We love river cruising and some friends had recently toured with Avalon and raved about it, so we decided to try this cruise. We were not disappointed. The tour itself was well organized and included a nice variety of things to see and do. Local guides were above average, and our tour director was fantastic! It was her last cruise with Avalon and she will certainly leave them poorer for her absence. She was on top of everything and was always friendly and helpful, even supervising the final bus trip to the airport. The entire staff on board was excellent, quick to help in any way needed. We really enjoyed the small size of this ship. Due to a number of single rooms being sold, we only had 113 guests on this ship, and it was so lovely to be in such a small group. The food was great and we appreciated that while there were many courses from which we could choose, the portions were a reasonable size so one could order according to your appetite and not waste food you couldn't eat. My only complaint (and it is a very small one) is with the optional food tour in Lyon. We went several places but most of our sampling was of sweets. We would have enjoyed more cheese and bread or other choices that were not sugar treats. Read Less

We travel to Europe twice a year and have taken a number of river boat cruises. This particular cruise seemed interesting so we booked it. The side trip to Monaco for several days was very pleasant and we took 2 of the recommended bus tours both of which were excellent. The staff on the Poetry II were friendly and attentive. The dining room serving staff were particularly pleasant, very attentive to all needs and never let our wine glasses get empty. Our cruise director kept us informed daily with port information, tours and accessory places to see. he was exceptionally good. The bar staff, particularly at happy hour, were quite good, worked fast and always had a smile for the patrons. The duration of the offered tours was excellent; none of them were too long and care was always taken to be sure we arrived back at the boat for lunch or dinner. Very pleasant cruise all around. Read Less

We were very pleased with Avalon when we cruised with Avalon 2 years ago. We knew we would want to travel with Avalon again. Everyone from hotel personnel to all ship personnel were so helpful, pleasant and made the experience special. The cruise director, Tony was available and very personable. We enjoyed the excursions, the guides were exceptional. A real bonus was meeting new friends. We liked the mustard and cheese tasting. Seemed like on other cruise there was more entertainment and programs about the area. We would recommend that people consider , be encouraged to allow a day or two before embarking. We had a very long day of flying, 4 legs, so our first day we were so tired we missed some of the information shared. We would recommend Avalon and this cruise. It all began with our excellent travel agent, Nancy Warner. She was always helpful, assisting with our questions. Read Less

We met two other couples in Monaco and traveled together after meeting on a previous sail throughout Tahiti. We selected Avalon because of the stops, the amenities and the reviews of other cruisers. We were not disappointed. We were thrilled with the itinerary, the excursions and the surprise entertainment. We felt Tony, our cruise director, really made an effort to get to know us and extended us great hospitality. We especially enjoyed the walking tours included in the cruise. We found the local guided to be knowledgeable, friendly and spoke English well. They always had a fun nugget to share that stayed with us after our departure. The one excursion we thought was lacking was the trip to Chateneau de Pape. Perhaps we expected too much but would have preferred more time to taste in the village. We thought the winery we were taken to was subpar and while the hostess was sweet, she really didn’t take the time to explain the wine, how is ages and what to look for in the young wines we were tasting. It would have been nice to actually taste a bottle ready to drink to compare the differences. A lite snack would have been nice too, even if the excursion cost more. We would have liked a guided yoga or mediation session on deck to begin each day. We especially enjoyed the barbecue lunch on deck, lots of fun and tasty. All the food was prepared to our specifications and was great quality. It was especially nice to have wine available at lunch and dinner as well. Overall the crew was very helpful, friendly and we felt like they really made us feel like home. Thank you. Read Less

