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Avalon River Cruises vs Viking River Cruises
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Avalon River Cruises and Viking River Cruises.The Low Down
Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. Avalon don't usually include Fly Offers, so you'll need to book flights separately, but consequently their cruise prices are cheaper than the other luxury Operators and they offer some great Earlybird discounts. Part of the Globus Family group of Brands, means you can secure further discounts the next time you decide to travel by coach with either Globus or Cosmos. 
Cruising down the rivers of Europe you are sure to pass a Viking Longship on your travels. Viking boasts the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels in Europe, and while their core market is the US, there are many clients from Australia that choose to cruise with them each year. In 2017 Viking launched their range of mid-sized ocean cruises - with just 930 guests this gives their ships greater maneuverability, allowing them to dock where the mega-liners cannot. Stats
No. of Trips
185
No. of Departures
2,698
Avg. Trip Length
12 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$471
Fleet Size
16 Ships
Known For
Panorama Suites
Ship Styles
River Cruises
No. of Trips
74
No. of Departures
7,811
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$397
Fleet Size
94 Ships
Known For
Scandinavian Design
Ship Styles
River Cruises
In Their Own Words We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities that help you tailor your experience.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
A Viking river cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Egypt, Asia, Europe or the Mississippi, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.
Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
Recent Reviews
4.7
River Cruise through South of France 0
Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
Norman and Gloria, ON, Canada, Oct 2025
We greatly enjoyed our river cruise. The staff on Poetry II were top-notch. We thank those who were especially helpful, like Matheus in reception, Marya in the dining room, and Carmen in housekeeping. Some really went out of their way to help me when I got sick during the cruise, such as Adrian who was super-accommodating in adjusting local tour arrangements, read more and Margarida who diligently served me a special medicinal drink using a very effective Portuguese recipe. This was a very positive experience and we look forward to joining another Avalon river cruise in the not too distant future.
The river of gold 0
Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro
Susan, New Zealand, Oct 2025
Absolutely loved the cruise. Lovely new ship with great room and bathroom. Staff were fantastic - without fail friendly and helpful. Food was really good with plenty of variety, choice and local dishes. Really appreciated "compulsory happiness hour" with generous free drinks. This in contrast to another cruise line who I found over advertised and read more underdelivered. Ditto the included excursions - not just one ("not another dreary war memorial!") but a choice of three. Great dilemma to have. Good crowd - and never heard a complaint!
Avalon River Cruise 0
Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound)
Bert and Annie, Australia, Sep 2025
The ship, the crew, the food, the Cruise Director were fantastic. Interaction with the Global team was also first class and happy to recommend you to our friends. xox
Best Vacation EVER 0
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)
Karen and Patrick, IL, United States, Aug 2025
Perfect from start to finish. Globus covered all the details needed to start this fantastic journey. Avalon picked up right with Globus finished up. Our trip was perfect from the moment we met our transfer ride at the airport, to meeting our cruise director Carlos at the hotel, to getting on the boat and all the excursions. Everything was planned read more so well - even when our schedule had to be changed due to water levels on the Danube River. The excursions were fantastic, but the best part of the trip were the friendships we made. It was a sad to say good bye to our new friends the last evening aboard. Looking forward to working with Global Journeys on our next adventure.
Paris & Bordeaux 0
French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux
Tony and Lesley, WA, Australia, Aug 2025
Well this was a wonderful trip. Two very good river cruises with Avalon. Great food great touring and well organised by tour guide Marco. Thanks to Hannah for yet another well organised river cruise.
Lovely cruise Amsterdam to Basel - amazing places, great included excursions, good mix of fellow travelers from around the world. Beautiful ship and crew. Thoroughly enjoyed this cruise and would definitely recommend it. Traveled in August which was a bit warm but nice.
4.6
We saw a lot of Christmas markets on the cruise and they were a highlight when not crowded, which they mostly were unfortunately. If we were the only ship at the port then it wouldn't be so bad but often there were upwards of a dozen ships concurrently, making the Christmas markets quite a slog to get through.
The ship itself was good but facilities read more and entertainment were limited (no pool or gym and entertainment was mostly a pianist and on the last night a local easy listening band) and the rooms are smaller than on larger ships. The ship staff were all very good so kudos to Viking for having excellent crew. The food was mostly great also but meal times are less flexible than on larger ocean cruises so you have to eat at the times they dictate (mainly 7pm and later which did not really suit the mostly older passengers); if you wanted food at any other time it was only pastry items like muffins and cookies (but hot drinks from a machine were available 24/7). The ports were mostly right by the main part of town which was very handy, and with the exception of Dordrecht every port stop had a Christmas market (or three) so that was great. Overall it was a good trip but we wouldn't do another river cruise.
