River Cruise Ships Reviews & Thoughts
Avalon Affinity
We took the maiden voyage of the Avalon Affinity on one of their new cruises for the year, Vineyards and Paris. It was fantastic. I was a little hesitant after reading reports about other companies and but I am here to say that the launch of the Affinity and the tour were fantastic.
The Affinity is the newest ship in the fleet, holding 138 passengers. The Affinity officially ceremony on Saturday, May 9th.
The optional tours that we took were great. We took more of them than we had originally were well worth the money. (MORE)
On Board The Amalyra
The latest high-tech features onboard:
- BICYCLES: Each ship has plenty of bicycles onboard which can be used by passengers, free of charge, to explore the small towns. Most regions offer well-maintained bicycle paths along the river.
- WELLNESS AREA: Located in the aft area of the Violin Deck, this generously designed space includes a glassed-in fitness room, massage and beauty salon; the aft lounge with modern wicker furniture and French doors to enjoy the fresh river air.
- ELEVATOR: Each ship has an elevator, which very few river cruise ships feature. The elevator reaches four different levels: the Restaurant level (1), the Staterooms on the Cello Deck (2), the Lobby and Panorama Lounge (3) and the Staterooms on the Violin Deck (4).
- INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS: Every stateroom is equipped with monitor, keyboard with Internet access, English language TV stations, a large movie selection and numerous music programs. Our satellite telephone system allows you to call home for a nominal fee.
- STATEROOMS: Inside your exquisitely decorated stateroom, you'll find all the amenities of a fine hotel with white-on-white plush bedding, a cozy sitting area, Infotainment System, hair dryer, safe, terry bathrobes, individually controlled air-conditioning and ample closet space. All staterooms and Jr. Suites are outside; over 82% feature large French balconies, which are a true delight when relaxing in your stateroom.
- JUNIOR SUITES: Although rarely found on European river cruise ships, Junior Suites aboard our ships are extra spacious at 255 square feet. They feature a comfortable sitting area with a sofa and two chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies and luxurious, extra spacious bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. The suites sell quickly, so early reservations are recommended.
Amawaterway, Swiss Pearl
This Amadeus Waterways cruise was new in 2008. We were on the first sailing. The full tour(cruise plus land) started with three days in Paris, then we took the TGV high speed train to Lyon to board the Swiss Pearl for a seven day cruise on the Saone and Rhone Rivers to Arles where we went by bus to Barcelona for three nights via Carcassone(two hour stop for sightseeing and lunch). Ports and
included tours were Lyon with a bus tour of the city; Trevoux and a bus trip through the Beaujolais region with a wine tasting; Vienne and a walking tour through the city; the stop at Tournon was supposed to include a trip on an old steam train, but the train went bankrupt and shut down. Instead, the ship continued to Vievers for a bus trip to Grignon; next we docked pretty much in the countryside for a bus trip to the town of Chateauneuf du Pape and a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard. Arriving next morning in Avignon, we sailed past the famous partly collapsed bridge, docked, and took a walking tour of the town including a visit to the Palace of the Popes; early the next morning we sailed to Arles for a morning walking tour of the city and and afternoon bus trip to Les Baux, the nut house where van Gough was hospitalized, and the nearby town of St Remey. Early the next morning, (MORE)
Amawaterways Amadagio Review
Holland & Belgium river cruise
April 1, 2008
This was our first river cruise and our first time in Europe. The experience was truly wonderful. It was an eye opener to how the other world lives. We loved the ship, crew, food and all the beautiful landscapes as the Amadagio sailed the rivers in Holland and Belgium. First, some information about the Amadagio: Registry: Switzerland, Home port Basel. It was built in 2006. Length is 360 feet long,
38 feet wide. There are 71 staterooms (170 sq ft), suites 4 (255 sq ft). It contains 4 decks, one lounge, one dining room, an exercise room, smaller aft lounge, crew quarters, galley, bridge, sun deck, hot tub, library, game room and bicycles. There are 41 crew members.
