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REVIEW Of AVAOLON RIVER CRUISE, JUNE  2019...

I could definitely get used to this life...and am!  River cruising has grown on me and We’re having a wonderful time!  Here's Our Daily Experience of an Avalon River cruise...

Day One...Thurs, June 6

After our long flight over, which included several meals and complimentary cocktails, it was good to be greeted by Avalon staff who provided transportation to our ship, docked in Remich, Germany. (We were slightly delayed by having to file a claim for reimbursement of one of our bags, which arrived dented and minus two of its wheels.)

But our ship and room were beautiful...the room was elegantly furnished with modern, dark wood furniture and trim, and had a 3’ live, blooming orchid on the dresser, a beautiful diffuser in the bathroom, two color (his and hers) towel sets, and a large marble bathroom with spacious walk-in shower...you don’t find this on an ocean cruise!  Our plush bed even had an adjustable memory foam mattress!  Very comfy!  But the most impressive feature of the room was the spectacular floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows—a series of 3 large sliding glass doors which opened the room up to the outside, turning the room’s window-side chair, table, and contemporary couch, into an indoor balcony!  The bed faced these wall to wall windows...which are unique to Avalon Waterways!  We so enjoyed leaving these expansive sliding windows/doors open most all the time we were in the room, for amazing views and sounds while sailing down the river!! (I recommend sailing Europe in the temperate months of July, Aug and September, when you can leave them open at night also—otherwise late nights can be nippy—tho you can also close them and still enjoy spectacular views through your window to the river!).  The rivers of Europe are beautiful, and lined with frequent castles, quaint villages, vineyards and wildlife! One day we woke to see a precious family of swans with six babies paddling along behind Momna, two actually piggybacking and hidden on her back with nothing but their heads and little butts sticking out of her feathers!

Dinner tonight and every night was tasty and attractive, and served with a flourish by highly-skilled waiters. All meals include choice of appetizers and soups, entrees and deserts, as well as choice of specialty coffees, soda, beer or wine...Followed by entertainment nightly by local entertainers brought in to the lounge, such as violinists or great bands who played oldies, and filled the small dance floor!

Day Two...Docked In beautiful Luxembourg

(We slept in, and passed on the morning yoga, as we did most days, as well as the optional excursion to strikers Imperial Roman Baths In Trier this morning.)

We boarded a coach for a guided tour of beautiful Luxembourg, one of the richest little countries in Europe (whole country is smaller than city of San Antonio), and most people have 4-5 cars in garage, and loads of Lamborginis, Bentley’s and BMWs. Founded 963 BC, the city has beautiful castles, and 150 banks, with many secret accounts (like Swiss bank accts). 

They have frequent “animal bridges” over their motorway (highway) to cut back on animal deaths from crossing hwys...bridges built over the hwy with trees n grass on them—an extension of the forest!

They also have one bridge crossing the motorway that is part of their airport’s runway!  LuxAir (CargoLux division) specializes in large animal transport too—like this month Balooga whales and famous stallions!  Luxembourg Produces fine wines, beer, and mustards.

At night before joining our shipmates for dinner in their elegant glass dining room, the ship’s hotel director gives a short presentation of what is planned for us in the next city or town tomorrow. After dinner we are free to relax in the lounge where a local group of very talented violinists were playing, or dance the night away in the club lounge or sit on our panoramic balcony or the ship’s “sky deck” to take in the spectacular views (we chose the latter). 

Day Three...Bernkastel, Germany

After another great breakfast, with made-to order eggs/omelets and a variety of other choices varying daily, we enjoyed a 1 1/2 -hour guided walking tour of the charming wine village named Bernkastel, with lovely 17th century Renaissance-style and Gothic homes built in the 1200’s to 1400s!  Followed by a walk across the bridge to Keus, where the Vinothek of Bernkastel wine cellar hosted us to a wine tasting in the cellar, with 130 regional Mosel wines, and unlimited samples of all our favorites.

We returned to the ship for a wonderful lunch spread, and the afternoon was free to explore this charming Medieval town more on our own, visit the marketplace, take a bike from the ship thru the village, or perhaps to relax and read a book from their library. Some in our group joined the activity host for a hike up the hillside to explore the beautiful Landshut castle, burned down three times by King Louis XIV, and finally restored and turned into a restaurant with beautiful views of the city and river. 

We chose to nap, before another wonderful dinner and night of local entertainment, listening to oldies performed by Tom and Michael! 

We sailed away from this charming city after dinner, and thru the night, passing beautiful countryside, lighted homes and hotels, and under low bridges (where they lower the top sky/observation deck of the ship, which functions like a pop up camper), and passing through more locks along the river. We Kept our sliding doors open until the night grew too chilly. 

Day Four...Celebrating Our 28th Anniversary!

(We were thrilled the staff had delivered the most beautiful flower arrangement, with a personal note wishing us a great 28th anniversary!)

After sailing all night, where we enjoyed seeing the lights in the towns, the Avalon Imagery docked in Cochem at 7am. We had made eggs and salmon for breakfast, before joining our shipmates for an included excursion into Cochem’s Old Town, one of Germany’s prettiest villages, highlighted by a tour of the beautiful Reichsburg castle on the hilltop!

We returned to the ship for a buffet lunch including fresh carved veal, and spent the afternoon sailing the beautiful Moselle River again. We also took a tour of the ship’s galley, guided by Chef Shaaban Yousef, in a remarkably small kitchen where the staff skillfully prepared meals for 100 guests. They bought fresh ingredients locally at their ports of call and the dry foods were stored in the belly of the ship. 

We left the Mosel river at Koblenz, turning right at the “German Corner” into the Rhine about six at night, after going through several locks as well.  The weather has been very beautiful and we spent many hours up on the sky deck which is a great observation point for panoramic views of the countryside. The Rhine River has many beautiful castles and churches in quaint towns with half timbered houses, and the river scenery is amazing!

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Part Two (second half of cruise review) to come!)