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Reviews 4.6.

1,709 total

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Exceptional Service and 1st Class Experience

We are about to take our 5th trip With Avalon. Everything is always impeccably well done. The staff and crew, the food and the tours are all exceptional. You can’t go wrong booking with Avalon.

Date of experience : September 24, 2023

Fun time with Fun people.

We just returned last week from this trip. It was so much fun. Our Cruise Director Valentine was great. The Staff and Crew were excellent. I loved everything, but thought time was too limited at the two highlight castles. One they took us to, we walked around the outside? If they had said we could go ahead and buy tickets and do our own tour we would have. Another trip they took us to some park to eat chimney cake. Waste of time. We should have been at the castle and church. When we finally got there we were told we had a half hour. So that meant 15 minutes because we had to walk back to the bus. Food was good. But, nothing earth shaking. Best eggs Benedicts for breakfast. I will do it again, but on the Rhine. Age of guest was a good mix. They had a good way to keep groups together. One was for slow walkers, one was for active hikers, last was for most people. So, we all got along great. Fun time with fun people.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Avalon Provides, Smiles and Delivers

This was a river cruise from Paris to Normandy and back. Avalon proved that they do more than the essential aspects well (food, friendly staff, excellent housekeeping, etc.). We did guided excursions walking and by bicycle. The guides provided by Avalon were friendly and well informed. Other times we walked on our own, and we took the ship's bicycles out. All was as advertised. Excellence in customer service was demonstrated throughout the trip. The water level on the river posed an issue for both the ship's crew and the tour director. They coped, they informed, they offered alternate, equivalent excursions, and they did so without showing how much frustration they must have felt. Throughout all this, they were always approachable. The change to the docking plans meant we had to change a private excursion away from the ship. The crew was very helpful in arranging for our taxi service. That's no big deal in your own country. In another country that uses other phone systems, while speaking other languages - the crew's support was well 'above and beyond'. Ideas for improvement? Include home country on staff name badges. Offer an option to share passenger contact information. Friendships form, and before realizing it, we've parted company. Some coach transfers are lengthy. Be sure a toilet break is available soon after disembarking the bus.

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

AVALON EXPRESSION 5 STARS

I was recently on the Avalon Expression Rhine tour. I can only say it was over the top. Every detail was looked after. The cruise director Isvan was amazing with helping in any situation. The overview given by him each day was helpful, interesting and injected with such humour we were constantly laughing. He was always present to address any concerns. Having many food allergies I had no problems and the food and wait staff were amazing. I was so impressed that a meeting was held with the kitchen staff on the first day to go over dietary concerns. The food was delicious and the meal presentation in the evening was photograph worthy. Dharma was amazing and made sure every course was perfect and safe for me to eat. The ship was spotless, modern, well appointed and up to date. Our rooms were well set up with no small detail missing, right down to very high end shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The friendliness of the staff rubbed off on those on the cruise contributing to the making of many new friends. The excursions were well run, interesting and informative. I would just like to say thankyou to every single person that made my holiday such a fun and amazing one that I will never forget. You all deserve 5 stars. Trish O. Canada

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

AMAZING AVALON!

We have just disembarked in Basel after cruising with Avalon along the Rhine from Amsterdam which departed on May 4. What an amazing holiday we have been fortunate enough to experience with Avalon's expertise. The AVALON VISTA ship was well equipped, modern cabins with sensational hot showers. The attentiveness offered by the house keeping staff was nothing short of exceptional. Our rooms were attended to twice daily and the attention to detail offered by the staff in this department was second to none. The food variety and quality was outstanding. The wine selection offered with each meal was comprehensive and served in a very generous manner. The food and beverage staff were exceptional. To be greeted each dining experience by such consummate professionals was delightful. All staff were attentive, friendly and efficient. I would like to highlight Samir, Ayesh and George for being so delightful, so genuine and so attentive to our needs. It is very much appreciated. Our cruise was made so much more special by their interaction with us on a daily basis. The bar staff upstairs were hard working and very good at creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Robert and Muriso were incredibly efficient, professional and discrete. They did an amazing job of ensuring anything we needed was taken care of. I'm not sure that the word 'no' is in the Avalon's staff vocabulary. They just seem to be able to make things happen for their guests. We are so very grateful for the entire team. We will look forward to rebooking with you all again in the best future. Regards, Thanks and Best Wishes 👏👏👏 Belinda and Donna from Australia

Date of experience : May 11, 2024

Incredible crew!

This is my first river cruise, so I had nothing to compare it to. What exceeded any notion I had was how friendly and attentive the entire crew was. I feel I should say the sites were the highlights, but it was the crew that made my trip memorable and exceptional. From Dani, Radu, Bogdan, Feyzi, and Gabriel (the list can go on and on), every moment on board was filled with great food and fun. I was on the Panorama. It was clean and seemed brand new. My bed faced the floor-to-ceiling windows, so I had great views. Ibrahim, the head chef, nailed it with all of our meals.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Wonderful Rhine River cruise

We went on the Romantic Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, and it was absolutely fantastic. Such a lovely ship and great service from the majority of the crew, particularly the Cruise Director and Maitre D'. We asked if the ship was full as you didn't feel cramped or crowded, and it was! There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere on the boat, you could wear what you wanted at all times and no pressure to do anything. We really appreciated the company not trying to fleece us for every penny while on the cruise, as has happened on other cruises. The excursions were well organised and the guides were very interesting and knowledgeable. Airport transfer all went smoothly too. The cabins were great and well looked after by the staff. I can't recommend this cruise highly enough.