The ship is small in comparison to ocean cruise lines, but was large enough to keep all 150 passangers happy for 9 days. The Amadagio is one of the most luxurious ships on the European waterways. The decor is modern, with high ceilings and modern paintings. The cabins are comfy, equipped with plasma tv, plenty of storage, a shower that has all the bells and whistles. I never did push all the buttons on the console. Also, hair dryer, personal care products ie: lotions, shampoo, etc. The electric current is
220 , so take along a converter. (MORE)
Amawaterways Holiday Markets (Amadagio)
Being a young company, Amawaterways is blessed with nearly new ships. Their oldest vessel, the Amadagio, was launched in 2006, so at the time of writing it is barely two years old.
Their ships are all very similar, with only minor design tweaks between each one.
The cabins are all the same size (a roomy 170 sq ft) and with the same amenities, the only difference being the cabins on the middle and upper decks have floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors onto 'French balconies', whereas the bottom deck cabins have smaller regular windows.
The public areas on board - two lounges, the restaurant, the outside decks, a shop, fitness center, beauty salon, and other sundry areas - are all finished to a very high standard and the general ambience is relaxed while exuding an aura of quality. (MORE)
Avalon Tapestry Review
What an incredible trip we had. The weather was cold, but the scenery was beautiful and the cities we visited were all unique and intersting in their own ways. Before we left, was getting a little concerned when we were within 10 days of travel and still no documents. They did show up on day 9. Avalon provided a travel bag and passport holder with the documents. We dutifully filled out our paperwork, emergency contact info, etc, but Avalon never asked for it or checked it. Although we had not booked our air thru Avalon, and were supposed to meet them at a hotel 2 miles from the Zurich airport, they met us at the airport and provided transportation to the hotel meeting point. There was a room set up for us to hang out in until time to leave for the ship. The hotel had a restaurant with a breakfast buffet ($30 pp) and there was coffee and water available in the waiting area. An optional tour was offered to visit Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, which we took. I think it was about $58 pp (they took and preferred US $ for optional excursions - much cheaper than if you paid in Euro's).
Lucerne was beautiful. There was about 10' snow on the top of Mt. Pilatus. We took a tram to the top of the mountain, a 40 minute ride up, and had about 45 minutes on the summit. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Caught the boat in Basel, and left port very quickly after. Didn't get to see much of Basel, just from the bus driving in, and the boat seemed to be docked in a fairly industrial area. (MORE)
Avalon Tranquility Danube Review
The ship itself is long and narrow; it has to be to fit in the locks on the river. Despite its dimensions we never felt closed in, the builders made very good use of mirrors, polished metal and windows. I am 6 foot 3 inches tall and had about 3 inches of head clearance so if you are much taller than this you might find the ceilings uncomfortably close. Everything was immaculate and the crew was always working to keep it that way. Being a river boat it was very stable and there was no real sensation of movement. If you are prone to seasickness, this is the way to travel. There is absolutely no engine noise or exhaust and our cabin was very near the back of the ship. Our cabin (#331) was well laid out and comfortable. The beds are high enough so that once we unpacked we simply slid our bags under the bed and didn't think about them again until it was time to disembark one week later. There was ample closet and drawer space (and hangers!) for everything we brought and then some. A safe was provided in our room so we could lock up valuables and retrieve them quickly as needed. (MORE)
Barging Scotland Review
Built as a Dutch grain carrier in 1931, Scottish Highlander’s transition
from industrial workhorse to trim tourism vessel was made in the
mid-1990s. Today, the interior wood and brass gleam to perfection,
soft tartan carpeting is a gentle reminder of exactly where we are, and
the furnishings suggest a slower Edwardian era of grace and polish
when cruising 60 miles in a week was considered a civilized distance.
