Premier
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more

Avalon Waterways

4.7 | Excellent
  • 97% Recommend
Service Level
  • Luxury
Type
  • Global Operator
Established
  • 2003
Headquarters
  • Littleton, Colorado, United States
Trips
  • 66

1,680
Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings 97% Recommend

4.7 out of 5
Excellent 1,448 Great 134 Average 45 Disappointing 15 Terrible 38
Value:
4.7 Guide:
4.7 Activities:
4.7 Lodging:
4.7 Transportation:
4.7 Meals:
4.7

Tour Reviews

BK

Recommends

1st river cruise exceeded expectations August 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
My wife and I were looking to do something special for our 50th anniversary so we booked a weeklong cruise on the Rhone. We had done many ocean cruises but this was our first river cruise and it was wonderful. The food, the entire staff, and the excursions were all first rate. We made many new friends during the cruise and I suspect we'll be back on a 2nd river cruise with Avalon in the not too distant future.
Read more

LC

Recommends

The staff was very wonderful. August 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
The staff was very wonderful.

Js

Recommends

Extraordinary hotel and central staff! July 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
The hotel manager Mahai Stancui and his staff were fantastic. Went way above and beyond. Will be forever grateful. The food, beverages, tours and entertainment were all great too:)

C

Recommends

BEST River Cruise! July 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
Best river cruise that we have taken! Excellent food, included snacks, waters, and coffees in the back lounge. Nice light lunch and dinner options in the main lounge. Cruise director and tours were top notch. Cabin was lovely and, had the weather been better, the doors that open would have been wonderful! Looking forward to another Avalon adventure!
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GS

Recommends

This was a time of many firsts for me July 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
This was a time of many firsts for me. First time in Europe, first time on a cruise of any kind! It was amazing!

The ship was spotless elegance. Our room was amazing like every part of our trip! The food and the excursions were perfectly executed.

I can’t wait to go on another trip. Thank you Avalon!
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N

Recommends

This was my first Rhine River Cruise July 2023

5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Guide 5.0
  • Activities 5.0
  • Lodging 5.0
  • Transportation 5.0
  • Meals 5.0
This was my first River Cruise and I was very excited and truly enjoyed everything. The Cruise Director Daniela was amazing and very personable and keeping us all updated on where to be, when we were doing it and what was happening. Loved the different color codes for the excursions as well. We had many wonderful people that helped our experience go smoothly. Andrew, Mili, Omer, Kadak, Umit, Adrian, Julia (what a hoot), Deyar, Phyo Wai and especially Daniela. They were all very helpful in making us have a great Rhine River Cruise. Thank you to everyone on Avalon Expression.
Read more

From Avalon Waterways

CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

Associations:

KEEPING THE WORLD IN ITS BEST LIGHT.

While nothing is more exciting than tracing the paths of historic legends, doing so with the most minimal footprint excites us even more. We make every effort to conserve and preserve in each destination we visit by helping to protect the waterways, wild places, and wildlife by supporting and shining a light on organizations that do the same.

 Keeping the blue planet green. 

We love caring for the world just as much as we love sharing it with you! By booking an Avalon river cruise, you’re helping us do just that! When you book a cruise with Avalon Waterways, we contribute to environmental organizations that work to improve the health of our planet. Cruise easy knowing we’ve made a donation to The Ocean CleanUp and Trees4Travel—two leading champions of cleaner water and air. And on behalf of every guest, Avalon purchases trees via Trees4Travel to offset your cruise’s carbon emissions, ensuring together that we’re keeping our promise to Mother Earth to be the most sustainable cruise option available. Enjoy the anticipation and excitement of your upcoming adventure as you review your travel documents, while making a difference in the world we discover together. You can also make an additional donation of your own to Trees4Travel or The Ocean Cleanup to help make the world even greener!

A Cleaner Planet is the Best Reward.

Avalon Waterways has been honoured by Europe’s Green Award—recognised for our Suite ShipSM; fleet's high safety and environmental standards. This prestigious award is given to river cruise ships based on the environmental impact of engines, fuel consumption, waste and maintenance, pollution prevention, and more.

Awards:

Travel Weekly Critics AwardTravel Weekly Magellan Awards 2009 Gold Winner/Cruise Ship: Best Overall River Cruising - Avalon Waterways Travel Weekly Magellan Awards 2011 Silver Winner - Avalon Waterways Conde Nast Top 5 River Cruise Lines - Avalon Waterways Conde Nast Top 5 River Cruise Lines - Avalon Waterways Conde Nast Traveler Top Cruise Ships 2010 - Avalon WaterwaysTravel Age West WAVE Awards Best New River Cruise Ship - Avalon Luminary

16 days
River cruise
Value (3*)
Physical :
From: $ 7,898

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or guided visit to a local winery in Breisach
  • Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
  • Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
  • Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt
  • Guided tour
  • Guided tour, visit to the Bishop's Residence
  • Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall
  • Full day guided tour in Munich
  • Choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; onboard lecture
  • Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
  • Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
  • Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
  • Your breathtaking river cruise begins on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland
  • You’ll sail to Breisach, your starting point for a Black Forest excursion, and to the city of Strasbourg, France, along the way
More
6 days
River cruise
Value (3*)
Physical :
From: $ 2,499

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Free time in Linz; choice of visit to St. Florian Monastery or guided tour of Mauthausen Concentration Camp or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour in Ybbs with Artstetten Castle visit or bike with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour in Krems or Wine World Experience with tasting or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of a guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or a hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
  • Experience views to awaken the senses on your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary
  • Embark in Vilshofen, Germany, and sail to the lovely city of Linz for a leisurely morning
More
9 days
River cruise
Value (3*)
Physical :
From: $ 4,199

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided tour
  • Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host
  • See the grandeur of Germany on a European river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers
  • Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, and sail to Bamberg for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties
More

Highlights

  • Welcome to France
  • Guided tour
  • Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
  • Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill
  • Chardonnay excursion with tasting; Cheese tasting on board
  • Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; TGV train from Dijon to Paris; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration
  • Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or "A Taste of Normandy" excursion
  • Choice of guided walk, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour
  • Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or historic sights on “Heart of Paris” walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Transfer to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class)
  • Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays)
  • Full day at leisure
  • This fantastic European river cruise vacation showcases France’s breathtaking views, amazing history, and legendary culture
  • Your adventure begins with two overnights in Nice on the French Riviera, then travel to Arles to board your Avalon Suite Ship®
More
 

See All Avalon Waterways Trips >

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"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles."
Tim Cahill