Cruise Frog guide

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways is the river cruise brand of the Globus family of brands, the Swiss family-owned travel group that traces its start to 1928 on Lake Lugano and also runs the Globus and Cosmos tour brands. Avalon began sailing in 2004 with one ship, Avalon Artistry, added Avalon Poetry in 2005, and joined Cruise Lines International Association in 2009. Its North American office is in Denver, Colorado.

Official site

Style

River

riverboats through towns and cities, a port most days

Best for

  • Couples
  • History and culture
  • Adventure seekers
  • Solo travelers

Fleet rating

No ships rated yet.

About Avalon Waterways

Since 2011 every new European ship has been a Suite Ship, built around 200-square-foot Panorama Suites whose floor-to-ceiling windows open across the room and whose beds face the river. The fleet now has 15 Suite Ships in Europe, from Avalon Panorama of 2011 to Avalon Alegria, which opened the line's Douro program in 2024, plus Avalon Saigon on the Mekong. On rivers and seas its own ships do not reach, Avalon charters other operators' vessels, currently in Peru's Amazon, the Galápagos and on the Nile.

Fares include wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, a nightly happy hour, Starlink Wi-Fi and an average of 22 included excursions under its Avalon Choice program, with classic, active and discovery options. Dining is open seating, and bikes and e-bikes are carried for use ashore.

What Avalon Waterways is known for

Avalon Waterways is best known for its Panorama Suites, which the line says are more than 30 percent larger than the industry standard, and for a European fleet it describes as the youngest on the rivers. Trade awards have followed: Wikipedia records a 2019 award as best European river line, TravelAge West named Avalon Saigon best new river cruise ship in 2019, and the line says its whole European fleet holds Green Award status. Its main selling points are open-seating dining, a choice of excursion styles and drinks included at meals.

There are trade-offs. The Panorama Suites trade a true step-out balcony for windows that slide open, and the lowest-deck Deluxe Staterooms are much smaller (172 square feet on Avalon Envision). Most of the European ships have a Sky Deck whirlpool but no pool; Avalon Alegria, from 2024, was the first with one. Outside Europe and the Mekong the line sells cruises on chartered ships run by other companies, and its website lists no loyalty program for past guests.

Who it's for

Avalon suits couples and older travelers who want a modern, mid-sized river ship, a large standard cabin with a wide view, and a mix of guided and active excursions. Travelers who like to choose between classic tours, hikes and bike rides will find the Avalon Choice program useful, and solo travelers sometimes find sailings with the single supplement waived. Its range of themed departures, from wine and jazz to WWII history, suits people who want a focus for their trip.

Families with young children, travelers who want a pool or nightlife, and anyone who insists on a walk-out balcony may prefer other lines. Guests who value a loyalty program or a ship operated by the same company everywhere they travel should also note that Avalon has no published rewards scheme and charters its ships in Egypt, Peru and the Galápagos.

Couples
romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
History and culture
port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
Adventure seekers
active excursions, remote places
Solo travelers
studio cabins, low or no single supplement, easy to meet people

How it rates

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None of Avalon Waterways's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.