Date of experience : April 13, 2024

Reply from Avalon Waterways

We appreciate your time sharing your comments following your cruise, our guests' feedback is of utmost importance to ensure our service standards at all times.Your very kind comments will be shared with all involved in making your holiday special.

We would like to say a big thank you to all staff on Avalon Tranquility II . We were cruising with them in April 2024 . Very clean ship, food is great . Everyday excursions. Thank you Niki who made our room clean. Also thanks to Yosi,, Victor, Mansour and Ghassen for quick service and smiling faces . Ghassan I wish we will see you again and we will speak Russian with you . One more big thanks to Tomas and his team. Svetlana and Barry

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to post this review we appreciate your feedback and are truly delighted to learn that we were able to exceed your expectations. Your very kind comments will be shared with all involved in making your holiday special.

The Taste of the Nile river cruise was…

The Taste of the Nile river cruise was a great vacation to Egypt that we took the last week of October, 2023. Accomodations, our Egyptologist, our private security guides and the daily itinerary for the 10 day trip were top notch. Our riverboat MS Farah from staff to accomodations were a 10 out of 10. All in all, a great trip for any Egypt history buffs. Would highly recommend.

Date of experience : October 26, 2023

Wonderful trip on Avalon Envision

We loved everything about this Riverboat cruise on the Danube! It was five-star all the way. The crew was fantastic and they went out of their way to take care of everyone. The meals, happy hours and snacks were exceptional and at perfect times to accommodate everyone. The self-serve coffee stations were available all the time and an added bonus. We really enjoyed the choice of many excursions, most included in the cost. We will look forward to another Avalon cruise sometime in the future.

Date of experience : September 09, 2023

A great family vacation

Excellent service, great excursions, wonderful meals, and educational wine talks. The staff adapted to river conditions (river level too high for ship to make last stop) in a way that didn't feel like we missed out. This was our second Avalon cruise and we invited our adult sons and their partners, all of whom also had a great time.

Date of experience : October 24, 2023

Second cruise with Avalon number 1 in our book!

This was our second river cruise with Avalon and everything was just as we expected being top notch on friendliness, cleanliness, organized every day with excursions, and wonderful food.The cabin stewards were always on top of our cabin every time we left. The servers at the happy hour and meals were outstanding, especially Fabi, if you ever have on a river cruise.

Date of experience : July 07, 2023

First experience river cruising was wonderful.

The crew made our first experience river cruising a wonderful vacation. The food and beverage were top notch as were the state rooms and common areas. The excursions were well organized and informative. Our only complaint would be that the embarkation instructions were very vague. Upon arriving at the port, the building was locked and there was no signage or instructions that we should proceed on a long walk around to the back of the building to find the ship. There were many other travellers with the same issue.

Date of experience : September 29, 2023

Evening happy hour

Great meals, good local cuisine. Nice variety of tour options. Could improve on evening entertainment. We tended to back to our rooms after dinner as there was not much going on. Maybe an evening happy hour would get people out.

Date of experience : September 23, 2023

My son and I loved the room

My son and I loved the room - the decor was beautiful and we could watch castles pass by from our comfy beds. Helmut our cruise director and all the staff from the captain to the cleaning staff were friendly and helpful. Food was delicious and fellow guests were nice. We did most of the adventure activities but my one suggestion would be to have more excursion options that might be a little off the beaten path.

Date of experience : August 06, 2023

False advertising

False advertising Monday advertised price of 4099 for jun 16 2025 to June 30 2025 European cruise. My travel agent tried to book Tuesday and they said advertised price was a mistake. Increased price thousands! Lost me for sure due to false advertising bait and switch

Date of experience : March 06, 2024

The trip was wonderful

The trip was wonderful; from a staff that was attentive, efficient and they made EVERY effort to know your name and to accommodate our needs. Tours were spot on and the ship`s size was comfortable which made our journey excellent. We enjoyed all the little extras that gave us a pampered feeling.

We have travelled with Avalon before…

We have travelled with Avalon before and we were not disappointed with either tour. From the moment we booked this tour until we got home the attentiveness of everyone is amazing. I loved your Avalon Go App, where we could choose all our optional excursions ahead of time. Every excursion was well explained along with the cost and the time of day it would happen, morning, afternoon, evening, or even all day. Our Cruise Director, Katie (?) was so informative and a very pleasant lady, a lot of fun. We had some issues with our flights, but that was Air Canada’s issue, not Avalon. We would definitely consider Avalon again.

Date of experience : September 07, 2023

Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

We booked an Egyptian cruise with Avalon months ago that included airport transfers, but we did not book our flights through them. Ten days before departure we had to change our arrival flight because of a cancellation by EgyptAir and we are now arriving at 2am. Avalon was able to work through the early morning transfer issues and went out of their way to provide transportation to the hotel. We are excited about the cruise and experiencing Avalon.

Date of experience : December 05, 2023

From favorite cruise line to Never Again!!!

My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back.

