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Avalon Waterways

River Cruises

Amsterdam

Paris

Basel

Vienna

Prague

Passau

Budapest

Frankfurt

Europe - All

Europe - River Cruise

Europe River

Germany

Rhine River

France

Europe - British Isles & Western

Netherlands

Danube River

Austria

Germany River

Seine River

Switzerland

Slovakia

Czech Republic

Belgium

Excellent

Average

Very Good

Terrible

Avalon Tapestry II

Avalon Vista

Avalon Tranquility II

Avalon Imagery II

Avalon Expression

Avalon Panorama

Avalon Visionary

Avalon Impression

Avalon Poetry II

Avalon Passion

Avalon Artistry II

Avalon Illumination

Avalon Envision

Avalon Siem Reap

Avalon View

Ganges Voyager

Avalon Saigon

First river cruise.

Lisbon

First river cruise following a ocean cruise. The river cruise wins hands down. The ship is well staffed, friendly and spotlessly clean.

We received a huge welcome on board and this continued on returning from day trips.

Our state room was perfect and met all our needs. Cleaned daily and nothing was a bother for the cleaning team.

The food- OMG- Beyond amazing. Presentation, taste, quality, service where brilliant. The downside is now we need to go on a diet. Soft drinks beer wine all excellent and included when eating. What a great First adventure with Avalon. Worth every penny. I don't know why we waited so long to take this type of holiday. Thank you team Artistery 11. You all gave great service.

The day trips were rather energetic but manageable. A good choice available. Tour guides also excellent and lovely coaches provided when required.

I'm sonpleased to say that all the staff were beautiful presented and wore a huge smile.  Made us feel like special customers.

Friends of ours asked if we would like to go on a river cruise with them. Having never been on one, and not a fan of being on a ship with thousands of people, I was a little hesitant. However, when I found how many we would be cruising with on this ship, I said yes....and I'm glad I did. The staff was amazing. The minute we arrived, even before stepping on the ship, the staff made us feel special. THE FOOD! The food was delicious with our waiter Sasha taking the best care of us. The entertainment fun, the excursions were amazing, and the staterooms were beautiful. Everyday, our cabin looked like it never had been slept in. Cruise Director Tony was great keeping us up to date on the itinerary and yoga with Milan was relaxing! I would go again in a heartbeat! Thank you all for a wonderful time!!

EXCELLENT!

Jost Van Dyke

We chose this cruise because it covered a lot of Europe and we liked the 14 day length of the cruise. We also liked the idea of having one room for the entire trip as opposed to bus touring where you have multiple hotel rooms. When we arrived, a crew member met us as soon as we exited our cab. She insisted on taking our bags. That was the beginning of a wonderful (first experience) river cruise. The crew in every area of the ship was outstanding. They were friendly, courteous, personable, helpful etc. The cruise director, Karelien, was perfect. She has a wonderful sense of humor, kept us informed every day, had every excursion planned to perfection, accommodated the entire passenger list when we encountered low water on the river. She made the trip especially enjoyable. The food was wonderful, diversified for everyone’s taste. On the excursions, Karelien always accommodated a group that had walking limitations. My favorite excursion was the concert in Vienna. Absolutely fantastic!!! And we made lifelong friends with a few passengers.

We loved everything about this cruise and will choose Avalon Waterways for our next vacation.

Amsterdam Cologne Vienna Budapest

Have used Avalon Waterways on previous trips. This was by far a dream cruise!

Beautiful ship....to excellent staff! Easy access to all ports....Carrier buses were excellent. 

The food was just outstanding and delicious. Embarkation and disembarking went extremely well and very organized. Service staff was always helpful and willing to serve. 

I would use Avalon Waterways again and have recommended them to friends. Cruise Director Tony gave a schedule of upcoming daily activities. His knowledge of the areas was outstanding and most helpful. The ports of call were a joy to visit and the tour guides were outstanding and very knowledgeable! Loved how the beds in the staterooms faced toward the sliding windows so we could lay in bed an watch the world go by!!!!Although we were busy at times we still had time to relax and enjoy the ship and the cruise. 

Beautiful countryside everywhere we visited!! A magnificent trip of a lifetime.....

Excellent value and exceptional service from staff to tour director Tony!!! 

