TOURING EUROPE – VIA ITS RIVERS

Having toured Europe several times with Globus and been on a number of cruise ships sailing the seas, including the QEII,  my wife and I have been waiting for an opportunity to experience the increasingly popular river cruise.  And we would like to share our experience with you.

Grethe (my wife) and I were honoured to be invited by Avalon Waterways to attend the christening of their latest ship – the Avalon Panorama and sail on its maiden voyage from Frankfurt to Amsterdam via the Rivers Main, Mosel and Rhine, visiting Mainz, Rudesheim,  Koblenz, Cochem, Cologne before reaching Amsterdam. The Avalon Panorama was christened by Lisa Wilkinson, a well known Australian TV host, on 14th May, 2011.

Firstly, unlike a coach tour where you will be changing hotels almost every night, you will be sleeping      onboard the ship throughout the cruise, you unpack and pack only once. The Avalon Panorama can accommodate 166 passengers and you have lots of room to move around onboard.  Compare this with the large ocean cruisers with many hundreds or thousands of passengers. You can keep the sea-sickness pills in your bag.

The river cruises are leisurely, suitable for those who want to get away from the hectic routine most of us seem to have.  And as the great rivers have been used to transport people and goods for centuries, you get to visit traditional towns and cities, with the city centre close by the river.  There is always a constant, orderly flow of cargo and passenger vessels plying the rivers and in most stops, you will find several passenger cruise ships berthed alongside.  I saw two other Avalon vessels along the way. At each stop, sightseeing excursions will be arranged and included in your cruise price.  Local guides will show you the sights.  On our cruise, we only needed a coach to bring us up a high hill to a castle, the rest of the excursions were leisurely walks of the towns or cities.  On Avalon shore excursions, you will be divided into small groups and given a Receiver with ear piece so you can listen to your tour guide even though you may be a distance away.   He or she can also tell you where the rest of your group are if you happen to stray away from them.

Comfort?

The Avalon Waterways European cruise fleet is the youngest, with average age below three years.  The Avalon Panorama is called “A visionary new suite ship”.  It’s suite is 200 sq. Ft. (30% larger than industry standard), large bathroom with full shower and amenities.  There is also a writing desk/vanity with comfortable chair and mirror, In-room safe, individual climate control, well stocked mini-bar and complimentary bottled water.  Oh! There’s Bathrobe and slippers too.  On the upper two decks, all suites have wall to wall panoramic windows, giving you a fantastic view of the scenery as you cruise or during stops.  The windows can be open to give you a balcony.

I find the suites very comfortable, like a 5 star hotel.

The ship has three decks with accommodation and a sky deck that stretches almost the whole length (135m) of the ship.  There is a spacious lounge where we have briefings, shows and listen, dance to piano music.  Below the lounge is the Restaurant that can seat all the passengers in one seating.  Your cruise price includes buffet breakfast, a light lunch buffet pasta station, afternoon tea and a four course dinner with beer or wine included with dinner.  There is a Welcome dinner as well as a Gala dinner.  Unless you cannot survive without Chinese food every meal, you will find the food, including seasonal and regional specialities, a high standard.

Service?

Excellent!  From the Cruise Manager who takes care of all the guests including excursions and briefings, Reception, F&B and Housekeeping.   All have a ready smile, greeting and ready to please.  Our suite is cleaned while we were at breakfast or when out for Excursions and turned down every night.  There are 47 crew members.  On the Avalon Panorama, the crew comes mainly from Europe.  We were also served by a few Indonesian F&B staff.   English is the language used throughout the ship and during excursions.

Stay healthy, beautiful and connected!

Onboard, there is a small gym, whirlpool on sky deck, a putting mat and hair saloon.  For those that need to bring their laptops or mobiles, there is a internet station and Wi-Fi.  You can also make calls from your suite.

Recommended for those who have arrived and/or rewarding your high achievers with an incentive trip together with their loved ones.  There’s a good choice of cruises, from 4 days onwards, to choose from.

Want to know more?

Call our staff servicing you or Scenic Travel Tel: 6226 3611 for a brochure or visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

Book now for 2012 cruises and enjoy USD500 per couple discount*.  Also watch out for special offers.

Warmest regards,

Peter Choo

Managing Director,

Global Travel Pte Ltd., & Scenic Travel Pte Ltd., (GSA for Avalon Waterways)

*conditions apply