Since coming home from our dream babymoon trip with Adventures By Disney, we’ve gotten quite a few questions about our experience and the logistics of our tour. From booking flights to age demographics to the food - we’ve gotten it all! So we figured what better way to answer all of your questions and share the highlights, than with a blog! This 10 day trip was an experience we’ll never forget, and we’re honestly still processing it. (If we sound too “gush-y” or overdramatic, it’s because we loved our experience THAT MUCH. Bear with us.)
All aboard the Amalyra!
What trip were you on, and what was the itinerary?
We were on the Adventures by Disney (ABD) Seine River Cruise, which consisted of ten adventure-filled (and absolutely pampering) days! We had a couple of nights in Paris, then boarded AmaWaterways’ Amalyra river cruise ship, which took us to Les Andelys, Le Havre (two nights), Rouen, Vernon, Giverny, and Conflans.
We toured a castle dating back to 1196, walked in the footsteps of Van Gogh, rode original WWII military vehicles to Omaha Beach, climbed the jaw-dropping cliffs of Étretat, ate our weight in croissants, spent a morning at Monet’s house and gardens, dined on multiple course meals with new friends, had movie nights and dance parties, and SO much more. The itinerary was busy, but meticulously planned and executed. Not once did we ever think “I’m bored”, or “I wish we’d done…”, the days were truly perfect in every way. (But more on that later.)
Enjoying Monet’s House and all the color
The cliffs of Étretat were STUNNING
Would you recommend this trip to honeymooners or to people that have never been to Europe?
Yes and yes. This ABD itinerary in particular is amazing for honeymooners (we had a few on our ship) because not only is it a hassle-free and luxurious way to see France, but it’s also adult-only! And while the ABD team works hard to curate the daily itineraries, most days include optional tours and plenty of “On Your Own” time. Meaning your days can be as jam-packed or relaxing as you want them to be. Not to mention, what’s more romantic than a river cruise through France?
For first-time Europe travelers, we couldn’t recommend a ABD trip enough. Having now done two (Ireland as well), we can confidently say that it’s one of the best and easiest ways to experience a potentially overwhelming destination. From the moment you step off the plane the ABD team takes care of you, ensuring that you’re never lost, confused, stressed, or without guidance. We promise that after seeing Europe with the help of ABD guides, you’ll have the confidence and know-how to tackle Europe travel on your own.
It’s easy to find romance on an ABD trips
Does this ABD trip have a family option too?
Yes! There are four family-friendly Seine River Cruise tours happening in 2020. See rates and dates here.
What’s included in a ABD trip?
From luxurious hotel accommodations, to the attractions, transportation, private tours, VIP treatment and all of the little details and logistics that come with travel, you won’t have to lift a finger or open your wallet. Most meals are covered (and believe us when we say we could do a full blog post just on the food we were served during our ABD adventures), while guests typically have a few “On Your Own” dining options for enjoying local restaurants and cafes.
Hot towels and tea when you return from a day in port. The best!
Cheers to our own time in Honfleur!
How many guests were on board?
Because this ABD trip was a river cruise, it allowed for a bigger group. There were about 90 guests, whereas our Ireland adventure had about 30 guests. Because of the larger size, we had more Adventure Guides - eight to be exact! Speaking of which…
Can you tell we made some friends?
What’s an Adventure Guide?
Think of them as a fusion of a personal concierge and your new BFF. Adventure Guides are not only experts on the regions that you’re touring, they’re also intriguing storytellers, mesmerizing entertainers, slapstick comedians, and more. Many ABD trips have two Adventure Guides, while the larger river cruise itineraries have more. They’re one of our favorite things about ABD, and should we ever have a career shift, we’d probably apply. When we think about the “Disney Difference”, we immediately think of Adventure Guides. Which leads us to...
What’s the “Disney Difference”?
(Great question.) Until you travel with ABD and experience it first hand, it might be hard to explain - but we’ll do our best. The Disney Difference is what makes ABD stand out from every other tour company or organization, and is exactly why they will always be our go-to for group trips and adventures.
Not only are the itineraries top-notch in every way, they include insider perks and “backstage passes” to iconic museums and events. We’re not sure how Disney is able to pull such strings, but we’re constantly impressed and amazed at the VIP experience ABD is able to provide for their guests. There’s also a level of authenticity that ABD brings that we so admire and appreciate - guests are able to fully immerse themselves in the different cultures and surroundings that they’re in. That kind of experience is extremely rare in group travel.
Traveling by authentic WWII amphibious vehicles to Omaha Beach - the “Disney Difference”
A backstage pass at the Louvre… yes, please!
How was the food? Do they have vegan/gf options?
Like we said earlier, we could dedicate a whole blog to the food we ate during our ten-day tour, and we’re not opposed to the idea, but for now we’ll keep it (relatively) short.
We never had a bad meal. From the extensive and decadent breakfast buffets in the mornings, to cozy lunches in location or on the ship, to the extravagant dinners and mid-day snacks, we were eating constantly. The ABD team knows that the culinary experience is one of the most important elements when it comes to travel, so they take dining very seriously.
They take great note of one’s dietary restrictions, whatever that may be, and make sure that they always have plenty of options. Many of our friends onboard were vegan and gluten free, and they raved about the specials that the chefs would create especially for them!
We had access to plenty of yummy carbs :)
And tasty dinners…
Always room for dessert!
It’s always happy hour back on the ship!
Is ABD worth the cost?
Now, this is the golden question - and one that we got multiple times a day on our Instagram through our comments and DM’s. We realize that ABD trips are not cheap. But when you factor in the accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, and attractions plus the VIP service, concierge-style attentiveness, and the “Disney Difference” - we actually think ABD is a great value! And we can 1,000% guarantee that after you’ve traveled with ABD, you would agree. And you’d most definitely be hooked.
VIP service, new friends, delicious food, and all the sights… ABD is worth it to us!
It might not be the kind of trip that you and your family or significant other can take multiple times a year, but it IS the kind of trip that is worth saving up for. And if the specific itinerary that we took doesn’t appeal to you or is simply not doable, they have nearly countless tour options world-wide, from exploring the Amazon to the Canadian Rockies! They even have 2-5 day “Escapes” in destinations such as Amsterdam and Boston, which are a perfect (and more affordable) way to see if ABD travel is right for you.
Any other questions about our experience with ABD? Leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to answer!