We wanted to tour Southern France. This was a wine cruise and we sampled the local wines, visited small villages and enjoyed The French countryside. We flew to Monaco and spent a day there at the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel. We were then bussed to Arles to embark on our cruise. The Poetry II is a smaller ship than other Avalon River ships. It was clean, and beautifully designed. Everything was so well organized. Our beautiful cruise director, Gayle Walters did an outstanding job keeping us informed of the next day’s activities and organizing everything. The walking tours were excellent. The guides did a wonderful job of teaching us local history, making sure we walked in the shade ( it was 95 to 100 degrees every day). Food aboard the ship was lovely and as an added bonus we had a wine expert aboard who educated us about the local wines, which we enjoyed immensely. Upon disembarkation, we boarded the TGV and headed to Paris for two nights. Our hotel, the Intercontinental, Paris Le Grand was opulent to say the least. This was our second Avalon cruise and we continue to be great Avalon fans. The crew on the ship were amazing, in particular, our Hungarian waiter, Axlos, saw to our every need. Read Less

The region is of great interest to me. The culinary and wine experience was an important reason for my selecting this cruise. I have been on the Danube cruise and am aware of the excellent service provided by Avalon. The food was well planned and executed with a lot of choices. The fruits and veggies were fresh. The main courses were inspired by local cuisine. The desserts were also delicious . The wine selections were very well done concentrating on local wines. The Rhone region is well known for their wines . A nice feature of the cruise was that we had an on board sommelier for a few days. He gave us an excellent review of wines from the region and provided very useful general information on various wines. The wine tours were great as well especially the Beaujolais tour. The cruise director did an outstanding job considering the fact that she had to coordinate several activities and schedules for various people. Lastly the tours of the small towns as well as Lyon was very well done Read Less

We thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. It is our 4th with Avalon and they did not disappoint. The ship was well appointed and our cabin was roomy enough for the two of us. Food choices were many and we took advantage of ordering many items we had never eaten before, such as escargots! The crew did a good job and at times appeared to be a new crew with regard to time working together, but no hitches. Our only feedback is we really wanted more port time and at times felt hurried to get back to the bus instead of spending time soaking up more of the lovely towns, especially Beaunne. The transfer in Dijon to the TGV to Paris was very disorganized especially for those never traveling in Europe by train. However, we all made it to Paris! The temperatures during this cruise were well above normal with days reaching in the high 90's. Avalon provided lots of bottled water to keep everyone hydrated while out and about on excursions. We would definitely take another Avalon river cruise. Read Less

I've seen very little of France and this cruise offered important historical sites such as Arles and Avignon. I'd also never been on a riverboat cruise and I wanted to "test" it out.... and it passed, as I am likely to try another Avalon cruise in France and/or The Netherlands-Belgium cruise. I had spent several days in Paris on my own prior to going the group at the Carlton in Cannes, and I met a couple at my hotel in Paris who'd just been on an Avalon cruise and raved about it. The cabin was comfortable and, since I'm interested in "small-space" design, very efficiently and thoughtfully designed, with excellent storage. The excursions into the historical sites really made the trip for me, as I love history and art/architecture (I just wish the church of St Trophime in Arles had been accessible for viewing when I was there, but as a Sunday service was ongoing, it was not appropriate to go in and take pictures.) All the great Roman remains were just fantastic to view.... I recall studying some of them in college, especially Pont du Gard. I loved the small medieval towns we walked through, and the tour guides were very thorough in their commentary and answered questions as they came up The food on the cruise was always great, with varied selections. As a non-drinker, there was only one time when I felt pressured for not ordering a drink in the lounge. The crew were always friendly and helpful. Some of the "sidebar" visits by regional locals were very informative, such as the cheese tasting (and the opportunity to get some great local mustards). The cruise director also made sure everyone knew what was going on and what to expect, and patiently answered all of our questions. She even made sure we made it onto our respective buses once we arrived at the train station in Paris, in order to get us to the hotel for our final stay in Paris. Read Less

This was our second cruise on the Rhone/Seine with Avalon. A great experience, great food and all on board were very accommodating. This was a Jazz themed cruise so we had plenty of different musicians on board. Including the Gypsy Kings one night. Every day we were in a different port and given a well planned tour at each stop. In addition there were optional tours to some very interesting places. The dinning room tables are set up to encourage meeting new people. In fact we met some wonderful people that we connected with and will be sure to stay in contact with. Our Cruise Director was very personable, informative and totally on top of things. The entire crew was ultra polite and could not be more accommodating, including the Captain. This was our third River cruise and would highly recommend Avalon and France for a great vacation experience. Love Southern France Read Less

