TravelingLadyOhio

Thanks! One more question for you - was this a guided tour? Did they talk about the history, and point out some of the famous sites?

Yes, it was a guided tour, and the guide was very knowledgeable when we got to the 2nd level and she pointed out everything for us. We had plenty of time to walk around and take pix after her talk. We were then on our own till we met her back at the bus.

Hi! Has anyone taken Avalon's tour of the Eiffel Tower the day of embarkation? I would like to know what exactly you saw on the Avalon tour, and if they took you down underneath. My husband is an engineer, and really wants to explore it. I am torn on scheduling this myself or taking theirs. It would be easiest to take their tour, but might not be as complete? Thanks!!

We took this tour last July (14). The bus picked us up at the hotel that Avalon uses in Paris, about 1pm. We went directly to the Eiffel Tower. We avoided any lines, which is a plus for taking a tour with a group. We went to the 2nd level which is where most tours go. To get to the very top, you need another ticket and must take another elevator. We did NOT go underneath the tower. We had plenty of time for viewing and pix - then descended and walked around the base of the tower, with time for more pix and some shopping. From there, the bus took us directly to the boat, arriving around 4:30.

TravelingLady - what did the Eiffel Tower tour include? Did you do any of the other optional excursions on the trip?

 

Kelly

The Eiffel Tower tour left from the hotel about 1 and drove directly there. It included a stop at the 2nd platform which is quite high. It is where everyone got off w/Avalon. Gorgeous views. To go to the very top, you need to buy another ticket and take another elevator and the Avalon tour did not include that. We had plenty of time, and you were on your own after we came down to walk around, take in a few shops and take lots of pix. From there the bus took us directly to the ship - we boarded and our luggage was in our room and we set sail shortly after that.

The final day in Paris (Monday) afternoon, we took the optional to the Louvre, and the dinner show Moulin Rouge that evening.

YoungDubFan:

We took this exact trip w/Avalon in July '14. We arrived in Paris at 6am and after customs, etc., we were off to the hotel where Avalon was putting people (for the same reason as you - easier). Our room was not ready so we dropped our luggage, grabbed a quick breakfast, and took a cab over to see Notre Dame cathedral. We spent the morning there. To the right is a street filled with restaurants for lunch, and shopping. Cabbed back to the hotel and checked into our room - then rested for an hour and found a pizza place within walking distance for dinner.

The day we embarked, we took the optional tour w/Avalon to the Eiffel Tower. No lines, and from there they took us directly to the boat. It was purrfect for us. You will love this trip especially your day at Normandy. It was the highlight for us.

We just ret'd from an Avalon cruise in July. On the 2nd last night, we were given 2 envelopes. One is for the cruise director. The other one is for ALL the crew and it is split among them.

The guidelines (and I think this goes for most lines) is 12E per day per person for the crew, and 3E per person per day for the cruise director. While that might seem high, think of how many people take care of you during this time.

We left a little extra on our bed for our housekeeper, as he did an excellent job keeping our room clean. Hope this helps.

No, we did not see any demonstrations at all. Yes, we were aware of what was happning in the world, but it did not stop us from seeing/doing what was on the original itinerary.

During our time in Paris we were always were aware of our surroundings. Pickpockets are a problem (especially around the Eiffel Tower area) and our tour director warned us every time we left the boat/bus to remember to keep purses closed and zipped. I had a small purse that I wore over shoulder/across chest and when it was cool, had a jacket on over it. Never had anything with me I could not afford to lose.

Safe - yes I felt safe, but we were not out on our own at night - always with a group.

No. Our CD was Tony Williamson from the UK. B/c this was a special cruise about WW history, they asked him to do it. We had special lectures and he gave one of them. Very informative.

We have just returned from a wonderful week aboard the Avalon Creativity. Avalon, I know you read these boards and I just want to say thanks to the crew/staff for making it a very memorable vacation. We had a room on the 2nd floor with a French balcony. We were triple docked in Vernon and double docked in Paris. We spent most of the time onboard, on the Sky deck. Had a grill out lunch one day - so fun. With only 135 people onboard, we met many well travelled people, from so many different countries. The food/drinks were very good. This is our 2nd cruise with Avalon.

Our day at Normandy is one I will never forget. We visited the landing beaches, had a quick preset lunch at a local rest., then to the American cemetery for a presentation, playing of our National anthem, then taps and a moment of silence to honor those on board who are Veterans, and those that died. (insert tears here). Then we were all given a rose to lay on a grave of our choosing. It was a day I will never forget. Our tour guide was Barbara and she was so good and brought to life what it was like for those men on 6Jun1944.

