webfoot

I agree on the jewelry responses. Just take costume jewelry with you. I wear a medic-alert bracelet so I only take one or two more and a few sterling silver necklaces. Rings are also sterling silver.

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You can walk under the aqueduct. Very amazing!

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Wow, Pat, you are outdoing me. I am doing #11 this year and hope to do 2 next year. Enjoy the cruise. I understand the Christmas Markets are fabulous.

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When I book my cruises with Avalon, I prepay tips to both CD and staff. Anything that you have in the bar, laundry services, beauty salon go on your onboard account to be paid at the end of the cruise.

Pat

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I use a currency exchange in the US through Avalon's Journey's Club to get some cash. This year I'll be going into countries that do not use the Euro. I charge as much as I can using the local currency.

I bought a ring in Amsterdam several years ago and had the charge go on my card with Euros rather than US dollars. I was pleasantly surprised to see a low exchange rate when my bill came.

If I have leftover Euros I bring them home and save for my next river cruise.

Pat

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The rooms are fairly soundproof. The only time I could hear the other cabins is when we both had our windows open.

Pat

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I have done Grand France twice. The first time my husband was having heart failure issues so I missed some of the ports. Last year

Grand France was a wine-themed cruise.

I have done Amsterdam to Budapest and Budapest to Amsterdam. This year I am repeating the Vienna to the Black Sea cruise and am taking different included and optional tours.

Pat

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I am about to depart tor my 10th Avalon cruise (with the 11th booked already for June 2017). Each trip was,fantastic. I have repeated several cruises and love that,while the ships and crew are wonderful, I love what a cruise director can do to make the cruise so special.

Robert was awesome! He was our first CD. I am still in touch with both of my France CD's: Yvette Laurent and Tony Jenkins.

One cruise was the President's Cruise on which Patrick Clark,and his wife joined us. So nice to meet both of them.

I have been on the maiden voyage of the Affinity and the final cruise of the Scenery.

This year's cruise is on the Passion. Can't wait.

Pat

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Hope your trip was awesome!

Pat

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I arrived back home from Paris several days before the bombings. Many asked if I would be afraid of going to Paris again. I would be cautious about where I would go in the city but I plan to go there again in June 2017. This year I'm going from Vienna to the Black Sea.

Pat

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I took a wine-themed cruise in Burgundy and Provence last October/early November with Avalon. It was so much fun. We were able to visit each scheduled winery. It wasn't the height of the tourist season which made for pleasant travel. I went prepared for wet weather and cold weather.

Pat

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I always pay in advance and then give the staff and cruise director an additional tip.

Pat

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Avalon is featuring no single supplement on many of their trips. I'm a single traveler and appreciate the savings.

Pat

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Ooops ... I'm on the Visionary next year. The Passion this year.

Pat

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The engine in Avalon Ships is minimal. Our first cruise was on an older ship and except when the engines were in 'reverse' we never heard it. As the Visionary is a new ship you won't notice it.

I'm also on the Visionary in August.

Pat

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Rolling with the punches is one of the tips I give to new cruisers. Things happen. Relax ancd enjoy the trip. My first France River Cruise was during the volcano erruption which affected air travel. Our CD handled everything the best she could. For those not able to get home Avalon made arrangements for hotels. The second portion of the trip, Burgundy and Provance had very few passengers. Enjoyed both cruises despite these interruptions.

Pat

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My TA is fantastic! She has been helping several of my friends, too. Late last year she did the Cambodia/Vietnam cruise and loved it. She has been on several river cruises. She gives me great advice!

Pat

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I have double coverage. I bought the travel insurance through Avalon and my credit card also gives me insurance, too.

Pat

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I also use the laundry frequently. Everything comes back looking great! The prices are a little bit lower than hotels but you get much faster service.

I take nothing but old underpanties with me and discard at the end of the day. More room for shopping that way!

Pat

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For me it depends on the cost of room at the Avalon hotel. If it istoo high then I move to another hotel. I plan to stay in Prague for several days after my Paris to Prague cruise next June. Not sure what I'll do for the hotel yet.

Pat

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The year we went to Luxembbourg there was a separate trip that was in the Footsteps of George Patton. There was a tour of the American cemetary. My last trip, 2 years ago, did not have that tour.

Pat

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Ask questions and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Pat

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I took the trip from Zurich to Amsterdam going through the Moselle River. It was awesome!!

Pat

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I am taking cruise #10 with Avalon in August with #11 booked for next June. Obviouly if I have taken that many cruises with Avalon that I am quite a fan. I love their ships, the personnel aboard, cruise directors, and food. Can't wait for August!

Pat

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That is how Avalon does things. Awesome company. I got home on 11/4 from Avalon's Grand France trip and had an awesome time.

Pat

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