This travel tips video is a full review of the Expression River Cruise Ship on Avalon Waterways. See the entire ship so your know what you need to pack and what can be left at home. #traveltips @AvalonWaterways #rivercruise #globus
This was our first river cruise on Avalon Waterways, and we loved it!
https://www.avalonwaterways.com
What you saw in this video:
My sweater: https://amzn.to/4b7BLZE
My water-resistant jacket:
My crossbody bag: https://amzn.to/3HaaqYQ
Sneakers: https://bit.ly/3SZCeWG
Waterproof sneaker: https://bit.ly/459Rxip
Blue boot sneaker: https://bit.ly/4arnMNc
Joggers: https://bit.ly/3U68gAF
Converter: https://bit.ly/3BF7l0X
Adapter set of 2: https://bit.ly/48z6Ymt
Carry-on suitcase: https://bit.ly/3vHgOop
Tote bag (holds alot but feels like a purse): https://bit.ly/LaurieToteBag
Dual wattage curling iron: https://bit.ly/3x4ihWg
Silk pillowcase: LILYSILK
Need packing tips for carry-on only? Watch this: https://bit.ly/CarryOnLuggageHacks
Need medicine rules? You have to watch the whole video though: https://bit.ly/PackMedicineTips
Avoid these luggage features: https://bit.ly/AVOIDTheseFeaturesInBags
Top 5 of Each Part of Travel: https://bit.ly/BestInEveryCategory4Travel
Hear from a Pilot: https://bit.ly/PilotAnswersToiletQus
Chapters:
00:00 Review of Avalon Expression River Cruise Ship
:35 Widest opening windows
1:14 Suite cabin room features
2:33 Storing luggage space
2:49 Floor to ceiling closet
3:29 Clean rooms twice day
3:34 Bathroom is huge
4:43 Hair dryer is provided
4:52 2 outlets in cabin
5:26 Tip for CPAP machine
6:21 View from bed of cabin
7:02 Iron not allowed in room
7:22 4 mattress types
8:14 Security check procedure
10:41 Secret passageway
11:19 Security on ship
11:30 Happy hour
12:19 Panoramic lounge seating
13:13 Pack converter or adapter
POP over and say hi:
Instagram: @TravelTipsByLaurie (My former channel name was LauriePOP Ideas That POP, but now I produce travel tip videos only)
Occasionally I use affiliate links, and all opinions that POP into my head are my honest ones.
38 Comments
Hi Laurie
I asked on Instragram for a in depth video about this Avalon Expression River Cruise and you delivered. Thank you so much !!
Great review and so accurate. We love Avalon, we’ll be taking another one this fall and can’t wait.
Avalon looks wonderful!😊
We are making the same trip next year in April on AMA and I enjoy your videos. How cold was the temperature?
Thanks for this review, we are planning a trip in 2026. We are going on a Holland American Baltic cruise in September, but really excited to do a river cruise.
It seems awesome! Didn’t even know that company existed, only heard of Viking for river cruising before. But Avalon seems amazing! Now I want to do a river cruise with them too lol! 😂
Thanks for the video! 👍👍👍
You talked about 'dual wattage', but I think you mean 'dual voltage' appliances (110/220). As you correctly said most laptop chargers etc are dual voltage. Also, more importantly, there are two USB charging ports in each room.
This was very helpful. My husband just shared about wanting to take a river cruise. I love the floor to ceiling doors & being able to enjoy the scenery from so many locations.
I sailed on Avalon Impression from Frankfurt to Basel in December 2022. Absolutely loved it and had the best time! Agree with everything Laurie shared. Amazing staff, rooms, food, scenery, everything!
You didn't PARK, You Docked!
Much of what you said is characteristic of most ocean cruises too. They are there to serve you and make your holiday relaxing. But watch out, cruising is addictive 😉. Germany is beautiful. We always go for twin beds xx
Thanks for the info! What about tipping?
Many thanks for the video. We sailed with Avalon a couple of years ago on the Danube, so know what to expect. We’re taking the Basel to Amsterdam trip in a month’s time and this has certainly wetted the appetite. Thanks again
My husband and I will be taking Avalon View on the Danube in July. I think it’s set up the same. My tip for rooms with few outlets is to bring a small power strip. Then you only need one outlet and adapter for that and several normal American plugs can go in the strip.
Besides pressing shirts does the laundry provide washing of clothes, and is there an extra charge for that?
Doing my 6 th cruise with Viking this fall . They are addicting !
I always get the beds separated . I like my own space .
