Our recent Avalon Active and Discovery Cruise (southbound on the Rhone) exceeded our expectations. We chose to visit Paris for the 2 days prior to our cruise. The airport transfer was easy, and our Tour Director Simona met us at 7:30 am at our hotel, the Marriott Opera Ambassador. (Great hotel; excellent location; wonderful full breakfast included.) Many “must sees” close to the hotel, including the Palais Garnier Opera House, and the observation deck at the Galleries Lafayette. The Avalon Go phone app was extremely helpful and full of information. I think they should consider including an excursion to Musee d’Orsay or Musee de l’Orangerie, perhaps in the afternoon on the 2nd day in Paris.

Our Cruise Director Simona was just amazing throughout the entire trip. We enjoyed the train ride from Paris to Lyons to embark. Our ship was the Poetry II, which can accommodate about 124, only had about 75 passengers on our trip. It’s a beautiful ship with lots of places to sit and relax, inside or out. (WiFi should be improved for outside areas.) Our stateroom and bathroom were plenty big, with lots of storage options. Loved the layout, with the bed facing the large sliding glass doors.

We had chosen our excursions prior to the trip, but it was very easy to make changes. We enjoyed all of our choices, as did the friends with whom we were travelling. And our Activities Director, Andrezito, threw in some extra afternoon bike rides. Excursion favorites were the evening tour of Viviers and the hike in Arles. I loved visiting the chocolate factory, while my husband was off on another bike adventure. We had an amazing time and hope to do another Active and Discovery cruise in the future.