There may be a need to contact you during your trip or to contact your designated family member or friend in the event of unforeseen circumstances while you are traveling. In Ecuador: Thirty percent larger than the industry standard, theyre actually river cruisings only OpenAir Balcony with nothing between you and the view. Viking's cabins are no slouch either. Avalon is not responsible for additional baggage fees imposed by air carriers. Avalon's ships in Asia also carry fewer passengers than their similarly sized Viking counterparts do. This includes name changes or name alterations. To adjust the water level in the lock chamber to match the water level of the waterway on the opposite end, water is allowed to enter into the chamber from the high-water side, or drained out of the chamber to the low-water side, thus raising or lowering the ship. On the Mekong and Ganges, a mix of Western and local dishes is offered; in the Galpagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties; and in the Amazon, you will be able to sample Peruvian specialties along with Western dishes. Taking sustainability to greater depths, we are conserving energy, saving water and limiting waste production across operations, dining and housekeeping on each and every ship. CUT AND RUN The staff were super friendly & within a few minutes of arriving we were told our cabin was ready for us. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share. The language on board is English. Exceptions are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania; they all have their own currencies, but the Euro is accepted in many establishments. Useful. But we're not ones to rest on our laurels. With Avalon, the views are as wide open as the possibilities. If your vacation includes a hotel stay, every effort will be made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your vacation stays. Both lines sail the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Seine and Rhone rivers. Viking does, however, occasionally offer river cruises that can connect with one of the lines ocean sailings (Viking began offering ocean cruises back in 2015 with the introduction of Viking Star). News & Information You will need an adapter or converter to use in other outlets in the stateroom for any small personal items such as a razor, curling iron, or alarm clock. Laundry Under the Trip Cancellation Waiver, you can cancel your trip any time up to departure for several eligible reasons as listed in the plan and receive a refund of the normally non-refundable Globus cancellation penalty amount. If this information is not obtained, either the intra-vacation air or the entire vacation will be cancelled. Avalon Waterways ships are intimate and inviting and guests receive unsurpassed exceptional and personal service. You will need an adapter or converter to use in other outlets in the stateroom for any small personal items such as a razor, curling iron, or alarm clock. Air Conditioning and Heating The meals were so beautifully prepared and presented - with all the wine you want from the local region. Weve brought back the question, Where should we eat? to the cruise experience. Locks employ a fixed chamber in which water levels can be varied to accommodate a vessel. Electricity on board the Delfin III is 220v. Traveler's checks are not accepted. When lost or unsure of their position in coastal waters, ships would release a caged crow. Reminded me of school lunch - not a good start to an expensive cruise. Both lines operate first-rate cruises on most of Europe's major rivers, as well as in Asia. Wine is included with dinner. Suite Ships also have a salon for hair services and manicures. The men called the mixture "grog." Any subsequent cost increases are at our expense, not including energy cost increases and/or any government tax increases. Europe: Choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks are included with dinner & lunch and sparkling wine with breakfast. The largest river cruise line by far, Viking has a fleet of over 70 vessels that includes 54 identical Viking Longships that sail in Europe and carry 190 passengers. Avalon hotel ratings follow the standards set by the independent Hotel & Travel Index and by national tourist boards. Our dedicated ground team, fleet of comfortable motorcoaches, long-term relationships with quality hotels, and a global tour operations network allow us to quickly address any changes (other than minor deviations stated in our Terms and Conditions) that require alternative plans during your cruise. When it comes to river cruising, Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways have quite a bit in common. Peru uses Nuevo Sol (PEN) as their official currency; however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Upon arrival, after check in we were greeted with a welcome reception in the Panorama Lounge. In addition to the above, the plan offers Travel Insurance benefits including Trip Cancellation for independent air arrangements, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, medical expense, emergency medical transportation, baggage loss, theft, damage or delay coverage, etc. A fee is charged for the use of checks. Email and Internet:Complimentary Wi-Fi available on your ship in Egypt. For payment of shipboard accounts, Euro and U.S. dollars are accepted as well as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diners Club. Onboard laundry service will press your clothes for a fee. We had a very tasty lasagne, a vegetarian rice dish was, We had never been to Europe but decided before COVID that our first trip would be a river cruise. Avalon's ships in Asia also carry fewer passengers than their similarly sized Viking counterparts do. We're humbled and happy to share kudos we've received from some of the industry's most respected experts in river cruising, including readers and editors of Cruise Critic, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, and TravelAge West. ATMs are available in most large cities and will dispense the local currency. Any charges are placed on your shipboard account. On 2nd day, the tour guide told us they had video of the suitcase being loaded on the bus in Paris and it was probably stolen. Some countries also require a visa. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites. Internet cafes can be found in many towns in Western Europe, generally with reasonable charges. A small few overnight destinations do not offer hotels in these categories, in which case we choose the best available (BA) hotels available. Safes Avalon ships have a small fitness room with a treadmill, elliptical machines and free weights. Not a fan of (ocean) cruises, I went on my first river cruise several years ago and I was hooked! From ship amenities to travel tips, were here to make preparing for your cruise simple and easy. Avalon Waterways own 19 river cruise ships, 14 of these are sailing European Rivers, 2 in Asia, 2 in South America and 1 on the Nile. