Avalon Waterways Experience

Discover the effortless Avalon Experience with a wealth of included award-winning Classic, Active & Discovery excursions; onboard regional and traditional cuisine with world-class dining menus and venues; complimentary WiFi throughout the ship; first-class cruise directors and crew; and expert Local Guides on shore. Enjoy onboard entertainment, workshops, and special presentations, and explore your way with bikes, gear, and guidance from the Adventure Center. Get your workout in with a state-of-the-art fitness center onboard, and head up top to elevate your spirit on the Sky Deck for stargazing or a sunrise yoga class, followed by a soak in the Sky Deck whirlpool.

Gratuities are included for service staff at included meals (excluding hotel meals in Europe), and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person during the land stay of your trip. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Cruise Director, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship’s crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships are not included and may be prepaid with your booking or given at your discretion on trip.

A variety of beverages are included with your cruise fare to ensure you stay refreshed throughout your journey. In Europe, enjoy complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner and lunch, plus sparkling wine with breakfast. Additionally, specialty coffees, tea, and access to filtered water refill stations are available around the clock. In Asia, passengers can avail themselves of complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local beer/spirits throughout the day, with wine provided during lunch and dinner. Filtered water refill stations are also accessible 24/7. For cruises along the Amazon, complimentary coffee, tea, selected soft drinks, and local beer/spirits are offered all day, with wine included at dinner, alongside 24-hour access to filtered water stations. In the Galápagos, guests can enjoy coffee and tea throughout the day and wine with dinner, with filtered water stations available any time.

Onboard Avalon ships in Europe, guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi, ensuring you stay connected throughout your journey. For those traveling on the Mekong, complimentary WiFi is accessible in the Panorama Lounge, though it's important to note that the signal may not always be reliable due to the remote areas you'll be cruising through. To connect to the ship's WiFi network, a PIN number will be provided at reception for use on your personal devices. Additionally, guests cruising in Egypt will also have access to complimentary WiFi aboard their ship, enhancing your travel experience by keeping you connected with loved ones and the world. WiFi is not offered on cruises in the Amazon or Galápagos.

Gratuities are included for wait staff at included meals (excluding hotel meals in Europe), and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person during the land stay of your trip. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Cruise Director, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship’s crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships are not included and may be prepaid with your booking or given at your discretion on trip.

Avalon is a favorite experience shared by multi-generational families, however, in many years of cruising experience, Avalon has found that children under the age of eight are typically too young to fully enjoy a cruise vacation. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, Avalon does not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on Avalon ships.

With your choice of over 70 cruises on 10 rivers through 24 countries, Avalon sails on the great rivers of Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt. From the waterways of Holland to the wild waters of the Galapagos and Peruvian Amazon; across the heart of Europe’s iconic cities and stunning countryside on the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Saône, and Portugal’s Douro Rivers to the exotic rivers of Southeast Asia and India, Avalon cruisers can be choosers again and again.

While Avalon includes a variety of award-winning onshore excursions and activities, Avalon also offers a wide array of optional excursions to customize your cruise experience. You’ll find exciting optional excursions and experiences for each cruise – all easy to select at the time of booking and on trip when possible. If free time pursuits are more your preference, Avalon makes it easy to explore like a local with the AvalonGO mobile app – packed with GPS navigation, dining, and entertainment tips.

Avalon’s 100% Suite Ship fleet of river ships include Deluxe Staterooms and award-winning Panorama Suites offering the only Open-Air Balcony in river cruising with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling 11-foot panoramic windows. Enjoy more room to dream with cabins measuring 30% larger than any other river ship and relax with the world at your feet with Comfort Collection beds that face the window with your choice of firmness. Take in a movie in your room with a selection of hundreds of films, and indulge in thoughtful room amenities, including luxurious L’Occitane bath products.

Avalon chefs insist on the freshest local ingredients to create culinary delights on board each day. From regional specialties that reflect the destinations you’re exploring to familiar favorites you crave, great food is all part of the journey. With a choice of menus and venues on board, Avalon’s FlexDining philosophy dispenses with restrictive seating times and settings. Enjoy the flexibility to dine on your schedule with a choice of onboard venues – from Continental breakfast in the dining room or delivered to your door; al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill; à la carte 4-course dinner in the Panorama Dining Room; a casual bite in the Panorama Bistro; complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner; and 24-hour coffee, tea, and treats in the Club Lounge.

Variety is the spice of life, and no two cruisers are alike. That’s why Avalon’s award-winning onshore excursions are designed with choice in mind. Choose from an exciting selection of Avalon Choice Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions and activities that speak to your interests and passions. Roll through charming villages on a bicycle tour or roll up your sleeves in a cooking class. Take a hike to a hilltop castle or take photographs of the world’s most iconic sites. How you rock the boat is up to you!

The nature of rivers is to ebb and flow. When Mother Nature requires navigational adjustments to an itinerary, Avalon communicates changes due to low water with guests and travel advisors as soon as possible. Avalon handles modified itineraries or ship changes when needed, while still maintaining the original itinerary as closely as possible – always with your convenience and comfort in mind.

While nothing is more exciting than tracing the paths of historic legends, doing so with the most minimal footprint excites us even more. Avalon Waterways Lighthouse Project focuses on an unwavering effort to conserve and preserve each destination Avalon shares with travel lovers by helping to protect the waterways, wild places, and wildlife by partnering with organizations that do the same. Avalon Waterways has been honored by Europe’s Green Award, recognized for their Suite Ship fleet's high safety and environmental standards. This prestigious award is given to river cruise ships based on the environmental impact of engines, fuel consumption, waste mitigation and maintenance, pollution prevention, and more.