The price was great and we had never been on a river cruise. The food was great and the wine was plentiful. The shore excursions were informative and just long enough. The jazz groups each stop were great. The staff was wonderful. Very attentive and personable. Our cruise director did a great job of keeping us informed and, when the train to Paris was on strike, arranged bus transportation. We were also impressed with Pretrip information packet we received that covered everything we needed to know before the trip. We also scheduled transfers from Nice to Monaco and from Paris to CDG Airport and they were on time. We also enjoyed having time in Monte Carlo at the beginning and Paris at the end of the cruise. We should add that we really like that so much is included in the price (excursions in each stop and drinks with each meal, etc). This is not the case on ocean cruises. We definitely plan to take another river cruise probably on the Danube. Read Less

Everything about this cruise surpassed my expectations. Once we arrived in Cannes at the Carlton our worries were over. We were informed and escorted through every phase of our itinerary. When we arrived on our ship we were made to feel at home by everyone on the ship. From our guest room to the professionalism of our crew it was a pleasurable and relaxed atmosphere everyday. They always went out of their way to accommodate our needs. It was our first cruise and we will treasure the experience the rest of our lives. The food and drink were always above par and we did not want to leave the ship at the end of our stay! Ha!. We especially enjoyed the walking tours and the guides were knowledgeable and helpful. All the little extra thoughtful planning that went into every excursion was so appreciated. We felt well cared for all the way. Cannot thank you all enough for the trip of a lifetime. Read Less

We chose Avalon based on experiences from other friends and relatives. They all rave about how good Avalon cruises are- and we agree! The port stops were excellent. We even had a special organ recital at a beautiful cathedral in France. The tour guides are so good. They use the portable audio sets and ear buds which work perfectly. Guides were excellent from the local area and really know the history of their towns. The tour group sizes are reasonable and transportation was comfortable and always organized. The cruise director was so good. He was informative and always on top of every detail. The pre and post hotels were excellent. The hotel in Paris had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from our balcony. The service and food was the best. I can’t imagine any river cruise better than Avalon. I would do this same cruise all over again! Read Less

Great staff and knowledgeable... - Very well thought out ship of space and still be "simple elegant" style - Cruise director "Tony" was awesome - Food was well matched to the region along with wines - each of the offered activities where well planned and informative Very enjoyable trip, great opportunists to see the region with out lots of travel time moving from hotel to hotel - Avalon is a "first class" run business at a great price value. These River Boats are great for adult family getaways with activities provided along with time to reconnect with family members. If traveling alone or with couples the staff does a great job of having everyone feel welcome. Anyone looking at these trips need to remember to book in advance as trips sell out quickly. Traveling on river ships, allows a great way to see the the true European Cities and experience the culture. Be sure to arrange these trips with a travel agent who truly understands River Ships - they are a wealth of additional information. Read Less

We were so impressed with our first cruise on the Rhine with Avalon, the service and the ships were superb. We always wanted to visit the South of France and this was an opportunity to do so in luxury. The Poetry II was a newer ship and the staterooms were a little larger and the bathroom was beautiful. The outside wall is literally glass from ceiling to floor. The glass doors open as well. The dining was comparable to any 5 star restaurant. You had an option at breakfast and lunch to have a light meal or buffet. Dinner was sit down 4 course meal with a selection of 4 entrees and a vegetarian option. The service was excellent, staff very professional and our stateroom was always clean. We enjoyed all the included shore excursions and the optional ones that we took were well worth the small charge. The ports were excellent and enjoyed exploring them. We are looking forward to another Avalon experience. Read Less

