Avalon Illumination Review

Amsterdam to Budapest September 2015

Review for Europe River Cruise on Avalon Illumination
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marg155
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Sep 2015

A wonderful experience, despite low water levels making completion by boat a little uncertain - but we got through when other, older boats didn't. The boat had Avalon's wonderful new cabins with whole room being integrated with the balcony - bliss to lie in bed and see the world drift by!. Excursions were excellent - relatively early (8.30-ish) starts for some of them meant that we got in to popular places well before the crowd, which made the experience more enjoyable and then left the afternoon free, very often, for exploring on our own (one of the advantages of river cruise boats berthing near town centres). Average age of those on board 50s to early 70s - we had a sense from comments by local guides that we might have been more mobile as a group than those from other boats, and the cruise director did arrange for those with hip and knee problems to go in a slower group which could travel difficult parts in a small 'train' contraptions, so they didn't feel they were slowing others down on hills and cobblestoned streets.

Had a fantastic cruise director (Katy) who managed everyone with good humoured efficiency. The rest of the staff were also great cannot fault service and food.

Only criticism (and not everyone would see it as a negative) was that evening meals were full service 4 course affairs lasting up to 2 hours which, as noise levels got up became very difficult for the hard of hearing - a buffet option similar to the lunches would have enabled a shorter meal (and more time to enjoy the beautiful evenings in contemplative mode!) We did this trip at the end of 3 weeks travelling alone and it was a relaxing way to finish a trip.

Cabin Review

Cabin panorama view

Very comfortable, wonderful window view, comfortable bed, very quiet - except when berthed for one night alongside an older boat with the kitchen and an air conditioning unit alongside our window - but this was not Avalon's fault.

5 Helpful Votes
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