My wife and her elderly parents booked Avalon Waterways Blue Danube Discovery Cruise. This was intended to be a "trip of a lifetime" for my 88-year-old mother-in-law. My father-in-law, who is 90, had been saving for years to make her dream a reality. Despite spending nearly $8,500, this dream, was instead a nightmare. 

While they were still healthy enough to participate in such an adventure, my father-in-law, asked my wife and me to plan the trip and accompany them. After doing extensive research, I (unfortunately) selected Avalon Waterways.

To be fair and honest, I must report that the ship was very nice, the staff and crew were very accommodating, and the food was very good. HOWEVER, our experience was NOT EVEN CLOSE to the cruise that is portrayed in the slick advertising brochures and web photos. BUYER BEWARE!!! 

So, back to the specifics of our experience. As I mentioned, this was intended to be a true trip of a lifetime for my 88-year-old mother-in-law. Highlights of that dream included: visiting Nuremburg and Budapest; sitting on the deck of the ship for hours and hours, just relaxing and watching the world go by; being pampered with exemplary service, and gourmet food; and the ability to see much of Europe from the deck of a ship, not driving around in vans or buses.

I want to clearly disclose that the root cause of the issues encountered was extremely low water conditions. Clearly, that is not something Avalon can control or is responsible for. HOWEVER, the manner in which they dealt with these conditions are the reason for our dissatisfaction and complaints. 

We realize that changes to the cruise itinerary were necessitated by nature and are not Avalon’s fault. None-the-less, the actual itinerary was dramatically different than what we booked, and had we known this in advance, we would have never booked this trip. Although the Cruise Director and local staff did their very best, the manner in which Avalon handled this situation and the significant changes caused were disappointing. 

We were initially informed of the itinerary changes and just 4 days prior to cruise departure. Although Avalon offered a 100% refund, at that point, we were already in Europe, so couldn’t cancel the flights, other bookings, nor utilize our trip insurance. We were stuck and had limited options. I did some research and found that the LOW WATER CONDITIONS WERE KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME, yet Avalon chose to wait until the last minute (obviously to try and salvage their revenue from the trip). While this was good for Avalon, it was not for their passengers. 

We even discovered that other competitors of Avalon's had contacted their customers weeks in advance, and several had even cancelled their trips and issued full refunds / credits in order to treat their customers fairly. Avalon, however, was focused solely on profitability. 

The net result was fewer nights on board than we had booked and significant time in tightly-packed buses, rather than a full week relaxing aboard a luxury cruise ship, as envisioned and paid for. Specifically, 

•	We spent 6 nights on the ship, instead of 7, and 1 night in a dingy hotel. While it may not seem like a big deal, it is a 15% reduction vs. what we’d paid for; plus, for 88 and 90 year old people, packing, unpacking, lugging suitcases for a one-night stay is hard work and very undesirable.

•	The hotel Avalon Waterways booked in Nuremberg was mid-level, at best, and in NO WAY comparable to the Avalon Artistry II. The rooms were tiny and lacked air conditioning. We had to sleep with the windows open to get air, but then were kept up all night due to the loud noises on the street. None of us slept a bit. Additionally, the food at the hotel was atrocious! Dinner was barely edible, and certainly not in any way gourmet; breakfast was simply terrible. Only the flies that were all over the food buffet seemed to be happy.

•	If we had wanted a bus tour of Europe (which was NOT my mother-in-law’s dream trip), we would have booked that and paid a fraction of what we paid Avalon. Driving around on a cramped bus is not appealing to us, nor anything close to what we paid for. We would never sign up for that kind of vacation. The modified itinerary included 7 hours of bus time. This equates to a full day’s worth of bus time, rather than time relaxing on the deck of a luxury ship. While we understand the reason for this, it is not what we paid for. It was painful, and not pleasurable.

•	Missing Nuremburg – even though Avalon did bus us to Nuremberg, we didn’t arrive there until 4:45pm and had prior, non-changeable bookings to depart very early the next morning (based on the original cruise itinerary). Therefore, even though we stayed overnight in Nuremburg, there was no opportunity to schedule a tour or even walk around to get to know the city. As a result, one more of my mother-in-law’s dreams was not fulfilled because of the changes to the itinerary.

Upon our return, in an attempt to provide Avalon with feedback and give them a chance to make this right, we contacted Avalon’s Customer Service. We advised them of the numerous issues encountered and of our dissatisfaction. We also provided abundant documentation, so there was no doubt about our representations. Avalon acknowledged that the product / service we received was not the one advertised or paid for, yet Avalon refused to accept any responsibility or even attempt to make this right.

