We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Avalon including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well as information on their 'Touring Styles', and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).

Because Avalon's itineraries take advantage of what a location provides, our cruises offer a variety of itineraries, lengths and shore stays. Some itineraries spend every night on board the ship while others have beginning and/or ending nights on shore. All Avalon Cruises are guaranteed departures!.

Avalon Waterways is a wholesale Cruise Operator and as such we do not take direct bookings. Our Cruises can be booked through a licenced travel agent (that's Global Journeys!), who can give you the best advice on all of your travel plans.

Travel documents, including any paper tickets or e-ticket itineraries and other information, are sent approximately two to three weeks prior to departure from your home country, provided full payment has been received.

Pure luxury and unrivalled hospitality awaits on the sailing flagship cruiser, The ms Royal Lotus, the award winnner of the “best Nile Cruisers Ship on the Nile” by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism for 2006. The M/S Royal Lotus offers spacious accommodation and a range of public areas to suit every mood from where you can absorb the ever-changing panorama between Luxor and Aswan, the most beautiful area of Egypt. The luxuriously furnished cabins mirror the colours of the landsscape of Upper Egypt. With every modern convenience, all cabin have a spacious en suite bathroom benefit from individually controlled air-conditioning and include television, mini-bar, and telephones that enable international calls via GSM lines. Located on three of the decks their panoramic windows offer unhindered views of the spectacular ever-changing scenery.

A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure. Experienced Local Guides will take you on sightseeing tours of wonderful towns and cities, plus if the schedule permits, you can spend the evening onshore. In addition to fascinating sightseeing on each itinerary, you can choose from a variety of optional excursions, and there's always time to make your own discoveries as well. Back on board, you'll enjoy interactive presentations with local area experts, wine tastings, local entertainment, and much more. Look on each cruise itinerary page to see the Included Features and Special Highlights listed for each cruise.

Meals are served in the dining room in a single sitting. There is open seating so you may sit at different tables for each meal if you wish to meet other fellow passengers. All meals on board the ship are included.

All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs and consist of local food adjusted to suit the tastes of international passengers. There is a buffet breakfast and in Europe a buffet lunch including a choice of soups and main courses with appetizer, salad or sandwich and dessert. Dinner is a multi-course meal with choice of soups and entrees. Wine, beer & soft drink is included with all onboard dinners. In Europe, regular coffee, tea & iced tea are available free of charge throughout the day from the self service coffee stations.

Dress aboard and on shore is "casual & comfortable". We kindly request that shorts not be warn in the restaurant or lounge in the evenings. Bathing suits are not appropriate in the lounge or restaurant at any time.  You may wish to wear something a little dressier for the Captains Dinner. We recommend that for shore excursions you wear comfortable shoes & don't forget a sun hat.

For all European Cruises gratuities for your Cruise Director and crew are included in the pricing. Tipping is a way to show your satisfaction for good service and is part of the cruising way of life. Please note we are unable to facilitate pre paid gratuities in Egypt, China or South America.

For convenience, all purchases and paid services on board (after your authorisation) are billed to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your cruise, you will receive a total which can be paid with cash or charged to a major credit card or paid in traveller's cheques (there is a processing fee). Travellers cheques are not accepted on the Royal Lotus. Personal chequest are not accepted.

Avalon Waterways do not take reservations on a "share" basis. Sidestep the single room supplement by travelling with a friend if you can. Single prices are available on request.