We took the 'city of light night tour' and it was magical to see the Eiffel Tower lit up, and every hour the lights twinkle for 5 minutes. Also, we did the tour to the Louvre, and the Moulin Rogue - oh-la-la!!!

It was a great week and I have no complaints at all.

In Feb. '13 we booked a Seine river cruise for July '14. At the time of booking, we also purchased "cancel for any reason' insurance. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. The wife of the couple we were to travel with fell last week and fractured her femur. After surgery and a hospital stay, she is in rehab for several weeks. Our TA has started the paperwork for them to get a full refund including air. When you are spending 10-12K for a trip, insurance is well worth the peace of mind. I have learned so much from these boards, and I hope this is helpful to the 'newbies' when making a decision.

We took this cruise in July '11. It was wonderful and we loved river cruising so much, that we are going with Avalon again in July, Paris/Normandy.

In Strasbourg, we had a morning tour of the city, then we stayed and had lunch at an outdoor cafe - walked, and shopped on our own and took a cab back to the ship.

We had a morning at Speyer, just enough to walk thru the city. The tour of the Heidelberg castle that same afternoon was wonderful - then had time for shopping in the city afterwards. In Rudesheim, I found the mechanical museum tour not to my liking, and wished we had gone on our own for the afternoon. However, the evening dinner offered at one of the local restaurants was one of the highlights. It was absolutely so much fun. That is one I would definitely recommend. The morning crusing thru the Rhine gorge was beautiful.

In Cologne, we went on our own walking to the cathedral and other sights. Also, there is a candy shop right next to where the boat docks. Spent way too much $$ in there :D

In Amsterdam, if you want to tour the Anne Frank house, be sure to buy your tix ahead online. They are timed, so you will have to figure out the day/time that will work best for you. We stayed 2 extra days there - much to see in the area. Have fun with your planning.

We had to exit the terminal in Paris - take a bus - and enter another terminal (including security) for our connecting flight into Budapest. Hence the reason for clearing customs in Paris first.

We flew into Budapest last summer from Cincinnati via Paris, on Delta.

Went thru customs in Paris and had about 2 hr layover. Once we landed in Budapest, just gathered our luggage and our driver was waiting outside baggage claim. Very smooth and efficient.

You took the cruise in the opposite direction we went. We had plenty of time in Rudesheim as we overnighted there. We toured the musical museum, had our special coffee, shopped for clocks, and walked back to the boat. We took their tram back into town and had the optional dinner that night. It was so much fun. We docked in Amsterdam early on Sat. morning, had our morning canal tour, then the rest of the day at leisure till dinner at 7.

Yes, we had time in each port. Sometimes we ate lunch at a local outdoor spot, then shopped, till time to return to the boat. In one port we shared a cab with another couple heading back to the Felicity and in Rudesheim we walked back - enjoyed strolling along the river at a slow pace.

Ed and Nan:

We all had a fantastic time and you will too. When the time gets closer for your trip, and if you have further questions, please just ask us. These boards were so helpful in the planning of our trip. Avalon is wonderful.

TravelingLadyOhio

15 Euros is unlimited for 7 days and it allows you to use it on the laptop in your room that you bring along - also gives you access to the 2 computers in the reception area that are connected to a printer.

TravelingLadyOhio

We arrived on a Sat. and had no expense as everything was paid for up front w/Avalon - the transfers, hotel etc. For dinner that night, we charged to Visa. Sunday breakfast was included, we charged lunch and by dinner we were on the boat. I bought a "tip pack" of Euro's from AAA b4 we left home and I then had 68 euros in small bills and coins for an ice cream etc. That is how we paid for the tram tix at the hotel counter. Almost all places we went to on our journey into downtown Zurich took Euros - but we got any change back in SF.

I hope I have cleared this up for you!

I did not have any Swiss Francs with me at all, and only a small amount of Euro's. We bought our tram pass for our day in Zurich at the hotel desk and they accepted Euros. On our first day of the tour in France, I went to the ATM and got Euro's. Anything else, I just charged till that time.

We could not find an ATM at the Zurich airport either.

We had a wonderful cruise and I am sure you will too.

TravelingLadyOhio

Roger:

I double checked my Visa statement and the cost for the German dinner in Rudesheim converted to $64.04 USD, and that is for one person.

I did enjoy your video. Brought back alot of memories. Thx.

