A First Timers Guide to River Cruising: Exploring Germany’s Rivers with Avalon Waterways
For years, my Mom and I have shared the same bucket list aspiration: traveling through Europe on a river cruise. When the opportunity to sail with Avalon Waterways arrived, I knew exactly who had to join me along for the journey. As first-time river cruisers, we truly had no idea what to expect leading up to our trip. Reflecting on our cruise, I found the experience to be unlike any other I’ve had while traveling. From the intimate ship layout and luxury design features onboard to the incredible destinations and unique excursions offered, it was a week full of wonderful surprises. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways and reasons why I think river cruising with Avalon Waterways is a must-have luxury travel experience!
WHO SHOULD TAKE A RIVER CRUISE:
Contrary to popular belief, river cruising is not only for travelers aged 50+. Candidly, that was my perception of river cruising until I sailed with Avalon Waterways. In reality, there is a large range of different river cruise types and itineraries that are meant to appeal to all different ages and types of travelers. In particular, Avalon Waterways Active Discovery Cruises attract a wide range of ages with its focus on active excursions. These cruises are perfect for those looking to explore new destinations and engage in hands-on activities, making it an ideal option for families with varying ages and interests. My mom joined me on my trip and I can say from experience this is truly the ultimate multi-generational family travel hack. The balance of spending time together onboard and having the flexibility to set out on our own excursions each afternoon was a perfect recipe for vacationing together!
SHIP TALK: WHAT IT’S LIKE ABOARD THE AVALON IMAGERY II
As soon as we boarded the Avalon Imagery II on the Moselle River, we were blown away by how spacious it felt. Avalon prides themselves on offering more space with fewer people on board, and it definitely showed on the Imagery II. With a maximum capacity of just 136 guests, the rooms were spacious and well-appointed, and the communal spaces were peaceful and uncrowded. What we appreciated most was that the ship is designed so that all guests could be accommodated in every general space, so we never felt rushed for access (which is a very common experience when traveling on larger ocean cruises). This enabled us to truly unwind and move through our experiences each day at a slower and more intentional pace.
One of the greatest highlights of sailing on board Avalon Waterways Imagery II was our stunning cabins. As a “suite ship”, the majority of rooms on board are panoramic suites, which include a wall-to-wall panoramic window and open-air balcony. The unique layout design, offers an industry first with the bed facing the window, allowing for stunning views of the river and surrounding landscapes. My room felt incredibly spacious and included luxury amenities – such as premium bedding and L’Occitane bath products – made it a true home away from home.
Another element that made the Avalon Waterways experience completely standout was the dining on board. With locally sourced ingredients and expertly prepared dishes, every meal felt like a culinary adventure. The dining room was spacious and elegant, and the attentive staff made sure all of our dietary needs were met. From breakfast to dinner, each meal offered a variety of options that satisfied even the pickiest of eaters (AKA me). Wine and beer selections were also included during dinner so there was no shortage of memories made while sipping each evening and watching the world pass us by along the river. We especially enjoyed some the local cuisine offered allowing for us to indulge in traditional German dishes and flavors.
ITINERARY & EXCURSIONS:
One thing I loved about river cruising was the sheer number of ports we were able to fit into a 1 week itinerary. Unlike traditional ocean cruises, river cruises offer itineraries that often stop at multiple stops per day, as well as overnight stays at some ports to offer more time exploring.
Our cruise along Germany’s Moselle and Rhine River was what Avalon calls an Active & Discovery sailing. These upbeat itineraries offer 3 included excursion options at each port, each falling into either the traditional, active or discovery category. This ensures that there is a wide range of excursion choices and something that will appeal to every type of traveler at each destination. Here is a quick review and run down of different ports we visited and the excursions offered + what we choose:
Remich, Luxembourg: Our first and only stop in the beautiful country of Luxembourg. Excursion choices included a morning exploring Luxembourg City, a vineyard hike in Remich and a historical walking tour in Schengen. My mom and I both chose to join the Luxembourg City tour!
Trier, Germany:
Since this was our second stop of the day, we didn’t arrive in Trier until the early evening. An excursion was offered for anyone who wanted to join which was a night walking tour around the city after dinner. Being able to experience 2 ports in one day was a fantastic treat.
Bernkastel, Germany:
a charming and idyllic town nestled amidst rolling hills, adorned with half-timbered houses and old world charm. Excursion choices included a walking tour around town, a winery tour, and a hike to Burg Landshut Castle. On this day I selected the active excursion taking the hike, while my mom was able to opt for the walking tour around town!
Cochem, Germany:
a captivating town nestled on the banks of the Moselle River, home to a stunning medieval castle and surrounded by vineyard-covered hills. Excursion options here included a guided hike into the hills for scenic views, a tour of Reichsburg Castle or a visit to the Historische Senfmühle (mustard mill)! We both chose to do the Castle tour this day and it did NOT disappoint.
Koblenz, Germany:
a historic city where the Rhine and Moselle rivers converge, boasting a rich blend of ancient architecture, scenic landscapes, and a vibrant local culture. Since we participated in the earlier optional excursion this was our second stop of the day! Excursion choices here included a guided hike at a nearby lake, a brewery tour or a guided tour of the city. We both opted for the city tour and then set off on our own afterwards to explore more!
Rudesheim, Germany:
a quaint, enchanting town nestled in the Rhine Gorge. Known best for its narrow cobble stone streets, vineyard-covered hills, and delightful old world charm. Excursion choices here included a tour of a unique musical museum, a cable car ride and a trip to a winery that is run by nuns! This day I opted to visit the musical museum and my mom went for the winery option! Afterwards we were able to meet up and had plenty of time to explore town and do some shopping before the ship departed.
Frankfurt, Germany:
This bustling German City, showcases a striking blend of modern skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and a vibrant cultural scene that reflects its status as a major financial and cultural hub. This was the final stop on our cruise but had one full day here with excursion options followed by an overnight stay before we disembarked. Excursion options included a cycling tour through the city, a tour of the Frankfurt’s ‘New OId Town’, or an Elvis themed tour in a nearby small town named Bad Nauheim, where he was once stationed during the Cold War. We both opted for the Elvis tour and then spent the last evening of the trip exploring Frankfurt on our own!
For Avalon Waterways Itineraries and rates click here!
This blog post was part of a hosted visit and paid partnership with Avalon Waterways. All recommendations and reviews remain genuine, these opinions are my own.