The Rep asserted that they had already provided compensation in the form of a complementary concert in Vienna and a free walking tour of Linz (which we didn’t do since we’d paid for the concurrently scheduled Cesky Krumlov tour). While it is true that Avalon did provide us with a complementary concert in Vienna, this was not something of great interest, had a value of only $82, and was insufficient and insulting "compensation" (just 3% of our trip cost!) for a trip costing over $2,200/ea that had been dramatically altered and diminished. 

After escalating to a supervisor and providing further documentation, Avalon simply referred us to their fine-print Terms and Conditions and suggested that if we were still dissatisfied, that we pursue legal resolution. While we could probably prevail given the facts and circumstances (based on discussions with a couple of lawyers in my family), this would be a very costly and time-consuming path to pursue. Clearly, the legal terms and conditions are stacked against the average consumer and heavily favor this BIG COMPANY. 

So instead of pursing this expensive and time-consuming path, we feel compelled to advise and warn other potential customers before they spend their hard-earned money with Avalon and endure an equally distasteful experience. 

In short, we would never have signed up for this trip had we known what we now know. If Avalon Waterways were a customer-oriented company, they COULD HAVE dealt with this like many of the other cruise companies did. For example, they could have: 

1.	Cancelled the trip entirely and offered refunds or rebooking on another departure that was as advertised

2.	They could have contacted us BEFORE we departed the United States, advised us of the situation, and provided us with the option of joining this modified trip or obtaining a refund or rebooking on future departure

3.	They could have provided a hotel (on the night they forced us to depart the ship early) that was consistent in terms of accommodations and food

4.	And, even after the trip, their Customs Service could have offered an appropriate partial refund (or credit towards a future trip) as a gesture to compensate for the numerous issues we had

In short, The Avalon Artistry II is a very nice ship, with outstanding food, and professional accommodating staff. It is also very expensive. For that cost, one expects to receive the level of service and accommodations advertised, or to be treated fairly and properly compensated if / when something goes wrong. Avalon Waterways is simply more concerned about its profitability than its reputation and customers. BUYER BEWARE!!!!

BEWARE! Slick advertising, but reality far different...

I had experienced three other Avalon Cruises and thoroughly enjoyed every one.  I'm hooked!

The ship, room, service, food, entertainment, excursions, and crew were all exceptional!  Cruise Director, Maria Pascual, made it the best cruise yet!  She accommodated the needs and wishes of everyone with her beautiful smile and "will do" attitude! Every excursion was outstanding! Ayu and Monika were so precious with their smiles and great service in the Panorama Lounge.  Our waiter/bartender, Radu aimed to please with this wonderful laugh, sense of humor and special service. He remembered my drink choice and made it perfectly. We looked forward to dinner with him every evening!  His protege, Alex, worked hard to make the dinner perfect.  Loved his smile and genuine desire to please.  He's a keeper!  The Chef and his crew were incredible! AND they prepared all that exceptionally delicious food in such a short time and small space. The floral arrangements throughout the ship were gorgeous!  The entertainment was so much fun!  The pianist was so talented and accommodating. I also truly enjoyed the local musicians.  Our Captain was a pleasant surprise!  He could keep us on course and play music so well.  What a treat!

The Avalon Artistry II Captain, Crew and Crew Director provided the perfect river cruise.  Thank you to all!

The Rhine and Moselle Northbound  WZRA 90611

This cruise along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers was spectacular!  The food was phenomenal. So much to choose from. Buffet style for breakfast and lunch. A menu for dinner. Excursion choices were great. Port of calls were great. So many new places to explore. We went north, starting in Switzerland and ending in Amsterdam.  Maria was our social director. Very knowledgeable!  She helped my husband out when he had a fall on the treadmill.  He banged up both knees pretty good from his fall. She basically helped nurse him by keeping him bandaged up. Our suite room was very  nice. It was nice to be able to open our glass doors and let that fresh air in. The size was very accommodating.Every body was very professional. We were celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary. So this trip was very special for us. Would definitely recommend this trip on Avalon to anyone.