I do the Swan level rooms . Cheaper . Never in your room except to shower and sleep .
We are cruising on Avalon View on the Danube in July. You said no irons. What about a steamer? Also, your favorite phone prop— do you get the regular or XL size? Thx. Love your videos.
Laurie – I just found out I can not take a curling iron on my AmaVerde river cruise with AMAwaterways. It is restricted to take a flat iron or curling iron. Did you hear anything about this on your Avalon cruise?
Laurie – I just found out I can not take a curling iron on my AmaVerde river cruise with AMAwaterways. It is restricted to take a flat iron or curling iron. Did you hear anything about this on your Avalon cruise?
We also loved the room arrangement – with the bed facing the huge window. A huge difference over Viking, and the other lines. We were disappointed by the small number of electrical outlets. Otherwise, we didn't find much difference between Avalon and Viking ships and services. We did come to realize that almost all of our electronics charge via USB ports. We didn't need, plug converter/transformers…
found the mattress very small
I thought hair flatirons or curling irons weren’t allowed. 😮
Are the hair dryers the crappy small travel ones? Those do not work on my hair so I usually bring my own. Leaving for RC in three weeks!🎉🎉🎉
Hi Laurie, did you have any problems with mosquitoes with the windows on the boat open? 😊
My wife and I have been on 4 Avalon cruises. About the Shower, I’m 6’7” (200 cm) and have no problems using the shower.
Is smoking allowed onboard? Seems there are ash trays on some tables.
So happy to find you, again. We are taking an Avalon cruise in a week! I followed you in 2019 and 2020. I love your informative and shortish videos. Thanks.
Just an FYI, an ADAPTER changes the plug (to fit the outlet), a CONVERTER changes the voltage (Europe is 220V, USA is 120V) so you don’t fry the components of your larger electrical devices). Looking forward to going on an European River cruise in October (Zurich to Paris). Your tips and travel hacks are so helpful. Thank you, Laurie!
We traveled on Avalon 6 yrs ago. Going on another Avalon Cruise and can’t wait. We loved Avalon. We sat on our bed looking out the triple patio door watching the world go by. Was wonderful.
What was your itinerary?
Avalon also does better with vegetarian and vegan dishes from what I have read
Hi Laurie- so glad to see that you enjoyed your Tulip Cruise with Avalon! I love all of your videos with your packing tips and always find them so informative, but this was a video I could really relate to…I took my first river cruise last year round trip from Amsterdam through Belgium and chose Avalon Active/Discovery after researching several of the other companies. Having the beds face the window is the best and because of the large panoramic window (and no need for a balcony) the rooms are significantly larger. The bathroom is HUGE and perfectly set up for two people with a fab shower and soap/shampoo products. Lots of storage! I will say that this is a very structured cruise, with one large dining rom, but I found everything to be perfect. Buffet breakfast, choice of lunch in the dining room or in the panorama lounge upstairs. Our cruise featured High tea every afternoon, the Happy Hour then dinner (food was fantastic!). Nightly entertainment was a little sparse but by then we were ready to retire. Another best thing is the choice of 3 included excursions each stop and the way they are conducted-you get a receiver and earpiece to connect to and listen to your guide so that you don't have to be on top of them on your excursion. I highly recommend if you are going to depart from Amsterdam taking the TULIPL cruise, choosing a time of year when Kukenhoff is open so that you can take a trip there to see the magnificent tulips! I am planning another cruise next year from Paris to Normandy and really looking forward to that! My suggestion is to arrive in the departure city a few days early to get adjusted to the time change and to do some sightseeing. Best thing is not having to unpack for 8 days!
Wife and I are going on our second Avalon cruise, this time on the Danube. The Avalon ships are all quite similar. We chose to book cabins on the lower deck as we spend very little time there other than for sleep and showers. The cabins are larger than on the other lines so there are fewer passengers.
I’ve followed you, Laurie, for over a year now and trust your advice on all things ‘travel’. My friend and I are interested in a European river cruise in 2025, so I’m doing my usual research. I’ve got packing down to a fine art, thanks to you. I’m Australian, and have travelled extensively ( I’ve just returned from Japan) and am always ready for another adventure. I’ve thought that Avalon is a good option, so thanks for your help. I’m very impressed that you, an American, have used the word queue. Well done!
That was an amazingly thorough and detailed review. Loved this video 😊
FYI…as a retired audio engineer, I must alert you to a problem. Your necklace keeps hitting your microphone, making the constant tapping very distracting. In future, don’t wear a necklace or move the mic to another position. Thank you.