Avalon Waterways Reviews

We have just returned from our six week overseas trip incorporating an Egypt Uniworld cruise, a Tulip Time Avalon cruise of northern Netherlands and the Mediterranean Regent Seven Seas cruise of the Agean Sea. Jewels of Egypt Of all the tour companies which we have encountered throughout the last twenty years I have the greatest respect for Uniworld. On our arrival in Cairo we discovered that although we were the only two participants on this tour we were to experience even more than all aspects of the tour as advertised in Uniworld's brochure, and that Uniworld had no intention of re-assigning us to an alternative tour company. On one previous occasion we were to travel with a certain company and because of the lack of participants we were re-assigned to another tour company and had to endure multi-lingual commentary for the following ten days or so - VERY unsatisfactory. Throughout the tour we were met at the Cairo (twice), Aswan (twice) and Abu Simbel airports by Uniworld's representative and returned to each airport personally by a Uniworld representative even to the stage of airline ticket purchase for our outward journeys. During our 3 days in Cairo we had a personal tour guide (who had been trained in Egyptology)and driver at our disposal, both of whom always arrived on time at our hotel. Due to my mobility problems we were supplied with bus services whilst travelling between the pyramids of Giza (a much appreciated service). The Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo was what I would regard as a six star property, being situated on the banks of the Nile. On our arrival in Aswan we were met by our personal tour guide for our cruises both on Lake Nasser and the Nile. His name was Mahamed Badawy and he had studied Egyptology at university level for six years and conveyed much information to us throughout our time in southern Egypt. Mahamed, with the authority of Uniworld, provided us with a taxi service to and from the Abu Simbel monuments to Lake Nasser (both ways) and also on one occasion when visiting temples requiring extensive walking a donkey and cart was provided for us to travel between historical sites - although we had walking dificulty we experienced every feature of the Uniworld tour. Mahamed willingly provided us with assistance and even carried a stool which I had with me whilst on tour. Avalon Tulip Time cruise Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us over the eight day river cruise, but this aspect was eclipsed by the accommodation, service and land content provided by Avalon. The sight of tulips in Kerkhof was unbelievable and overshadowed the Floriade held in Venlo (Floriade is held for about six months and the site had only been open for a week when we visited). The cabin was comfortable although it was a trifle small. Having limited walking ability the provision of a "Slow Walking" on shore guide was very much appreciated. Regent Seven Seas We were very disappointed in some aspects of this cruise. We have NEVER received any documentation from Regent Seven Seas at any time before, during or after our cruise although it appeared as though US customers did. Prior to our departure from Australia we accepted your offer to purchase a cabin upgrade from a Category D cabin to a Voyager Suite. We were assigned a Voyager Suite in which the previous occupant had been SMOKING CIGARS. We immediately complained to the authorities, their approach being to instal a portable filter in our cabin. This resulted in almost no improvement in the cigar odours and we were forced to endure this smell during the complete period of our cruise even though we complained to management daily. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT ANY REPUTABLE COMPANY WOULD HAVE ASSIGNED US ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION WITHOUT THE CIGAR ODOUR!!! Configuration of the suite was superb as was the meals, Butler service and Housemaid service whilst we were on board. Advertising material stated that as an occupant of a Voyager Suite we were entitled to preferential a dinner booking service when dining in both the Prime 7 and Signatures restaurants. This service was NOT provided and on occasions we elected to dine in our suite in preference to alternative dining provisions in the ship’s main restaurant. We really got the feeling that as we were "foreigners" we were not entitled to the service provided to US clients. I have emailed my comments regarding our Uniworld experience to that company in addition to completing their post cruise questionnaire.