From what to pack and cabin selections to excursions and further prices, listed below are 17 helpful issues to know earlier than your first European river cruise.
I’ve simply obtained again from my first European river cruise, having fun with an 8-day Avalon Active & Discovery cruise down the Rhone in France. It was a beautiful expertise. I had a big panoramic suite, loved loads of scrumptious meals and explored a beautiful area of France too.
This was my first river cruise and whereas I’d researched quite a bit concerning the journey’s itinerary, I had fairly just a few unanswered questions earlier than I went. I questioned what to pack, whether or not there can be numerous additional prices and what the opposite passengers can be like. Additionally, after the whole lot that’s occurred in the previous few years, I questioned simply how protected I’d really feel.
So, whether or not you’re deciding whether or not to e-book otherwise you’re setting off on a visit quickly, listed below are 17 helpful issues to know earlier than your first European river cruise.
You possibly can learn my evaluate of the Avalon Poetry II ship or discover out all concerning the route I took in my South of France itinerary.
17 Issues To Know Earlier than Your First European River Cruise
Are there Covid-19 measures on board river cruises?
It’s been a difficult few years for cruises, however this journey felt very protected. At the beginning, you need to be totally vaccinated with a purpose to journey with Avalon. That rule applies to all bookings till the top of 2022, but it surely may very well be prolonged additional. All employees are totally vaccinated too.
After I arrived to test in, my suitcase was disinfected with a light-weight sanitising mist. There have been temperature checks earlier than breakfast some days and there have been hand sanitising stations as you board the boat, outdoors the restaurant space and in our rooms.
When it comes to masks, the employees have been carrying them, but it surely was as much as company in the event that they wished to put on them too. The one requirement was to put on them across the breakfast and lunch buffets, however I selected to put on mine within the foyer space and on the coaches for excursions.
The workforce on board organised PCR and Antigen checks for company requiring destructive check certificates to return residence. I felt very protected travelling with Avalon. It was like our ship was its personal bubble!
Can I take my complete household on a river cruise?
Whereas most individuals on my river cruise have been travelling with their vital different, I used to be amazed to see some multi-generational teams too. Avalon have a coverage that you simply have to be 13+ to journey on their river cruises, and in the event you’re below 18 you have to be accompanied by an grownup.
It was pretty chatting to all three generations of the identical household who have been having fun with their first massive group journey since Covid. I questioned if the youngsters would benefit from the model of journey (and the very fact most individuals on board have been rather a lot older!) however certainly one of them described it because the ‘best vacation ever!’
I believe the truth that this was an Energetic & Discovery cruise made it attraction to a broader demographic. There have been loads of adventurous actions comparable to biking and kayaking for the youthful ones, whereas the grandparents may take pleasure in a slower tempo of life on a wine tour or at a portray workshop.
How do I pack for a river cruise?
I used to be invited on a Rhone river cruise from Lyon to Marseille in the beginning of October. Every thing I’d researched appeared to say the temperatures may attain 20 levels through the day and drop to round 12 at evening. Nevertheless, the week earlier than I travelled the area was battered by storms, so it will have been fairly a distinct journey if I’d been on the ship then!
I’ll admit I completely overpacked for my journey because it was my first river cruise and I had no concept what to anticipate! On the whole, I wore informal garments through the daytimes and smarter outfits for the evenings. Listed below are just a few different observations in the event you’re questioning what you’ll want:
- There actually is not any set gown code, ever!
- Most company wore comfy loungewear and sportswear for excursions (tracksuits, leggings, light-weight anoraks, trainers).
- You possibly can gown up as a lot as you want for dinner and drinks. Some women wore sensible clothes for the evenings, others simply wore denims and a prime. Something goes!
- I wanted I’d packed a hotter coat as there have been just a few night excursions the place I used to be a bit chilly.
- Take into consideration footwear. I went kayaking in the future and wished I’d packed water sneakers or a pair of sports activities sandals. As a substitute I obtained my trainers soaked and so they took 24 hours to dry out!
- Pack a small day bag and a refillable water bottle for excursions. Avalon have water faucets on board so that you’ll by no means want to purchase water.
- It may get chilly out on the deck, even when the solar is shining, so pack just a few layers.
- Analysis areas for any additional gadgets that may be helpful. For instance, The Camargue in France is thought for mosquitoes, so packing some repellent or lengthy trousers can be a good suggestion.