The ship itself was good but facilities read more and entertainment were limited (no pool or gym and entertainment was mostly a pianist and on the last night a local easy listening band) and the rooms are smaller than on larger ships. The ship staff were all very good so kudos to Viking for having excellent crew. The food was mostly great also but meal times are less flexible than on larger ocean cruises so you have to eat at the times they dictate (mainly 7pm and later which did not really suit the mostly older passengers); if you wanted food at any other time it was only pastry items like muffins and cookies (but hot drinks from a machine were available 24/7). The ports were mostly right by the main part of town which was very handy, and with the exception of Dordrecht every port stop had a Christmas market (or three) so that was great. Overall it was a good trip but we wouldn't do another river cruise.
Unforgettable positive experience 0
Capitals of Eastern Europe
Joe and Susan, NSW, Australia, Sep 2025
We have had the most wonderful and worry free experience due to booking with Global Journeys and enjoying the Capitals of Eastern Europe Viking river cruise, plus pre and post cruise extensions. Georgie at Global Journeys, assisted us in every possible way to ensure we were organised, informed, provided with options for extensions and transfers. Her read more advice and organisation made for a seamless cruise experience, giving us the confidence to travel knowing we were very well looked after.
We also felt very comfortable at all times with the care and assistance that Viking offers. Our stateroom on Viking Rinda and the always remarkably outstanding service from the Viking staff made our 21 days on tbe Danube, and in Prague and Transylvania absolutely fantastic. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise itinerary to all who have already explored Western Europe and are ready to see fresh gems of interest. We particularly loved Transylvania and Bucharest in Romania.
We also felt very comfortable at all times with the care and assistance that Viking offers. Our stateroom on Viking Rinda and the always remarkably outstanding service from the Viking staff made our 21 days on tbe Danube, and in Prague and Transylvania absolutely fantastic. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise itinerary to all who have already explored Western Europe and are ready to see fresh gems of interest. We particularly loved Transylvania and Bucharest in Romania.
The Ship (Egdir) is a wonderful newish river cruise ship with great staterooms and ammenities. This was our first river cruise and most likely we won’t do another. The entire atmosphere of this particular river cruise was very laid back and may attract whose who are comfortable eating their dinner and going to bed around 8-8:30pm. There is a small piano read more up in the lounge where sitting down and have drinks while listening to the pianist. All drinks need to be paid for as the drink package of very ordinary local beer, wine and soft drinks are only available during lunch and dinner. Even if you wanted to have a soft drink outside of these hours you had to pay.
If you missed breakfast or lunch there’s absolutely nothing to eat and there’s no room service. Absolutely no entertainment at night. The first few locks was the entertainment while on the ship. Then after a few more locks that also became boring. We arrived back on the ship at 1:30pm after an included walking tour and the dining room was closed and nothing to eat on board until 7pm. That’s not a holiday or glamorous as seen on Getaway or other similar advertisements on TV. We filled the river cruise review while I board and gave our suggestions in how to improve the entire concept of river cruising. Let’s see if any notice of our suggestions actually become implemented.
If you missed breakfast or lunch there’s absolutely nothing to eat and there’s no room service. Absolutely no entertainment at night. The first few locks was the entertainment while on the ship. Then after a few more locks that also became boring. We arrived back on the ship at 1:30pm after an included walking tour and the dining room was closed and nothing to eat on board until 7pm. That’s not a holiday or glamorous as seen on Getaway or other similar advertisements on TV. We filled the river cruise review while I board and gave our suggestions in how to improve the entire concept of river cruising. Let’s see if any notice of our suggestions actually become implemented.
From our initial booking with Viking Cruises through Global Journeys this holiday was a breeze. Nothing to worry about with any organisation done for us. The Mekong River and Delta are incredible, so wide, carrying so much water traffic and life on board the Viking Saigon was luxurious. Food, accommodation and care were exceptional. Apart from the read more climate which was so different to anything we had experienced before this holiday was A1.
We loved every minute of this cruise. We have now completed five cruises with Viking with more to come. This was the first with our long time school friends who were also impressed with the Rhine cruise. Georgie from Global Journeys has been fantastic help for many years. We can’t thank her enough and can throughly recommend the Rhine cruise.
Our trip was better than we could have hoped. Viking lived up to its expected reputation with food, drinks, service and entertainment. What was unexpected was the special dining experience off the boat at a chateau, which was delightful. The itinerary looked repetitious on paper, but also worked wonderfully. I would recommend this trip highly.
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