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Never let it be said that we don't have "all hands on deck" when it comes to monitoring the latest travel innovations. On August 8, President, Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., Nancy Telliho christened the good ship Avalon Creativity in Volendam, a Netherlands fishing village. The Creativity is the eighth ship that Avalon Waterways has added to its European fleet since 2004.
[+] Enlarge photo
There's a reason river-cruising is so popular: Unlike on mega ships, you typically won't find surprise fees tacked onto your bill when you sail on these small vessels.
This year, Avalon Waterways has added three other ships—Affinity, Luminary, and Felicity—to its European fleet. Six-day trips focusing on Holland recently started at $1,699 via avalonwaterways.com. In a current offer, you can receive half off your airfare with purchase of a qualifying air-inclusive European river cruise vacation.
Check out some of the photos celebrating the christening of the Creativity by reading this post on Avalon's blog.
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Riverboats are really a great way to see the countryside. They are much smaller than cruise ships so getting on and off to see the sites is faster and easier. You really get to see the back doors of countries instead of the ports of call where they just want you to spend, spend, spend. Plus there are no days at sea. We loved our Nile River cruise and are planning one for eastern Europe.
Posted By Tom B. on August 14, 2009, 4:39 PM
I've been on six river cruises with my husband, four in Europe, one in Egypt. Christmas Markets on the Rhine is my favorite memory, and the Nile experience was the most fascinatingly unusual and inexpensive. We anticipate taking another Christmas markets cruise next year which will be our second sailing on the Danube.
Posted By Linda Golding on August 15, 2009, 10:43 PM
We are considering doing a river boat cruise through russia next spring. Anyone have comments on which routes/cruise lines are the best?
Posted By Jane Graham on August 17, 2009, 1:08 PM
I have been on several river boat cruises. The Netherlands in Spring was amazing! Also, have enjoyed the Nile, Russia and eastern Europe form Budapest to the Black Sea.Great food, great day-trips, smalller groups, nice rooms. It is the BEST!!!!
Posted By Jane Wisch on August 17, 2009, 1:44 PM
My wife and I have cruised the Rhine twice, the Danube twice and through out Holland. We enjoy only unpacking once and the ability to get off the boat and visit the towns and villages and return to the boat for great meals or eat at a local restaurant. Our favorite is the Christmas Markets. The boat are smaller and the service is better. Once we were on a boat where the galley crew was mediocre and passenger complained,two days later a whole new galley crew and an executive chef showed up. Problem fixed.
Posted By Richard Potts on August 17, 2009, 2:16 PM
We have done 8 river cruises, 5 of them with Grand Circle Travel. We think they offer better value than other cruise lines, and their ships and personnel are first rate. We have cruised France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Rhine, the Danube from Nuremburg to Vienna and from Budapest to the Black Sea, Russia, and Egypt. There's no question about it; this is the most relaxing and most enjoyable way to travel.
Posted By Paula Prindle on August 17, 2009, 9:15 PM
We love river cruising (We have been on five in Europe) and are all set to take an Avalon River Cruise in September and a Uniworld trip in Egypt in November. We meet lots of interesting people and see sights in small towns along the river. We especially like the local guides and the sound system that makes it easy for everyone to hear.
Posted By Ginny Willey on August 17, 2009, 9:56 PM
I went on my first river cruise this summer and it was beautiful! The deals out there are really fantastic and it is the best way to see Europe. i got a great deal for my cruise on the Rhine from eurorivercruises.com. The deal was amazing, and every city from Amsterdam to Basel was a treat!
Posted By Laura on August 18, 2009, 11:04 AM
Would love see a follow up if someone finds a SMALL boat river cruise-(definitely not Grand Circle size) that is going to do Russia.
Posted By C.Kish on August 18, 2009, 1:25 PM
Thanks for a great article on Avalon Waterways. We've been fans of the Avalon products for awhile, and have only received rave reviews from our clients. our River Cruise Specialists have found that they're very easy to work with, and we love that their cruises can be combined with one of the Globus itineraries to create a customized vacation experience that is, as they say, "the best of both worlds." Thanks for helping us spread the word!
Posted By Christy Jourdan on August 19, 2009, 3:49 PM
We've cruised several of the European rivers, including Volga in Russia, but my favorite was the Neckar in Germany. Beautiful villages, wonderful castles, great food!
The Nile cruise is fantastic, but be sure to go in a cooler month--November-March, and book high-end to avoid Tut's tummy...
Posted By budasue on August 24, 2009, 8:59 PM
Just returned from a Grand Circle River Cruise
from(Paris) Macon to Arles,(Nice)cruising on the Saone and Rhone rivers in France on the Chardonnay, a 46 psgr capacity river boat. Fantastic cruise. The Tour Guide and Ship personnel were excellent.
Would do it again on Grand Circle. They were very organized.
Posted By Lynne on August 27, 2009, 5:56 PM
If you are unable to ride a bike and do not want to rent a car, how do you get around once you reach a port? Do guides meet the boat as on a cruise ship or does the cruise operator supply a list of guides you can hire or run shore excursions?
Posted By Karen on September 4, 2009, 3:33 PM
Karen,
The cruise operator arranges transportation for the tour. Sometimes the guide meets you right at the dock, sometimes you take buses to the destination.
If you want to go out on your own, the tour director gives you information. They make it easy.
We did a tour with Viking.
Posted By Nancy Black on October 13, 2009, 8:30 AM