Major British newspapers appear magically on the saloon coffee table
as we pass by to breakfast ….. does some paper boy stumble along the
tow path at the crack of dawn to pitch them onto the gangplank? (MORE)
  
Avalon Poetry
Ship Info: Loved it! Clean Spotless, Great Service, Problems solved right away. Our Cruise Director Andrzej Sanakewicz (Andrea) was fabulous, witty and wonderful. Loved him! Extremely efficient, everything went with Swiss precision. Embarkation and Disembarkation was perfect. Luggage waiting for us in our cabin, and at the bus to take us to our destination for us to identify before loading at the end of your cruise. Great entertainment on board featuring a local specialities: gypsy violists, Bavarian Band, vanilla cookie demonstration(hilarious),Beer Tasting, Violin Performance Young Beautiful Ladies + Passenger and Crew Talent Nights + Sasha Every night playing the piano and keyboard. Great Bar Service and Special Happy Hour prices. Andrea's Port Talks always very witty and described what is in store for tomorrow some historic information to make the adventure more meaningful. (MORE)
Uniworld Rhine
River Queen
Ship- The River Queen is a modern ship built in the fashion of a 1930’s river boat. It is very warm and elegant. Lots of dark wood with moldings, highly embossed wall coverings, etched glass, granite countertops, decorative floorings, and alabaster lighting fixtures. There is a glass elevator serving all but the bottom deck and the sun deck. The Main Lounge has heavy leather and upholstered chairs and couches, the bar, and a fireplace. It was the most comfortable lounge we have found on a cruise ship. The Club Lounge, which serves as the library, also has heavy leather seating. The Patio lounge is airy and bright with wicker seating and glass top tables. It had 24 hour coffee, teas and ice water. There was a laundry room, beauty salon, shop, workout area, ice machine, and limited spa services. The dining room has two levels and elegant furnishings. The rooms are all the same size except for the suites. The only difference is the window size. There is lots of closet and drawer space. The beds are hotel style, slightly bigger than queen size, with premium bedding. The bathroom is adequate, with a shelf for your toiletries. The shower is quite large considering the size of the bathroom. Provided toiletries are bars of soap, shower caps, sewing kit, swabs, manicure kit, and dispensers of shampoo/conditioner, and hand/body lotions. Bathrobes, umbrellas and other amenities are provided as well. (MORE)
Uniworld - The River Ambassador
The Boat: The River Ambassador is one of Uniworld’s older boats, but was completely renovated at the end of the 2006 season. The interior and exterior are in excellent condition, the carpet is new, the wall coverings are fresh, and all of the “stateroom” fittings and fixtures are new and bright. I used the term “stateroom” in quotations, because these rooms are all quite compact – in fact it is difficult to turn around in the shower without banging your elbows. But even though the room is small, it is incredibly efficient with lots of storage in built-in closets and in deep drawers under the bed. You still have to put everything away as soon as you are done with it, or the room quickly becomes unmanageable. The corridors down the length of the boat are plenty wide and bright, but the stairs going down to the lower level restaurant are quite steep. (MORE)
Viking Spirit
All of the 75 cabins on the Viking Spirit are outside cabins, and most have large windows such as this one. The windows slide open on the cabins on the upper decks. We thought the cabin was quite nice for two people, with plenty of storage room and comfortable beds covered with fluffy duvets at night. The room is equipped with a hairdryer, telephone, and air conditioner. The cabin has both a 220-volt and a 110-volt plug in, but you will need a European adapter. The bathroom is small but has a good shower and several shelves in the medicine cabinet. The only thing missing in the bath was a soap dish in the shower for the shampoo and conditioner. The television had a couple of movies each day, but they did not run continuously. There were also the standard international news channels. (MORE)
MS AMADANTE (2008), MS AMACELLO (2008), MS AMALEGRO (2007) and the MS AMADAGIO (2006).