Extraordinarily Superior 

We did a lot of homework before choosing Avalon Waterways. We read reviews of a number of different companies offering river cruises in Europe, and Avalon came out the clear winner. As first time river cruise folks we had no idea what to expect. Our first day on the boat set the tone for the next twelve days. Were were greeted, pampered, fed, and treated like royalty in every respect throughout our cruise. We met fascinating couples on the ship, made lasting friendships, and had an unforgettable experience. It is almost impossible to summarize a cruise like ours and be brief, but we hit it out of the park by choosing Avalon. 

The crew was amazing! Hardworking and professional every step of the way. They say that cleanliness is next to godliness, and to put it mildly, our ship was spotless! We had a cabin that was large, airy, and a pleasure to relax and sleep in. The food on our cruise on the Avalon Artistry II was gourmet ALL the way. Our Cruise Director ( Maria) was the consummate professional, and she saw to it that our every need was seen to expertly. Our captain was beyond expert at his job, and he made complex river navigation seem easy. Being a former Merchant Mariner, I know that when it seems easy, that that is the culmination or a highly trained and experienced crew making our cruise effortlessly smooth.

I was, and always will be impressed by the caliber of Avalon employees. Perhaps I can explain my total satisfaction with Avalon by saying that I will cruise with them again. Putting one's money where the mouth is tells a story. We'll be back.

We hit a Home Run with Avalon!

Our third river cruise on Avalon. First two went so well, we didn't want to risk another line.  Again, we were not disappointed. Avalon is very consistent with their ships, policies, activities, excursions, meal service, etc.  We knew what to expect. With a few exceptions, everything was well organized, including the ship repositioning and busing resulting from low water levels on the Rhine. 

We arrived three days early in Amsterdam (embarkation port), which I highly recommend.  Museums are very good and canals can't be missed.  Our visit to Geithoorn was the highlight of the entire trip, although we booked through Viator.  Be aware that most non-hotel apartments or Airbnb's in the canal district are not going to have elevators and will have stairs akin to ladders.  Good way to get a feel for life in Amsterdam, however.  

Embarkation was a breeze - we just dropped our bags and boarded an excursion to Zaanse Schans, which is also very good.  Don't plan on renting or using bikes in Amsterdam as you will likely get killed. 

All the ports/stops along the Rhine and Mosel are worth seeing, with the exception of maybe Metz. Little towns along the beautiful Mosel river are very pretty.  We are very glad we included the Mosel on this cruise. The Avalon excursions to Metz and the Chateau de la Grange should be eliminated.  They were that bad.  

The ships crew and cruise director were top notch. Vlad, the cruise director had his hands full due to the ship repositioning. He handled it very well.  Meals were above average and service was always excellent.  Wine glass was never empty.  Entertainment was weak, but we didn't care. It was about the ports and excursions for us. Wifi service was very, very slow. Don't count on it. 

Due to low water levels on the Rhine, the trip had to be changed and cut short a day.  The ship could not get past Strasbourg, and then had to retreat back down stream as not get stranded if the river fell further.  This meant we were bused around the last two days and we spent the last night in a nice hotel in Zurich for some reason.  The ship was never going to Zurich to begin with.  Just meant an additional bus trip to the Basel airport. May be the only city Avalon could find 60 hotel rooms. In any event, Avalon handled the whole ordeal pretty well, and compensated the passengers fairly for the change in plan.  A couple of confused bus drivers and apathetic French tour guides did delay things a bit here and there.   

I think without exception the passengers on board were very pleased with the cruise despite the low water issue, which only effected the last two days.  We would definitely cruise with Avalon again.

Perfect Rhine/Mosel river cruise cut a bit short

We chose this cruise because it was 12 nights and visited the Rhine and Mosel Rivers.  The ports were interesting and fun to explore.  The included tours were well planned and allowed time for individual exploration.  We never felt rushed to get back to the ship.  

The crew was friendly and helpful and excellent service at all meals.  The buffets at breakfast and lunch offered a wide variety of delicious dishes.  The dinners never disappointed to offer a wide variety of  choices and the servings were perfect. 

Our cruise director Vlad was very informative with his nightly cruise talks about the schedule and itinerary for the next day.  Our cruise was cut short because of low water level and we had to be bused to our last day's tours and spend the last night at a Zurich hotel.  Vlad handled the problem perfectly and kept us informed of the repositioning.  And Avalon is compensating us for the inconvenience.  We were flying home from Zurich so it was no problem for us, a much shorter transfer to the airport.

We will definitely recommend Avalon to our friends and consider them for any future river cruises.

Great cruise on the Rhine and Mosel Rivers

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