Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways

What better way is there to cruise to legendary and exotic destinations than with Avalon Waterways, an award-winning, fairly young cruise line that provides spacious accommodations, flawless service, exceptional shore excursions, affordable land packages, and a wide range of ethereal dining options to those who want to travel in style? With its creation in 2004, Avalon Waterways has brought much innovation to the river cruising industry with its introduction of Open-Air Balconies, Silent Drive System, Avalon Fresh dining options, and the contemporary and comfortable design of their ships. Being a part of Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways can truly provide you with an incredible traveling experience to Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.

Shore Excursions

Avalon Waterways offers over 77 river cruises to 24 countries plus the Galapagos, and thanks to its award-winning land program and expert Certified Local Guides, you’re sure to have an unforgettable adventure. With daily port lectures, VIP access to key destinations, optional guided bicycle tours in many countries, and the ability to set your own pace for the guided tours, you can customize your time onshore in a way that best suits you. Guided sightseeing is available in every port, and you have three options to choose from: "Classic," "Active," and "Discovery."

• Classic sightseeing lets you see the destination's highlights unhurriedly by guided walking tours through timeless attractions.
• Active excursions allow guests to visit a larger number of sites at a slightly faster pace by kayaking, riding a bicycle, hiking, etc.
• Discovery tours may include hands-on experiences, such as a cooking class, painting workshop, etc.

You can also take optional excursions and explore independently, following Avalon Adventure Host suggestions, AvalonGO mobile app directions, or your ideas (take gear from the ship's Adventure Center if needed). And no matter what options you choose, you can expect to find yourself immersed in hands-on local culture. For example, you could enjoy a German-inspired lunch of authentic sausage and beer or sample wines produced at a local vineyard.

Cultural enrichment doesn’t end once you step back onto your ship, either. Depending on where you sail, onboard experts, specialists, and guest lecturers will pass on their specialized knowledge to you through Avalon’s seemingly limitless onboard enrichment program.

Avalon Waterways also offers a limited selection of interesting and unique special interest cruises aboard their intimate vessels, extending you the opportunity to mingle with others who share a similar passion and to learn more through presentations by experts while on the cruise. The topics of some of their theme cruises are Wine, Beer, Music, Jazz, Photography, Culinary, Festive Season, WWII Remembrance & History, and Garden & Nature. Contact us for more information.

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Why Choose Avalon Waterways?

Personalized Service

On your Avalon Waterways cruise, you'll discover that their level of personalized service is unmatchable. From the second you step aboard you are embodied with a welcoming spirit from your cabin steward all the way to the ship's captain and everyone in between. Whether you want to order breakfast room service or throw a private suite cocktail party, you can count on Avalon Waterways' staff to be professional, approachable, and impeccably helpful.

Inspired Dining

When it comes to cuisine, Avalon Waterways is devoted to serving up fresh, flavorful, and locally-inspired dishes overseen by executive chef Joerg Penneke. From the Welcome Dinner all the way to the Farewell Gala Dinner, you can enjoy unique and exquisite plates such as green pea cappuccino soup and fillet de perche as well as traditional Western favorites like French onion soup, salmon and Caesar salad. You can also discover fresh and healthy options thanks to Avalon Fresh, including vegetarian and vegan selections.

There are many dining venues and options to choose from. Breakfast is available as early as 6 a.m. (with a late-riser option at 8:30 a.m.), and night fare is available all the way up until around 10:30 p.m. Most ships offer al fresco and light lunches at the bistros, extravagant four-course meals in the main dining room, continental breakfasts, lunch buffets, and a la carte dining, as well as afternoon tea & coffee with sweet refreshments. All venues are free, so the choice is simply up to you. With breakfast, you can enjoy complimentary juice and sparkling wine, followed by complimentary soft drinks, beer, and professionally selected wines with every lunch and dinner.

