All Things Avalon

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

On 4/6/2024 at 7:33 AM, SnowshoeCat said:

Has anyone here taken advantage of the bikes on board? I'm looking forward to riding along the Moselle and welcome any info. Are the bikes okay? I don't expect anything high end (although that would be a nice surprise), but would like to know what to expect.

We didn't ride them, but they looked very decent and well maintained.  One day we did a quick stop at a small pier and off loaded several people and bikes.  We were probably stopped less than five minutes.  They met with somebody on land along with the cruise director got off.  We headed on down the river and we would see them periodically along the levee trails.  They met up with us when we docked for the night, sure seemed like a lot of fun.    

[ilovesalchows]

Hey Team, question for you.

I am shopping around for a Basel-Amsterdam cruise next summer and I had decided on Avalon.  Then they changed their pricing by adding the airfare promotions.  I don't want their airfare, so they are no longer competitive price-wise with Ama, Emerald, etc.  Do they ever price out the cabins without the air promotions?  For instance, the cabin I was looking at was $2899 when I first started looking, but now they are adding "free air" but have raised the price $1000.  I plan on using points for all or some of my family's flights, so this is not needed. (I would also never trust a 3rd party to book international flights for me, but that's another post)

 

Thanks in advance for your tips.  I have enjoyed reading through this thread, especially when people post pics!  And it has confirmed my interest in Avalon above others.

[Canal archive]

6 hours ago, ilovesalchows said:

Just a thought have you tried contacting Avalon direct, make sure you have all of your info to hand and basically let them know they are missing out on a customer who if happy this time may become a returning user. It’s worth a try, go for it!

[Rebel54]

5 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Just a thought have you tried contacting Avalon direct, make sure you have all of your info to hand and basically let them know they are missing out on a customer who if happy this time may become a returning user. It’s worth a try, go for it!

That is a good idea.  I also book my own air and the agent gave me a different discount that removed the air option.  Definitely recommend calling Avalon direct.

 

[Daisi]

I'm pretty sure I read on one of the message forums that they will give you a discount if you don't take the special air package. Since you don't need it, it won't hurt to either ask your TA to check or call yourself.

[ilovesalchows]

Excellent, will check directly with Avalon and report back.  Thanks!

[Rebel54]

On 5/25/2024 at 8:20 AM, Daisi said:

I'm pretty sure I read on one of the message forums that they will give you a discount if you don't take the special air package. Since you don't need it, it won't hurt to either ask your TA to check or call yourself.

That's what they did for me.  They actually cancelled the sailing I initially booked to move the ship to another river. When I called to rebook, they gave me a discount because I was booking my own air, plus a rebooking discount and something else.  I was annoyed they cancelled (I'd be sailing right now) but happy with the additional discounts.

 

[Daisi]

16 minutes ago, Rebel54 said:

That's what they did for me.  They actually cancelled the sailing I initially booked to move the ship to another river. When I called to rebook, they gave me a discount because I was booking my own air, plus a rebooking discount and something else.  I was annoyed they cancelled (I'd be sailing right now) but happy with the additional discounts.

 

 

 

Yes, Avalon does seem to do their best to make sure that if anything beyond their control happens, passengers are satisfied. Of course, like any line you will get the picky ones that will complain that they should have known the water was to low, high or other reasons, however on the whole, most who have had their travel re-arranged have been happy.

 

Why did they cancel your cruise Rebel? Did it get taken over by a charter?

[Rebel54]

22 minutes ago, Daisi said:

 

 

Yes, Avalon does seem to do their best to make sure that if anything beyond their control happens, passengers are satisfied. Of course, like any line you will get the picky ones that will complain that they should have known the water was to low, high or other reasons, however on the whole, most who have had their travel re-arranged have been happy.

 

Why did they cancel your cruise Rebel? Did it get taken over by a charter?

They told me they were moving the boat to a different river...that's all they told me.  I can't even remember the name of the boat I was supposed to be on :(.  Ended up having to move to August because it was the only one that didn't conflict with my daughter's graduation schedule.  We are going to celebrate her graduation and our birthdays 🙂

[Daisi]

Oh, so guess maybe a win win for you as you can celebrate better with her now. 😉

 

[Rebel54]

10 minutes ago, Daisi said:

Oh, so guess maybe a win win for you as you can celebrate better with her now. 😉

 

For sure.  I am very excited to share this trip with her.  Doing a week in Prague pre cruise and then 3 weeks with Avalon.  Can't wait.

