jsn55

What a shame, but I agree with others that your experience was caused by lack of research and unrealistic expectations. When it comes to travel of any kind, reading trip reports and reviews are the key to a successful adventure. I've experienced most of the things you relate on Avalon river cruises over the years. I think Avalon delivers the very best product in all areas. River cruiseships are subject to all kinds of outside influences and that comes with the territory. I've never experienced severe water-level issues that weren't handled gracefully by Avalon. Main dining rooms are operated about the same on all river ships. There's always the 'space factor' and cruisers are expected to deal with that. Dining at private tables makes little sense, everyone does meet at a set time for dinner at shared tables; how else could they manage? A river cruise is not for people who aren't social. The MDR is loud at dinnertime, the alternative buffet/cafe is small, but I've never had a problem having a nice quiet meal when I'm 'overwhelmed' by socializing. Avalon offers room service. I always have something stashed away for a snack on any trip. River cruises do not offer the kind of 24/7 food that an ocean ship does. These little things only announce themselves in reviews and forums, hence the importance of research. The lack of soundproofing I've not encountered, that would be very upsetting. I've never been on a ship of any size anywhere that did have some faint odor issues now and then. Avalon makes announcements selectively, but they do go out everywhere to keep us informed. Not overbearing at all. Again, it's research and expectations that help make any cruise the best it can be.

I am just finishing a cruise from San Francisco (booked it for the At Sea days). Our ports were Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria BC Canada tomorrow. All 3 Alaska ports were completely over-run. Couldn't even stroll around with the crowds. Just awful. Juneau had 5 ships in town. At least 3 in Skagway, maybe 4. Word is that some ports will start limiting the number of ships ... but the cruiselines are making lots of money with their shore excursions, since things are so nuts on shore, so who knows. Do careful research so your trip to this most glorious place is the best you can make it

What a shame. I've developed some 'life rules' over the years. Such as: don't buy a timeshare, don't purchase anything through FaceBook, don't order stuff from a faceless internet site. And for sure don't sell your house and give your money to a company/ship that's going to be your permanent home. Don't be a sucker, P.T. Barnum was right.

What a memory! I remember subscribing to OAG and using those little books constantly. Thought I was hot stuff.

I no longer look at them either, just a bunch of hyperbole, too light on the facts. Occasionally page through, looking at itineraries, but anything interesting gets researched online. The brochures quickly go into the recycle bin. I always laugh at Viking's higher cruise costs, thinking that someone has to pay for all that useless advertising. But not me. We did several small-ship ocean cruise/tours with Grand Circle, always very pleased. GCT was good about removing you from their mailing list, apparently Viking doesn't know how.

I think we've established that it's illegal. Perhaps not too risky. But the punishment is dire. So, let's move on. I have tried billions of things to sleep better over the years. Until I got old, I slept 9 hours a night. Most peeps' insomnia is a combination of hormones, joint pain, lack of exercise and a brain that likes to use its gerbil wheel all night. The remedies all sorta work, none of them always work. My best plan is two generic sleeping pills, one Aleve, and a glass of milk at 2am when I think it's time to get up. Cookies are a bonus. I get 6-7 hours that way, and about once a week I sleep 8-10 hours. The gummies are great, but I travel too much. but

I, of course, agree with you. But it's much too simple, they'll never figure it out. The amusing part is that smokers would probably pay a daily fee to use the room!

I couldn't agree more. I'm a smoker and see clearly that there's no reason in the world for smoking inside a ship. If the cruiselines really were smart, they'd set up a mini-casino in a hermetically-sealed room somewhere and let people smoke away. Otherwise, just go outside, guys, it's a no-brainer.

Our OP hasn't been back ... I think that Auntie doesn't want her to go for her own reasons, and expected support from us! I remember having drinks with an English couple on a river cruise. He was 91, she was 85; they were terrific company. What possible difference does age make ... unless you are a nightowl and want activities into the wee hours.

AGREE! I economize on other things and book a high deck aft-facing balcony whenever I can get it. Scenic, quiet, with a bonus of lots of long walks to get anywhere. Very occasionally there are other pax out on their balconies talking at the top of their lungs, but that's a drawback of any balcony cabin. I cruise to 'see stuff' and relax, so my cabin is the #1 priority.

She might not care if she doesn't have any best buddies her age. She may be cruising to SEE what she can of Asia without the distraction of planning every day herself. She may be comfortable with her own company, interact with crew members, and enjoy chatting with people of any age at dinner, and will keep up with her contemporaries online. At any age, I would not consider her plan to be anything other than terrific.

The cruiseline wanted to see how many people noticed, and how many people cared. I get a big charge out of all this. When you board a ship, go find the smoking area. What a challenge!!

The stupid part is not the people who put this pie-in-the-sky idea together, I'm sure they made plenty of money personally. It's the people who sell their houses and think they're going to cruise the world for 3 years.

We rented a small speedboat in Catania for half a day. Brought a little picnic, cruised around the sea; it was a fabulous experience.

I'll take shorts any day if we could avoid the slob look now so popular. It's like people go to extremes to look as much like bums as possible. And they're the first ones to scream when experiencing poor service. I find it sad.

ATTA GIRL!!

Just another 'personal information harvest' tactic. But it must work, because they keep sending out the garbage. Glad to know you weren't even tempted.

Just move on, this so-called TA is clueless, or worse.

My mother was an environmentalist long before the term was coined. I live in Northern CA. The thought of wasting water for an hour literally makes me gasp. This is like running water while brushing your teeth ... absolutely nuts.

I love this! My travelling life has gone much the same way ... if I've encountered any real snobbery I was oblivious to it. After all, I don't know any of these people, so why would I care what they think of me? Makes for a pleasant life.

But why would anyone visit a bar close to a smoking area if smoking bothers them? Not like there aren't many other choices. I'm not being snide, I'm just curious.

No, but long ago I learned to put 3-4" of water in the tub overnight and that has always solved the problem.

How true ... glad I hadn't booked ANYTHING anywhere except in my trusty truck! This IT crisis is absolutely horrifying. But it appears that Delta is far worse than other US-based airlines. I cannot imagine how/why DL has gone so far down the tubes; seems like yesterday they were an admired airline who took great care of their pax.

Bottom line for me is that all men look handsome and debonair in a black tuxedo. Assuming it fits, of course!

Never allow a third party to do your air is always my advice!! I am totally allergic to stress over travel bookings. Unless it's your trusted Travel Advisor (who you can reach 24/7) no bargain/discount is ever worth it. Very happy to hear this all worked out for you.