Aug 2009

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Looking to book in Aug of '08 Romantic Rhine with AVALON WATERWAYS CREATIVITY or Uniworld

2 couple early 50's

We have never cruised before and only been on all inclusive resorts

The only thing we done before close to this is a Mexico Yucatan bus trip

Can you buy wine/beer on shore and drink on the ship?

What are the prices for drinks?

What is the night life like? not looking for wild party time

That is it for now

Thanks All

[MSEm]

Some suggestions:

 

Check out the reviews for the Avalon and Uniworld. I cruised with Avalon in June 2008 and do NOT plan to travel with Avalon agin. You can also do a search for MSEm on this board and on the River cruise board.

 

I have hear good reports about Uniworld from a person that has traveld with both. She also would not travel with Avalon again.

 

Check carefully on the number and cost of optional tours. On Avalon we found that if we took an optional tour during every time slot and then added on the recommended tips we could have traveld with Tauck for about the same cost. Optional tours can add up quickly.

 

Also check on August for local holidays. When we lived in Europe Last July and August were big vacation times for many places in Europe.

 

Good luck,

 

MSEm

[pully8]

hello. we are booked on the tapestry next may rhine river cruise. can you give us some info re your decision not to use avalon again. it will be only our 2nd river cruise. our last one was close to home a short murray river cruise which was quiet and relaxing.

it will be our 1st trip to europe. we will go on to a globus trip to france and uk which will include the chelsea flower show. regards

[MSEm]

We were disappointed in Avalon's operation of the river cruise.

1. Only 1 tour director/escort. We had different local guides everyday.

2. Audio Head Set: Used only if the group was more than 20 people. Also every morning you picked up a head set and then searched for the correct bus or switched buses until everyone on the bus had the same color head set. That used up time every tour.

3. Food was below standard, it was OK.

4. Most of the tours were optional pay as you go. The cost really added up quickly.

 

Avalon's initial fare is lower than the other river cruises. As stated in my review, the optional tour and the suggested tips, quickly brought the total cost to almost the same as booking the same on Tauck.

 

We have traveled with Viking River Cruises for trips to China and Russia. We had a tour escort for each bus. Once you selected a bus, you traveled with the bus and tour escort all of the time. The tour escorted passed out the audio headsets on the bus each day.

The food was much better. Even in Russia we found the food on the river vessel to be generally very good. Most of the tours are included in the original fare.

 

I would look at Viking River, AMA, Uniworld, and Tauck for River cruises. At this time Viking River is my choice for China and Russia. Viking River has control of their vessels in China and Russia. The Viking Surkov was refurbished in Winter 2007-08. The hotel style beds were wonderful. Also the vessel had a regular shower. We had Cabins on the lowest passenger deck on both the China and the Russia trip. On both trips when we were on all trip tours, we had a meal provided by Viking, either a prepared meal at a restaurant ( or hotel in China) or in Russia a boxed lunch.

 

If you have other questions, please contact me directly.

 

Good travels,

MSEM

 

msem at cableone.net

[MSEm]

Check the RIVER CRUISES Board for more information on Avalon, Uniworld, Viking, AMA and Tauck. Oftern you will find similiar iteniries offerred by each company.

You must compare the "total" cost of the trip, not just the listed fare.

Are all or most of the tours included in the listed fare? Are 1/2 or more of the tours optional pay on board the vessel?

Are tips included or extra?

Are wines, beer, or soft drinks included? Do you usually NOT drink wine, beer or soft drinks with meals?

Do I want a window that can be opened or will having water covering 1/2 the window OK?

Look carefully at the cabin layout and any pictures of cabins. Make sure the cabin picture shown is the cabin cateogry you are booking.

 

MSEm

[MSEm]

The Board "RIVER & CANAL CRUISES" is located under the "SPECIAL INTEREST" section

 

MSEm