The brand new MS AMADANTE (2008), MS AMACELLO (2008), MS AMALEGRO (2007) and the MS AMADAGIO (2006) set new standards in European river cruising and offer a number of features, which no other European river cruise ship can match. The ships were designed and built in Holland by Europe's best ship builders and under the watchful eyes of Europe's top Caterers. They truly are remarkable ships and will make your cruise experience unforgettable. (MORE)
The Avalon Creativity
The Avalon Creativity, which set sail in July of 2009, is the latest addition to the Avalon fleet, with a design reflects the uniqueness of the area, and which differentiates her from the other Avalon vessels. Carrying of just 140 passengers with two suites, she will be one of the smallest of the Avalon ships, yet the
staterooms are equally spacious and well appointed, with floor‐to‐ceiling windows on two decks. In addition, an elevator, and the whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. The is perfect for small groups.
River Baroness Review
We found the ship to be in excellent condition. The lounge was very comfortable and relaxing. It had a
little library where they had information about some of the sights history of the area. Upstairs, they had
a sundeck with nice chairs for viewing the scenery. There was also a glass enclosed area if it got windy,
which they sometimes had to lower when we were going under a bridge. Downstairs was the dining
room, which had nice windows as well. There was a tiny shop and exercise room as well on the first floor.
The food was very good. Most nights there were a couple of appetizer choices, a soup which was always
excellent, two or three choices of entrees, and a couple of delicious dessert choices. They also had a
nightly cheese buffet that we enjoyed sampling. (MORE)
River Beatrice Uniworld
The Danube river cruise on the River Beatrice from Budapest to Passau with the Prague
extension was fantastic from the time we arrived until we departed. We were lucky enough to be
upgraded to a suite. The extra care and attention to detail was extraordinary. Our cruise director
Marcus was as hardworking as they come and had us in stitches most of the time with his sense
of humour. We were fortunate to have excellent weather for touring. Uniworld offered a hot
towel and drink when we came back to the ship and the captain was there welcoming us as ...
well. The rooms are well appointed. The entertainment was fantastic although don't expect
broadway shows. The extension to Prague is highly recommended if you can possibly make it.
You will regret not going there if you don't. River cruising does have a place if you enjoy
experiencing the world in intimate settings. The maturity and sophistication of the guests makes
it all worthwhile. (MORE)
River Explorer
Overall
We loved the experience that Eddie Conrad calls his river excursions, and we especially loved the morning breakfast buffets and nights in the forward Pilot House where you can navigate using mile marker books, and check out the history of passing vessels with another reference. Evenings often offered regional performers and a snack was available in the 'raid the fridge' concept. Look for the River Explorer's vacation options that leave out of Cincinnati later this season. The solitude and peace on the Mississippi
must have been the draw for Mark Twain, and I can imagine why those who work on the river are compelled to return to her changing but intriguing ways. (MORE)
River Queen Review
Highlights:
We joined a Uniworld cruise from Basel to Amsterdam at Rudesheim, 3-4 days after the ship
left Basel. The scenery of the middle Rhine gorge and the Mosel Valley were the highlights of the
trip. Luckily, we had beautiful weather for this part of the cruise. The Middle Rhine Valley, from
Rudesheim to Koblenz, is very hilly, and the home of the famous castles along the Rhine– about
20 can be seen from the river. The south facing slopes of the steep hills are home to the famous
local wine, Riesling. (MORE)
Swiss Pearl Provence
River cruising is so different from sea cruising in that you are off the boat daily, and so not forced into anything. Some passengers skipped some tours and simply relaxed, some could always be found on deck for a drop of wine after dinner and deep into the night, lubricating tales from Cincinatti, Miami, Wisconsin and Washington — and American politics. All were wonderful Americans: they owned passports and were interested in the world. Others, such as captain Yvan Fischer, could be found there in the pre- dawn morning, having a smoke and contemplating the next bridge and how many passengers would have to duck. (MORE)
Tauck Review
Tauck currently offers river cruises on three new vessels, the newest of which is the ms Swiss (MORE)
Uniworld River Empress Review
Public Rooms
