Europe · Asia · Egypt · South America & Beyond

Avalon Waterways

Discover the world’s most iconic waterways aboard intimate Suite Ships® with panoramic views, flexible dining, and excursions tailored to the way you love to travel.

Smaller Ships, Bigger Experiences

“No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and they’re not the same person,” said Heraclitus of ancient Greece. He could have said the same about an Avalon river cruise. Since no two travelers are the same, Avalon would never expect you to enjoy the same cruise as any other traveler. Even as you return again and again, your river cruises will be continually renewed and distinct from the ones before or after. Your opportunities are as varied as the vistas you’ll cruise by, making each day on an Avalon Waterways cruise an adventure of the mind, heart, or heart rate — all enjoyed at your pace, with your preferences, in your way.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways – Premium River Cruises

Fleet: Suite Ships® accommodating 128–166 guests, featuring the widest-opening panoramic windows in river cruising

Destinations: Europe (Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine), Southeast Asia (Mekong), India (Ganges), Egypt (Nile), South America (Amazon), and Galápagos

Service: Intimate ship size with excellent crew-to-guest ratio and personalised attention

Signature Feature: Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to create an open-air balcony experience — 30% larger than the industry standard

  • Ship accommodations in spacious Panorama Suites or staterooms
  • All onboard meals featuring locally sourced, regionally inspired cuisine
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Cocktails during cocktail hour (on select regions)
  • Complimentary shore excursions in every port — Classic, Discovery, and Active options
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • Use of onboard bicycles and fitness centre
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment programs
  • Gratuities for the ship’s crew and Cruise Director
  • Port charges

  • Panorama Suites with the widest-opening windows in river cruising — 200 sq. ft. of living space with beds facing the view
  • Avalon Choice® flexibility lets you customise excursions and dining to your preferences every day
  • FlexDining® with multiple venues — from elegant Panorama Dining Room to casual Sky Grill and Panorama Bistro
  • Intimate ships (128–166 guests) dock in the heart of cities and towns, not distant ports
  • Avalon Fresh healthy dining program in collaboration with Austrian chefs Leo and Karl Wrenkh
  • Active Discovery sailings with canoeing, hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and hands-on cultural experiences

Panorama Dining Room: Elegant main dining with panoramic views and regionally inspired menus

Panorama Bistro: Lighter fare and healthy options in a casual setting

Sky Grill: Al fresco dining on the Sky Deck when weather permits

Avalon Fresh: Innovative, wholesome dishes using ingredients from local farms and suppliers

Panorama Lounge: Craft cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Martin Hudák, including the original Espresso Martini and Easy Stinger

Afternoon Tea: Daily service featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats, and sandwiches

Classic: Guided tours of iconic landmarks with expert Local Guides, preferred access, and insider knowledge of local legends and heritage

Discovery: Hands-on cultural immersion — listen to a Vienna waltz, paint like Van Gogh, or learn a local recipe in a farmhouse kitchen

Active: Bike rides, hilltop castle hikes, kayak excursions, jogging tours, and more for adventure-minded travellers

Optional excursions are also available during free time, so you’ll never have to choose between an included and optional activity.

At a Glance

Cruise Your Way

Suite Ships®

80% Panorama Suites with the widest windows in river cruising

  • 200 sq. ft. Panorama Suites
  • All meals with local cuisine
  • Wine, beer & soft drinks at meals
  • Complimentary shore excursions
  • Free Wi-Fi & onboard bicycles
  • Gratuities included
  • FlexDining® options

128–166 guests per ship

Explore

Discover Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways Suite Ship cruising along a European river

The Panorama Suite Difference

Avalon Waterways takes pride in having a fleet of river cruise ships unlike any other. Their Suite Ships® — consisting of 80% Panorama Suites — feature the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising, offering you a view of the world that cannot be surpassed with living space that’s 30% larger than the industry standard. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. Staterooms and suites come with your choice of Comfort Collection℠ mattresses and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets under European-style duvets, premium L’Occitane® bath products, plush towels, bathrobes, and slippers, marble-top bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers, a fully stocked mini-bar, state-of-the-art flatscreen TVs, and free Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