This was our fourth Avalon Cruise and we were not dissappointed. We previously did the Danube from Prague to Budapest, The Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam and the Seinne from Paris to Normandy. Our cruise director Barbara was great and very informative! Daily excursions were enjoyed. We did 5 optional excursions-3 wine tasting-“fairy tale castle-Lyon culonary walk and versailles The Gypsy Kings performed one evening. The Fairmont in Monte Carlo was in a great location close to the Casino and shopping. The TGV train to Paris was seamless and easy. Luggage was trucked and waiting in our room .The only negative for the trip was the Intercontinental hotel in Paris. The hotel exterior was covered with scafolding and under construction. It was unseasonably hot in Paris and the air conditioning non existent even after 4 visits from maintenance. We spent 4 extra days in Paris and tranferred to the Le Clef Eiffel and were very happy there. We will travel with Avalon again. Read Less

We always wanted to visit the Wine Cointry and the tasting experience and the Relaxing experience being on the Vessel The Food was always a delight and the service was impeccable the choices for Breakfast and Lunch where perfect for the day and the room service was excellent and I have always found the Shower especially nice as it is a walk-in and so large I can turn around without bumping into the walls and the products for hair and skin are always a highlight during the Shower the Towels always smell sweet and clean The upper deck provides a Great place to view all the surrounding country side and a place to visit with others just the thought of have a Glass of the special Wines available and the view brings back memories that we will always have and then the Special Events in the afternoon and evening always provide just that little change.and it allows you time to reflect on All the Wonderful parts of the Adventure of sailing on Avalon Cruise Lines Last of the Items is I Think being able to pay for the Tips before is one of the Best you offer and you can always give that extra and not have to worry about the Currency Exchange Read Less

First night hotel in Monte Carlo then a four hour coach ride the following day to pick up our ship in Arles, in fact it took over 5 hours because of a crash on the motorway! Ships crew were there to welcome us on board and as we were late dinner was delayed but we had no time to shower and change! Cabin excellent and liked the position of the bed facing the window, nice to lie in bed and watch the world go by. Cabin furniture a bit dark and dated compared to more contemporary designs on other river cruises we have travelled. Spotlessly clean and the cabin steward was very helpful when I complained that the pillow was too soft, she managed to find me a firm one. Food and wine excellent, service attentive. Relaxed dining experience and not rushed in any way. On board entertainment good, enjoyed the local foods sample bought on board at Viviers. Daily pre dinner talk of the next day activities and port of call always informative. Service excellent, everyone very friendly and professional and eager to make the trip a memorable experience for us. Shore excursions guides were all knowledgeable and made the excursions very interesting and fun. Shore excursions about the right length of time. Read Less

Chose itinerary. Loved Provence countryside. Guided tours were always well paced, informative, and the guides were pleasant and very entertaining. The ship was contemporary simple; beautiful really with all the orchids scattered about. Can't say enough about the responsiveness of all staff on the ship. Cruise director, Tony, was outstanding, very involved, always a presence, and attentive to any questions or issues. Our bags were handled every step of the way; from our arrival to our departure. We enjoyed onboard tastings....cheese, wine, and confections. As a frequent large ship cruiser I found the river cruise by comparison to be more relaxing, the ship more friendly, the service more personal. No problems with motion sickness as the ride was smooth and motionless. The many locks along the way were a surprise and added to our adventure. A few hours at an outdoor market offered up fresh bread, cheese, dried meats, honey, nugat, and fresh picked strawberries and other produce. Thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and will consider this type of adventure again! Read Less

We choose Avalon because of the cabins on the boats. They are larger than most of the other river boats. The outside wall is literally glass from ceiling to floor. The glass slides so you can open your room to the river, sit in a very comfortable chair and enjoy watching the scenery as you cruise. The space that other river boats put in an outside balcony is extra space in your room and you can still feel like you are outside. The bathroom is also larger than other river boats. Food was excellent and the staff was friendly, efficient and very helpful. The shore excursions were above average. We liked all the stops and they covered a variety of sights, sizes of towns and each had its own charm. Our only glitch was an Vueling airline strike which coincided with French bus and train strike. Captain Luc and Nancy our cruise director went the extra mile to help us arrange transportation to Barcelona. None it the fault of Avalon cruises. We think Avalon Waterways is a great cruise line that cares about its clients. Read Less

