Avalon Waterways

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 a river cruise on Avalon Waterways. 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.

Avalon Waterways takes pride in having a fleet of river cruise ships unlike any other. Avalon’s Suite Ship® – consisting of 80% Panorama Suites – features 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. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough on the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, daydream, or just watch the world go by.

Avalon Waterways has made it easy to make yourself comfortable with luxurious amenities, an inspired selection of warm design elements, and generous living spaces. Avalon staterooms and suites come with your choice of Comfort CollectionSM mattresses and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets under European-style duvets, deluxe woven carpeting, 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 with a bounty of entertainment options, and free Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

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. Their Panorama Dining Room, with its extensive panoramic views, brings the beauty of the surrounding vistas to your fine dining experience. Or, get your sweat on in their state-of-the-art fitness center. Avalon’s Club Lounge Library is the place to get cozy with a great book, play a fun game of cards, or even enjoy board games while you socialize with the new friends you’ll make onboard. Grab a premium spirit in their upscale bar as you make your way to their Sky Deck, lavishly designed with a shade system & premium lounge chairs, a game area, and a whirlpool. However you choose to enjoy your Avalon river cruise, you’ll do it indulgently and in a way that’s uniquely your own.

Avalon even extends “Cruise Your Way” to their dining options. Avalon’s FlexDining® approach to onboard culinary experiences has tossed out the idea of restrictive seating times in limited settings. Instead, guests can choose from options like 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 savor local flavors as well as the familiar favorites you love with the freshest local ingredients prepared by Avalon’s talented chefs. And, owing 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 the original Espresso Martini or Easy Stinger – just two of the craft cocktails designed by Avalon’s award-winning mixologist, Martin Hudák – in their Panorama Lounge. Feeling a bit proper and peckish? Avalon’s got you covered with their daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches.

With everything that Avalon Waterways has to offer, you’ll be tempted to never leave the ship. But, there’s an extraordinary world out there calling for you to explore and delight in, and Avalon includes an exceptional variety of excursions and activities, so you can experience it all in your own way. Avalon knows there is more than one way to explore new destinations. So, raise a glass at an Austrian wine tasting or raise your heart rate on a jogging tour of Cologne. The opportunities are boundless, from classic sightseeing in Paris to a classical concert in Vienna to a culinary walk in Lyon or a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside.

Avalon’s unique choices include their “Classic,” “Discovery,” and “Active” adventures. Get up close and personal on a Classic excursion with the iconic places you’ve dreamed of seeing. With expert Local Guides, you’ll get preferred access to the famous sites, insider information on local legends and lore, and the authentic heritage behind the history. On a journey of Discovery, pull up a chair to hear a Vienna waltz, roll up your sleeves to paint like Van Gogh, or grab an apron to whip up a local recipe. Discover the world’s simple pleasures and grand artistry, from famous galleries to farmhouse kitchens. Or, If you’re up for an active adventure, the adventure is up to you! On their Active tours, you’ll greet the day with a bike ride, a hike to a hilltop castle, or a kayak excursion through the Gorges de l’Ardėche.

If Avalon’s complimentary excursions aren’t enough to satisfy your adventurous spirit, you can also partake in one of their optional tours. Each optional excursion, hand-selected and tested by their travel experts, operates during free time, so you’ll never miss an included tour or have to choose between an included and optional activity.

Looking to extend your river cruise? Avalon makes it easy to seamlessly add days and nights in various destinations before or after your cruise. They take 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 to customize your experience. With Avalon YourWay, you can add the perfect amount of time on land before or after your Avalon river cruise!

From Budapest to Barcelona, Milan to Marseille, or London to Lucerne, Avalon brings you closer and offers you more time to get to know the destinations that call to you. Experience India down the Ganges River or elegant, exotic Egypt down the Nile. Want the ultimate Jungle Cruise? Sail down the mighty Amazon River. Get up close with Darwin’s theory in the Galapagos. Sail down the mighty Mekong River to reveal Vietnam and Cambodia’s history, mystery, and magical beauty. Explore Europe down the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhone, Saone, or Seine.

There are so many places to explore on an Avalon Waterways river cruise, and the seemingly endless options can be overwhelming. But, no one knows Avalon Waterways better than the river cruise experts at Extraordinary Adventures. We know that “no one ever steps in the same river twice,” and we know precisely how to plan your cruise, your way, so call us today and begin river cruising your way on Avalon Waterways.