The public areas are beautifully decorated, primarily with soothing shades of pale turquoise, light coral, beige and taupe. The Main Lounge has lots of comfy couches and chairs and is lined with panoramic windows. There's a pale wood bar, a small dance floor with an area for the piano or perhaps a small combo. The adjacent Club Lounge is a smaller, quieter room with luxurious beige leather chairs, needlepoint pillows, a small bar and a chessboard. One deck down is the Salon/Patio, a sunny, casual room with wicker chairs and piles of newspapers, books and board games. Two laptop computers allow passengers to write e-mails, which are delivered at no cost via satellite twice a day. If replies come in, they will be printed out and delivered to passengers if the subject line includes the cabin number and name. A tiny beauty salon offers hair services only. Atop the top sun deck, there are lounge chairs and a lovely section covered by a glass roof and walls that can be opened in warm weather. There is a free self-service launderette with two washers, two dryers and an ironing board and iron; the front desk provides detergent. (MORE)
Uniworld River Princess Review
Cabins
All 65 cabins are 153 square feet and thoughtfully designed with comfort and efficiency in mind. The only difference between categories is simply the deck they are located on and the size of the windows. The top-category staterooms have two floor-to-ceiling Uniworld China It's a country of phenomenal geographic diversity ... Egypt “Egypt is the gift of the Nile. Europe Discover why the road best traveled in Europe... Holiday Season Cruises Few journeys are more endearing than our Holiday C... Russia To experience Russia only by land is to bypass a m... Douro Queen Giselle Litvinov River Ambassador River Baroness River Countess 10/15/13 Uniworld River Princess Review www.riverdiscounts.com/5555681_14881.htm 2/3 windows while those on the lowest deck have two small windows near the ceiling, just above the water line. Depending on the deck, the color scheme is bold, in jewel tones of emerald, blue or a pinky- red. Staterooms have three closets and eight drawers, twin beds convertible to a double, a small table and two chairs, a TV with local and satellite channels, a bathroom with shelf space and a good-sized, ceramic-tiled shower stall. The four suites measure 225 square feet and have three floor-to-ceiling windows and a roomier sitting area with a couch. All cabins have hair dryers, but bring along a converter and adapter for curling irons and the like since electric voltage is 220v. (MORE)
Victoria Queen China Review
Ship – The Victoria Queen was rather typical on the exterior of other ships sailing the Yangtze. The Victoria Queen was ~12 years old but had recently been expanded and refurbished for cruising the Yangtze. Everything looked fresh and new. There was no smoking on board except outside on the back of the ship, so there were no bad odors onboard. This ship has five public decks and no elevator. If walking up and down stairs is a problem, then this may not be the ship for you. The dining room is on floor 1, there are rooms on floors 1-4, mini suites on floors 2-4 and suites on floor 2 and an observation deck on floor 5. On floor 3 there is a library/ lecture room. On floor 4 there is a work-out center, card room, beauty parlor, and the Yangtze Club, which is the bar, internet center, entertainment venue and best observation area on the ship. (MORE)
Viking Danube Ship Review
Built in 1999, the Viking Danube is one of eight deluxe river ships in the Viking fleet that entered service
from 1999 to 2001. With its all-inclusive cruise program that includes both airfare and shore excursions,
a river cruise on the Viking Danube not only provides a comprehensive cultural and historical experience
but is also an exceptionally good value. Most members of the ship's crew are from central and eastern
Europe. English is the official onboard language, and all crew speak fluent English as do tour guides
escorting shore excursions, and all public address announcements are made only in English. The cruise
manager is the main contact person onboard the ship and is on hand to respond to individual passenger
questions and requests throughout the cruise, and also organizes shore excursions and introduce guest
speakers. (MORE)
Viking Kirov Review
The ship, like so many of those now plying the same route (Moscow Canal, Volga River, Lake Rybinsk, Lake Onega, Svir River, Lake Ladoga, and Neva River), was designed and built in East Germany in the late 1980s. It has been refurbished a few times since, and both it and the Pakhomov are marketed solely to the English-speaking market. (The other 150 passengers on our ship were either Brits, or Americans who'd booked their trip directly with the line). All personnel who had contact with passengers
spoke at least enough English to handle their jobs. The cruise manager, Michael Bordokoff, is an American of Russian descent, with an ideal personality for that function. The waitresses and female bartenders looked really young, with flawless complexions and most of them with natural blond hair. (MORE)
Viking Longships
Heralding a new era in European river cruising, the Viking Longships have arrived. These revolutionary vessels are setting innovative standards in style, space and comfort. With names inspired by the celebrated Viking gods, the Viking Longships represent a quantum leap in design, elegance, and state of the art engineering.