Where Avalon Waterways sails

Ships in service

Ships

19 in service
Avalon Alegria2024 · 102 guests · DouroAvalon Alegria is Avalon Waterways' first ship in Portugal and its 15th Suite Ship in Europe, built for the Douro and christened in Pinhão on March 28, 2024, by actress Cheri…Avalon Artistry II in Cologne, 2015Avalon Artistry II2013 · 128 guests · Seine · RhôneAvalon Artistry II is one of Avalon Waterways' 110-meter Suite Ships, in service since 2013 and last renovated in 2018. She carries 128 guests, most in 200-square-foot Panorama…Avalon Envision2019 · 166 guests · Rhine · DanubeAvalon Envision is a 135-meter Suite Ship christened in Budapest on April 7, 2019, by author Elizabeth Gilbert. She carries 166 guests, most in Panorama Suites with window-facing…Avalon Expression in Cologne, 2024Avalon Expression2013 · 166 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Expression is a 135-meter Suite Ship from 2013, renovated in 2018, carrying 166 guests mostly in Panorama Suites. On board are the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center…Avalon Illumination, 2019Avalon Illumination2014 · 166 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Illumination is a 135-meter Suite Ship that entered service in 2014 with 166 guests, most in 200-square-foot Panorama Suites. She has the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center…Avalon Imagery II in Cologne, 2016Avalon Imagery II2016 · 128 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Imagery II is a 110-meter Suite Ship from 2016 carrying 128 guests, most in Panorama Suites, and she has an elevator. Light meals are served in the Panorama Bistro or, at…Avalon Impression in Cologne, 2014Avalon Impression2014 · 166 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Impression is a 135-meter Suite Ship from 2014 carrying 166 guests, most in Panorama Suites with window-facing beds. She has the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center and a…Avalon Panorama in Passau, 2014Avalon Panorama2011 · 166 guests · Rhine · DanubeAvalon Panorama, in service since 2011, was the first of Avalon Waterways' Suite Ships, the first with two full decks of Panorama Suites whose floor-to-ceiling windows open…Avalon Passion at Ruse on the Danube, 2024Avalon Passion2016 · 166 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Passion is a 135-meter Suite Ship from 2016 carrying 166 guests. Her Panorama Suites have a sitting area the line says can seat six, and the ship has an elevator, a…Avalon Poetry II at Tournus on the Saône, 2017Avalon Poetry II2014 · 128 guests · Rhône · SeineAvalon Poetry II is a 110-meter Suite Ship from 2014 carrying 128 guests and carries most of Avalon Waterways' Burgundy and Provence departures. Her core itinerary is the…Avalon Saigon2018 · 36 guests · MekongAvalon Saigon is Avalon Waterways' Mekong ship, an all-suite vessel for just 36 guests in 18 Panorama Suites of 245 square feet, built about as long and wide as ships that carry…Avalon Tapestry II2015 · 128 guests · Seine · RhôneAvalon Tapestry II is a 110-meter Suite Ship from 2015 carrying 128 guests that spends much of her season on the Seine. Her Paris to Normandy cruises start and end in Paris…Avalon Tranquility II on the Rhine near Oberwesel, 2018Avalon Tranquility II2015 · 128 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Tranquility II is a 110-meter Suite Ship from 2015 for 128 guests, with an elevator and Panorama Suites whose sitting areas the line says can host six people. The Sky Deck…Avalon View at Ilok on the Danube, 2024Avalon View2022 · 166 guests · Rhine · RhôneAvalon View is the newest of Avalon Waterways' 135-meter Suite Ships, entering service in 2022 with 166 guests. Like Avalon Envision she has the FlexDining layout, with a…Avalon Visionary on the Rhine in Cologne, 2023Avalon Visionary2012 · 128 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Visionary is a 110-meter Suite Ship from 2012, renovated in 2017, carrying 128 guests mostly in Panorama Suites. She has the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center and a Sky…Avalon Vista in Cologne, 2013Avalon Vista2012 · 166 guests · Rhine · DanubeAvalon Vista is a 135-meter Suite Ship from 2012, one of the first two built after Avalon Panorama, renovated in 2017 and carrying 166 guests. Her Panorama Suites have…Delfin III2015 · South AmericaDelfin III is a small luxury riverboat on the Peruvian Amazon that Avalon Waterways charters rather than owns. Built in 2015, she has 22 suites and was the first cruise vessel in…MS Farah2011 · NileMS Farah is a Nile cruise ship that Avalon Waterways charters for its Egypt tours; her name means happiness and joy in Arabic. Built in 2011 and renovated in 2025, she has 51…MS Infinity2025 · 20 guests · GalápagosMS Infinity is a small expedition yacht in the Galápagos Islands that Avalon Waterways charters for its Galápagos programs. She carries 20 guests in eight staterooms and two…

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Quick answers

What is Avalon Waterways known for?

Avalon Waterways is best known for its Panorama Suites, which the line says are more than 30 percent larger than the industry standard, and for a European fleet it describes as the youngest on the rivers. Trade awards have followed: Wikipedia records a 2019 award as best European river line, TravelAge West named Avalon Saigon best new river cruise ship in 2019, and the line says its whole European fleet holds Green Award status. Its main selling points are open-seating dining, a choice of excursion styles and drinks included at meals.

Who is Avalon Waterways best for?

Avalon suits couples and older travelers who want a modern, mid-sized river ship, a large standard cabin with a wide view, and a mix of guided and active excursions. Travelers who like to choose between classic tours, hikes and bike rides will find the Avalon Choice program useful, and solo travelers sometimes find sailings with the single supplement waived. Its range of themed departures, from wine and jazz to WWII history, suits people who want a focus for their trip.

Where does Avalon Waterways sail?

Avalon Waterways's ships in service sail Rhine (14 ships), Danube (11 ships), Seine (4 ships), Rhône (4 ships), South America (1 ship), Galápagos (1 ship), Douro (1 ship), Nile (1 ship) and Mekong (1 ship).

How many ships does Avalon Waterways have?

Avalon Waterways has 19 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Avalon Alegria, Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Envision, Avalon Expression, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Imagery II, Avalon Impression and Avalon Panorama, and 11 more.

Who owns Avalon Waterways?

Avalon Waterways is part of Globus family of brands.

Where is Avalon Waterways based?

Avalon Waterways is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, United States. It has operated since 2004.

Cruising with children

Avalon can suit an older child who enjoys exploring towns with the family. Consider how much guided sightseeing your child wants, rather than choosing solely by the cabin or river.

Read the Avalon Waterways family guide →