I've always had a European River Cruise on my bucket list, and this year, to celebrate a milestone birthday, I decided to treat myself to a Budapest-to-Amsterdam journey aboard the Avalon Impression.
Like most people, I enjoy great value when I travel. I like a touch of luxury, but I do like to know that my money is being well spent. When we booked our cruise and tried to get our close friends to join us, they came back with a few common objections: “It’s for old people”, “It’s too expensive”, “I can do luxury a lot cheaper”, and “It’ll be boring”. I was really surprised that my friends had this common misconception. Well, if you don’t have time to read this whole blog, I can assure you that they were all wrong! I am a total River Cruise convert. Read on and I’ll tell you why.
Why We Chose Avalon River Cruises
There are several reasons we personally chose Avalon River Cruises for our European adventure. Before diving into them, it's important to note that the major river cruise companies operating in the Australian market, like APT, TravelMarvel, Uniworld, Scenic, Viking, AmaWaterways, and Emerald, are all excellent. Australians are a discerning group, and our market demands high standards, so you really can’t go wrong with any of these. However, Avalon stood out to us for a few key reasons.
For us, Avalon offered the perfect balance of luxury and value. While not the cheapest option, their pricing reflects the same level of luxury as other major river cruise lines. The difference is they don't include free-flowing drinks all day, which helped keep the overall cost down while still providing an exceptional experience.
One feature that sets Avalon apart is their unique cabin design: the beds in their Panoramic Balcony Suites face the water. On most river cruises, beds either face the direction of travel or the opposite direction, meaning one person enjoys the view while the other looks at a wall. With Avalon, we knew that upgrading to a Panoramic Balcony Suite meant we could both relax in bed and take in the river views together.
Avalon also includes overnight stays in both the starting and ending cities of the cruise. This saved us the hassle and cost of arranging extra accommodation and transfers before and after the trip, making it incredibly convenient—no need to deal with extra luggage transfers.
Another big draw for us was Avalon's focus on active experiences. They offer daily excursions with options for hiking and biking, which really appealed to us. Plus, the active program tends to attract like-minded, energetic passengers, which created a fun, engaging atmosphere onboard.
Finally, the people you meet on a cruise can really enhance your experience. With Avalon, we appreciated the intimate environment of a smaller ship and the opportunity to travel with a relatively small group of fellow English-speaking passengers. Most of our fellow travellers were from Australia and New Zealand, along with a handful from Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Our cruise had just 117 passengers, which fostered quick connections and lasting friendships.
Avalon ticked all the right boxes for us, making it a standout choice for our river cruise adventure.
First Impressions:
Boarding in Budapest is super-easy. The Avalon Impression was docked right in front of the Central Market, a few minutes easy walk from our hotel. We arrived at the ship at 11:30, and expected to store our bags, and then go find somewhere to have lunch, but instead, we were warmly welcomed by staff, who quickly completed our check-in process, and ushered us into the lounge to have a light lunch and a refreshing drink. We bumped into passengers who were disembarking – all who were welcome to stay in the lounge on their last day until departure transfers etc.
Although the official check-in time was 4 PM, we were pleasantly surprised when just before 2 PM, we were informed that our cabin was ready, with our luggage already inside. The cabin, like the rest of the ship, was immaculate.
What really stood out were all the thoughtful little touches that Avalon provided. These small details added up to create a seamless, enjoyable experience. From ‘his’ and ‘hers’ towels and keycards to the clever cabin layout that provided extra space around the bed and shower, and the ample storage options—all complemented by L'Occitane bath products—it was clear that Avalon prioritized comfort and convenience.
Our Panorama Suite exceeded expectations—it was light, modern, and more spacious than we anticipated. There was plenty of drawer and hanging space, and our bags slid neatly under the bed. The bed itself was incredibly comfortable, even for my partner, who has back issues. The suite featured floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that opened to create a French balcony, allowing us to enjoy the view from our cozy sofa, small table, or chair.
As we explored the ship on our first day, we were struck by how friendly the staff were. They made an effort to learn our names, and to our delight, remembered them throughout the cruise. We were even loaned reusable water bottles, and there was an onboard mineral water station offering both sparkling and still water. I was also happy to notice that at 50, I wasn’t the youngest person on board. The average age of the passengers aboard our cruise was 67, and there was a good mix of young-at-heart and active people.
