suntan

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post.  I have re-booked my river cruise to April 2022, upgraded to a panorama suite, on the port side.  

Let's hope the third time is the charm!

Stay safe everyone, and wishing you all the best this Holiday season.

13 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

@d9704011 gave you a good answer for the Tulip Time itineraries.

 

As a general answer to this question on most rivers, be aware that ships always dock facing upstream.  If you know which bank the port-town is on, you will know which side of the ship will be facing the town and which the river.  But if you are rafted next to [or worse, between] other ships, your view may be blocked altogether.  For daytime cruising, the best views are from the top deck (360° rather than >180° from your balcony).

Thank you for your comments.  It will be my first river cruise, and I want to get the best views.  Agree, going up to the top deck will provide the best 360 views.

14 hours ago, d9704011 said:

I guess you’re planning a ‘Tulip Cruise’ in the Netherlands?  I’d take a port side cabin (left hand side when facing forward).  You’re likely to see more land and features on the first couple of days.  Otherwise, not much difference.

Yes, I'm planning for the 3rd time to take this cruise.  Thank you for your thoughts.  

This month would be the time when I would be looking for flights for  my April 2021 river cruise.  Given the lay of the land - increased # of cases, the Netherlands is not permitting Canadians into the country for non essential travel and Canada cannot tell its citizens when a vaccine will be coming - I had a talk with my travel agent.  She contacted Avalon and they advised her if I cancelled the April 2021 cruise I would lose $250.  If I wait for them to cancel I would be able to get a refund.  I shouldn't lose any money because the situation is out of my control.  So I asked my travel agent to see if Avalon would allow me to re-book for April 2022 with no penalty, and the answer was "yes".  😃  So I am going to re-book for April 2022 and give myself a treat and upgrade to a Panorama suite.  Question: Which side of the boat is the best for views out the window in the morning-- the right side or the left side (facing towards the front).

On 9/16/2020 at 1:33 PM, Daisi said:

@suntan....shall we make plans for the fall with the leaves? 🙂

 

@Daisi...the changing of the leaves has come earlier than expected.  I have been researching other tours offered in Canada.  I will have to make a decision by Christmas if I'm going on the Tulip Time cruise in April 2021.  I say by Christmas because that is when I usually book my flights.  Have you researched the Canadian tours through Cosmos and/or Globus?

I too am concerned about my April 2021 cruise.  If travellers have to quarantine for 14 days, that will be a no go.  Thanks Daisi for your post.  I will look into the train through the Rockies trip.

24 minutes ago, NJCruisers said:

Did you get back your deposit?  Avalon will not refund ours because we cancelled on Mar.6 for a May 4 cruise.  The reason we cancelled was because their policy was changing everyday.  Our TA said she has never seen anything like it.  At the time they were offering come cash back and the other money into a credit for a future vacation with any of their brands.  Unfortunately, they had a couple of rules in place regarding when you cancelled and of course the later you cancelled the less money you got back.  We did get all the money back no future credit, except the deposit, so at the time we thought it very fair. Well after seeing that they cancelled ALL cruises through June 30, I called to get my deposit back.  They refused based on the grounds that I cancelled and my reservation was closed.  I seriously think this is a very bad business practice.  I realize they are hurting for money but at the same time we felt we were at risk if we went on the cruise.  In the end, we were right in cancelling and we didn't want to play a game of "chicken" regarding our health and safety.   Does anyone know if there is a way to get out deposit back?  I will try our insurance carrier but I am thinking there probably will be no luck there.

I did not request my deposit back.  My travel agent, a few days before Avalon came out and said they were cancelling the May cruises, booked me on a cruise with them in April 2021.  I heard from my TA last week Avalon is transferring my full payment for the 2020 cruise to my 2021 cruise.

23 minutes ago, Barbrox said:

Haven't heard from Avalon yet.Our cruise booked for late May. We booked directly through them. Went to the my Avalon page. Nothing mentioned there. Guess we just have to wait it out.

Good luck and be safe everyone. 

