Avalon River Cruises France Reviews
Avalon cruises to France are one-of-a-kind, magnificent, and everlasting excursions. From the burlesque cabarets of Paris to the medieval towns along the seashore, and the stunning landscape in between, Frances river cruises provide the best of urban and rural French culture.
Experience of Avalon cruises to France is:
Passenger Shipping Pause 2020
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Avalon Waterways suspended its entire fleet’s passenger shipping operations canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through late-July 2021.
Operations were planned to resume on October 1, 2020, but the fleet’s pause was eventually extended through 2021 July .
All affected Avalon river cruise and cruisetour bookings received a full monetary refund, including on prepurchased through Avalon Waterways packages and services.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Avalon Waterways
While the majority of river cruise travelers are in the 50-plus range, more and more middle aged couples have been enjoying river cruises as well. Avalon is a good place to start, particularly for the more exotic destinations like the Mekong in Asia or the Amazon in South America.
Travelers seeking a luxury minded cruise experience, without an overly pomp and circumstance feel, will love cruising the worlds rivers with Avalon.
If youre wary of river cruising as an extension of the floating hotel, Avalon makes sure that a focus on the region itself is felt onboard as well as through the port excursions. Local ingredients are used to make traditional dishes, and beer, wine, and spirits of the area are also showcased.
Casual and comfortable, combining a relaxed atmosphere with a fine dining calibur food and wine, Avalon presents a quiet elegance without being stuffy.
Travelers who like choice will appreciate Avalons numerous options when it comes to port excursion activities. Starting in 2019 and unlike many cruises, a majority of these excursions will be included in the price.
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Good Mix Of Fellow Travellers
On my previous river cruise experiences, I was often one of the youngest on the ship and the guests were mainly from North America. On this Active & Discovery Danube River cruise, there were about 120 guests on board and it was a good mix of age groups and different nationalities, which made the trip more interesting. I also met two guests who are avid Velvet Escape readers! I also appreciated the layout of the Panorama Restaurant, which features big tables for groups but also tables for two. This way, if youre travelling alone or as a couple, you dont have to mingle with other guests during meals if you dont want to.
Discoveries Along The Danube
Our 178-mile cruise was brief but loaded with experiences that will fill me up for weeks to come. How else to explain the 45-minute carriage ride through Vienna drawn by two white speckled horses named Peter and Paul? Or, in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, a hike through a terraced vineyard punctuated by well-timed pauses for tasting local wines?
I wont soon forget exploring in Esztergom the largest Roman Catholic church in Hungary and the fabulous wine tasting afterward in an old cellar underneath it that hundreds of years ago housed the archbishops stash. And sailing into Budapest at night, with Parliament illuminated, well, theres nothing quite like it.
Avalons itineraries include classic, discovery and active excursions, as many as four a day. “Classic” involves must-see sights, “discovery” explores activities such as cooking and painting classes, and “active” steps it up with options like e-biking, hiking, and kayaking.
Avalon Views itinerary this year will focus on the Lower Danube: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary with cruises ranging from three to 21 nights. Some include one- or two-night hotel stays in cities like Vienna, Budapest and Munich.
The ship in 2023 will add the Upper Danube with itineraries in Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. A few cruises on the Rhine and Main rivers are also in the works.
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Amenities Included In Deals And Fares
Before purchasing a ticket, its critical to understand what amenities are included and what will cost you extra money. In general, river cruising in Europe is rather all-inclusive. However, depending on the brand, there are a few changes.
However, were doing Avalon river cruises Europe reviews right now. So, what precisely is the situation when it comes to this cruise line? When looking at the Avalon ticket, its crucial to know what youre getting because many customers, especially those coming from ocean cruises, dont know what to expect. They provide a variety of deals like & Silversea Cruises provide.
Take a look at the river cruising fares and see if you dont believe theyre too pricey. Thats because theres a lot of content. The following are the obvious inclusions:
- Avalons unique Comfort Collection Beds in spacious outside premium accommodations
- Private bathroom with full shower, glass door, hairdryer, and quality LOccitane bath items
- Onboard your vessel, complimentary sparkling wine is served with breakfast wine, beer, or soft drinks are served with lunch and supper
- Sightseeing with headphones and skilled local guides is included
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship
- A professional cruise director and English-speaking crew who provide exceptional personal attention during your tour
Top Reasons To Choose Avalon Waterways River Cruises
- Specializing in luxury travel experiences, they are always striving to enhance your travel experiences.
- Unpack once and never worry about anything else while you are with us enjoying your stay.
