I have just returned from a 13-day/12-night river cruise with Avalon Waterways. The cruise was the European Splendour which departed from Vienna and ended in Amsterdam, the vessel was the Avalon Illumination.

I stayed in an outside stateroom which has floor to ceiling views of the river and is quite spacious. The beds face the sliding windows which have uninterrupted views. The stateroom comes complete with a flat screen satellite TV, in room safe, fully stocked mini bar with complimentary bottled water daily, bathroom robe and slippers, private bathroom with hairdryer and Loccitane products. It also has excellent storage, you can store your luggage under the beds and there is a three-door wardrobe with shelves and two beside tables with lamps and drawers…for a cabin on a ship…there are plenty of places to put your stuff!

The bed is very comfortable and we had the choice of just having the European style duvet or have it set up with sheet + blankets/duvet, and there is a pillow menu! There is also a small lounge sitting in the room where we could sit and just watch the world go by, the nightly turn-down service is also a very nice touch.

When we first boarded the vessel, a welcome reception was held by our Cruise Director, Captain and department heads with complimentary drinks and canapés. A mandatory safety exercise and briefing was also included in this reception. Our luggage was taken to our room by porters during the reception, our gratuities were pre-paid, however there is the option to pay at the end of the cruise.

Daily we received a newsletter explaining the day’s schedule, dining times, touring and activities. We also had the option to go to the Port Talks which are provided each night before dinner by the Cruise director who goes through the next day’s events. I missed most of these, but the newsletter provided ample information.

Dining, well you will never go hungry on Avalon!!!