kleroux

We have just returned from our first river cruise. We have done several Ocean cruises, but this was the first time on a river. We picked Avalon because the timing worked for us, and it seemed like a good company. I believe this was one of the earliest times of the year that they have cruised this part of the Danube. The cruise started in Amsterdam. Some people went all the way to Bucharest, others ended in Vienna, and many of us began in Vienna. I think its two very different cruises. The first part, must be like all the brochures of beautiful Bavaria, castles and a blue Danube. From Vienna to the Black sea is quite different. These many countries have gone through two serious wars, Russian occupation and the break up of Yugoslavia. Its much more "3rd. World". Interesting, if you like history and the clash of cultures and religions. Avalon offered very good included tours of each stop. At least 4 busses, each with a guide and driver. One bus dedicated to those who could not walk well.
The tour director and the entire staff were fabulous. We created a private tour with our own driver and guide at one stop were we wanted more flexibility and the cruise director organized it for us.

But there are drawbacks to Avalon in my opinion, and things future/potential passengers should be aware of. They may or may not be of importance to you. We were quite disapointed in the quality of the food. There was plenty of it. But quantity isn't quality. Breakfast and lunch were always very good. Dinners left a lot to be desired. We were surprised at the boring cuisine. Vegetables were defrosted and warmed up with no herbs or sauces to make them even marginally interesting. Fish and meats were also not cooked with any imagination. Coffee was beyond bad. Even in the little machine where you could get any type of coffee any time of the day, it was instant espresso powder, not real espresso. There were plenty of fresh vegetables available in cities along the way, so why they chose to use frozen ones is a mystery. I happen to like eggplant. Its also almost a staple in the regional diet, yet not once did it arrive at the table fully cooked. Raw, or undercooked eggplant is not particularly good.

Internet access was a huge problem. We needed to have contact because of business concerns at home. Some people didn't need it at all. The cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna had wondeful internet access. However, from Vienna to Bucharest it was spotty at best. This was frustrating because one paid for a plan and access and rarely got it. If Avalon had offered it free on this leg because of reception problems, then no complaints. But to pay for a service one doesn't get is not good. Nor did they offer to refund the charge. We found that on shore the local McDonalds always had good and free WiFi serive. But who wants to spend precious shore time sitting in a McDonalds?

The Imagery was build in 2007 I believe. Its unfortunate that the public rooms have restricted views. The dining room had no windows facing the upcoming river, and the lounge which was located right over it, also had somewhat restricted views. At one point we tied up to a Viking ship, the Primadona. It was slightly older. The dining room faced the upcoming river with huge views of what was coming. The lounge was in the back of the ship so you could see the river behind you. It had huge windows for the view. The staff, however was not that professionally dressed, and in checking their menu, it looked as boring as ours. We heard that because of financial difficulties due to the economy, they had cut prices and offered "deals" to get more passengers, and this had affected quality. I don't know if that is true or not. The ship was slightly older and seemed a bit larger. From what we could see you had a mini balcony you could go out on. The Avalon ship had floor to ceiling sliding doors, but no baloncies.

If you are new to cruising you should figure in the expense of tipping. For each bus tour, included in the price of the cruise or extra, one tips the guide and the driver. Avalon asks that you tip the cruise director 3 Euro a day per passenger.....and believe me he earns it. And 12 Euro a day per passenger to be divided up among all the staff. Optional excursions can be up to 50 Euro a person each.

Over all, I personally would not do another river cruise. I didn't like having only one restaurant on the ship and one seating for dinner. That got to be boring. I prefer ocean cruises on small ships like the Oceana vessels where there are more choices of restaurants and dining times. I do think Avalon staff was fabulous. Patient, smiling, professional and very good at what they did. If you are going to chose this part of the Danube, be sure and know what you are going to see. Its not picture perfect like the first part of the cruise. I enjoyed what we saw, but many on our cruise were shocked and surprised......altho the history lesson of what wars can do to modern countries was sobering to us all.

chepar

I really enjoyed your trip report, especially coming from the viewpoint of a first time river cruiser.

My parents have been bugging me to go on a river cruise with them next summer. Although I really enjoy ocean cruising, I'm not sure a river cruise is for me, though I suppose I should try it once to find out.