The ship offers plenty of spaces to relax. Whether it was the cozy Club Lounge at the rear (with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies), the Sky Lounge at the front, the spacious Panorama Lounge, or the Observation Lounge, there was always a perfect spot to either socialize or enjoy a quiet moment, depending on our mood. There’s free on-board WiFi, in-room movies, a library, board games to enjoy. We spotted a gym, but didn’t ever try it out, and there’s a lift between decks for those who struggle with steps – but this lift doesn’t go up to the top deck of the ship.
What’s in a day?
The Avalon Go app is a great tool for your holiday. It includes your itinerary, destination guides, as well as the daily menus and times for all activities. The cruise director uploads the next days’ activities after the evening briefing.
Our days were full enough without being rushed, and we had a great balance of sightseeing and relaxation. We were always onboard for breakfast, lunch and dinner, even if meal times had to be tweaked slightly.
Below is a sample of the Daily Newsletter. Most days follow this pattern, and a fair bit of sailing is done overnight, allowing you more time to enjoy the stops during the day.
The itinerary for our Budapest to Amsterdam cruise included all the main stops of all the other major river cruise companies. There are a few very small differences between them, but your main highlights are always included in all the Danube – Main – Rhine itineraries. We often saw other groups on walking tours in our stops, but generally the ships seemed to arrive at the dock at different times.
Food and Drink
The food onboard the Avalon Impression was superb. From an impressive breakfast spread, to a varied and tasty lunch buffet and indulgent à la carte dinners featuring regional specialties, we couldn’t fault a thing.
In addition to the below, there are two really impressive coffee machines on board that produce a range of coffee and hot chocolate combinations, as well as selection of teas, fruit-flavoured water in the lounge, a flavoured water station, and a sparking and still water station.
A few mornings we ordered a continental breakfast spread as room service, and enjoyed that in our Panorama Suite, but on other mornings, we’d head to the dining room where a there was a choice of hot and cold fresh dishes to choose from. Always on offer were a selection of cold meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, breads and salad items, as well as eggs to order, bacon, baked beans, sausage and more. There is a menu where you can order favourites like Eggs Benedict too, which I did on a few occasions. With breakfast you’re offered coffee, tea, fresh juice, soft drinks or sparking wine.
For lunch, you have the choice of a light lunch in the Panarama Bistro or the standard lunch in the dining room (or on the Sky Deck on selected days). Lunch was generally buffet style with a seemingly endless selection of salads, fruits, sandwiches and wraps for ‘starters’, plus a choice of soups. Then there was a live cooking station where the head chef would whip up the pasta of the day in front of you, a carvery station, and a selection of hot dishes to choose from. There’s also always the choice of ordering a ‘favourite’ from the kitchen, and we ordered the cheeseburger or the Caesar salad a few times, but excellent and fresh. Lunch is served with as much beer, wine or soft drinks as you’d like. As an example, on the day we visited Regensburg, our live cooking was Käsespätzle (German cheese noodles) and the carvery was roasted suckling pig leg with beer sauce, plus bread dumplings and roasted potatoes. We had freshly baked pretzels at the bread station, and a selection of Bavarian cold-cuts.
Generally we skipped the afternoon tea, but there was always a selection of beautifully baked cakes or muffins.
Before dinner, there’s a happy hour in the lounge. It usually ran from 5:45pm to 6:45pm. During the happy hour you can order free of charge a selection of wines, beers, soft drinks and cocktails. If you want a drink that isn’t covered by the happy hour menu, you can still order it at a reduced price during the happy hour. Everyone on the ship seemed to be at the happy hour, and it was a great social time to mingle. At 6:45 there’s a 15-minute briefing from the cruise director on the next days’ schedule, and then it’s off to dinner.
Dinner runs from 7pm to 9pm, and you’ll enjoy a 3-course meal. On special chef gala nights, you’ll get 4 courses. There is always a few choices of each, and if you aren’t in the mood for any of the food on the menu, you can always order a beef tenderloin, grilled salmon or grilled chicken breast. I can confirm that the steak was perfection. The wine menu changes daily, and the wine served with dinner reflects the area you are currently sailing though. There is always a white, rose and red wine available with dinner, and pours are generous and topped up continuously. If you prefer a different wine, just ask and the staff will do their utmost to accommodate you. If you prefer beer or soft drinks, these are included with dinner too. You can order spirits or cocktails at an additional charge. The dishes on offer reflected the region, so on the day we visited Vienna, we had a number of Viennese specialties including Wiener Schnitzel on the menu. I love that by eating on the ship we weren't missing out on any of the local specialties.