- Quick embarkation and disembarkation mean more time to explore, and quicker access to the ship for anything you may need from us or your room.
- Smaller accommodations mean a more spacious and uncrowded experience all around.
- Incredible windows in each stateroom offering you a fully unencumbered view of the bypassing scenery.
- Incredible personalized experience, offering you a more family-like experience.
- Knowledgeable cruise managers and tour guide, offering you the best guided experiences that you can find.
- Excursions available for every comfort level. From walking tours, to guided biking tours, and even hikes.
- Smaller tour groups, often 10-15 guests, means more personal attention.
- Dining experiences like no other, offering you incredible food options for each meal of the day.
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Active And Discovery Itineraries 2022
Avalon’s “Active & Discovery” cruises are part of the company’s land tour program . Every day, travelers can choose from a selection of included “Classic”, “Active” and “Discovery” excursions. The average number of “Avalon Choice” tours is 22, giving tourists plenty of opportunities to customize their vacation.
“Active & Discovery” voyages were introduced in 2017. In 2022, Avalon has scheduled 6 such itineraries but for the first time, these voyages will be offered on all major rivers in Europe – Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, as well as on the inland waterways of Belgium and Holland.
Activities on these voyages include canoe paddling , kayaking , hiking to Landshut Castle , a cocktail workshop , visiting a mustard mill in Germany, learning about Normandy’s cheese trail, tasting traditional pastries, new Storyteller Series which in 2022 feature two American authors – Candace Bushnell and Gillian Schieber Flynn .
Priced from USD 2550 per couple, Avalon’s “Active & Discovery” cruisetours have more complimentary excursions compared to other itineraries.
Additionally, Avalon’s “Fly Free & Save” deals offer up to USD 1000 per couple on select 2021-2022 European river cruises.
Avalon Tranquility Cruise Reviews
Avalon river cruise brings new serenity to the travelers soul. However, youll also find a lot of different ways to excite yourself during the itinerary.
When onboard, enjoy the intimate setting of the Avalon Tranquility having two full Panorama Suites decks with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.
Spanning 200 square feet, the ships Panorama Suites are 30% larger than the standard industry size. Lets have a look at the Avalon Tranquility cruise review.
Went on a Fall Rhine River cruise that started in Amsterdam and ended in Basel. It was a fantastic experience. Stopped at many interesting ports where we saw and experienced so much. ..Overall, it was a great experience. If you want to get a taste of multiple cities with well planned excursions and tours, this is a great way to do it.
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My Avalon Waterways Danube River Cruise
Avalon Waterways is a luxury cruise company that operates a fleet of 16 river cruise ships, built in the Netherlands, which are based in different parts of the world, though primarily in Europe. I travelled on the Avalon Impression.
These so-called Suite Ships feature spacious staterooms with en-suite bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views. What I especially liked about the windows is that you can slide them open and the room turns into one big balcony! I also loved how the beds were positioned, facing the window, so I could just lie in bed and enjoy the views.
I explored the ship right after checking into my suite and found the elegant Panorama Restaurant, the cozy Panorama Lounge and Bar, a small gym and my favourite space: the Club Lounge, located in the back of the ship where guests could sit quietly or play board games while enjoying a soft drink, coffee or hot chocolate with fresh pastries.
Itineraries Need To Be Flexible
Everyone has certain excursions that are high on their to-do list. With unpredictable COVID outbreaks, passengers need to be accepting of flexible itineraries. Excursions may change and evolve while you are mid-cruise. Keeping an open mind regarding your itinerary will make your cruise more enjoyable.
Changes to the original plan may happen, but your ships staff is dedicated to your vacation enjoyment and will do their very best to ensure you have fabulous shore experiences.
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Highlights From An Active River Cruise With Avalon Waterways
Home » Cruising » 6 Highlights from an Active River Cruise with Avalon Waterways
I’m not new to the world of river cruising. I fell in love with the style of travel back in 2015, and have been on 4 river cruises throughout Europe since then.
I’m a fan of river cruising for a few reasons:
So when I was invited to try out a new style of river cruise this summer with Avalon Waterways, I didn’t have to be asked twice.
Avalon Waterways offers all the river cruises you’d expect to find in Europe: tulip cruises, Christmas market cruises, wine-focused cruises, etc. But you’ll also find some not-so-expected cruise itineraries and styles offered by Avalon, including the Active & Discovery cruise.
Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises are exactly what they’re marketed as: a way to be more active on your river cruise while delving deeper into local cultures. These river cruises come with a wide variety of excursion options to choose from that are far from your average cruise tours.
