We had heard so many great things about the European River cruises and we were so tired of the large cruise ships with the crowds, the impersonal service and lousy food. We had friends that had cruised with Avalon so we decided to try it. Everything was so great - from the pre and post hotels to the ship excursions to the food and beyond. The staff were outstanding especially our server in the dining room. We specifically tried to choose the same table at every meal in order to get the same server. I would say that the overall cruise wasn’t the leisurely vacation that one would expect from a “cruise”. We did a lot of walking and touring and we were tired when we got back home but it was definitely worth it to experience the beauty and history of Europe. We will most definitely plan another very soon.....and with Avalon!