[ilovesalchows]

To follow up, I reached out to Avalon and they referred me to a Travel Agent.  To confirm with your experience, it seems I can book it at the reduced rate without airfare.  I'm not ready to pull the trigger on this, we have another Europe trip this summer and I need to get past that one first.  I can't wait, I love the "I just booked a fabulous trip" euphoria.

 

 

[Canal archive]

I love it when a plan comes together so enjoy when and if you book.

[Daisi]

4 hours ago, ilovesalchows said:

To follow up, I reached out to Avalon and they referred me to a Travel Agent.  To confirm with your experience, it seems I can book it at the reduced rate without airfare.  I'm not ready to pull the trigger on this, we have another Europe trip this summer and I need to get past that one first.  I can't wait, I love the "I just booked a fabulous trip" euphoria.

 

 

 

 

Just a suggestion, keep an eye on the cruise if you really want to go next year. certain times of the year will fill quicker than others. If you are fine waiting another year, and making the decision next year, I wouldn't worry, but if you do want a certain time to fit in your schedule, sometimes booking early is better. 

[ilovesalchows]

Update - We booked Avalon.  I was able to take advantage of the $1250 per person airfare credit.  I needed three cabins so using air miles gave us a huge savings.  

 

Now we wait, and hope 2025 isn't a drought year in the Rhine Valley!

[Daisi]

I'm sure that if there is a water or lock problem Avalon will look after you. Hope you all enjoy your cruise.

[Suzanne123]

I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I found it confusing to book excursions for our Grand France adventure. Here are the excursions and times for the first week, Paris to Normandy.

[Kenster]

2 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I found it confusing to book excursions for our Grand France adventure. Here are the excursions and times for the first week, Paris to Normandy.

When do you sail? 
 

Go to your “My Avalon” portal in the main website. Look under “Excursions.”  You will find a list of all excursions (included and optional) with timings and prices. Bookings begin 90 days out. I strongly recommend that you book right away as optionals are capacity controlled and often fill up well before sailing.  
 

We are doing “Grand France” northbound out of Arles beginning Nov 11.  It will be our sixth Avalon in ten years. 

[Suzanne123]

We are on the Tapestry now. Just left Paris this morning after an overnight delay because of the strike.  Bring a warm coat and hat.😊

[moonriver54]

Your Avalon Cruise Director will be more than happy to assist you with your excursion selections.  Enjoy your trip!

[Kenster]

29 minutes ago, Suzanne123 said:

We are on the Tapestry now. Just left Paris this morning after an overnight delay because of the strike.  Bring a warm coat and hat.😊

If you’re already on board, you can book with the app as your flyer instructed, or see your cruise director. Try to have your decisions made and be prepared for payment before meeting with the CD. Also be prepared for some of your choices being full. I hope not, but that is a possibility when you wait until boarding to book. Good luck! 

[cbr663]

8 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I found it confusing to book excursions for our Grand France adventure. Here are the excursions and times for the first week, Paris to Normandy.

 

Interesting.  Is the 3 days notice to cancel optional tours a new requirement?  I wasn't aware of this requirement when we sailed Avalon in June and we cancelled an optional tour.  We did receive the refund, yet the invoice we received was very confusing and the CD didn't offer any advice or clarification on it at all.

 

[Suzanne123]

I’m not sure. I just copied the excursion list from the Avalon Go app. The list showing excursions by day and time wasn’t available until we boarded. The excursions became available on the web site in July, but weren’t on Go until a couple weeks ago. ( Excursions were listed by ports in alphabetical order, so Arles Day 14 was listed first. Very confusing.

Anyway, they just posted a new schedule, and because we were inconvenienced with the late cruising time out of Paris, Avalon decided to give us the paid excursion to Honfleur for free. ( refunds for those who booked in advance.) I thought that was nice.

 

[moonriver54]

That's classic Avalon Waterways.  THE BEST!!  Taking excellent care of their customers.  They want to see you back again on another cruise.  We're leaving on our fourth Avalon cruise in a little over a week.  Can't wait!!

[KathyK13]

25 minutes ago, moonriver54 said:

That's classic Avalon Waterways.  THE BEST!!  Taking excellent care of their customers.  They want to see you back again on another cruise.  We're leaving on our fourth Avalon cruise in a little over a week.  Can't wait!!

I agree; they have a history of taking good care of their clients when problems like water levels arise.   We're taking our fifth Avalon cruise next May!