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Avalon River Cruises

Avalon River Cruises

Avalon Waterways puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you journey on one of 1,875 cruise departures along the world’s most memorable and mesmerising waterways.
CRUISE DEPARTURES: 1,875
FLEET SIZE: 18
KNOWN FOR: Panorama Suites
462 Reviews (4.7/5)
CRUISE STYLES:
River Cruises
DESTINATIONS:
Asia Europe Nile

Popular Destinations View all Explore the following regions on one of 1,875 river cruises with Avalon

Avalon Asia River Cruises
Asia

18 River Cruises

Avalon Europe River Cruises
Europe

138 River Cruises

Avalon Nile River Cruises
Nile

1 River Cruise

Featured River Cruises View all

15 Days Amsterdam to Budapest

Operator: Avalon

From 6,968
Save 4,061

8 Days Amsterdam to Basel

Operator: Avalon

From 4,177
Save 1,437

8 Days Basel to Amsterdam

Operator: Avalon

From 3,901
Save 1,435

16 Days Budapest to Amsterdam

Operator: Avalon

From 7,625
Save 4,067

Cruise Fleet View all Inclusions, itineraries, onboard facilities & deck plans of each Avalon cruise ship.

Avalon Alegria
Ship Class: River Ship

Avalon Waterways brings their luxury style of cruising to the Douro River with their newest vessel, Avalon Alegria. Avalon's award winning fleet offers guests the relaxation and luxury that is expected from Avalon, while still giving...

Avalon Suite Ships
Ship Class: River Ship

Avalon Waterways European suite ships feature one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites have been designed with a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic sliding window delivering a full balcony experience that's perfect in any weather conditions, in...

Avalon Saigon
Ship Class: River Ship

Embarking on her maiden voyage in the latter half of 2018, the Avalon Saigon is the newest river ship to ply the Mekong. With its colonial charm and modern features, she is specifically designed to offer the best cruise experience in South...

RV Ganges Voyager
Ship Class: River Ship

Explore the rarely traveled Lower Ganges River with Avalon onboard the RV Ganges Voyager I and experience the real India in absolute comfort and style. An enthralling river cruise providing guests with the rare opportunity to explore the...

Avalon River Cruises Reviews View all

4.7
AVG. RATING 4.7 / 5
462 Reviews
5 Star
71%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Excellent experience   0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2023
Avalon Panorama was a perfect experience, each day waking up in a new country was so fascinating. The on board experience from the beautiful big window , happy hour, four course meals or optional casual, a place to sit quietly and read or watch the world go by. The room was a good size with a very functional bathroom. The people who made the trip was ...read more the staff , the tour director Simona , our room gentleman Blessing ,every person I interacted with was kind, polite and happy to be there . They made it fun, interesting and a pleasure.
Avalon cruise from Basel to Nuremberg was perfect for first-time cruisers   0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2023
Although my husband and I have already been on previous Rhine cruise, it is still enjoyable and more appreciated the second time. We travelled with 6 other friends/family who are all first-time river cruisers and they all enjoyed and wowed by the river cruise, especially the food and services on board. The only thing which stopped me from rating this ...read more a 5-star is the lack of self-service laundry which other river cruise companies have.
Booking with our Avalon cruise with Hannah   0 , WA, Australia, Aug 2023
Thanks Hannah, everything went great. Despite Emirates delay into Amsterdam. The booked pickup waited an extra thirty minutes for us. We made the boat with 45 minutes to spare. Cabin 312 was excellent as was the whole cruise. See you sometime 2024. Thanks.
Wonderful tour through the south of France   0 , Australia, Jul 2023
The cruise exceeded our expectations. Beautiful scenery and wonderful towns to explore. Would highly recommend Avalon cruises.
Excellent service with friendly staff and the best cruise director we have ever had Tony Jenkins. And thank you Global Journeys for an easy and hassle free booking. Will certainly book with you again.
Romantic Reine     2 , New Zealand, Jul 2023
Absolutely loved the 8 day/ 7 night river cruise from Basel in Switzerland up to Amsterdam. The crew were amazing. The service and food was like being in a five star hotel throughout the whole time. Excursions were organized for us every day. We will definitely do another river cruise with Avalon.
Avalon Waterways Rhine cruise   0 , New Zealand, Jul 2023
We can't recommend Avalon Waterways cruise enough - it was brilliant from start to finish. The facilities were well maintained, modern and spacious (the bed was extremely comfortable). The staff went out of their way to make you feel welcomed. The excursions were very well run and informative. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the free drinks ...read more were also generous. Entertainment was great. With only 100 guests onboard we felt we were valued guests. Will definitely be returning to do another Avalon cruise.
My first River cruise won't be my last     0 , SA, Australia, Jul 2023
Being a single passenger, I only booked this Avalon cruise since they sometimes have a few cabins available with no single supplement. I had never been on a river cruise and this one had 106 passengers out of a maximum possible 168. I went for the "dungeon" lower deck with 2 small top of the room windows looking out at river level since it was the ...read more cheapest. Not really a problem as it was only used for sleeping and I was out on excursions every day and one could sit on the viewing decks if necessary.