I’ll be writing more about this new style of cruise later, but for now I thought I’d share with you some of the highlights of my week on board the Avalon Impression on the Danube. I sailed from Budapest, Hungary to Linz, Austria, and basically tried to do everything!
Frequently Asked Questions About Avalon Waterways River Cruises
- What kind of trips can I take with you?
The trips that you can book with Avalon Waterways are endless you just have to make the difficult decision of deciding where you want to go! Whether you are thinking about travelling through Europe, Africa, Asia, or even North America, we have some incredible cruise options available to you. If you are unsure as to where you would like to go, then let any one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives get you started by showing you some of our more popular options.
The cost of your tour is dependent on a few different factors, including your choice of destination and the length of time that you wish to travel for. Your excursions and tour options are also taken into consideration during the pricing of your trip. Some trips can start as low as $2,500, while some can increase to $4,000 or more. The important thing to remember is that this price includes all of your meals and your lodging. When you take that into account, the prices are reasonable and affordable.
Absolutely! Our agents are standing by to help you decide on the best trip for you. If you are unsure about what you are looking for, or where you are looking to go, our team can help you narrow out your options and help decide on the perfect place for you. Simply give them a call and start listing off items that you look for in travel and tours and let them do the rest!
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Helpful Cruise Line Information
If you’ve cruised before you probably have a favorite cruise line. Here at CruiseExperts.com we make it easy for you to sort through the cruise line of your choice for the best cruises at the best discounts on your favorite cruise line. Choose from the best cruise lines in the world including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Crystal, Azamara, Oceania, Viking, Avalon, and Disney. You can be confident that you’ll get the cheapest cruise price possible with concierge like service from our cruise experts here at CruiseExperts.com. View information on your favorite cruise line.
How Is The War In Ukraine Affecting The European River Cruise 2022 Season
River cruise lines are changing plans due to the war in Ukraine. Photo: Shutterstock.com.
The 2022 season for river cruising in Europe has begun. And with the easing of COVID restrictions, more Americans are ready and willing to travel abroad. But some have concerns about how the war between Russia and Ukraine could affect their travel plans.
To help you be well prepared when suggesting a European river cruise to them, here is a summary of what is happening with the major brands, including any changes to itineraries because of the situation in Ukraine.
AmaWaterwaysThe brand does not cruise in Russia or Ukraine so they did not have to alter any river cruise itineraries or pre- and post-cruise land programs.
AmaWaterways top priority will always be the safety of our guests and crew, said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. With 20 years of experience providing unparalleled river cruise journeys, our operations team can modify itineraries and adjust excursions at a moments notice should there be any need to do so. Our guests are very anxious to travel again and by doing so they are able to provide much-needed support to the economic recovery of the countries visited, which are struggling to recuperate after two years of travel restrictions.
TauckTauck relayed that they have not altered or adjusted any of their river cruises as a result of the conflict in Ukraine .
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Cruise From Home And Relax
Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.
Editoral Review Of Avalon Waterways
Part of the Globus family of travel brands since 2003, Avalon Waterways has proven to be one of the more innovative of the many river cruise companies now in operation.
Its newest Suite ships feature open-air balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to serve as indoor-outdoor seating areas, which dont cut into cabin space as do normal balconies — meaning you have more room to move around. Bathrooms are also roomy.
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Avalon Waterways Cruises Reviews
Step aboard one of Avalons Suite Ships, which feature the largest opening windows in river cruising, blurring the lines between inside and out. The decor is the first thing youll notice when you board the ship. Avalon cruises provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wake up to beautiful scenery and cool breezes.
Avalon River Cruise Tracker
Our Avalon cruise ship tracker is a function integrated into all Avalon river cruise review pages. At page-bottom on each page, you’ll find a map with the boat’s current location . All the real-time tracking data is provided by VesselFinder. It’s all about convenience – you will find where is your Avalon Waterways ship cruising today and right now along its current itinerary – in real-time!
Enjoy the luxury travel cruising on your Avalon Waterways vacations!
Note: You can see the CruiseMapper’s list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.
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Avalon Vista Cruise Reviews
It is one of the famous river cruises throughout Europe. Cruising on Avalon Waterways Avalon Vista is an experience that you will rave about. When onboard the ship, your stateroom is turned into a balcony with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Hence, you can enjoy the river views even from your comfortable bed. Heres a review of the Avalon Vista cruise ship.
I eat Gluten Free for medical reasons and the Chef and his entire staff were very accommodating… We felt the excursions gave us a great variety of site seeing for each country. I would definately choose this cruise line again in the future for another vacation.