Do river cruises cater for particular dietary wants?
It doesn’t matter what your weight loss program is, the Avalon workforce are comfortable to create dishes that meet your wants. Whether or not that’s vegan, vegetarian, lactose free, coeliac, a nut allergy or one thing else, there’ll all the time be issues it is possible for you to to eat.
Breakfast and lunch are served as a buffet, so you’ll be able to assist your self to gadgets that fit your weight loss program. There’s additionally a gathering on arrival day with the catering workforce the place you’ll be able to talk about any particular necessities. The workforce was all the time very accommodating and I assumed the meals was wonderful.
Is there sufficient to eat and drink on a European river cruise?
I used to be actually impressed that in addition to breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, there have been all the time scorching drinks and snacks out there within the Membership Lounge. It’s nearly an all-inclusive expertise! In addition to a tea and low machine, there have been normally muffins and cookies freely-available 24/7. It’s extraordinarily unlikely you’ll get hungry or thirsty on a river cruise like this!
Is there Wi-Fi on board river cruises?
There’s free Wi-Fi out there on board the Avalon ships, however don’t anticipate it to supply the connectivity you’re used to again residence! Generally it was tremendous however at instances when most company are on board (for instance simply earlier than dinner), the connection might weaken. It didn’t take something away from my expertise, however I’d advocate having some information in your telephone plan simply in case.
Do I want to depart ideas or gratuities?
Avalon have an choice to pre-pay your gratuities once you e-book, so that you don’t have to consider it when you’re away. For those who don’t decide in for this, there’s one other choice to pay on the finish of your cruise. Ideas aren’t obligatory, however it is suggested as there are such a lot of wonderful employees who exit of their strategy to make the expertise particular.
After I travelled the suggestions have been €12 per passenger per day for the crew and €3 per passenger per day for the cruise director. That’s a complete of €15 per particular person per day, or €105 for the journey. You possibly can both put the information in envelopes left in your room on the ultimate night, or you’ll be able to pay by card at reception.
Is it noisy once you’re cruising?
This was certainly one of my considerations as I’m such a light-weight sleeper and I knew that a few of our crusing instances can be in a single day. When the boat is transferring, there’s a light-weight hum which you get used to shortly. It undoubtedly didn’t preserve me awake. There could be a little bit of noise once you arrive someplace because the crew moor the boat.
On the whole I used to be amazed by how quiet the ship was. I anticipated the partitions between cabins to be skinny, and assumed I’d hear individuals of their bedrooms or strolling alongside the hall, but it surely was very peaceable.
Ought to I select a particular cabin?
The Avalon Poetry II has two full decks of Panorama Suites. Every suite has unimaginable wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic home windows. The doorways slide too, so you’ll be able to benefit from the breeze as you go. I’d advocate reserving a Panorama Suite, ideally on the higher flooring as you’re extra prone to have a very good view.
Whereas it’s not a significant challenge, you may discover that the facet your cabin is on may make a small distinction to your expertise. For instance, we have been travelling southbound on the Rhone, and tended to moor as much as the correct facet. As my cabin was on the correct, that meant that always after we have been moored, my view can be of a wall or a jetty, reasonably than the open view of the river.
Nevertheless, typically one other ship would moor as much as ours, which may imply that you simply’d have a view of one other bed room as you open your curtains! While you e-book, you may have the ability to ask the Avalon advisors for information on this type of factor.
Can I modify the actions I booked?
I used to be amazed by how versatile this journey was. It was beneficial that we pre-book the included excursions earlier than travelling, however typically it was nonetheless potential to vary actions the day earlier than or on the day. There have been only some actions that had set numbers as a result of security laws or transport.
Do excursions ever get cancelled?
It’s uncommon that excursions can be cancelled, however often issues may not run as a result of unhealthy climate. For instance, I hoped to go kayaking in Gorges de l’Ardeche, however the current storms had made water ranges harmful, so the tour was cancelled. Avalon shortly added areas to their climbing journey in the identical space, so I used to be nonetheless in a position to see the identical sights.
As a goodwill gesture, the cruise director supplied to rebook anybody from the kayak journey to an elective tour kayaking below Pont du Gard (which normally carries an additional payment). What nice service! This occurred to be certainly one of my favorite actions too. You possibly can learn extra about it in my South of France itinerary.
Are river cruises unhealthy for the atmosphere?