View in Every Room

Accommodations aboard all Avalon Waterways ships are the ultimate ticket to relaxation. Their goal is to make you feel as free as possible, rather than confined. The minimum stateroom size on all Avalon Waterways ships is 172 square feet. On every Suite Ship, you can find comfort in the 200-square-foot Panorama Suites that are 30% larger than the average river cruising stateroom. 70% of the beds on the Avalon European fleet face the window so that you can truly relax and enjoy the passing countryside. Sixteen of the fleet’s ships feature two full decks of suites with Open-Air Balconies, which are wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that measure 11’x7’ and enable you to invite the weather in rather than leave the comfort of your stateroom. These windows are the only of their kind in all of river cruising. Every stateroom and suite is tastefully designed with endless features and amenities that make you feel like you're staying in a five-star luxury hotel.

What's Included?

With Avalon Waterways, you’ll find many great onboard amenities right at your fingertips. There is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ships so you can easily stay in touch with others back home. If you want to kick back and relax, you can take advantage of the covered Observation Lounges or have fun on the top decks, where you can find shade awnings, premium lounges, whirlpools or a swimming pool (on Avalon Alegria), and game areas. You’ll also discover a Fitness Center, Club Lounge library, Adventure Center, and self-serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate station on every ship. Finally, you can enjoy local onboard entertainment, usually local dance and music performances. If you need anything, you can count on the friendly English-speaking crew and your Cruise Director, who are ready to help you with anything you need.

Casual, yet Elegant

Although their ships and accommodations are quite elegant, there is a fairly casual dress code on an Avalon Waterways cruise. For instance, during dinner, casual attire such as open-neck shirts, slacks, and dresses are just fine. However, coats and ties may be worn if you would like to do so. There are typically a couple of dressy (but not formal) evenings during the cruise (such as the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners).

Awards and Honors

Avalon Waterways' biggest reward is to make all cruise guests feel happy. They succeed with fantastic shore excursions, award-winning Panorama Suites, incredible Open–Air Balconies, and flexible dining options. They also received multiple awards and honors from some of the most respected experts in river cruising. In 2024, they made it to USA Today's "Top 5 Best River Cruise Lines." In 2023, they were honored with Cruise Critic's Editors’ Pick for "Best Cabins in River Cruising" and "Best River Cruises for Solo Travelers," Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 16 Best River Cruise Lines," USA Today's "No. 1 Best River Cruise Line" and "No. 1 Best River Cruise Ship – Avalon Envision," Travel Age West Wave Awards' "Best New River Cruise Ship - Avalon View," and ranking in the "Top 10 among River Cruises" in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2023 readers’ survey, among other awards. In 2022, the cruise line received Recommend Magazine's "Readers’ Choice Award, Best River Cruise Itineraries (Bronze) Avalon Waterways," and USA Today's "Voted 10 Best River Cruise Ship – Avalon Tranquility II," among others.

What’s New for Avalon Waterways?

Avalon Waterways added Avalon Alegria, the new 102-guest "Suite Ship," to its European fleet in spring 2024. She is the first company's vessel to cruise in Portugal. She is built exclusively to sail the dreamy Douro River. Avalon Alegria offers beautiful voyages through picturesque landscapes, sloping vineyards, and sleepy villages of Portugal, featuring iconic 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with Open-Air Balconies and Comfort Collection Beds and the first Avalon Waterways Sky Deck pool.

In 2023, the small comfortable Treasure of Galapagos, chartered solely for Avalon Waterways, was refurbished. This 16-passenger ship takes guests to Ecuador, Peru, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands, offering extreme intimacy, all the modern amenities of a luxury cruise ship, and an unforgettable experience.

In 2022, the company presented 166-passenger "Suite Ship" Avalon View that sails multiple European destinations in luxury and comfort and features two full decks of suites that measure at least 200 square feet, making them 30% larger than the industry standard.

Your ticket to relaxation and rejuvenation awaits, as do significant savings and exclusive offers. Call us now - we’re ready to assist you today!