We chose this cruise for the itinerary, the ship and the overall value. We looked at the other lines, but for the cost, felt Avalon offered the best of what we were looking for. Boy were we right. The ship was wonderful, the staff incredible and the food outstanding. We've been on over 25+ cruises from Celebrity (large ships) to Windstar (small ships) and Avalon is at the top of the list. It's interesting how the ship felt large, yet intimate. The staff gets to know you so it feels like the high end lines (i.e.: Silver Seas) at which point they go out of their way to accommodate you on many levels. In addition, the rooms are wonderful, large and spacious with balconies (we always do a balcony for viewing and fresh air) in which the bed faces the balcony so you can relax while the world passes by. With beer and wine included with lunch and dinner, the cost savings alone at this level is impressive not to mention the hosted local entertainment.

If your next cruise is a river cruise, we would pick Avalon again. This line allows for a worldly experience of culture, wine, food, people and incredible destinations. For us, we'll be back to sail with them in the future.