Why I Like Avalon
Avalon Waterways is the river line I point people to when they want Europe's rivers with a little more room to breathe. It's part of the Globus family, which has run guided tours across Europe for nearly a century, and you can feel that land-touring experience in how the shore days are planned.
Two things set Avalon apart for me. The first is the suite layout, which I think is the best on any river ship (more on that below). The second is choice. Most river lines give you one included tour in each port. Avalon gives you several, so a couple that wants different days can each go their own way and meet back on board for dinner.
New for 2026, Avalon After Dark also changes the old idea that river cruising goes quiet after dinner.
The Room Layout That Sets Avalon Apart
Avalon's Panorama Suites are 200 square feet, which Avalon says is about 30% bigger than a standard river cruise cabin. The real selling point, though, is the layout.
On most river ships the bed sits against a side wall, so you wake up looking at a closet or a TV. Avalon turned the bed around. It faces the window, so the first thing you see in the morning is the river going by.
That window runs wall to wall and floor to ceiling, about 11 feet wide, and it slides open about 7 feet. Avalon calls it the Open-Air Balcony. Instead of a narrow balcony with two chairs, the whole room becomes the balcony, with a sitting area right at the glass. You get the fresh air and the view without giving up floor space to a balcony you'd only use in good weather.
Panorama Suites fill two full decks on every Suite Ship. A few other details I like:
- Royal Suites are about 300 square feet, with two open-air windows, a larger sitting area and a separate guest toilet. - Deluxe Staterooms on the lowest deck are about 172 square feet with two smaller, fixed windows near the ceiling. They're the budget option. - Beds can be set up as a king or queen, or as two twins, and Avalon's Comfort Collection beds let you choose your mattress firmness. - Bathrooms are full size, with L'Occitane products.
The Ships
Avalon's whole fleet is made up of what it calls Suite Ships. In Europe that's about 15 ships, most carrying between roughly 130 and 166 guests. Avalon Alegria, Avalon View and Avalon Envision are the newest and were built with the line's updated design.
Between 2024 and 2026, Avalon refreshed the rest of its European fleet to match: new décor in every public room, a redesigned Sky Deck, more seating in the Observation Lounge, a second Starlink antenna for faster Wi-Fi, upgraded fitness rooms, and 15 bikes plus 4 e-bikes on every ship.
Outside Europe, Avalon sails a 36-guest Suite Ship on the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.
Avalon Choice: Included Excursions
Avalon includes more shore excursions than any other river cruise line, up to 28 on some itineraries. Each port usually has three styles to pick from:
- **Classic:** guided tours of the main sights and history with certified local guides. - **Active:** hiking, biking, kayaking and even guided jogging tours. - **Discovery:** hands-on experiences such as cooking classes, chocolate workshops and painting sessions.
Avalon's Active & Discovery cruises take this furthest, averaging about 22 included excursions per trip on the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, and in Holland and Belgium. Groups are capped in size, and the bikes, e-bikes and Nordic walking poles on board are free to use.
Avalon After Dark
Avalon After Dark launched in 2026, and it's aimed at travelers who think river cruises end at 9 p.m. It includes:
- **Sky Grill dinners** served outdoors on the Sky Deck in good weather. - **Evening drinks on the Sky Deck**, with a new cocktail menu, including alcohol-free options, created by mixologist Martin Hudák. - **Livelier nights in the Panorama Lounge**, with live music, themed trivia, karaoke and dance parties. - **More overnight stays in port**, so you can go ashore in cities like Budapest, Vienna and Avignon after dark, when they're lit up and the day crowds are gone.
Who It Suits
Avalon is a strong fit for first-time river cruisers, couples who want a bigger room and a better view, and active travelers who would rather bike or hike than ride a coach. It's also good for mixed couples where one person wants museums and the other wants to be outside.
It's not the right fit if you want every drink, tip and transfer included in one price. The ultra-luxury river lines bundle more into the fare. It's also not for anyone looking for a big ship with casinos and shows, since river ships are small by design.
Best Time to Go
Avalon sails Europe from about March to December. Spring is tulip season in Holland and Belgium, and the crowds are smaller. Summer brings the warmest evenings, which is the best time for Avalon After Dark and the Sky Grill dinners. Fall brings the wine harvest along the Rhine, Moselle and Rhône. Late November and December are Christmas market season on the Danube and Rhine.
Pricing and What's Included
A 7- or 8-night Europe river cruise on Avalon usually starts around $2,000 to $4,000 per person, depending on the date, river and room category. Panorama Suites on the top deck cost more than suites on the lower Panorama deck.
Included in the fare:
- All meals, with open seating and no extra charge for any restaurant - Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus complimentary drinks at happy hour - Avalon Choice excursions in every port - Wi-Fi - Bikes, e-bikes and Nordic walking poles
Not included for U.S. travelers: gratuities, flights, optional specialty tours, and premium drinks outside meal times. Avalon often runs promotions such as savings on air or prepaid gratuities on select sailings, so ask me what's running when you're ready to book.
Insider Tip
Book a Panorama Suite, not a Deluxe Stateroom, even if it means a shorter trip. The bed facing the window is the reason to choose Avalon, and the lower-deck rooms don't have it.
One honest note: in busy ports, river ships often tie up side by side, so your window may face the ship next door for a few hours. It's common on every river line. Keep the curtains handy and head up to the Sky Deck for the view.
Avalon Waterways FAQ
**What makes Avalon Waterways different from other river cruise lines?** Avalon's Panorama Suites put the bed facing a wall-to-wall window that opens about 7 feet, so the whole room works as a balcony. Avalon also includes more shore excursions than any other river line, with up to 28 per itinerary.
**What is Avalon's Open-Air Balcony?** It's a floor-to-ceiling window that runs the full width of the Panorama Suite and slides open, turning the room into an indoor balcony. You get fresh air and the view without losing floor space to a separate balcony.
**What is Avalon After Dark?** Avalon After Dark is an evening program launched in 2026. It adds Sky Grill dinners under the stars, a new cocktail menu, live music, trivia and dance parties in the Panorama Lounge, and more overnight port stays so guests can explore cities at night.
**Are excursions included on Avalon river cruises?** Yes. Avalon Choice excursions are included in every port, with Classic, Active and Discovery options. Active & Discovery cruises average about 22 included excursions.
**How big are Avalon's cabins?** Panorama Suites are 200 square feet and Royal Suites are about 300 square feet. Deluxe Staterooms on the lowest deck are about 172 square feet with fixed windows.
**Are drinks and tips included on Avalon?** Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included, along with drinks at happy hour. Gratuities are not included for U.S. travelers.
**When is the best time to take an Avalon river cruise?** Spring for tulips in Holland and Belgium, summer for warm evenings on the Sky Deck, fall for wine harvest, and late November through December for Christmas markets.