I received this email from Avalon today.  You should be receiving an email soon.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL NOTICE, March 23, 2020

In response to elevated travel restrictions and government advisements, Avalon is suspending operations for all departures through June 30, 2020, which includes your scheduled vacation.

Please note that you do not need to take immediate action. To give you time to consider your updated travel plans, we are processing your refund automatically of all monies paid in the form of Letter of Credit, enabling you to move your booking, fully intact, to any Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms) tour, cruise or package, any destination or departure, 2020, 2021 or 2022.

Additionally, we’ll give a credit bonus of $200 per person toward your new booking, including our new 2021 touring and cruising vacations, with many dates already available.

We apologize for any inconvenience in your travel planning, and look forward to helping you when you are ready to make your new plans. Please call us at 1.800.268.1639 for support or to answer any questions.

 

Sincerely,
Avalon Waterways

 

 

16 minutes ago, mhb1757 said:

Just got the email that all Avalon Cruises thru 30 June are canceled. So sorry our June Moselle cruise won’t happen. They are offering 100% + $200/person for future cruise credit good thru 2022.  No clear info about refunds. I have emailed TA to get details on that. If anyone gets refund info please post. 

This information is not on the Canadian website.  I suspect it is just a matter of time when Avalon will update the Canadian website.

My travel agent called me today.  I am so glad she called, she knew I would be stressing over my May 6th Tulip Time cruise.  She called Avalon, and although they say they are only working on re-scheduling/cancelling cruises up to April 30th, Avalon did transfer my cruise to the week of April 23, 2021.  Once less thing to stress about.

5 hours ago, s35flyer said:

Sounds like your on delta, I have the same issue.  Our return is May 3 and they are on doing through April 30.  Our insurance had a pandemic clause so we are out the money.  We are not doing anything about flights and hoping they change the policy.

I'm on Air Canada.  Forget trying to get in touch with them.  I did check my insurance and they cover pandemics.  I may be able to get all my money back!  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

I would like to change my cruise to next year but the airline I'm booked on for May 4th is only allowing a one time change fee for flights booked up to April 30th and then they want you to travel before December 31, 2020.  I won't be travelling anywhere else this year and therefore I will probably have to cancel the flight and hope the insurance will cover it.

This uncertainty and the stock market volatility is too much to handle.  I need a G&T. LOL

The Avalon "Peace of Mind" travel plan only applies to those cruises booked up to April 30, 2020.  If I read the release correctly.  That leaves me with no peace of mind.  My cruise is scheduled for May 6th, with departure from Canada on May 4th.  Air Canada is offering to waive a change fee for only flights scheduled to take off by April 30th.  Yes I have taken out trip interruption/cancellation insurance, but I would only get a refund on the cruise price once Avalon cancels the cruise.  I guess those of us scheduled for May cruises have to wait a bit longer to find out whether we are going on vacation or not.  ARGH!!! LOL

54 minutes ago, seashell said:

My Rhine cruise is 5/2.  Avalon cancellation policy now includes all of April.  Have to wait longer to see what they do.  part of the family wants to go and part wants to cancel.  It took several years to get everyone on board to go on a trip together.  I am sad to see it not happen.  We are all getting older so who knows how many times we could go.  Guess I have to think positive and hope we can go next year.

My Tulip Time cruise if 5/4.  We're all playing the waiting game.  Will the Netherlands cease all travel in and out of the country?  Will the airline cancel flights?  Will Avalon cancel the cruise?  I'm going on my cruise unless I hear one or all three have occurred.

Kenster and notamermaid:  Thank you for your comments.   Hopefully in May there won't be able problems with the river we're sailing on.

Reading more about river cruising one problem that can occur is the height, or lack thereof, of the river.  I read on the Avalon FAQ's if there is a problem with the river level they will transport the passengers to the next port of call via bus.  Has anyone experienced a situation where the river level for the entire cruise is too high or too low and the cruise has been cancelled mid-cruise?

