What is Avalon Waterways and what is its heritage?

Avalon Waterways is a luxury river cruise line that is part of the Globus family of brands. It was launched in 2004 and traces its heritage back to 1928 when Antonio Mantegazza founded Globus in Lugano, Switzerland. The company offers over 80 itineraries on 13 rivers plus the Galapagos, covering 24 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt. It has been awarded 'ServiceMark with Distinction' from the Institute of Customer Service, an industry first for a travel company.

What rivers and destinations does Avalon Waterways cover in the 2026-2027 brochure?

Avalon covers the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Douro, and Mekong rivers, as well as Dutch and Belgian waterways. Destinations span Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia), and Egypt. The brochure also includes festive Christmas cruises in Alsace, Germany, and along the Danube.

What unique destinations beyond Europe does Avalon offer in the 2025-2026 brochure?

Beyond Europe, Avalon offers the Mekong Discovery (8 days) and Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (13 days) in Southeast Asia; From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon (11 days) in South America; Ecuador & Its Galapagos Islands (8 days); Discover the Galapagos & Peru (15 days); and Taste of Egypt (10 days) on the Nile.

What makes Avalon Waterways' Suite Ships unique?

Avalon's Suite Ships feature the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising with an Open-Air Balcony design. The Panorama Suites offer living space that is 30% larger than the industry standard. Uniquely, the Comfort Collection Beds face the view rather than the wall, so guests can watch the scenery while lying in bed. Avalon launched the first Suite Ship in 2011.

What range of cruise durations does Avalon Waterways offer in 2025-2026?

Avalon offers a wide range of cruise durations from 5-day festive cruises (such as Christmastime in Alsace & Germany) up to 25-day extended voyages (From Romania to the North Sea). Popular mid-range options include 8-day cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and French rivers, 13-day Mekong cruises, and 15-day multi-river itineraries like Magnificent Europe and Grand France.

Does Avalon Waterways offer no-fly cruise options?

Yes, Avalon offers no-fly cruises that depart from Paris or Amsterdam, allowing guests to travel by rail instead of flying. Guests can depart from London St Pancras station and arrive in Paris in just over two hours via Eurostar. Eligible itineraries include Active & Discovery on the Seine, Paris to Normandy, Tulip Time Cruise, and Grand Tulip Cruise of Holland & Belgium.

What is included on every Avalon Waterways cruise?

Every Avalon cruise includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast and wine and beer with lunch and dinner; soft drinks throughout the day; an expert Cruise Director; complimentary Wi-Fi; gratuities for Cruise Director and crew; complimentary daily Happy Hour; Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station; AvalonGO mobile app; an Avalon Adventure Host; Avalon Choice excursions (Classic, Active, or Discovery); and Welcome Back Credit toward future trips.

Avalon Waterways

About

Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

Brochures

Avalon Waterways River Cruises 2025 2026

Avalon Waterways 2026 2027 River Cruising

Fleet (17)

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Alegria

2024

Explore Portugal's dazzling Douro River on Avalon's newest addition to our award-winning fleet of Su

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Artistry II

130 pax2,022t2013

Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Artistry II features two full decks

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Envision

166 pax2,775t2019

Just envision Europe's most spectacular views passing your panoramic window like ever-changing pictu

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Expression

166 pax2,775t2013

Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Expression features two full decks o

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Illumination

166 pax2,775t2014

Shining bright in Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Illumination features two

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Imagery II

130 pax2,022t2016

If image is everything, the Avalon Imagery II is the real thing. The Avalon Imagery II embodies all

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Impression

166 pax2,775t2014

Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Impression features two full decks o

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Panorama

166 pax2,775t2011

The Avalon Panorama led the way as the first of its kind in the industry to feature two full decks o

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Passion

166 pax2,775t2016

We're so passionate about our Suite Ships, we christened this Suite Ship the Avalon Passion. Gracing

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Poetry II

130 pax2,022t2014

The Avalon Poetry II offers a delightfully intimate cruise setting. Like its sister Suite Ships, the

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Saigon

36 pax950t2018

Since first taking her maiden voyage on the Mekong River, the Avalon Saigon has been praised for del

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Tapestry II

130 pax2,022t2015

The Avalon Tapestry II is a true haven on the river with two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Tranquility II

130 pax2,022t2015

Your Avalon river cruise will bring new tranquility to your traveler's soul, but you'll also find pl

Avalon Waterways

Avalon View

166 pax2,775t2020

As one of the newest additions to our award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon View certainly

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Visionary

130 pax2,022t2012

Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Visionary features two full decks of

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Vista

166 pax2,775t2012

The Avalon Vista's suites feature two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceil

Avalon Waterways

MS Farah

124 pax2011

In Arabic, Farah means happiness and joy. In this spirit, you'll sail on the MS Farah-one of Egypt's

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Upcoming Voyages

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Avalon Waterways

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