MY FIRST RIVER CRUISE PART TWO: COLOGNE, GERMANY!

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Guten Morgen!

I’m glad so many of you read the first part of my experiences on the Rhine River with Avalon Waterways. If you missed it, here’s a link! I got really busy last week (I am truly blessed!!), and this week I am preparing to fly to Negril, Jamaica to catch up with some friends for a few days of rest & relaxation! But, I wanted to attempt a part two of my river cruise journey…so here goes!

Cologne, Germany Monday July 29, 2024

I woke up this morning with nothing planned until the ship arrived in Cologne after lunch, so I was very lazy. I got up, took a shower, and traversed my way all the way to the Panorama Restaurant for breakfast. (it was at least 20 yards & a flight of stairs to the restaurant!) I love the size of river ships!

I feel like I need to mention the bathroom in my room. I mean cabin. Room? Cabin? It felt much more like a hotel room than a cruise cabin, so I keep saying room. My room was laid out perfectly (and the air conditioner was so capable…it was fantastic!! Whoever designed the room has definitely sailed on rivers before. I’ll talk more about the room in an upcoming post, but today, I want to tell you about the bathroom in my cabin.

From the two different colors of towels (so you won’t get your towel mixed up with your partner’s towel), the amazing L’Occitane bath & body products, to the “pull out” trash can, this bathroom was perfect. The shower was amazing, with plenty of room…I did not feel like I was in a telephone booth! AVALON TIP: If you’d rather have bar soap, ask your room attendant! Mine supplied me with a bar of soap.

Breakfast!

Avalon had a nice breakfast buffet each morning, featuring a chef preparing customized omelettes or made-to-order eggs. You could also order with your server from a menu of 3-4 featured entrees each morning! Mimosas are included with Avalon’s breakfast, as are soft drinks. AVALON TIP: Order two cokes with breakfast, that way you’ve got plenty of caffeine & sugar without waiting! 🙂
Avalon even had a honeycomb with honey! WOW!!

I have to say that I was truly impressed with the quality & selection of food that Avalon provided during my cruise. As a travel agent, I, of course, had done the training with Avalon Waterways and “knew” what to expect. But, like many things, food can be very subjective. My expectations were blown away by the quality, the selection and the presentation — some dinners were art. All of the food that I tried was really good. Like REALLY good. It may have been the best food I’ve had on any ship. (I’m looking at you Virgin Voyages, who, in my opinion has the best food at sea). I may have to try SEVERAL more Avalon Waterways cruises to fully get an educated opinion. 😉

After breakfast, like I said earlier, I was just going to be lazy and relax in my room until lunch. Amazingly, you can rest while on vacation. I pulled back the curtains, opened up my sliding glass doors ALL THE WAY, got back in bed and just watched Germany pass by.

This was my very first time visiting Germany, and I honestly can’t think of a better way to introduce myself to this country. I truly loved watching the activity on the riverbanks. I saw people walking their dogs, pushing baby carriages & just walking the Rhine enjoying the beautiful crisp morning. It was truly blissful!

Before I knew it, it was time for lunch! Today, the chefs were grilling on the top deck, and I had a beautiful view of the passing Rhine! Simply blissful.

And, for those of you who are fans of the Britcom “Keeping Up Appearances” — the phrase “Riparian Entertainments” was definitely an earworm for me today! Except I had a “waterside lunch” instead of a “waterside supper”! And, I didn’t have to carry the food or the tables to a lovely secluded spot just around the bend — the crew of the Avalon Vista did all of the work, the captain was in charge of the view, and the guests just enjoyed the delicious food! Beer, wine & soft drinks were included!

After lunch, (I had a burger, some potato salad & some ice cream for dessert), we arrived in Cologne, Germany! After docking, we had a couple of choices of walking tours, and had an option for a biking adventure. All three of these excursions were included with the cruise fare. I chose to go on the “Highlights of Cologne” tour, which led us through some of the history of Cologne, and ended at Germany’s most-visited landmark, the Great St. Martin Church. Afterwards, we had free time until the ship sailed after dinner.

After the tour, I went into the cathedral to see what is reported to be the final resting place of the Three Wise Men. In 1164, Rainald transferred these relics to Cologne where the shrine for the three kings was built. Their bones were wrapped in white silk and returned to the shrine. The relics have since attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne.

After my self-guided tour of the cathedral, I walked around Cologne, found my “Germany” souvenir Starbucks “You Are Here” mug, and made my way back to the ship, which was docked nearby! I then returned to my room to relax (after hitting up the 24/7 coffee & snack bar — more on that later!) until the included Happy Hour in the lounge, the talk with the cruise director about what was going on the next day, then dinner.

After another delicious dinner, I was back in my room to watch the lights of Cologne reflected in the Rhine as we sailed towards our next port. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought that this may be just the best way to experience Riparian Entertainments!

Stay tuned for Part Three, where I sail through the famous Rhine River Gorge and will explore our next port of call: Rudesheim, Germany!

Are you interested in your own River Cruise Adventure? If so, contact me and let’s find you an amazing itinerary!

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.