Much more spacious than an ocean cruise ship.  Comfortable king mattress, lots of closet space and drawers, large bathroom, full -size shower, floor to ceiling glass windows.

Similarly, low water conditions can make it impossible for two vessels to pass each other on the river, thus requiring ships to pull up nose-to-nose and have passengers swap places on identical ships to continue on.The positives:

1)  beautiful ship, with luxurious public spaces

2)  first class accommodations (the cabin was much larger than an ocean cruise ship)

3)  excellent service staff (housecleaning, waiters, hotel staff, cruise director), and you actually get to know the captain 

4)  wine, beer, and happy hour cocktails are included

5)  meals were excellent (breakfast and lunch are either buffet or menu), and dinner is menu

6)  shore excursions were excellent and included

7)  river cruising is a great way to visit multiple inland cities

8)  with only 100+ passengers aboard you get to meet and know many more people than with a large cruise ship

The negatives:

1)  it's twice the money of an ocean cruise

2)  there's really not that much cruising involved because the distances are so much shorter than on ocean cruises

3)  you almost always end up tied alongside other ships on the river (day and night), thus blocking the view out your panoramic windows.

Avalon Visionary Review

First time Danube River cruise; eastbound from Germany to Budapest

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Cabin Review

Outside Stateroom with French Balcony

Find an Avalon Visionary Cruise from $2,680