Date of experience : November 03, 2023

The Legendary Danube

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• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or biking in Nuremberg with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
• Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
• Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
• Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, or walk with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna
• Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host
• From the rich history of Germany to the unique culture of Hungary, this Danube river cruise takes you to three countries, and the scenic beauty as you cruise past quaint towns, can be experienced right from your stateroom or atop the sky deck of your ship
• In Nuremberg, Germany, board your river cruise vessel docked on the Main Danube Canal and visit this thousand-year-old city with a Local Guide

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Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

NUREMBERG-SAUSAGE.jpg

Legends and History Lessons

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, OR:

Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

War Heroes and Hot Water

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

Other avalon waterways reviews, from favorite cruise line to never again.

My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it ...

Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

We booked an Egyptian cruise with Avalon months ago that included airport transfers, but we did not book our flights through them. Ten days before departure we had ...

It was the Paris to Normandy then to…

It was the Paris to Normandy then to Marseille 14 day cruise. The whole cruise was terrible, ports were bypassed, crew was very inexperienced, the restaurant was uno...

See all Other Avalon Waterways reviews

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Tour operator, avalon waterways.

CRUISING ELEVATED. Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

I T DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER. Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS. As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/ On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH. While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

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13 Surprising Things to Love About River Cruising: the Avalon Danube Review

August 14, 2019

The Avalon River Cruise Review: from Budapest to Linz Via Vienna along the Danube

Disclosure: I experienced this cruise as part of a paid partnership with iAmbassador and Avalon Waterways. As usual though, my honesty is shared here without any limitations in the hope that it helps your own trip.

I’m on the ship, on the Danube and I can’t hear a thing. Stretched out on the bed, one wall has become a window, thrown wide open to ooze in the summer from floor to ceiling with a light, tingling breeze. The slow ripples of the river cruise past, soft and supple, a soulful slinking procession of jade.

This morning, I was swimming in that water. Or was that the day before?

Swim, cycle, kayak, hike. The Danube has nowhere to hide when it comes to activities on this Avalon Active & Discovery River Cruise. And with state rooms that replace one wall for a window and a glass-themed design that always look outwards, every part of the ship looks out at the Danube.

From Budapest to Vienna to Linz – The Avalon River Cruise

From the moment I pull back the curtains in the morning to the moment I close them at night, the Danube is mine, all mine. From Budapest to Vienna, Linz and back again, she has wowed me with her beauty and her guile.

And she’s come as a great surprise. When I accepted this project, I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy a European river cruise. (That’s Brit polite for I hoped it wouldn’t be too bad.)

Now that I’ve finished. I’m on a mission to recruit everyone I know to the river cruising cause:  I LOVED the concept behind the Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery Cruise.

Why? Because of these thirteen surprising features on their journey.

• Check out these  fantastic cruise packing tips here.  

13 Surprising Things to Love: The Avalon River Cruise Review

The Incredible Views from the Room

The rooms pack in a wow factor right from the start. Unique among cruise companies, the bed faces the window and the window takes up nearly a whole wall. The space saved by scrapping the traditional river cruise balcony means that a table and two chairs and a desk fit in easily too.

The whole room is a balcony, only one with better privacy than the real ones could offer.

Real balconies offer views of your neighbour’s towels and drying swimwear. With these rooms, it’s just you and the mighty Danube.

The Open Spaces: Meet and Mingle or Hide Away

Many cruises force passengers to dine together and the group excursions are always large.

Avalon have switched things around a little, for the introverted, or fans of a little peace and quiet. Either description works for me.

Dining tables can be split into two, four, eight or more and table reservations bypass the need for a scrum at the door.  Careful design of the shared areas mixes mingling and privacy, even down to creating a large and small coffee area.

Interestingly, they’ve found that dining patterns change during the course of the cruise. At the start, people sit separately. By the end, they’re friends and people stop reserving tables. It’s just happened at a more natural kind of pace.

Is this your first time?

Note! This was my first river cruise through Europe. Read the comparisons from people like Cacinda at Points and Travel for how Avalon compares to the other big names in the business.

Freedom of Movement (!)

Nothing fills me with horror quite as much as the thought of queuing to get off a boat. Lay the blame at early exposure to Kate Winslet and Titanic, if you will, but I like to feel free and move when I can.

Obviously, while the ships cruises along, it makes sense to stay on it.

But once it’s stopped (moored? Anchored?) Avalon has just a short walkway to dry land and there’s no need to queue to get out. Or back on. The ship uses room card technology that lets you tap in and out.

The itinerary means that cruise time is fairly limited, so most of the time you can come and go at will. Avalon also have a fleet of sixteen bicycles at the ready, as well as an Adventure Host, so in addition to the multitude of excursions on offer, you can just do your own thing too.

Oh yes. No enforced evening meetings. Hurrah! Some places make you sit through an announcement of the next day’s activities every single night. Lots of passengers love them. For me, they’re excruciating. Happily, Avalon doesn’t insist you sit through them and it’s easy enough to find the information on the printout in your room, the screens in the lobby and the free app on your phone.

No Sea Means No Sea Sickness

The heading makes it sound obvious. But it still took me by surprise.

Through my youth, I had no trouble on the waves. As I grow older, if the waves are choppy or the room confined, it’s easy to feel hot and bothered.

My seasickness has never been bad enough to stop me going on the water, but it’s there at the back of my mind. I carry travel sickness pills, sit at the back of a boat and stare, quasi-religiously, at the horizon.

On small ship cruises, I’ve been fine. Just felt a little “jet lagged” the whole time.