Having been on over 30 coach tours of Europe, this provided a different experience, with visits to places I had not been to. My personal highlights were Strasbourg, cycling the Dutch countryside, and cruising past the castles one afternoon. The staff were excellent and friendly even though English was not their first language; the food, of course, was superb, and the range of tours at every location was impressive, to the extent that one could repeat the tour but end up seeing different attractions at each venue. There are just a couple of points I wish to make. One, is that the internet signal was variable, and sometimes non-existent. Secondly, the cruise is called 'Romantic Rhine'. For the most part, all one saw on the banks were factories, warehouses, nuclear plants and unkempt river banks. It was only one afternoon when the cruise passed a host of castles. I thank Hannah at GJ for organising the tour for me, and have booked on another Avalon cruise in 2024.
Memorable Rhine river cruise!   1 , QLD, Australia, Apr 2023
For our first river cruise, this didn’t disappoint. Our stateroom was very nice the outlook that we got from the door sliding back all the way was just beautiful. We loved how we got to try the local food that they served on the boat. We would have to say, we enjoyed of the excursion to The Maginot Line the most above any other!

Avalon Brochure Download the latest Avalon brochure to read at your convenience.

River Cruises

River Cruises (2023-24)

Embark with Avalon on your choice of over 70 cruises on 10 rivers through 24 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt. Discover the European continent on its legendary rivers from the North Sea to the Black Sea. From the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea, discover timeless tradition and beauty on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and Saône—to name a few.
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The Avalon River Cruise Experience Choose to travel with Avalon on your next adventure!

It's All About Your Outlook
It's All About Your Outlook

No other fleet of river cruise offers you a view of the world like Avalon Suite Ships, featuring Avalon Panorama Suites. Thirty percent larger than the industry standard, they’re actually river cruising’s only Open-Air Balcony - with nothing between you and the view.

While other river cruise cabins are designed with beds against a wall for a view of another wall, our Comfort Collection beds actually face the view with the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising.

Think of it as a view with a room!

Included Luxury
Included Luxury

From meticulous millwork to hand applied finishes, Avalon's ships are thoughtfully designed and appointed with quality materials. Each Avalon Suite Ship was created with customer comfort as a priority.

Every well-appointed Deluxe Stateroom or Suite is a spacious refuge of inviting home-away-from-home features. Delight in a large private bathroom with full shower with glass door and premium L'Occitane bath products; quality robes and slippers; luxurious Comfort Collection Beds with premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, European-style duvets; soft or firm pillows; ample closet space and under-bed storage; fully stocked minibars with complimentary bottled water; and flatscreen televisions with a movie channel and selection of films.

In addition, we boast countless amenities like complimentary access to Wi-Fi, local specialty dishes, regional wines and beers, a fitness centre, hair salon and more. Read more>

Over 85 years In Travel
Over 85 years In Travel

Avalon Waterways is one of the most reputable cruise operators on the waterways today. Family owned, the Globus Family have more than 85 years of experience planning itineraries and guiding holidays around the world.

You can book with confidence knowing that we have a 97% customer satisfaction rating and international recognition for our ships and service offerings. In 2004, excited by the promise of river cruising that (at the time) was characterized by older ships, limited space and land excursions that operated as an afterthought, Avalon Waterways was established to create a different kind of river cruise experience - one that would embrace and celebrate everything special about the travel style.

Explore More Explore more Your guide to travelling with Avalon River Cruises

Earn Qantas Points with Globus Family of Brands

19 April, 2022

Earn Qantas Points with Globus Family of Brands

The Globus Family of Brands has announced an exciting new partnership with Qantas meaning that when you book a tour or river cruise with one of their brands you will now be eligible to earn Qantas Points as well. For tours booked with Globus and Cosmos, you will earn you one Qantas point per...

Your Avalon Adventure is up to You

29 April, 2019

Your Avalon Adventure is up to You

If life is an adventure, shouldn’t your river cruise be one too? Avalon Waterways believe that there are more ways than one to explore destinations. That’s why your Avalon Adventure Host is ready with activities and excursions that speak to your preferences and pace to explore each locale your...

Active Discovery River Cruises with Avalon Waterways

24 September, 2018

Active Discovery River Cruises with Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways gives travellers more options to get hands on and actively discover the regions they visit. The Active Discovery collection of European river cruises is crafted to offer guests more ways to engage with the world around them and is full of interactive activities and adventures....

Magnificent Europe River Cruise with Avalon Waterways

15 August, 2018

Magnificent Europe River Cruise with Avalon Waterways

Currently the most popular river cruise itinerary with Global Journeys is Avalon Waterways’ 15 Day Magnificent Europe voyage. This itinerary encompasses the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers and showcases the regions they twist and turn through. Some of the highlights along the way include a...

Avalon River Cruise FAQ's Frequently asked questions for those considering travelling with Avalon River Cruises

Can I book directly with Avalon Waterways?

Yes you can, or you can book directly with Global Journeys, and save on the retail price with our online exclusive discounts, as well as receiving the best advice on all of your travel plans from your dedicated award winning travel advisor!