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. GROGGY Internet access Both lines have small dance floors in their lounges, although whether or not they'll be used depends on the passengers and the sailing. Once Avalon has received your full non-refundable land/cruise deposit your vacation price is guaranteed and you are protected against any base land/cruise price increase due to currency surcharge. In Vietnam (Dong) and Thailand (Bhat), local currency is used primarily while in Cambodia U.S. dollars are widely accepted in addition to the local currency (Riel). The itinerary was as, My partner and I have wanted to do this trip for several years. Because they have French balconies instead of outdoor space, the 200-square-foot Panorama cabins on Avalon's "Suite Ships" feel bigger than most river cruise cabins. UNDER THE WEATHER Shipboard accounts can be settled by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or with cash. We recommend you book early to avoid excursions selling out. Europe River Cruises If space at the hotel is not available, alternative accommodations will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. Single room supplements and triple room reductions are listed where applicable; not all accommodation types are available on all vacations. Think of it as a view with a room! Choose from options like a breezy al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, an elegant four-course dinner in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, or a more casual culinary setting in the Panorama Bistro. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share. Avalon Waterways Amazon River Cruises The Amazon River Is situated mainly in Brazil and Peru. Presentation, taste. The onboard daily newsletter features information about daily activities, shore excursions, and tour departure times. [1] The company became a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in August 2009. Avalon Waterways. Viking does not have bikes onboard, with the (not unreasonable) logic that in many European cities, rental bicycles are plentiful and inexpensive. Depending on the destination, our contracts require us to provide the international ticket number in order to issue the intra-vacation air tickets. On its Suite Ships, Avalon rejiggered most of the cabins to give them something unique within river cruising: beds that face the water, not the wall. Please refer to your travel documents for more information. One of the answers was the invention and development of the locka device used for raising and lowering boats, ships and other watercraft between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The river cruise wins hands down. Complimentary specialty coffees, tea, and filtered water refill stations are available 24 hours a day. Avalon Waterways is a river cruise company with a fleet of 'Suite Ships' that ply the major rivers in Europe and Asia. Viking and Avalon are almost the same when it comes to inclusions and pricing, although the latter can vary depending on itinerary and promotions. Avalon utilizes bulk contracts for our air services, which includes intra-vacation air offered on many of our vacations. On its Suite Ships, Avalon rejiggered most of the cabins to give them something unique within river cruising: beds that face the water, not the wall. Offering over 100 itineraries . So what makes these two lines, both considered moderately priced for river cruises, different? Avalon is proud to be associated with some of the finest establishments worldwide. The sheer size of Viking's fleet means that it's easier to find the exact cruise on the exact river that you want, precisely when you want to go. His business evolved into motorcoach tourism and expanded into an international travel brand: Group Voyagers, Inc. - parent company of Avalon Waterways. It is also important that this information be provided correctly at the time of booking, as any changes to your air booking, which includes correct spelling, could be subject to a change fee, penalties, higher fares, new schedule, and/or cancellation. In keeping with its Norwegian owner, Viking's ships have Scandinavian influences with lots of pale wood and clean lines. Avalon maintains a policy of "Leave Only Footprints and Take Only Photos." ATM machines are located on shore at some stops. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19m, Owned. To use any small personal appliance such as an electric razor, curling iron, or electric plug-in type alarm clock, you will need an adapter to plug into the wall sockets for dual voltage appliances and a converter as well as an adapter for appliances that are not dual voltage. Amazon Pick. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. We know why you travel. Mountain ranges such as the Swiss Alps, the French Vosges, Germany's Fichtelgebirge and Black Forest region have given birth to the great rivers of Europe which have provided most important transportation links since ancient times. Why am I asked to provide my airline ticket number for flights booked independently of Avalon? You may check out books from the ship's library free of charge. Because weather can be unpredictable, layers are always recommended when out and about. Telephone Service:On board your ship, each stateroom has its own telephone that may be used to call room to room and ship to shore. 250+ Avalon Waterways trips View Map River Cruise Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2023 Destinations Avalon Waterways 4 32 #1 of 3 Tours & Activities in Bromley Sightseeing Tours Write a review See all photos About Bromley, Greater London, England Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. More are on the way for 2020 and beyond. Avalon's Deluxe staterooms on lower decks are also larger than Viking's, with 172 square feet compared to 150 square feet. Another nicety: a variety of lighting options, including reading lights cleverly recessed into the headboard of the bed. Are Avalon river cruises handicap accessible? Both lines sail the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Seine and Rhone rivers. as well as 24-hour emergency assistance services. In this video I show you around and give my impressions of the Avalon Imagery II, which is a. Avalons 100% Suite Ship fleet will often make it possible to transfer our guests to a sister ship when water level disruptions are unchanged after 48 hoursfor seamless accommodations and expedited continuation of your journey.