On a river cruise, there’s none of that. It is (forgive me) plain sailing. A smooth journey, without the sideways rocking about.

When you head through the locks, it’s probably a good idea to head to the top deck if you feel claustrophobic. But other than that, it’s a breeze.

The Fascination of Locks

Speaking of locks – it’s geekily amazing to see such brilliant engineering in action! I’d seen plenty on the canals in Britain, but the ones that make up the navigation of the Danube are built on a completely different scale.

Without the wild waves of the sea, river cruise ships can let their hair down. If the ships don’t need to plan for pitch and yaw, crick and craw, then rooms can be far more “normal.” Cupboards and drawers don’t need to be clipped shut and bathroom doors can open properly.

The Panoramic Suites on the Avalon Impression measure 200 square feet. The Deluxe Staterooms measure 172 square feet and don’t have the floor to ceiling window.

In total, the Avalon Impression has 83 cabins: 65 panoramic suites and 16 deluxe state rooms.

A Cultural Dining Extravaganza

Another confession: I expected the food to be bland, international, standard fare.

Not bad food. But good either and certainly not in touch with the local area – and for me, combining food and travel seems half the point of going somewhere.

Every single menu, every single day delved deep into the character of the city or small town we were in.

In Visegrád, for example, Hortobagyi palacsinta and turós csusza graced the menu (that’s Hungarian pancakes and savoury noodles, in case you were wondering.)

Plus, for anyone interested, a hamburger and chips were always available on request.

Some nice touches >> Beer and wine are complimentary at lunch and dinner. Continental room service breakfast is also complimentary. A full cocktail bar operates, with happy hour each day too.

Although all meals are included, you can also dine off the boat as well without any complicated rearrangements. Lunchtime switched to a sundeck BBQ when the weather behaved, adding a splash of variation.

Both large and small lounges offered self-service tea and coffee throughout the day (and night, I suppose. But I was making the most of my time to be able to sleep!)

On that note, early and late riser breakfast sittings also added to the flexibility of the setup.

Quality Excursions with Local Guides and Sustainable Practices

A triad of myths busted:

1 – Cruise ships never benefit the locals

2 – Crowded walking tours (past shops owned by the cruise companies) are all that’s on offer

3 – It’s all unsustainable

The view from the room wowed me. The excursions look a little longer for their importance to seep in. They were incredible.

From VIP access to classical sights in Vienna to swimming in solitude in the Danube to discovering craft beer made by the last three remaining monks in a hidden village I’d never have found, the excursions brought the area alive.

Avalon pledge to work with local companies wherever they go, and they meant it. Even though the ship carries its own bikes, they use local bike tours when they’re in town.

Some excursions ran with one person (jogging around Vienna at dawn. Not me, you won’t be surprised to hear.) Others took virtually the whole ship (wine and beer tasting in the hills surrounding Vienna at a local Heuriger or tavern.)

Some excursions carried an additional fee, which complicated things a little, and each had different booking deadlines. But there is a Cruise Director on hand all the time to help you manage your choices and provide information.

Suitable for All Ages – Except for the Very Young

So who will you be travelling with? Mainly Americans, with around one third European and perhaps ten percent from elsewhere in the world. Age? Anywhere from thirteen to ninety.

The cruise included solo travellers, couples, extended families and, of course, groups like us (around 10 travel bloggers, half of whom I knew well already, while the others were new to me.)

It looks ideal for “intergenerational travel,” which typically means children, parents and grandparents. Light excursions, lifts (elevators) and talks on board the ship mean that those with reduced mobility can still enjoy the trip. And the wide variety of active excursions allow those with more energy to blow off steam.

Families can still spend plenty of time together, with opportunities to escape as well. And arguments can be sidestepped with the prearranged excursions and someone else in charge of time keeping ;-)

A New Appreciation of History and Geography

Just like walking a city on foot reveals a better grasp of a place than hiding on the subway, so, too, does a river cruise illuminate the connections between neighbouring countries in a way that flying from city to city never could.

Getting Off the Beaten Track

Have you ever heard of Grein? Of Visegrad? The Engelhartszell-Schlögen Oxbow?

I certainly hadn’t until they popped up on this itinerary. I disembarked expecting a pleasant stroll through a pretty place.

What I found instead, amazed.

At Visegrád, I took to the Danube on a kayak and then plunged into the cool. Other passengers entered into battle in a medieval Knights Tournament in the Lower Castle.

At Spitz, I joined a cycle tour, heading through the stunning wine Wachau Valley with a stop off at Dürnstein with is blue Stiftskirche and apricot-fuelled sweets. Grein revealed the oldest theatre in Austria and Mauthausen revelaed the 9 th century St Florian Monastery with an organ recital that gave me the chills.

Even in the big cities that I already knew and loved, Avalon uncovered something new. In Budapest, a fleet of retro trabants whisked us through the ruin pubs and off to the monument graveyard and home of Stalin’s boots.

Vienna crammed in classical sights with a dawn walk and breakfast, followed by a leisurely afternoon learning how to make strudel and schnitzel.

It’s my job to track down the unusual, the brilliant and the interesting in a destination and I know the people and tools and tricks to help me do it in half the time. But finding all of these would have taken so long if I’d been trying to do it myself. Here, Avalon did it all for me.