The ship was gorgeous, clean and up to date. The triple wide panorama windows gave us a fabulous view. The crew was professional and went above and beyond for our comfort. The staterooms well appointed. The food was fabulous! Our tour guides were interesting and very professional! There was food all day long, and it was beautifully prepared and served. The wine was delicious and flowing. We have already signed up for another Avalon Cruise! From the time we arrived we were met at the plane and were escorted with our luggage to a fabulous hotel in Paris. From there to our embarkation on the ship to the debarkation to our extension cities, the transportation and logistics of our luggage was handled with extreme care and diligence. We felt like royalty because of the service to the point that when we returned from excursions there was specially infused water and hot wash cloths for our refreshment and comfort. Read Less

Cruise in southern France. Met at airport with ride to hotel in Paris, very well organized trip. Luggage was in our room on boat when we arrived as well as in hotel at end of trip when we arrived there as well. If you get tired of the 2 hour dinners they offer a lighter meal in lounge and the last 2 days of trip offered a cookout lunch on deck. Several groups traveling together but that had not impact on our trip. Free time if you wish or optional tours available. Food was good and port talk each night was helpful to know what was going to be going on the next day. Rooms had plenty of storage space and bathrooms were nice. No children on board and about half the travelers were 50 to 60 year olds and other half over 70. Room was quite. Wine served at meals was regional wine, ok not great but they kept your glass full! Read Less

Met at airport with private ride to hotel. Easy check in. Down side fast train from Paris to Dijon turned into a 4 hour bus ride because trains were on strike. Food was good, 2 hour dinners got tiring however they do offer a lighter meal in lounge most nights which was a good alternative. Last 2 days of cruise they had cookout on deck for lunch as an alternate option. City tours for most part were good. Optional tours we took were very good. About half the folks were middle age and other half older. Nightly port talks were good and short to the point. Happy hour every day was nice but sometimes got very crowded and hard to get service. Surprised at organ concert in one church we went to. Guests brought on twice for on board entertainment. Nightly music by on board "piano" player was ok, nothing great. Read Less

I have always wanted to go to France and see both the countryside and the city but didn't think it's was possible until my boyfriend found this cruise on Avalon. It was wonderful. Everyplace we went there was something interesting to see and do (I'm a bit of history bluff and France has a huge history that goes back 1000s of years). The cruise size was also attractive to me -- approximately 110 fellow cruisers -- nice pleasant people. I was so impressed with our cruise director, Jean Lupe, who made sure everything went smoothly and gave us a presentation of the history of France which was both factual and humorous. I do have to say the French have the market on chocolate, bread, wine and cheese. The food on the cruise very good. There were singers and dancers several times during the cruise for entertainment. I can't wait to go on this cruise again. Read Less

Our cruise upstream on the Rhone was perfect. It is a part of France that is less known but the off ship excursions were consistently interesting and the local guides very knowledgeable and also added many personal anecdotes to add to the official history. In particular we enjoyed the tours of Perouges and Beanne, but all were worthwhile. On the ship we were spoiled by consistently high quality food and the room was well maintained by Anna our housekeeper. The focal point of the cruise was our cruise director John Lupe who managed all of the off ship excursions and also provided information on each locality before we arrived. Jean Lupe set a high standard from the moment we met him in Monaco until our final farewell in Dijon. The entire crew of the Avalon Poetry II are a credit to Avalon and I would not hesitate to do the whole cruise again. Read Less

Traveled with two other couples; found the trip fascinating, from the bullet train ride to the daily small group tours through Central and Southern French cities and towns. The river trip itself was fun and relaxing. Our cabin gave us plenty of space, and being able to open our door to the outside made it feel even more expansive. Plenty of room to store everything, and attention from the crew when we needed anything. The crew was tremendous; wait staff were excellent and the food was very good. Wine served with the lunch/dinners was very good, as well. Our cruise director was energetic and knowledgeable; she painted an excellent picture of the 'next day's' adventures. There was plenty to do, and enough room to enjoy one's privacy, at the same time. We enjoyed everything about the trip. One of the wine tours gave us 'free time' in an extremely small town; very crowded, the bus could not even come to pick us up. This excursion needs some serious re-planning. Read Less