FlexDining® & Culinary Excellence

Avalon’s FlexDining® approach has tossed out the idea of restrictive seating times in limited settings. Instead, choose from a breezy al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, an elegant four-course dinner in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, or a more casual culinary setting in the Panorama Bistro. Whichever table setting you choose, you’ll savour local flavours as well as familiar favourites prepared with the freshest local ingredients by Avalon’s talented chefs. Thanks to their collaboration with Austrian brothers Leo and Karl Wrenkh — leading chefs in the healthy-dining movement — you can take an indulgent vacation without drifting from your healthy habits. Avalon Fresh uses ingredients from local farms and suppliers to create innovative yet wholesome dishes available at every meal. If you’re in a more spirited mood, toast your adventures with craft cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Martin Hudák in the Panorama Lounge.

Avalon Waterways elegant dining room with panoramic views
Avalon Waterways scenic European river destination with castle

Explore the World Your Way

Avalon Waterways brings you closer to the world’s most captivating destinations. Explore Europe down the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, or Seine. Experience India along the Ganges or elegant, exotic Egypt on the Nile. Sail the mighty Amazon or get up close with Darwin’s theory in the Galápagos. Reveal Vietnam and Cambodia’s history, mystery, and magical beauty along the Mekong River. With Avalon Choice®, every excursion is tailored to your style — whether you prefer Classic sightseeing, hands-on Discovery experiences, or heart-pumping Active adventures. Raise a glass at an Austrian wine tasting or raise your heart rate on a jogging tour of Cologne. The opportunities are boundless.

Experience

The Avalon Waterways Experience

Panorama Suite Ships®

Wake up to stunning scenery through wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that open to transform your entire suite into an open-air balcony. At 200 sq. ft., these are among the largest suites in river cruising.

FlexDining® Freedom

Dine when, where, and how you like — from the elegant Panorama Dining Room and casual Panorama Bistro to al fresco Sky Grill meals. Avalon Fresh healthy options and craft cocktails add to the experience.

Avalon Choice® Excursions

Explore your way with Classic guided tours, Discovery cultural immersions, or Active adventures like biking, hiking, and kayaking. Optional excursions during free time mean you never miss an included activity.

Avalon Waterways sun deck with lounge chairs and whirlpool

Onboard Spaces & Experiences

When you leave your stateroom or suite, you don’t leave the luxury or the magnificent views behind. The quintessential Avalon touch is in every detail throughout their elegant river cruise ships. Recline on the open-air Sky Deck — lavishly designed with a shade system, premium lounge chairs, a game area, and a whirlpool. Get your sweat on in the state-of-the-art fitness centre. Cosy up in the Club Lounge Library with a great book, a fun game of cards, or board games with new friends you’ll make onboard. Grab a premium spirit in the upscale bar as you take in the passing scenery from the Observation Lounge, or simply feel the wind over the bough. However you choose to enjoy your Avalon river cruise, you’ll do it indulgently and in a way that’s uniquely your own.

What’s Included

Your Cruise Package

Included in Every Avalon Cruise

  • Ship accommodations
  • All meals with specialty dining options
  • Beer, wine & soft drinks with meals
  • Onboard entertainment
  • Use of onboard facilities
  • Complimentary shore excursions
  • Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • Gratuities for crew & Cruise Director

Your Cruise Help Booking Also Includes

  • Expert guidance choosing your itinerary, ship & stateroom
  • Access to exclusive group rates — savings up to 50%
  • Weekly price monitoring with automatic adjustments
  • Recommendations on shore excursions
  • Advice on cruise and travel policies
  • 365-day support from 23+ expert advisors
  • No booking, consultation, or change fees — ever

Popular Upgrades Available

  • Car service and transfer arrangements
  • Flight bookings*
  • Hotel stay reservations
  • Pre-cruise and post-cruise travel planning
  • Travel insurance guidance

*Terms and conditions apply

Images

Gallery

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Avalon Waterways’ signature Panorama Suites feature innovative wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to transform your entire living space into an open-air balcony. At 200 square feet, these suites are among the largest in river cruising and include beds facing the view so you can wake up to stunning scenery. The design provides 30% more space than the industry standard.