When can I expect to get my travel documents & itinerary?

Travel documents, including your paper tickets or e-ticket itineraries and other information, are posted by Global Journeys approximately two to three weeks prior to departure from Australia, provided full payment has been received.

Will I be travelling with people from other countries?

Avalon Waterways is an international company. As such, you will be travelling with like-minded cruise enthusiasts from countries as diverse as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as Europe and Asia regions.

Do you accept travellers who need special assistance?

Any disability requiring special attention should be reported to Global Journeys at the time the reservation is made. Avalon Waterways will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of disabled tour participants, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so, nor is it responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, dining, and getting on and off motorcoaches and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified companion must accompany travellers who need such assistance.

On river cruises we do not have elevators that go to every level of the ship. Most doors to cabins, staterooms and restrooms are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs and other doorways may be fitted with coamings. For safety reasons travellers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports.

How old does a child have to be to travel with Avalon Waterways?

An adult must accompany travellers who are less than 18 years old on the tour departure date. We do not accept children under the age of 8.

What is SafetyNet Protection?

Avalon Waterways is dedicated to ensuring your trip is worry and hassle free, even when booking. Should you be uncertain what your commitments will be leading up to your departure, Avalon Waterways offer an optional SafetyNet Protection policy for an additional fee. Read more here.

How much luggage can I bring?

Porterage for one suitcase on tour is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity and keeping within the guidelines of Occupation Health and safety, we strongly recommend that this single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 76x53x28cm (30"x 21"x 11") and weight not exceeding 22 kg (50 lbs). We do understand that slight variations to these dimensions will occur and provided the variations are only slight, luggage will be accepted.

Due to limited space on luggage racks in the coach, carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 30x28x14cm (12"x11"x6"). For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches and minibuses as these bags can cause damage to persons and property if it falls from the overhead compartments for any reason. A carry-on bag and a handbag will be suitable inside the coach

Optional Excursions?

You can pre purchase selected optional excursions for your river cruise between 90 and 10 days prior to departure, on departures which have been placed onto a 'Definite Departure' status. Details will be provided by your Global JOurneys Travel Advisor.

What is the bed configuration on an Avalon river cruise?

European vessels can be configured as either one bed or two separate beds. Unless specified, the default will be two separate beds pushed together with separate bedding. If your preference is for one bed or two separate beds apart, please request this at time of enquiry. Triple bedding is not available.

Am I expected to pay gratuities?

Gratuities to the Cruise Director and crew on board are included in the cruise price. Tips to your Local Guides on optional excursions are not inlcuded in the cruise price. Tipping is a way to show your satisfaction for good service and is always appreciated but not expected. If you were to tip your Local Guides it is recommended that tips be paid in cash.

Do I need to bring an electricity adaptor?

Electricity on board our Avalon Waterways ships is 220v which requires a European Adaptor. You will need an adaptor or converter to use in your stateroom.

How do I make purchases on the cruise?

A cashless system operates on the ships so all purchases and shipboard services are credited to your account. At the end of the cruise you will receive your account which can be paid with cash, credit cards or paid in traveller's cheques (there is a processing fee). Traveller's cheques are not accepted on the Nile, on Lake Nasser nor in Southeast Asia. Personal cheques are not accepted. On the Mekong only cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted for payment.

What beverages are included?

WWine, beer and soft drinks are included with dinner & lunch on Avalon Europe river cruises, as well as on the Mekong and Ganges rivers. At other times, such beverages are available for an additional charge. Coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout the day from the self service coffee stations.

What meals should I expect?

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 full buffet breakfast, and in Europe a buffet lunch including choice of soups and main courses with appetizer, salad or sandwich, and dessert. On the Yangtze, Mekong and Irrawaddy, a mix of Western and local dishes are offered; in the Galápagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties.

Are laundry facilities available?

Laundry service is available on board for a modest fee. Price lists will be available in your stateroom. Please note that clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. For safety reasons, we ask that you do not iron clothing in your cabin. For a small fee, the on board laundry service is available to iron clothing. Laundry facilities are not available on the Galapagos cruise.

Is there a dress code?

Dress aboard and on shore is casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual - open-neck shirts, pants, dresses. Coats and ties may be worn. The Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners are dressy, but not formal. On the Mekong and Irrawaddy coats and ties are not recommended due to the warm humid climate.

Pre & Post Accommodation

You can add pre/post tour accommodation to your reservation inconjunction with Avalon. This price will include breakfast. Please note that hotels are subject to change but by booking your pre accommodation with Avalon this ensures that if the meeting location changes Avalon we will try to change your pre accommodation to the same hotel. On the rare occasion that there is no availability then alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. If this does occur than the transfer between the hotels will be at Avalon's expense.

Transfers

Transfers from the meeting location to the ship on embarkation day is included in the river cruise price. Airport transfers can be added your reservation as long as they link in with the start/end dates of your tour or with pre/post tour accommodation booked with us. Avalon's Airport transfer service is from $49 per person one way.

Terms & Conditions All the boring small print. We recommend you read them, as no one likes surprises!