We were interested in trying a river cruise because several of our friends had enjoyed them. Our travel agent recommended Avalon--highly!! And this particular tour included a number of places we had not visited on our previous travels.
The ships we sailed on were both fantastic. They were in excellent condition. Our rooms were actually roomy. The food was superb. The crews were most accommodating, and Christina (our cruise director) did a masterful job making everything happen, despite the challenges of a medical emergency, inclement weather, and the low water levels on the Danube.
The optional excursions were well worth the extra expense. All of the tour guides were knowledgeable and personable. The shipboard activities were also well done, and entertaining.
The room was well-designed--roomy, warm when necessary and cool when the weather cooperated. The storage space was remarkably large. The bathroom also far beyond adequate. The staff maintained the rooms flawlessly. I especially liked returning to the room after dinner to see a fireplace burning on the tv screen!