Illumination River Cruises Reviews

Our trip exceeded our expectations. Avalon did an amazing job, and everything was handled from start to finish by a caring team. From airport pickup to airport drop off we never had a worry or concern, just a really great experience. This trip really included everything from a variety of excursions to the free wine, beer at lunch and afternoon happy hour, with free drinks was a nice touch. I will hopefully be able to do another river cruise soon.

The trip was fine, but we wished we would have had more 'side trip' choices, or actually, transportation choices. We wanted to take the tour bus places, but once there we would have rather gone in a different direction, I mean, it seems every tour brought us to a church/cathedral, and once you have seen 3 or 4, it got real old. The tour to the winery in Serbia (I think - maybe Bulgaria) was terrible, the wine was awful, I did not see a single person buy any of it. This is one tour where we wanted to go elsewhere but could not. Same with the tour to Tera Nova in Bulgaria - we wanted to wander the town, instead we had to follow the tour to yet another church. But this was OUR thoughts, for many others I am sure it was fine.

Every aspect of this trip was top notch!

We had a wonderful time and are very grateful to our agent for her professional assistance

I can not say enough to praise the hospitality and professional service aboard the Avalon Illumination! Everyone was so helpful and engaging from our tour guide to our housekeeper. the food and food service staff were equally amazing!

The agent was a delight to work with because of her top of the line service. Had a wonderful trip on Avalon Waterways up the Danube and Rhine Rivers from Vienna, and Salzburg was great! Thanks again for a wonderful trip.

My only comment of concern was that when on ship we were asked to leave dining room rather abruptly when it was closing and the bar would be closed during all performances. And bar drinks were super expensive other than happy hours...I felt like we had to conform more than was necessary...could have been more customer sensitive...it was the cruise director who at times treated us this way. Otherwise excellent and I would encourage others to use Avalon.

I couldn't have asked for more with Avalon. The whole staff and crew were so friendly and helpful. The trip was a trip of a lifetime thanks to Avalon!

We enjoyed the Avalon Magnificent Europe River Cruise very much. It was everything we expected and more. The crew and staff on the ship were outstanding.

Our first ever river cruise was amazing and we enjoyed every day with our fellow passengers and an outstanding Crew and staff and itinerary. The only change we would make was to not book a room on either 2nd or 3rd decks that was at the end of the ship. Our room was 232 and it was noisy, subject to rough movement and often smelled of fuel, etc . Thankfully we were able to change rooms for the last 5 nights - our sleep and comfort improved. We consider it an important lesson learned. Our agent has been a kind and very responsible travel consultant. We will definitely use her for future trips.

The changes to my itinerary, due to the low water level of the Danube, were well beyond acceptable and made my trip that much more enjoyable. Mother Nature has a mind of her own and Avalon kept me informed prior to and on the trip. I highly recommend Avalon.

Nico, Cruise director, made this trip extra special. He is very organized and knows the history of the areas we traveled.

Great Food, Great Room, Great Tour Guide and Crew! Outstanding to all that worked so hard and always presented a smile!

Don't be afraid to try the active excursions. They were amazing and they were honest if they felt a guest wouldn't be comfortable with the level of difficulty.

This trip covers a longer stretch of the Danube and many of the tours off the ship are an hour or more by bus. Average age on this trip was older than many other European river cruises. It was a fascinating trip.

Avalon was wonderful to us. The staff was extremely friendly and willing to help in anyway. Very positive experience. The food also was delicious.

This was our first river cruise and our first experience with Avalon. The entire trip was very enjoyable and we look forward to traveling on another river cruise with Avalon. Our tour included the Christmas Markets along the Danube and it would be fun to return to the same places during the spring and summer months. It was very nice to unpack only once.

Once we were booked, everything was seemless.

A truly wonderful vacation. Everything was first class - the hotel in Prague, the Avalon Illumination, and all the excursions. Our cruise director was outstanding.

My 1st river cruise. It was handled professional and smoothly. My consultant and her team did a great job. I will definitively book again.

The cruise was just as advertised - even better.

Everything was wonderful! The Avalon Illumination river boat was beautiful and our cabin was nice with a panoramic view. The tour director and staff were super. The places we visited for the Christmas markets were beyond description -- absolutely fabulous! Very relaxing trip aboard the river boat.

Aga was extremely helpful in booking our trip and in providing valuable information about the excursions and Amsterdam. We would like to work with her again in the future.

The overall dining experience was ok, not great

Due to high water levels on the Danube, we had to unexpectedly change ships in the middle of the cruise. Avalon handled this unscheduled change very smoothly, There was no impact on the itinerary and the only inconvenience was having to pack up and travel by bus to the new ship. I think other cruise operators got stranded but our captain was able to navigate around the issue before the river was closed. The food and accommodations (on ship and on the post nights in Prague) were excellent. The biggest downside was a tight air connection in Munich that caused our bags to be delayed by two days on our return home.

Affordable Tours and Avalon did a great job. Everything perfect.

I have cruised with Avalon 5 times, and I feel that they are now nickel and diming us for basic cabin stuff (ie: coke,upgrade on premium beer beverages, etc)? At this time, I may try a different river cruise line????

Unfortunately water levels were low, so there were changes made to our itinerary. We were not happy with the hotel we were placed in Budapest. It was not close to anything. The temperatures were in the low 90's and the air conditioning did not work. Our tour of Budapest was cut short, we did not get the walking tour due to our buses late arrival for lunch. When we got back on the bus after lunch, the AC no longer was working so we were taken straight to our hotel.

This was our first river cruise, so we were uncertain how it might compare with prior ocean cruises (especially the Baltics, since there are some 'parallels'). We would recommend this river cruise as equally "worthwhile" for one's travel dollars. We selected the Christmas market time frame based upon friends who had taken it in the past and were pleased enough to come along 'as second time' on this same trip. The room accommodations exceeded our expectations (and were better than any of our prior ocean cruises). The food was more than satisfactory, but could have used some improvement ~ a "special, by reservation, tasting menu' was particularly disappointing. The staff was OUTSTANDING; cruise director; crew, and food service team all merit positive recognition. We did come close to experiencing one potentially SIGNIFICANT issue: for unknown reasons, there was no "entry" stamp in one passport (however there was an 'entry' stamp in David's). As one might imagine in this era of concern about human trafficking, the border guard in Hungary was reluctant to permit our departure from Europe ~ given that there was no record of an entry. After some discussion, he applied the needed stamp and we departed on our scheduled flight ....

We missed the most beautiful scenery Rhine Gorge that we mainly booked for this tour. Avalon changed the itinerary due to the low water level without notice in advance, instead of ship sailing we took a local boat from Bingen to St Goar, then took coaches from St Goar to Cologne and Amsterdam. The hot and dry weather in Europe was happening in the summer this year, Avalon should have known the low water situation earlier, however we were not notified this situation until 12 days before the departure by swapping the ship, they did not disclose any alternative plans beforehand either. If we knew their plan, we could consider for cancellation of the tour. Avalon should treat customers in the professional way and disclose everything that customers should be aware of. We will not book next tour from Avalon.

Operator made many changes that did not benefit the passengers and they apparently don't care!!