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    First Avalon Danube River Cruise: What I Wish I Knew Before Booking?



    First Avalon Danube River Cruise: What I Wish I Knew Before Booking?

    I thought I was signing up for a relaxing dream vacation, but my first Avalon Danube River Cruise was a massive reality check. In this brutally honest Avalon Impression review, I’m revealing the hidden details the brochures didn’t mention—from the exhaustion of “The Wall” to the specific deck you need to avoid if you want the true river cruise experience.

    If you are booking with Avalon Waterways or just researching the best European river cruises, this video covers the essential mistakes that could cost you money and sleep. We break down the pros and cons of the Avalon Panorama Suite, the truth about the active pace of river cruising, and the one packing fail that nearly ruined our trip.

    #avalonwaterways #rivercruisetips #danuberiver

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    28 Comments

    1. @drj6418 on

      Oh my, I can't believe how much you complain about this trip. We have traveled on Avalon, Uniworld, and Viking. There are all wonderful. I do not understand the concept of hitting "the wall" on day 4. Most fellow travelers are well aware of the daily excursions and various activities that are available and most are happy to take advantage of them.

    3. @judylaybourne7908 on

      I did a combo river cruise with uniworld. It was very active and I enjoyed all the walking. I ate what I wanted and seemed to have lots of spare time. Never gained a pound after 19 days. Amazing.

    5. @susanmeredith4957 on

      I am going on a Viking cruise mid June, Rhine and Main rivers. Weather wise what month were you traveling? I did get some good walking shoes recently for those cobblestones!

    7. @whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin on

      You keep posting videos about how you didn’t do research well, if at all.
      Who are these for? Only ‘research-type’ people have any reason to watch.
      You clearly wouldn’t have.

      Budapest is my favourite city, and I’ve been looking at river cruises for couple of years now.
      Ask me anything. And I haven’t even whipped out my credit card yet.

    8. @kriskauffold6926 on

      I’m sorry that you didn’t do more homework before you set sail. But, after your video I love what you hated. I am looking forward to my first river cruise!

    10. @johnditoro1676 on

      This is the type of cruise passenger that makes us avoid cruises. He doesn't want to lift a finger. We want active. We have taken 4 European river cruises combined with biking….200-250 miles per week. The more the better!

    11. @lindaberard4060 on

      We took this river cruise and it was by far the best vacation we’ve ever had. The staff, ship and food were amazing. We felt no pressure to do anything. Everyone was very accommodating. We can’t wait to go on another river cruise.

    15. @neave789 on

      Not sure what you thought was going to happen leaving the boat for a tour of the places walking was definitely a must if you were an OAP then yeah it's an issue but for most it's absolutely ok

    17. @seper4specialolympic on

      We completed the 8 day Rhine river cruise and got on the 8 day Danube river cruise the next day (Hustled across Germany). Back to back river cruises with the full excursion packages and no “wall”. We enjoyed our first trip to Europe so much, we would try to go back to back river cruises again. We are in our late 60’s. BTW we travelled on Nicko cruises, exactly the same itinerary as Avalon and half price. Beautiful boats, 4 course meals.

    18. @alaniskiw5047 on

      Hmmm. The only thing that I can agree with is your comment about the lowest deck. Other than that, did you do any homework at all? Everything you criticize is what I love about river cruising. As for facing exhaustion, I am surprised. Juding by your voice, you sound ike a young guy, so do not understand hitting a wall on day 4. My wife and i are in late sixties. We do everything and love it. In fact, we are about to embark on a 3 week river cruise itinerary in France on Uniworld… a bucket list item. Based on your comments, perhaps river cruising is not for you.

    20. @colinmciver1689 on

      I had a ball as a solo Traveller in my 60's in 2024. Budapest to Amsterdam. Sounds like you didn't research before you booked. I would easily go on another river cruise again. You can do as much or as little as you want. This is all on you.

    22. @zman4444 on

      Classic American Entitlement dushbag…. Stop complaining and enjoy what Europe has to offer or don’t and sit on your fat asss. 🤡🤡🤡🤡

    23. @jcs1025 on

      I enjoy cruising, but my tastes, preferences, and tolerances have shifted dramatically over the last few decades. We did a few party cruises, family cruises with my kids, and, now that I'm about to be 54, and my kids are college age, my wife and I have started to discuss another cruise just the 2 of us, on a more premium cruise line. I want a smaller ship, less party atmosphere, less people, more sea days, etc. After watching another cruise channel, we are planning a 7 week 'world' cruise. This doesn't seem like it would be for everyone, as it has 3 sea days for every 1 port day, and just a quieter, more relaxing vibe overall. Less 'adventure', more relaxation.

    24. @penelopepitstop762 on

      You might like AMA waterways better because they have more excursions to pick from as opposed to only the field trip like walking tours. That’s why I don’t think I would like river cruising yet, maybe in another 10 years when I’m older lol.

    25. @gueyg3764 on

      Was all in the brochure, just got to complain about it. Enjoyed over forty five years of river cruising in Europe. Could just be off the boat close to harbour and don’t do any marathon walks

    26. @armintawillar7976 on

      This video was sponsored by: White American Privilege. Content warning contains themes of: lack of research, laziness, cultural insensitivities, and generalized ungratefulness disorder.

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