Feeling Active and Lazy at the Same Time

Ooh, this is a good one. You can be active and lazy at the same time and it’s utterly brilliant.

First, up the active part. The excursions include active components like cycling, hiking, running, swimming and kayaking. There is an onboard Activity Instructor who runs yoga session in the morning and keep fit in the afternoon. Bikes are available to hire (for free) on land and light bites are available for meals instead of the full shebang.

Now, what about the laze?

Well, for starters, all the logistics are taken care of. Accommodation, travel and where to eat, on and off the ship if you wish. Airport transfers are sorted. Luggage transfer likewise. Turndown service, cleaning, planning your itinerary.

Heck, Avalon even have an app that you can access offline for when you’re wandering around on your own. And printed maps for each place in which the ship stops.

Sports equipment appears on demand, including helmets, plus refreshing drinks when you return to the ship.

Done, done and done, allowing you to laze in your room, soaking up that incredible view.

Sustainably Minded

I’ve been writing about sustainable tourism since the dawn of blogging here on Inside the Travel Lab. And I approach it in a pragmatic way, thrilled to see progress rather than furious at imperfections.

And Avalon are indeed sustainably minded. Next year, they will introduce refillable bottles to replace plastic. They work regularly to reduce paper waste by moving information to email and apps.

As I mentioned before, they work closely with locals in terms of tour operators and food produce. Staff come from across the EU. Ships are fuel efficient and the sewage recycling system discharges only clean water into the river (staff swim in it after all, as well as guests.)

A Perfect Night in Budapest

It’s not just the cruise set up, Avalon organise hotels as well. As any seasoned traveller knows, things can easily go wrong. For that reason, the first night involves a city hotel so that any stragglers can still join the ship the next day.

We stayed at the Hilton Budapest, right opposite the Fisherman’s Bastion on Buda Hill. Frankly, the perfect view to start a visit to the city.

So, was everything perfect?

Of course not. But honestly, this was one of the best trips I’ve been on in a very, very long time. Yes, it was part of a paid work project but then, most of them are!

What to know before you go

• While great for intergenerational travel, there is a cut off age for children. Over 8s only and, to be honest, it may be better suited to over 10 or 12.
• There is a jacuzzi on the sundeck and small gym on board but no big pool (unless you count the river.)
• Most of the excursions were stand out, once-in-a-lifetime brilliant, but a few were sketchy, mainly due to the conduct of the local guides. As I understand it, Avalon review their tours regularly and will already be addressing this.
• Um, that’s about it.

From cruise sceptic to European cruise fanatic in one single trip.

Rivers of Europe: here I come!

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Thanks for the River Cruise info, it’s on my bucket list!

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Avalon Waterways Danube cruise review

By Sara Macefield | 10 Feb 2020

From an early morning jog around Vienna to cycling along the banks of the Wachau Valley, an Avalon Waterways Danube cruise is the ideal opportunity to get active, discovers Sara Macefield.

Eyeing the stack of bikes I’m starting to feel rather apprehensive at the 12-mile ride that lies ahead of us when the guide pulls one out and wheels it over.

‘Is it electric?’ I ask hopefully, conscious that my legs are still throbbing from an arduous jogging tour two days before. He grins and shakes his head, leaving me fearing that perhaps I’ve been a tad over-ambitious in signing up for this morning’s cycling jaunt along the banks of the Danube River through Austria’s Wachau Valley.

But I’m not about to give up before I’ve even started. The jade carpet of rolling hills dotted with trees whose leaves are transforming into a rich tide of autumnal colour is too tempting, and I’m soon pedalling past rows of verdant vineyards clinging to jagged stone terraces.

There are around 20 of us and it’s clear that we’re all fairly confident on two wheels, with several accomplished speed-merchants at the head of the group.  

I hang back to savour the views, especially when the impressive ruins of Kuenringer Castle at Dürnstein come into view and we stop to relish the vista and watch as our ship Avalon Impression sails by, waving at fellow guests who have taken the less energetic route upstream.

There are several miles to go, but my growing confidence propels me closer to the front of the group as we speed along the towpath alongside the water’s edge.

We’re going at a decent lick and I reflect that anyone who dismisses river cruising as slow-paced and sedentary needs, quite literally, to get on their bike – because cycling has become one of the go-to activities on these holidays.

It reflects the relatively recent trend among river cruise lines to embrace more sports and activities in order to woo a younger audience, and none more so than Avalon Waterways with its Active & Discovery sailings, which inject more varied and energetic options into the usual line-up of daily excursions and activities.

I’ve taken numerous river cruises, but the choice of pursuits on this sailing from Budapest to Linz is impressive and easily the most varied I’ve seen.

Each day brings a choice of tours designated as active (hiking, biking or canoeing), discovery (wine-tasting and behind-the-scenes ‘insider’ tours) and classic (coach tours, museum visits and beer-tasting) – something that causes regular dilemmas for me as I agonise over what to choose.

Price isn’t even a factor either as most tours are included in the cruise fare, which is another bonus. It also means that despite having cruised the Danube four times previously, I can enjoy a new set of experiences on this sailing that give it a totally different feel and flavour.

Thus, I find myself pounding the streets of Vienna early one morning on a jogging tour through its classical streets. Having never jogged in my life, I’d been intrigued by this option and hoped my low-level fitness (from occasional tennis playing and frequent running for trains) would help me muddle through. It didn’t.  