7 hours ago, Hoyaheel said:

This is what we did - typically looked up a few breweries or pubs in the towns we were scheduled to visit (husband's input 😉) plus hours/locations of the Christmas markets (my preference) and fit in what we could....

Thank you for all your responses to my inquiry on the arrival and departure times in the ports of call.  I will research the ports and if there is anything of interest I'll add to my "wish list".

14 hours ago, YoungDubFan said:

Anyone planning to do their own things while in port on a river cruise need to keep in mind that arrival / departure times can vary greatly depending on river traffic, lock timing, etc. You may be given a rough idea of arrival time in a port before you leave but that can fluctuate greatly, so if you are pre-booking DIY tours, check to see if there is flexibility in the timing. You will get a better idea of arrival time the day before, but that can still change. 

YoungDubFan, I was wondering why on the itinerary there are no arrival and departure times (except for embarkation day) as I was trying to decide what to do/see on my own time.  I take it from your comment that there is no set arrival and departure times at the ports of call, is that correct?  

44 minutes ago, Playtennis said:

Thanks to all for their replies, I appreciate them all.  Unfortunately if I waited until I got onboard before signing up I'd be a quivering blob of jello. (BTW - can a booked excursion be cancelled? Would optional excursion costs be reimbursed?)

After reading the great thoughts, I certainly won't be paranoid about missing a day or two (OMG - I JUST BLASPHEMED!).  One of the big reasons to book early is that we research each of the places we dock and see if there is anything local going on: a play, bazaar, show, etc; we'd like to know the start time and the duration of the excursion so that we might be able to do both.

Playtennis, we're the same.  Despite what type of trip I take (land or cruise) I always research the destination to find out what events are going on when we're in port.  I try to pack in as much sightseeing/experience as I can in the time I have in the city/town.  

I will be booking my excursions today for my May river cruise.  I prefer to pay now in Canadian as opposed to the Euro if I booked on board. 

Today is a GREAT day!  I just received notification from Avalon that it's "Time to Get Ready" for my May 6-13, 2020 Tulip Time cruise.  Now I can check out their optional excursions and start planning how to best get the most out of the cruise.  WooHoo!

On 1/17/2020 at 3:46 PM, Kenster said:

They don’t monitor or care if you bring your own alcohol. Just remember that beer and wine are free- and free flowing- at lunch and dinner. Prosecco/ mimosas at breakfast, too. 
The wines are excellent and reflect the area you’re sailing through. A red/ white/ and blush, as well as a Sparking, are available every night. 
 

Reconsider packing a different outfit for every day. Mix and match.  Repeat every other day or so. No one will notice.  No one will care.  
We do 10-14 day cruises with a 20 inch carryon, and a little tote bag each.  
 

Don’t forget your electrical adapters. And an extension cord! 

Mimosas at breakfast!  Now that's how all days should start.

I'm celebrating tonight.  I just made the final payment on my May 6th Tulip Time cruise!  😃  Everything is in place - cruise, air, hotel.  Now just have to wait until February 6th when further excursion information becomes available.  I'm glad to hear that no formal wear is required.  I  need the extra room for gifts and souvenirs. LOL

Thank you for your responses to my questions.  Our sailing date is May 6, 2020.  We can choose our optional excursions in Feb 2020.  I will definitely be going to the Keukenhof gardens.  I'm looking forward to the local entertainment that comes on board.  

As I continue my research into my May 2020 "Tulip Time" river cruise I have some questions for those experienced with Avalon.

1. Are there set dinner times on Avalon as on ocean cruises?  On ocean cruises dinner times are usually 6pm and 8pm.  If there are two dinner times are you able to choose the time you want?

2) Embarkation Day - while I am planning on sightseeing in Amsterdam the day before the cruise and the morning of the cruise, are you able to board whenever you want prior to the 3pm embarkation time?  

3) Embarkation Day Optional Excursion - I see on our cruise on embarkation day there is an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans.  Are these embarkation excursions done in the morning or the afternoon?  I'm planning on doing a walking tour in the morning.

Thanks,

Sue