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Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways began its journey in 2004 as part of the Globus family of brands, bringing with it over 90 years of travel expertise. Built on a vision to redefine river cruising, Avalon Waterways cruises introduced a fresh approach to onboard experience and ship design, offering travelers a more immersive and spacious way to explore Europe and beyond. 

What sets Avalon apart is its innovative Suite Ship® concept. These ships feature Panorama Suites—uniquely designed with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to create an "Open-Air Balcony.” This design, combined with beds facing the river views, allows guests to enjoy the scenic landscapes from the comfort of their suites. Guests enjoy a blend of classic sightseeing and Avalon’s exclusive Active & Discovery® cruises, which offer a variety of excursions tailored to different interests and energy levels—be it hiking, painting classes, wine tasting, or kayaking. Avalon places a strong emphasis on local culture and cuisine, with onboard menus curated from regional specialties and complimentary wine and beer served with meals. 

With a fleet of stylish, award-winning ships and a philosophy centered on "cruising your way,” Avalon Waterways remains a leader in modern river cruising, offering a blend of comfort, authenticity, and choice for discerning travelers.

 

Fellow Passengers 

Avalon Waterways typically attracts seasoned, affluent travelers seeking refined, immersive experiences. While globally diverse, most guests are English-speaking, with Europeans popular among North Americans, Australians, and UK guests favoring South America and China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Avalon Waterways, founded in 2004, is part of the Globus family of brands that has been guiding travellers for more than 90 years. From the start, its purpose was to design river cruises to appear new, contemporary and very personal.

When Avalon began designing its first fleet of river cruise ships, the design team believed they needed to challenge the traditional appearance and feel of river cruise ships. Instead of adhering to long-standing conventions, they simply asked the question: "What do travellers really want?" The answer ultimately led to the development of the much-discussed Suite Ship® concept, which continues to be one of the primary reasons guests choose Avalon cruises experience over any other.

There are many river cruise lines in the world, but Avalon Waterways cruises offer something truly special. Here is what sets them apart.

The Suite Ship and Panorama Suites - The most talked-about feature of Avalon Waterways is its Panorama Suites. These suites have wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that actually open up to create a unique "Open-Air Balcony" experience. Your bed faces the river, so you wake up every morning to a stunning view whether it is a medieval castle along the Rhine or a vineyard along the Danube. No other river cruise line does this quite the same way.

Active & Discovery® Cruises - Avalon doesn't see sightseeing as being from the same mould. The exclusive Active & Discovery® programme lets you choose from multiple excursion options based on your interests and energy. You can hike on a river trail, take a painting class, participate in a wine tasting, or go kayaking all on the same trip. Whether you want to experience adventure or have a laid back trip; there is something customised for you.

Regional Cuisine and Local Flavours - Avalon Waterways has made every effort to incorporate local culinary traditions into their onboard dining experience. A sample of the menu will include items made from local ingredients in each port of call. Guests will receive complimentary wine or beer at dinner, as well as participate in culinary classes taught by chefs once on certain cruises. Meals are more than just a meal; they are an experience of that port.

A Diverse and Welcoming Guest Experience - Avalon Waterways typically attracts experienced travellers who appreciate quality, comfort, and genuine cultural immersion. The ships are popular with guests from North America, Australia, the UK, and Europe. The atmosphere on-board is warm, social, and refined never stuffy or overly formal.

Europe - The Heart of the Avalon Experience - Avalon Waterways sails on all the legendary European rivers that include the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Saône, Moselle and Main. Experience quaint townships, castles aged by centuries, cathedral cities and rolling vineyards as you explore the best that Europe has to offer. Cruise through romantic Paris and the grandeur of Vienna and Budapest with Avalon on a European River Cruise.

Egypt - The Nile Awaits - Avalon's Nile cruises are a journey through one of the world's oldest civilisations. Sail between Luxor and Aswan while visiting ancient temples, magnificent tombs, and traditional villages that have barely changed in centuries. Ships like the Sonesta St. George and MS Farah offer panoramic French balcony windows, gourmet dining, and Egyptian cooking classes on-board.

Asia - Mekong, Vietnam & Cambodia - From the mountainous north of Vietnam to the slow-moving waters of the Mekong Delta and the temples of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, Avalon's Asian itineraries offer a deeply immersive cultural experience. Markets, highlands, and riverside villages bring the region to life in a way that no flight or road trip can match.

South America - Amazon & Galápagos - For the truly adventurous, Avalon Waterways offers journeys into Peru's Sacred Valley, the Amazon rainforest, and the remarkable Galápagos Islands. The MS Infinity and Delfin III are purpose-built for intimate, eco-conscious exploration in these extraordinary environments.