Only three of us signed up and my two running companions were both fitter and more experienced than me, but then that wasn’t difficult. As for our guide – he was in training for his fourth marathon in 12 months.

For the next 90 minutes, as we cover 3.5 miles, I use the pretence of taking photos to stop and catch my breath whenever my lungs feel fit to explode.

Yet in a masochistic sort of way, it is enjoyable as Vienna is made for exploring on foot (ideally at a slower pace) with its charming pedestrianised streets and mix of glorious Baroque architecture.

But it’s not until the following day when I’m really able to appreciate the classical splendour of this city during an early morning walking tour, which takes us through Vienna’s deserted streets before the tourist hordes begin to descend.

I’ve visited the Austrian capital on several occasions, but this time I’m seeing it with new eyes as our guide leads us Pied Piper-like into tiny winding passageways, tucked-away squares and ornate churches I never knew existed.

After an hour or so, with our stomachs rumbling, we’re led into a traditional Viennese coffee-house as part of the tour, where tables welcome us for breakfast with freshly baked bread rolls alongside slices of cheese and ham, accompanied by pots of steaming hot coffee.

With our appetites sated, we continue through the old part of the city past the stately Austrian National Library and magnificent Hofburg Palace, but my friend Pip and I break away from the group at the famous Spanish Riding School where we make a spur-of-the-moment decision to watch one of the practice sessions.

At 15 euros it’s a snip compared to the cost of seats at the grand ceremonial shows, which can exceed 200 euros, and it adds an extra frill to our two days spent in the city.

But this river cruise isn’t all about non-stop action. One of my favourite things to do on board is relax amid the very comfortable surroundings of Avalon Impression , and particularly in our Panorama Suite with its vast 11ft windows that slide back to create a French balcony.

As my bed faces the window, I spend many a blissful hour recovering from my exertions while watching a palate of ever-changing riverside scenes float by.

Mealtimes are another high point as complimentary wines flow liberally and seem a cut above the norm, with sparkling varieties served too. Buffet breakfasts and lunches are appetising, and although I would have welcomed a wider choice of dishes, the four-course dinners are good, the grilled beef tenderloin is memorable, and the pumpkin soup is the best I’ve tasted.

Unusually for river cruises, evening dining is not at a fixed time, but usually between 7pm and 9pm, though it seems old habits die hard as most guests head determinedly for the downstairs dining room as soon as the doors open.

Large tables lend themselves to sociable occasions and are an ideal way to meet fellow cruisers, though smaller two-person tables are so close together, diners often end up chatting to their neighbours on these too.

On this voyage, most of the 139 guests are American, with Canadians making up the second-largest grouping, along with a small sprinkling from the UK and Australia. Many seem younger than your average river cruise customer and are definitely fitter.

Yet this isn’t a prerequisite for this voyage as there are enough alternative activities that don’t involve breaking out into a sweat with walking tours, museum trips and even a visit to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp near Linz.

Unlike other tours on this cruise, it proves to be emotionally, rather than physically, demanding as our brilliant guide brings alive the horrors of Austria’s only concentration camp known to the Nazis as the ‘Bone Mill’.

It was the last to be liberated by the Allies, on 5 May 1945, and its beautiful riverside setting along the Danube simply compounds the horror of the suffering endured by the prisoners here.

My Avalon cruise ends as it began, in energetic fashion, with my first attempt at hiking on a three-mile trek. I’m soon striding up the steep hills lining the Danube, and, having rather over-confidently joined the most experienced group, I again find myself puffing to keep up.

The reward is the magnificent vista over the river which I savour with the sweet satisfaction of knowing that despite a week of culinary indulgence, I’m feeling fitter and trimmer than I did at the beginning of this cruise. Now that’s another first to be proud of.  

Getting there

Avalon Waterways offers eight-night Active & Discovery on the Danube sailings between Budapest and Linz, with regular departures between April and October. A 2 July departure from Budapest costs from £3,230pp, based on two people sharing, including flights, excursions, gratuities and wine/beer with meals. For further details visit avalonwaterways.co.uk .

Or for more inspiration, check out our Avalon Waterways Rhone cruise review or Avalon Waterways Rhine cruise review .

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Avalon Waterways Review

 avalon waterways review and insider tips.

Since in 2004, Colorado-based Avalon Waterways cruises some of the world’s most beautiful rivers. Avalon’s 22 river ships cruise the rivers of Europe, Asia, Egypt and Peru. Avalon Waterways also offers cruise tours in the Galapagos Islands.

Geared mostly towards the 55-years and up passenger, Avalon excels on their organized shore excursion tours. Their ships carry between 36 (in Myanmar) and 140 guests (in Europe) with one of the youngest fleets in the river cruise industry.

Europe Avalon Creativity (2009), Avalon Affinity (2009), Avalon Luminary (2010), Avalon Felicity (2010), Avalon Panorama (2011), Avalon Vista (2012), Avalon Visionary (2012), Avalon Artistry (2013), Avalon Expression (2013), Avalon Impression (2014), Avalon Illumination (2014), Avalon Poetry ll (2014), Avalon Tapestry ll (2015), Avalon Tranquility ll (2015), Avalon Passion (2016), Avalon Imagery (2016).

Asia Avalon Siem Reap (2015) and Avalon Myanmar (2015) in Viet Nam and Cambodia. Century Paragon and Century Legend cruise the Yangtze in China.