The food for all meals was delicious, the quality comparable and often better than any of the top restaurants in my local town. The chef and his staff went out of their way to ensure any allergies and preferences were accommodated for. They had no trouble giving seconds of a favourite dish or making small adjustments where required. We really appreciated the amount of fresh produce available – salads, cheeses, yoghurts, and freshly-baked bread.
In the dining room and in the lounge the service was outstanding. We had a few favourite waiters who got to know our tastes and preferences and anticipated our needs. The staff added massively to our whole experience – everyone looked and acted genuinely happy to be there, and to be of service.
Excursions and Sights
One of the best things about river cruising is how much you get included in the price of your fare. At every stop there were a choice of excursions on offer. There is generally always an “active” and a “classic” option. Your active choice may have involved a bike ride, or a hike, while the classic option was in most cases a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. The classic tours were divided into groups, so that there were only a dozen or so people in a group, and for those with less mobility, the classic option always had a gentle walking group. Often this latter group were offered additional transfers or a shorter walk that involved less stairs or standing.
If you like to stay Active, Avalon is definitely for you. I came back fitter than when I left! But, there were plenty of people on board who enjoyed the same sights at an easier pace – it’s your holiday and you do you!
We had outstanding local guides, that really added to the magic of every destination. Before the cruise, I thought all the stops looked very similar, but now I’ve learned about the unique history and character of each stop on the cruise. Travelling along the river you really get a sense of how Europe thrived and survived through countless wars, invasions, fires and plagues through the ages, and how each different region has its own unique identity.
I totally enjoyed every stop on the river between Amsterdam and Budapest. We had plenty of time to explore on our own, and sometimes we slipped away from a guided tour to linger in an interesting shop, or to stop and try a local beverage. The towns are beautiful and the locals so welcoming to us tourists. I’d do the exact same cruise in the reverse direction just to change the view – yes it was that good. I loved the history, the architecture, the old towns with cobbled streets and the hilltop castles. Most of all I loved seeing it all from my very comfortable home-away-from-home.
We didn’t do any of the optional paid-for excursions on this cruise. They were to places that I’d visited on previous European holidays, and I’m glad I didn’t. During the day when the full day excusions were on for Salzburg and Český Krumlov, I stayed on the boat and enjoyed the most incredible scenic cruising along the Danube. The included excursions kept us busy every day, and were perfectly arranged, and interesting.
The two biggest standout experiences for me were sailing past the Hungarian Parliament on our evening departure from Budapest, the visit to the residence in Würzburg. But every day offered something wonderful – from beautiful Vienna to taking the cable car over the vineyards in Rüdesheim Am Rhein, the gorgeous Bavarian towns we wandered through, and the castle-at-every-turn scenic cruising along the Rhine.
But is it Good Value?
For 16 days, we sailed aboard the Avalon Impression in 5-star luxury. Depending on your choice of cabin and the time of year, this cruise ranges from $500 to $800 per person, per day.
If I were to plan a similar summer itinerary through Europe on my own, it would require booking 5-star boutique waterfront hotels for around 20 nights. That’s because when you're hopping between hotels, you lose time that cruises use efficiently for the same number of stops. Expect to pay at least $250 to $350 per person, per day for accommodation, sometimes more. On top of that, I’d have to factor in all transportation costs while packing and lugging bags from place to place each day. I'd estimate transportation and transfers to cost about $100 per day (including train fare and taxi transfers to and from stations).
Meals add up too. A full breakfast with coffee, a 2-course lunch with wine, and dinner with wine in high-quality restaurants would easily cost $200 per person per day. That doesn’t include snacks, coffee and entertainment. And a morning small group walking tour in Europe can range from $50 to $100 excluding entry fees.
However, the real value of river cruising is harder to quantify. There's the sheer luxury of sitting back as stunning landscapes glide by, only having to unpack once, and the joy of getting to know your fellow passengers over the course of two weeks. Priceless experiences include great conversations with new friends, evenings laughing and dancing to live music in the lounge, and peaceful sunrises and sunsets on the river.
River cruising doesn’t cost more than an all-inclusive luxury European vacation, but it offers a far more relaxing and indulgent experience. If you’re mindful of your budget, consider booking a window cabin instead of a balcony. You won’t miss a thing since the lounge offers perfect panoramic views of both sides of the river. Book early, to take advantage of earlybird offers, where you’ll either benefit from big discounts or included flights.
If you’re on the fence about it, I’d suggest trying one of the shorter 7-night cruises. Be warned, though—once you’ve tried river cruising, you’ll be hooked. I’m already planning my next adventure. Bordeaux, Mekong Delta or the Nile? I haven’t decided yet!