I have a question about the food, though - you said you were disappointed in the dinners - how did they compare to what you've experienced on the ocean cruises you have been on? I've sailed on Celebrity, RCL and HAL ships - the food on some has been better than others, but generally I've had no real complaints. I've thought that the food on a river cruise would be as good, if not better than on an ocean cruise - less people, constant access to fresh ingredients.

kleroux

well forget the fresh. Its all either frozen or canned, except for lettuce. I know its a bit early in the season, but when we visited local outdoor markets we saw plenty of fresh veggies... I'm sure their suppliers could bring them in from Israel or where ever. I think its just either that the chef is not very good, or its cost cutting. Deserts tasted like puddings out of a mix. I have always loved the ocean cruises with the variety of food, fresh veggies and fish and meat. This just wasn't the case. Since the ship will take on food in Bucharest Romania for its cruise back up the Danube, I have to assume they can get what they need if they wanted to. We did see it in the local markets. I know some people might not care about food quality, but I do. These cruises are not cheap, after all.

Percy

You mean there are no balconies aton on Avalon?

How much did you have to tip the Driver and Guide.

Does anyone have information on a better Danube River Cruise Company .

Thank you for posting
Good information

Percy

I meant to say

You mean there are no balconies at all on Avalon Imagery ?

What have others thought that have taken this Avalon from Vienna to Bucharest .?

kleroux

On the Imagery the ship's cabins do not have balconies. You have a big sliding glass door which you can open..however they also say if its nighttime and you have lights on, keep the door closed so bugs don't get it. I guess having screens is not an option. BTW the glass doors have a metal railing as a barrier. You can lean out, altho they ask you not to because when sailing through some of the locks its a tight squeeze. The balconies we saw on the Viking ship were small, sort of triangular with a little bench on one wall side. You could go out on them however.
Most of the outdoor area of the ship was on the "roof"... it was fun to be up on top and you got a great view. But on those days when it was cold/raining few people went outside. That's why I think its so important to have good visiblity from inside the ships public areas.

kleroux

I just read on another posting the suggestion to pack your own coffee and a French press. You can get boiling water from the ship's tea pot which is always available, but this way you could actually make yourself a decent cup of coffee..

Percy

By bringing your own coffee, do you mean to brew the coffee in your room

Is there a coffee pot in the room?

would it have been nice to have a deck ?

Thanks for the information

kleroux

no, you can't cook in the room. But there is cofffee and tea available 24/7 in the reception area. So with the boiling water they have for making tea, you could make yourself a good cup of coffee if you had a French press......doesn't involve electricity. Ships have to be very careful for fire. No open flames on board. So no irons in cabins, or coffee makers.

As to if it would have been nice to have a bit of a patio/deck..well it was pretty cold since it was early in the year. I don't think there is enough room on a river ship to make balconies. The extra space is better used in the cabin. That's why I think its so important that the public areas have GREAT views... unobstructed glass windows... viewing areas both in the front of the ship and behind. The Imagery was not designed this way.

chepar

One last question, kleroux - did the limited amount of public space on the river cruise ship (as opposed to what is available on an ocean cruise ship) make you feel somewhat confined?

Or was the ship docked long enough each day so that you could spend most of your time in the town?

Percy

Good question chepar !

kleroux

On our leg of the trip, we were off the boat during the day. Either there was a planned, included tour of the local area, or we took one of the many optional tours in the afternoon. The only full day on the ship was when we sailed through the "Iron Gates". Our weather was good, but not warm. So being on top of the ship was not always comfortable. I'm sure in summer it would be better. I think the leg from Amsterdam to Vienna had more "just sailing" days, but I don't know for sure. But altho there are only about 124 people on the ship, it can feel a bit cramped. But it didn't last long. But if you wanted to just sit and watch the view, your choice of where to sit became limited if most people were on board, and the weather didn't encourage being "up top". Where the ship docked, altho always in a town, was not always where there was something to see. So tours were by bus. You could get off the ship and wander in the port of call, but that wasn't always convenient to sites. This leg of the trip, after all, is through former Eastern Block countries that have suffered greatly these past 100 years. They are not the "cute" towns like one find in the rest of Europe. I think the whole notion of encouraging tourists is a relatively new industry. We heard that there are spectacular monastaries that no one visits because they are not promoted (yet) by the govt. I think you have to know what your interests are and what you're planning on seeing on any cruise you go on.
My issue is more with the ship itself and not where we visited.

chepar

Hi Percy!

Thanks for all the information, kleroux. I'm still not convinced that river cruising is for me, but I'll probably try it at least once to see. Your review has identified certain things for me to look for in choosing an itinerary and ship.

Percy

Just returned a few weeks ago from a Danube River Cruise.

I did the reverse of Kleroux's cruise.

I went from Bucharest to Vienna.

I was on the Uniworld Countess River boat.

I cannot say enough good things about the Uniworld cruise I took.

The food was great, the room was very nice , the tours were good

and the coffee and lattes( free) were very good.

Internet was free.

We went through 8 different countries and 5 Capitals.

I would like to do another one ,from Amsterdam to Vienna.