Cruise Frog guide
Avalon Waterways vs Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours rates higher than Avalon Waterways on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.9 to 3.7 out of 5 across their rated ships. Avalon Waterways leads on pools & decks and value; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on cabins, dining and service. Pick Avalon Waterways for solo travelers; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours for food lovers.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Avalon Waterways | Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Style | River | River |
| Best for | Couples, History and culture, Adventure seekers, Solo travelers | Couples, History and culture, Food lovers, Adventure seekers |
| Fleet rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Cabins | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dining | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Entertainment | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Service | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Pools & decks | 3.0 | 2.4 |
| Value | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Ships in service | 19 | 16 |
| Ships on the way | — | 3 |
| Largest ship | — | Scenic Eclipse (17,545 GT) |
| Newest ship | MS Infinity (2025) | Scenic Eclipse II (2023) |
| Guests per ship, average | 133 | 149 |
| Usually sails | Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône | Rhine, Danube, Northern Europe, South America |
| Solo cabins | None | — |
| Single supplement | Avalon waives the single supplement for Deluxe Staterooms and Panorama Suites on most Europe departures and on select Mekong sailings… | — |
| Loyalty program | — | Scenic & Emerald Rewards |
| Owner | Globus family of brands | Scenic Group |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado, United States | Sydney, Australia |
| Founded | 2004 | 1986 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Avalon Waterways or Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours?
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours rates higher than Avalon Waterways on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.9 to 3.7 out of 5 across their rated ships. Avalon Waterways leads on pools & decks and value; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on cabins, dining and service.
Is Avalon Waterways or Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours better value?
Avalon Waterways scores higher for value, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Avalon Waterways or Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours better for dining?
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours scores higher for dining, 5.0 to 4.0 out of 5 (good food in the main dining room and the specialty venues).
Is Avalon Waterways or Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours better for entertainment?
They score the same for entertainment, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Avalon Waterways or Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours better for cabins?
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours scores higher for cabins, 5.0 to 4.2 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
How many ships do Avalon Waterways and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have?
Avalon Waterways has 19 ships in service; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has 16 ships in service and 3 on the way.
Are Avalon Waterways and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours owned by the same company?
No. Avalon Waterways is part of Globus family of brands; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is part of Scenic Group.