Guests enjoy:
A radical new patentpending design which allows for fullsize staterooms combined with fullsize verandas Large suites with a veranda outside the living room and French balcony in the bedroom French balcony staterooms featuring floortoceiling sliding glass doors
Two sumptuous 445 sq. ft. (MORE)
Viking Refurbished Surkov
We do not do cruises. Going to sea in a floating hotel has absolutely no appeal, and having to dress for dinner while on vacation is definitely not something we want to do. On the other hand there are some trips that make more sense when done by ship than by any other means of transport, and St. Petersburg to Moscow (or the other way around) is one of them. (MORE)
Viking Seine
Dining
With no cabin service of any sort available, dining arrangements were somewhat regimented. Guests are allocated to fixed tables even at the daily breakfast buffet, which consists of a substantial array of cereals, bread, juices, cold meats, cheese, and boiled or scrambled eggs usually available only until 9 a.m. or, at the latest, 9.30 a.m. Lunch was generally served promptly at 12.30 p.m. and dinner at 7 or 7:30 p.m. though Ana, our charming Portuguese waitress, was obliging about the occasional late arrival (within reason). (MORE)
Viking Star Review
This is a review of our seven night Danube cruise aboard Viking Cruise Line's Viking Star. Our cruise begins in Passau, Germany. The Star's timetable is to make a quick 560 km dash down the Danube to Budapest, Hungary, followed by a leisurely return. We sail from Passau during an early June Saturday evening, followed by a Sunday stopover in Melk where we visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey makes a marvelous benchmark for the incredibly exquisite palaces, castles and cathedrals that follow. On Monday afternoon we arrive in the picturesque city of Budapest. The following afternoon The Star sails again, arriving in Bratislava Wednesday morning. Bratislava is today the capital of The Slovakian Republic and was previously the residence of the king, as well as the capital of Hungary for 258 years. (MORE)
Viking Sun Review
LIFE†ONBOARD
Some mornings, we’d awaken early, sip coffee on the sundeck or in the lounge, watch the sun rise and the Rhine come alive with freight barges, passenger ships, tankers, and leisure craft. We became immersed in life along this commercial and recreational international highway. We might pass picturesque villages and bustling commercial centers, historic sites, or idyllic pastoral scenery. What a way to start the day! We’d meet with fellow travelers to enjoy the breakfast buffet or madetoorder selections. Then it was time to step ashore and meet our local tour guides for an informative walking tour or motorcoach ride to more distant places that shouldn’t be missed. After this orientation, we were on our own to explore. (MORE)
Viking Surkov Review
110 total cabins, 80 standard cabins, 20
deluxe cabins, 2 suites, 8 single cabins. All
spacious outside cabins, featuring
bathroom, shower and air conditioning
2 Restaurants, 2 bars, library, sun deck,
promenade deck, souvenir shop, sauna
and massage, hairdresser, laundry service,
medical center, voltage 220V, 2 plugs. (MORE)
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