The river cruise company Avalon Waterways sails on 13 rivers around the world. It has a strong European focus, but also offers sailings in Asia, South America, and Egypt.
Excursions and activities onboard and off the company’s 16 ships focus on local culture and cuisine and include options like guided walking tours, canoe trips, biking excursions, and cooking classes.
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Food is an important part of Avalon’s onboard experience, and its ships have multiple dining venues where passengers can take advantage of the company’s FlexDining program. Another initiative, Avalon Fresh, incorporates local ingredients to create dishes that are both healthy and inventive.
TourScoop takeaways
- Destinations: 79 cruise itineraries to 24 countries on 13 rivers
- Tour size average: The average ship holds 150 guests. Some ships, like the Avalon Saigon in Southwest Asia, are significantly smaller and carry just 36 passengers.
- Tour type: River cruise ship
How to book
Cruises can be booked by phone with an Avalon Vacation Planner at 877-797-8791 or through a travel advisor. You can also chat with a Vacation Planner through the Avalon Waterways website.
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Credibility check
Avalon Waterways has received a slew of awards and accolades, including being named a top river cruise line by Cruise Critic, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, and Travel + Leisure. It has a Cruise Critic user ranking of 4.7 out of 5 and rates 4.7 out 5 on Travelstride.
Tour destinations
Avalon Waterways has 79 cruise itineraries to 24 countries on 13 rivers. Passengers can travel throughout Europe on rivers including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, and Seine, visiting counties such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. There are also cruise itineraries to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia; the Galapagos, Peru, and the Amazon in South America; and Egypt.
Avalon is making an upcoming strategic refinement to its France river cruise portfolio, with the Avalon Artistry II repositioning to the Seine River beginning in 2027, following the completion of Bordeaux sailings through the 2026 season. The move boosts capacity in one of Europe’s highest-demand river corridors, where Paris and Normandy sailings remain among Avalon’s most popular itineraries.
Cruise types
River cruise types include classic European river cruises, active itineraries, holiday season cruises, and cruises focused on interests including cuisine, wine, music, gardens and nature, and history. Typical itineraries range from eight to 16 days, but there are also options for shorter four- to six-day trips and sailings of three weeks or longer.
To meet the rising demand for off-season travel options (nearly 75% of Avalon guests say they prefer off-season travel), the company has created the Cozy Cruise Collection of itineraries that take advantage of Europe’s cooler months. Guests save up to 35% off peak season rates and enjoy smaller crowds at Europe’s most sought-after sights.
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Cruise guides and local guides
English-speaking staff aboard Avalon ships include Adventure Hosts who can provide information on onboard fitness activities and connect passengers with excursions and gear (think bikes, walking sticks) for exploring the destinations they’re visiting. Expert local guides lead excursions.
What’s included
Almost everything is included on an Avalon Waterways cruise. That means the price includes:
- Daily meals
- Wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner and Champagne with breakfast
- Complimentary Happy Hour
- Accommodations in an exterior stateroom (with more than 80% featuring open-air balconies)
- Up to 28 included excursions on itineraries
- Use of bikes and e-bikes
- Exercise classes with Adventure Hosts
- On-board entertainment and classes
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
- Complimentary water stations
What’s not included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
Typical travelers
The average Avalon traveler is in their 50s or 60s. But the variety of itineraries offered broadens that age range. The company’s Active & Discovery Cruises are popular for multigenerational travel, and its Storyteller Cruises that feature celebrity hosts draw in many first-time river cruisers.
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Avalon’s river cruises also appeal to solo travelers, and the company waives the single supplement on a select number of staterooms on every departure. There are no special arrangements or activities for children on the ships, and no children under the age of eight are allowed on the company’s cruises.
Communication
Avalon Vacation Planners are available by phone, email, and online chat from booking through travel. Passengers receive five pre-trip email communications after booking, which include a Travel Packet with a detailed itinerary, schedule, and flight information (if flights are booked through Avalon); destination information; tips and guidelines on pre-trip requirements and preparation for the destination; and the ability to add optional excursions to a trip 90 days or closer to the departure date.
Loyalty program
Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, which offers a Welcome Back Credit for returning guests. Each time you travel with a Globus family of brands operator, you can earn up to a $250 per person Welcome Back Credit to use toward your next vacation. Guests have two years to book a vacation using their credit with Avalon Waterways, Globus, or Cosmos.
Sustainability efforts
Avalon Waterways has a number of sustainability efforts, including supporting organizations like Trees4Travel and Landmine Design through the Lighthouse Project. The company has eliminated single-use plastics onboard its ships, installed LED lighting fleet-wide, reduced paper waste by 80% onboard, and committed to using shore power while docked wherever available to reduce emissions. Avalon has longer-term goals to reach zero emissions.
Health and safety practices
Avalon has continued enhanced cleaning procedures that include daily disinfecting, air-filtration practices, the use of electrostatic and UV disinfecting technologies, and hand sanitizing stations when entering the ship and dining venues. It also offers a Travel Protection Plan that includes a cancel-for-any-reason benefit and covers trip interruption expenses.
Family companies
Avalon Waterways is one of the Globus family of brands, which also include tour companies Globus and Cosmos.
