Avalon Expression Review

-- / 5.0
Editor Rating
91 reviews

Highs & Lows

Review for Europe River Cruise on Avalon Expression
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First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Jun 2013

We were advised that Avalon would to a ship swap because of the flooding on the Danube. We sailed from Budapest to Prague. We scheduled to sail on the Expression. We had chosen a cabin at the back of the ship and on the east side during the trip. Prior too our departure we were assured that the Panorama and Expression ships were exactly the same, except the Panorama was 2 years older. Our embarkation was on the Panorama:, older ship, very clean, amazing crew, can't say enough about them, the food was well prepared, served hot, and very good. The day before embarkation we were "informed" that our cabin had been switched to middle of ship on the west side, because " that all that available, our cabin choice was not available on the Panorama" No one knew that before we sailed? The weather was very warm and we had to keep our door and curtain closed during the afternoons. The countryside and excursion were absolutely wonderful. We it came time to move to the Expression, where we had the stateroom we had booked (spent part of an afternoon packing) instead of being bused to the Expression, we put on a day boat , in a room with windows that did not open, dirty toilets and spent over 3 hours on small metal chairs with the only water available was buying it at very expensive price. Again we had no choice. Could Avalon not have used an air condition motor coach

instead...The Expression is an absolutely beautiful and well appointed ship. Unfortunately the crew is exactly the opposite of the Panorama crew.. They are cold, indifferent and the food mediocre at best. The evening entertainment was wonderful.. At one point there was no docking space we docked to another ship...that meant the windows/doors and curtains had to be closed at all times, since we were inches away from the people in the other ship's cabin. On the second day we had to complain since the smell of diesel was overpowering in our room because the air conditioning was always on. On the transfer from the Panorama to the Expression our luggage was misplaced etc. Our pre and post embarkation were at wonderful hotels the Sofitel in Budapest and the Hilton in Prague. Pre embarkation was did not go very well since, again in the heat, we had to wait in the lobby where there was no water or chairs for everyone

so a lot of us had to sit in the stairs...Avalon was offering an optional tour that afternoon. Was the co. trying to make those of us who did not buy it as uncomfortable as possible? The highs was great and lows almost unbearable...and no the $200.00 refund promised did not .help. I would have a lot more questions to ask before traveling with Avalon ever again... .The rating below is for the Expression..

Cabin Review

On both ships our cabin was on the Royal Deck The suites of the Expression are exactly as the promo photos, the colour schemes and furniture is wonderful.. The Panorama showed some wear and tear but were clean and comfortable

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