To be trustworthy, earlier than accepting this river cruise invite, I researched this intimately. I do know that ocean cruises have a reasonably horrible repute, however river cruises are tiny compared to these huge floating eyesores!
Avalon have a very good sustainability coverage, and are devoted to decreasing waste and emissions too. Right here’s what I discovered when researching the corporate’s coverage. Within the final 2 years Avalon has:
- Eradicated single-use plastics onboard ships worldwide.
- Decreased paper waste by 80% onboard.
- Put in LED lighting all through ships.
- Partnered with farmers alongside the routes in order that components are sourced domestically, decreasing meals miles.
- Partnered with The Ocean Cleanup which helps to scale back the movement of plastics from rivers to oceans.
There are additionally massive plans for the following few years, as Avalon is aiming to scale back paper waste to lower than 1% and attempt to cut back whole carbon emissions by 50%. There are additionally good intentions to unveil the primary totally electrical river cruise vessel by 2027. How wonderful would that be?!
I assume once you have a look at sustainability, you need to do not forget that staying in a lodge or driving someplace additionally has destructive impacts on the atmosphere. I used to be happy to journey with an organization that’s eco-aware and actively working to enhance.
Will I meet like-minded individuals on a European River Cruise?
Irrespective of your age or pursuits, you’re prone to discover some like-minded individuals on a river cruise. In contrast to ocean cruises the place you may need hundreds of individuals on board, a river cruise has simply over 100. It’s intimate sufficient that you simply actually get to know others.
I additionally suppose that in the event you’ve all chosen to e-book the identical cruise, you’re prone to have a shared ardour for journey and new experiences!
One of the crucial heart-warming issues concerning the expertise was watching friendships blossom. {Couples} who sat of their twos on evening one joined up with others by the top of the week, creating dinner tables of 4, six and even eight! It actually felt like deep friendships have been created in a matter of days.
Are there solo travellers on river cruises?
Sure! I spoke to the Avalon workforce and so they all the time preserve just a few spots on every European cruise for solo travellers and even waive the one complement payment. As you’ve simply learn, it’s a pleasant environment and also you’ll naturally meet individuals all through the week.
Are the times tiring?
Sure and no! On my Avalon Energetic & Discovery cruise I selected each tour I went on. I actually preferred the liberty of this because it meant I may select excursions for the morning and afternoon, or have complete days the place I didn’t depart the ship if I wished a relaxation.
The morning excursions normally depart between 8-9am and return by lunchtime. The elective excursions within the afternoons have a tendency to depart at 2pm and return by 5pm. The journeys have been so different and interesting, it was exhausting to withstand occurring excursions day-after-day! As dinner is all the time at 7pm, you could possibly be completed by 8pm and get an early evening in the event you wished a very good relaxation.
So, by way of the times being tiring, they’re as relaxed or energetic as you need them to be, as you select precisely what you do!
How do the excursions work on a European river cruise?
After I checked into my suite on the Avalon Poetry II there was a bit of earpiece and lanyard ready for me. This was for the ‘Whisper’ audio system which is used on most excursions.
While you’re heading out on an tour, you simply acquire the colour-coded audio receiver from the foyer, plug in your earpiece, and then you definitely’ll have the ability to hear the tour information loud and clear. It’s a very good system, and means you’re not straining to listen to the guides, and so they aren’t having to shout!
Are there numerous hidden extras I must be ready for?
The worth of an Avalon cruise truly covers the vast majority of your journey. The one issues that aren’t included are elective excursions (for instance, there have been some afternoon wine tasting excursions in Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), drinks from the bar and gratuities (until you pay as you go these). I assumed it was nice that each one meals and morning excursions have been included. This isn’t the identical on all river cruises, and undoubtedly units Avalon aside from the competitors.
I hope these river cruise FAQs enable you along with your journey planning. As talked about, I used to be a visitor of Avalon so all of my ideas and recommendations relate to my Avalon expertise. Different European river cruises might differ barely. Let me know when you have another questions and I’ll do my finest to reply them.
For those who’d like an in depth information to the river cruise ship I travelled on, check out my evaluate of the Avalon Poetry II. You can even learn extra concerning the route I took by means of France in my publish: Lyon to Marseille – the proper South of France itinerary.
An enormous due to Avalon Waterways and iambassador for inviting me to be a part of the #AvalonAD marketing campaign. As all the time, all opinions are my very own.