Traveling Lady Ohio

YLTraveler: What a loooong trip home for you. When we landed in Detroit, the dogs sniffed out a veggie wrap in the bag of the couple we were traveling with. It was left from lunch on the plane, and he wanted to finish it later. So, b/c of that, they had to not only go thru all you just mentioned, then they had to go thru screening at agriculturalcontrol. It also took us over an hr to get thru all the screenings.....then we had to get to our next gate for final flight to Cinti.

I hope your wife is getting better now.

Ohio Lady - glad you had a smooth trip home. Wish I could say the same for ours. On Monday Dian's allergies acted up so she woke up Tuesday morning sniffling like mad. We caught the 7AM BA flight to London with no problem. Got from terminal 5 to terminal 3 to catch our AA flight to LA with no problem other then Dian's continually running nose. When we got to terminal 3 we found AA 137 was delayed 2 hours because of mechanical problems. After the delay and the 12 hour flight we finally got to LA about 4 PM. Then the real heart burn started. It took us about 30 minutes to get through pass port control since the Immigration agents are now questioning and photographing everyone that came into the country. As a result of the slow pass port control, the luggage terminals were over flowing causing a big delay in finding your baggage. Then you were faced with a long line to get through baggage inspection. All told, it took us over an hour to get back into the US. We also had several dog sniffing dogs checking bags. We must seem like a police state for incoming foreigners. This is the worst entry process I have ever experienced in over 30 years of flying.

 

All told, we were home in 22 hours from our initial check-in at the Amsterdam airport. Of course Dian's was getting sicker by the minute.

 

We were told that US is introducing an expedited process for people that flight 3-4 times a year that will circumvent the delays I mentioned. I am sure going to check it out before we take our next international flight.

We bought our tram pass for Zurich at the desk of the Movenpick, and they accepted euros. In Zurich, if we used euros, we got francs back in change.

Yes, there was always a slow tour offered.

Boat is in one place for most days. If you venture on your own, you set your own pace and see what interests you - you just do not get the history a tour guide offers. On one day we were on a bus and the boat moved ahead to meet us after the daily tour. Never an issue.

YLTraveler:

Likewise, it was nice to meet you too. We did a Grayline tour on Monday out to Volendam and then a ferry boat ride over to Markem. Actually ran in to 2 couples who were on our cruise. It was nice to get out of the city. I had wondered how the Red Light District tour went, as I did not talk to anyone who took it. We had fun on Sunday hopping from tram to tram exploring Amsterdam on our own. We all had a great time.

Our trip back to Ohio was uneventful, which is the way I like it.

He is an absolute hoot. When someone asked him if he was going to be part of the crew talent show, he said no....he has his own show every night before our dinners! Loved his clothing and choice of colors :)

He had us laughing so much during his talks. He does a great job.

Included tours were in the morning, always by 8:30. They lasted about 1 1/2 hours. They offered a slow walkers group. We did that one time, but not again. We did not get to see enough. In Cologne we actually just went out on our own. The German dinner in Rudesheim came to about $64. USD, worth every penny. It was just a fun filled night and free flowing wine had everyone feeling gooood!

Yes, the boat has wireless. I had my Netbook and I paid 15 Euro when we boarded and had it in my room for the entire week. Good connections all along the way. Again, if you think of anything else, please just ask. You will love it. We have done several ocean cruises, and this is no comparison. The cruise thru the Rhine gorge is just beautiful. We had no rain, so spent time on the sun deck as time allowed. It's laid back, relaxing and with only 138 people, you really get to know them.

Thank you Ohio Lady! We will be on this same cruise/trip in October on the Felicity. I have several questions, but right now can only think of a couple.

 

The tours from the boat, where they in the morning or the afternoon? Also how long do you think they were? I love spending time on my own in a town, but also do want to go on their tours too.

 

Were the tours they offered pretty slow going or where they at a decent pace? I know sometimes walking tours can be so slow and then we were on one that I felt like we almost had to run. That was the exception though.

 

The optional tour you did in Rudesheim, can you tell me what the cost of that was. We won't get any documentation for a couple more months and I'm just curious.

 

We are looking forward to this as it will be our first river cruise. Only been on the larger cruise lines, so this is so different. Other than the one night of the Captain's dinner, I take it clothing is pretty informal in the dining room. That will be nice for a change. Not so much to pack.

 

Also, I want to bring my iPad to keep in touch at home, did the boat have wireless or was there any internet offered. I know we can pick up wifi in the towns, but curious while on the river.

 

Appreciate any information you can give me. I also had the same questions Sandy asked, so glad she asked before me. We are staying 3 nights at the hotel before the trip. Love Zurich and look forward to going back.

 

Thank you,

 

Susan