be looking for something that offers a different theme next time. Maybe food, wine etc.
Very lucky with the weather for the time of year - lots of sunny days. Our 2nd trip with Avalon and overall very happy. There appeared to be less staff in bar and restaurant than previous trip - maybe cost cutting? Some staff didn't appear to be very happy (maybe the end of season is near?). Captain, Cruise Director, room staff & food were very good. read more Included and optional excursions were great. The availability of bikes on board now is an added plus.
Our stateroom (213) was located in the centre of the ship and a good size. Housekeeping staff did a great job of maintaining the room. The scenery along the Moselle was stunning and would highly recommend a cruise along this river - Avalon go further than many of the other cruise lines. The Rhine was beautiful - always something to see! The evening entertainment was mainly the on board keyboard player, they did bring on various musicians along the way. But as dinner didn't usually finish till 9.00pm most people went straight to their cabins as the days were busy when on the excursions. The age of fellow travellers was a lot older for this cruise with more people taking the gentle walkers group than previous tour. Would recommend Avalon for good value. Very happy with all dealings with Global Journeys - you all do an excellent job and we very much appreciate it!
Our stateroom (213) was located in the centre of the ship and a good size. Housekeeping staff did a great job of maintaining the room. The scenery along the Moselle was stunning and would highly recommend a cruise along this river - Avalon go further than many of the other cruise lines. The Rhine was beautiful - always something to see! The evening entertainment was mainly the on board keyboard player, they did bring on various musicians along the way. But as dinner didn't usually finish till 9.00pm most people went straight to their cabins as the days were busy when on the excursions. The age of fellow travellers was a lot older for this cruise with more people taking the gentle walkers group than previous tour. Would recommend Avalon for good value. Very happy with all dealings with Global Journeys - you all do an excellent job and we very much appreciate it!