Avalon Waterways cruises include all onboard meals featuring locally sourced cuisine, complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary Wi-Fi, port charges, use of onboard bicycles, and a selection of included shore excursions in every port. Gratuities for the ship’s crew and Cruise Director are also included in the cruise fare. When you book through Cruise Help, you also benefit from our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees — ever.

Avalon Choice® gives you flexibility in how you experience your cruise. For excursions, choose from Classic (traditional guided tours), Discovery (hands-on cultural experiences), or Active (hiking, biking, kayaking). For dining, select from the main dining room, lighter fare at the Panorama Bistro, or al fresco options. You can mix and match throughout your voyage based on your daily preferences.

Avalon Waterways offers river cruises across Europe on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine, and Dutch and Belgian waterways. Beyond Europe, they sail the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, the Ganges in India, the Nile in Egypt, the Amazon in South America, and the Galápagos Islands. Each destination showcases the unique culture and landscapes of the region.

AvalonGO is Avalon Waterways’ mobile app that enhances your cruise experience. It provides real-time ship information, daily schedules, destination guides, and the ability to book shore excursions and spa appointments. The app also includes audio walking tours for independent exploration and messaging features to stay connected with fellow travellers and crew.

Avalon Waterways’ Suite Ships accommodate between 128 and 166 guests, depending on the vessel and itinerary. This intimate size ensures personalised service, uncrowded public spaces, and easy access to destinations. The excellent crew-to-guest ratio means attentive service throughout your voyage, and the smaller capacity allows docking in the heart of cities and towns.

Avalon Waterways offers multiple dining venues through their FlexDining® program. The Panorama Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with regionally inspired menus. The Panorama Bistro provides lighter fare and healthy Avalon Fresh options in a casual setting. Sky Deck dining offers al fresco meals when weather permits. Complimentary early-riser coffee and pastries are available, as is room service for continental breakfast. Award-winning craft cocktails are served in the Panorama Lounge, and daily Afternoon Tea rounds out the offerings.

Avalon Active Discovery cruises are designed for travellers who want immersive, hands-on experiences. These special sailings include activities like canoeing, hiking, biking, and paddleboarding, along with cultural experiences like cooking classes, painting workshops, and local artisan visits. The ships carry equipment including bicycles, Nordic walking sticks, and kayaks for guest use throughout the voyage.

Yes, Avalon Waterways welcomes solo travellers with reduced or waived single supplements on select sailings. The intimate ship size makes it easy to meet fellow travellers, and the included excursions provide social opportunities. Open seating at meals encourages mingling, and many solo travellers appreciate the safety and convenience of river cruising for independent exploration.

Avalon Waterways maintains a relaxed, resort casual dress code throughout the voyage. Comfortable daytime attire is appropriate for excursions and onboard activities. Evenings are smart casual — think nice jeans or slacks with a collared shirt or blouse. There are no formal nights, and the atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming.

Absolutely! With Avalon YourWay, you can seamlessly add days and nights in various destinations before or after your cruise. Avalon takes care of all the details — from ship-to-hotel and hotel-to-ship transfers, transportation between cities, superior hotel accommodations, and guided sightseeing with plenty of optional excursions and free time. From Budapest to Barcelona, Milan to Marseille, or London to Lucerne, it’s the perfect way to make the most of your journey.

When you book Avalon Waterways through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares — with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors, many with real cruise experience, provides personalised cabin selection advice, itinerary planning, and destination guidance. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees — ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you enquire to the moment you disembark.

Get Started

Ready for Your River Cruise Adventure?

Experience the world’s most captivating waterways aboard an Avalon Waterways Suite Ship®. When you’re ready to cruise your way, speak with our expert advisors at Cruise Help. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees — ever — your perfect river cruise begins with us!