Package Ship Route / Ports Nights Ideal For Outside From Balcony From
Danube Symphony (Westbound) Avalon Expression Budapest - Vienna - Krems - Linz - Vilshofen 5 First-time river cruisers USD 2,664 USD 4,021
Danube Symphony (Westbound) - Peak Avalon Expression Budapest - Vienna - Krems - Linz - Vilshofen 5 Summer & autumn travellers USD 2,789 USD 4,146
Danube Symphony (Eastbound) Avalon Expression Vilshofen - Wachau Valley - Vienna - Budapest 5 Autumn explorers USD 3,364 USD 4,649
The Legendary Danube Avalon Tranquility II Nuremberg - Regensburg - Passau - Vienna – Budapest 7 History & culture lovers USD 3,680 USD 5,679
Tulip Time Cruise Avalon Envision Amsterdam - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Ghent - Middelburg 7 Spring flower season fans USD 3,730 USD 6,229
Active & Discovery on the Rhine Avalon Panorama Amsterdam - Düsseldorf - Koblenz - Speyer - Basel 7 Active & adventure travellers USD 4,080 USD 5,979
Burgundy & Provence (Northbound) Avalon Poetry II Arles - Avignon - Lyon - Tain l'Hermitage - Chalon 7 Food, wine & culture seekers USD 4,280 USD 6,179
Balkan Discovery with Bucharest Avalon Illumination Budapest - Belgrade - Novi Sad - Vidin - Bucharest 8 Off-the-beaten-path explorers USD 4,289 USD 6,188
The Blue Danube Discovery Avalon Tranquility II Budapest - Vienna - Krems - Regensburg - Nuremberg 7 Classic Danube enthusiasts USD 4,330 USD 6,129
Active & Discovery on the Danube Avalon Illumination Budapest - Vienna - Krems - Grein - Vilshofen 7 Active lifestyle travellers USD 4,330 USD 6,329

 

Cruisebay is India’s first retail cruises-only company offering 15000+ ocean, river, expedition and yacht cruises from 35 cruise lines. We have sent 1000s of happy cruisers on their cruise holiday since 2008 and our 4.8/5 rating on Google is testament to the service that we have provided our guests. We deliver the best value to our guests thanks to the strong strong relationships with CruiseBay maintains with all the cruise lines.

Our team of cruise specialists will help you compare river cruise lines, choose the right itinerary that matches your requirement and budget, book your cruise at the best value, plan your pre and post cruise travel including hotels and sightseeing tours.

Regardless of whether you are looking to experience a romantic riverboat cruise through Europe, a historical cruise along the Nile, or a multi-day journey on board an avian-inspired sailboat in Galapagos Islands, CruiseBay is here to help you discover all the incredible options that Avalon has to offer.

Avalon Waterways - Destinations

With an Avalon Waterways cruise you'll get to thoroughly explore the towns, villages and exotic scenery along the way.

  • Egypt The Nile River, the world’s longest at 4,160 miles, offers enriching cruises through Egypt, showcasing ancient temples, tombs, villages, and diverse landscapes from rainforests to the fertile Nile Delta.
  • Asia From Vietnam’s mountainous north to the Mekong Delta, vibrant markets, scenic highlands, and Ha Long Bay enchant, while Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and serene riverside life offer unforgettable cultural depth.
  • EuropeAvalon’s European river cruises unveil charming villages and historic cities along rivers like the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Saône, Moselle, and Main offering personalized experiences, active excursions, cultural discoveries, and relaxed luxury throughout..
  • South AmericaAvalon Waterways offers an immersive South America journey, combining Peru’s Sacred Valley and Amazon rainforest with a luxury Galápagos Islands cruise aboard the MS Infinity, showcasing extraordinary wildlife and landscapes.

Cruise Reviews

Read reviews posted by CruiseBay clients on their cruise experience.

Our Ships

Experience Nile elegance aboard Sonesta St George—spacious cabins with panoramic French windows, a full service spa & fitness center, lively piano bar, and enchanting evening entertainment. Sail between Luxor and Aswan in style and comfort

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Sail Egypt’s Nile on MS Farah, where elegant ambiance meets old‑world mystery. Enjoy oversized French balconies, gourmet dining, enriching chef‑led Egyptian cooking classes, and attentive service—creating a refined, culturally immersive river experience

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Cruise the Galápagos in style aboard MS Infinity. This intimate 20-guest ship features spacious suites with panoramic windows and balconies, elegant lounges, sun deck and Jacuzzi—all perfect for gourmet meals, expert-led excursions, snorkelling, and wildlife-rich island exploration

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Sail Portugal’s Douro aboard this fresh, all-suite vessel with spacious Panorama Suites featuring open air balconies. Unwind by the Sky Deck pool or Observation Lounge, savor regional dining, and enjoy a relaxed, social vibe with attentive service and scenic cultural journeys

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The Delfin III river cruise ship has refined exploration of the Amazon River. With elegant suites, gourmet dining, expert-guided excursions, and panoramic views, it blends comfort and adventure. Guests enjoy jungle treks, wildlife sightings, and cultural encounters—all aboard a vessel designed for intimate, eco-conscious travel.

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Treasure of Galápagos is designed to surpass luxurious standards with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy all of the treasures of the Galápagos Islands! Crew and expert Naturalist, who share their passion for nature and conservation of this mysterious part of the world. It features 9 spacious suites with balconies and takes you around the archipelago to explore the natural wonders of this region.

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