Peru- Discovery;  Nile- Sonesta;  Galapagos Islands- Isabela ll.

Europe Rivers

The cruise line operates a total of 16 ships in Europe cruising the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel as well as the Seine, Saône and Rhône rivers in France.

Read more about the rivers in Europe

Accommodations

Avalon Waterways officially joined the Globus Family of Brands in 2008. The line really began to make a name for itself in 2011 with the launch of the new Avalon Panorama river ship. This was their first “Suite Ship” built specially for their European river cruises.

What’s a Suite Ship?

It’s Avalon’s innovative river ship design that features cabins with wall-to-wall sliding glass doors. Along with being totally open to fresh air there’s also an unobstructed view of passing scenery. Available as Panorama category cabins, they are located on two of the ship’s three accommodations decks. The sliding glass doors completely open to become what Avalon calls an Open-Air Balcony.

Beds in Panorama suite categories are angled to face the expansive Open-Air Balcony. Guests may laze in bed and watch the changing scenery. Bathrooms, located on the opposite side of the bed’s wall, take advantage of the angled space to be larger than other river cruise lines’ comparable category bathrooms.

Avalon Waterways is one of the few river cruise lines in Europe to offer room service. Actually, it’s limited to continental breakfast and there’s a small fee. But the opportunity to awaken with a view of steep sloped vineyards, a steamy cup of morning coffee and a buttery-rich croissant seems irresistible.

There’s also a light breakfast buffet for early and late risers along with the traditional dining room breakfast, both a la carte and buffet.

Lunch is a two-option event. Guests can choose from a full lunch buffet with pasta and carving stations or head to the Sky Bistro on the sun deck for lighter fare.

Dinner in the main dining room is a four-course à la carte experience, featuring regional and local specialties. Alternatively, there’s the Panorama Bistro, located in a sequestered area of the lounge, that serves smaller portions, tapas-style. Complimentary beer and wine flow at lunch and dinner.

As on almost every river cruise in Europe, it’s open seating in the dining room for lunch and dinner. In 2017, Avalon will introduce Avalon Fresh, a new concept to feature new menu items whipped up by award-winning Austrian chef brothers, Karl and Leo Wrenkh.

Public spaces include a reception area, main lounge, library and fitness center. Free wifi is available throughout the ship. There’s also a massage room and beauty salon. On deck 4, there’s a ship-length sun deck equipped with lounge chairs – many of which are shaded, a whirlpool and a walking track.

Theme Cruises

Throughout the year, Avalon offers several themed cruises in Europe. Called “special interest cruises” these unique departures may include Active Discovery, Beer Cruises, Culinary, War History, Jewish Heritage, Opera, Music and Wine. Participation in theme activities is complimentary.

Insider tips

The Avalon Siem Reap is only ship in the industry to cruise the full length of the Mekong River between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.

While there is always a choice of complimentary shore excursions in every destination, guests may also choose a fee-based optional shore excursion.

Avalon does not carry its own bicycles onboard. However, they have arranged for complimentary use of bicycles in various ports in Europe. Biking tour shore excursions are also offered in one or two ports on many itineraries.

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Hi John, Thank you for your update. Good to know. It’s so nice when the river ships have their own bikes. I totally enjoyed my bike rides with Avalon. Again, thank you for taking the time to write. Sherry

We were just on Avalon expression they did have bikes.

Hi Sharon, Thanks for asking. I don’t have catalogs, but I will pass your name along to my contact at Avalon and hopefully you’ll be contacted from Avalon. Sherry

I would like a catalog of Avalon European River Cruises. Do you mail a paper catalog to interested patrons?

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Updated on October 1, 2022 by Sherry Laskin

• River Cruising

Avalon Danube optional excursions

By ScootandJen , January 28, 2019 in River Cruising

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ScootandJen

Hi everyone!  Looking for some insight on some of the shore excursions being offered by Avalon.  Sailing Danube from Budapest to Prague late April. Has anyone done the food tour they offer in Prague or the wine excursion to Eytek region? TIA 🙂

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• 2 months later...

On 1/28/2019 at 12:25 PM, ScootandJen said: Hi everyone!  Looking for some insight on some of the shore excursions being offered by Avalon.  Sailing Danube from Budapest to Prague late April. Has anyone done the food tour they offer in Prague or the wine excursion to Eytek region? TIA 🙂

We will be sailing Prague to Budapest mid-May and would appreciate any info on shore excursions or anything else!  

These are the optional tours for The Legendary Danube, Prague to Budapest last May. They are subject to change of course. You will have access to them on the

My.AvalonWaterways.com website as well as in your travel documents you will receive. I only chose to do the optional Vienna Classical Music Concert. The daily included tours were awesome. The only one optional tour I wish I had gone on was the one to Cesky Krumlov. All in all it was A++!

Thank you so very much for going to all this trouble!!  We have our travel packet, but personal recommendations are what I was looking for.  I knew I wanted to go to the Vienna Concert and will definitely look at the  Cesky Krumlov tour.  Otherwise, we'll likely stick to  the included tours.  Thanks again.

You’re welcome! Honestly I think the included tours were great! I really enjoyed going on the walking tours and then having time to explore on my own. To me it was the best and was included in the cruise package. After my disembarkment in Budapest I flew to Amsterdam, Paris, and Edinburgh for another two nights each. So, I am now dying to do more!

Very much appreciated, Magnolia!

We are on the Legendary Danube in November. I've sent the link to your posts to our friends also cruising with us.

DH & I are definitely choosing the Cesky Krumlov tour and likely the evening concert in Vienna (do we need to dress up for this?). Since we've spent time in Budapest we may try to book tickets to Parliament on our own and wander the market again. The evening tour is a possibility too. Not starting in Prague since we've visited there as well but will take the train to Munich post-cruise.

Prague was very special to me. I am an avid beader so I booked a special tour to Jablonec where the bead factories are located. I got to see beads being hand made and those made by press molds. Even got to try my hand at lampwork beads! Toured lots of bead shops and came home with some great Czech glass. Feel free to email me or post here if there are any questions I might answer! 

[email protected]

Thanks for all your great info.  I love lamp work beads, but I can’t/shouldn’t/must not buy any more!   😕  What are some of your favorite restaurants in Prague?  Anything not to miss other than the usual tourist attractions?

My daughter and I did the Cesky tour and it was awesome. The highlight of the trip for me. My other daughter and my sister did Salzburg and enjoyed it as well but I would say Cesky is not to be missed. We also did the night tour in Budapest. It was nice but not spectacular. We did a private walking tour in Prague that was amazing. The Avalon included tour was a nice over view but you will definitely want to supplement that with something more in depth. 

I was really bad in Prague and mainly ate at the Hilton after walking my feet off! I sampled street food and that was fun, too. Although I had booked the pretour with Avalon I really didn’t get to take advantage of their itinary. They were doing their city tour on Wednesday but I could only do my Czech glass tour then. So i went exploring on my own on Thursday. I did the Hop On-Hop Off bus and it took me everywhere I wanted to go and with fun facts being pointed out. I usually did the whole route first to get a sense of the whole area and what I wanted to spend more time seeing later. Worked out great for me and the price was very reasonable. In fact, I enjoyed that approach so much that I booked Hop-On Busses in Budapest, Amsterdam (theirs also include canal boats as well as the busses), and Edinburgh.  I saw so much and had a great time. I did all this as asingle traveler so I never really felt uncomfortable anywhere I went.

We’ll definitely do the Cesky tour.  Thanks!

20 hours ago, mhb1757 said: My daughter and I did the Cesky tour and it was awesome. The highlight of the trip for me. 

11 hours ago, MagnoliaNC said: ... I enjoyed that approach so much that I booked Hop-On Busses in Budapest, Amsterdam (theirs also include canal boats as well as the busses), and Edinburgh.  I saw so much and had a great time. I did all this as      a single traveler so I never really felt uncomfortable anywhere I went.

That does sound like a good plan for the bus tours.  Glad you’re getting to go so many great places!

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• River Cruise
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
• Day 2 LINZ, AUSTRIA
• Day 3 YBBS–WACHAU VALLEY
• Day 4 VIENNA
• Day 5 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
• Day 6 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (DISEMBARKATION)

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by avalon waterways.

Introduced in 2003, Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river and small-ship cruising with a young fleet, the most included shore excursions, the widest range of choices and extraordinary itineraries. Our Suite Ships® feature one-of-a-kind Panorama SuitesSM, with the widest opening windows in river cruising, the industry’s only Open-Air BalconySM, and beds facing the incredible views. Beyond our wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows is a world waiting to be explored—your way. Whether you want to enjoy a guided walking tour of one of Europe's great cities, join a cooking class or paddle a canoe, our Avalon Choice® selections of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions offer a wide range of possibilities. When you prefer to explore on your own, we can help you with all the recommendations, information and gear you need with our new Adventure Center and AvalonGO Mobile App. And when it's time to refuel, your dining options on board are as wide open as your views, with our new FlexDining® choices.

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Customer Reviews

• Tour Operator Avalon Waterways 4.6
• LM Leanne · 8th May 2017 Accommodation was excellent. Rooms, staff and meals on board Avalon were very good. Local guides gave too much information which then tended to wash over people. One guide kept asking questions of the group when no one knew the answer but she kept on... Show more Trip date: April 2017
• LR Lynda · 26th July 2016 Staterooms are well set up and kept up. Every effort is made if accommodations are requested. Activities are well thought out and paced for individuals. Staff is friendly and interactive. Trip date: June 2016

Dates & Availability

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Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• November 2025
• Sunday 7 Jul, 2024 Friday 12 Jul, 2024 English Based on Category B Twin Avalon Passion €3,432 + €354 additional upfront costs 2024 Version View this tour
• Friday 4 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 9 Apr, 2025 English Based on Category E Twin Avalon Passion €2,360 + €380 additional upfront costs 2025 Version View this tour
• Tuesday 13 May, 2025 Sunday 18 May, 2025 English Based on Category E Twin Avalon Illumination €2,927 + €380 additional upfront costs 2025 Version View this tour
• Thursday 6 Nov, 2025 Tuesday 11 Nov, 2025 English Based on Category E Twin Avalon Impression €2,643 + €380 additional upfront costs 2025 Version View this tour

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

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• Currencies € Euro Austria and Germany Ft Forint Hungary

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 28th August 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 28th August 2024, a minimum payment of €250 is required to confirm your booking with Avalon Waterways. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Avalon Waterways" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
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• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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