Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.
We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.
Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
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Why I still think Avalon Waterways has the best cabins in river cruising
Editor's Note
It's all about the view.
As I write this, I am propped up in bed on Avalon Waterways' new Avalon Alegria, marveling at the stunning landscape passing by just a few feet beyond my toes.
The 102-passenger river vessel is sailing up Portugal's famously lovely Douro Valley, and I'm being treated to an ever-moving scene of rolling hills, vineyards and centuries-old towns.
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It's a view I wouldn't have if I were lounging in bed on most other river ships in Europe — at least, if I had my back to the headboard.
Unlike on Avalon Alegria, the beds in cabins on most river ships in Europe face sideways to an interior wall. It's unusual for cabins on river ships in Europe to be configured so that the beds face the view.
It's a little thing that makes all the difference.
As I've written about several times over the years at other publications, Avalon Waterways has my favorite river cruise cabins in Europe, in large part because the beds are configured to face the view in most of them.
It's not just the view-facing beds in Avalon cabins that win my adoration. It's the use of an almost complete wall of glass along the view-side of many Avalon rooms to frame the passing scenery.
Related: Why a Douro River cruise may be the ultimate friends group getaway
While not every cabin on Avalon vessels in Europe is configured this way, a large portion are. Avalon calls these view-facing cabins with walls of glass Panorama Suites, and they can make up roughly 80% of the cabins on many of the line's vessels.
It's been a key differentiator for Avalon since the cabins began rolling out in 2011. That was the year Avalon unveiled its first Suite Ship, as the line calls vessels with such cabins. The line now operates 16 such vessels in Europe and Asia.
Glass walls instead of balconies
One of the big differences between the Panorama Suites on Avalon's Suite Ships and the cabins on the river ships of some competitors is that they don't have balconies. That allows the entire wall facing the outside to be turned into one big glass panel.
On most Avalon ships, these glass panels measure an astounding 11 feet wide.
What's more, the glass wall can slide open sideways to create a 7-foot-wide opening for fresh air. (Don't worry; you won't fall out when it's open. There is a secondary glass wall that rises up partway with a railing at its top to create a safety barrier.)
Related: 9 best river cruises in Europe
As I am seeing on Avalon Alegria and have seen when sailing many other Avalon vessels, the Panorama Suites typically have small seating areas next to the walls of glass. When the glass wall is slid open, you have the feeling of being on a balcony even though it's not a balcony, as you can sit in the seating area at the edge of the now-open wall.
It's an "open-air" balcony, as Avalon calls it.
It's the highlight feature of a cabin type that is perfect in just about every way. At 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are larger than most standard cabins on European river ships. They're modern and stylish, too. They have comfy beds and elegant bathrooms with spacious showers.
Adding balconies to cabins on river ships isn't easy. The narrowness of the locks on European rivers means that river ships must be built to be very narrow — too narrow to have cabins that are both spacious enough to be comfortable and have balconies at their ends.
Still, many river lines design their river ships with balconies attached to cabins despite such limitations, as they believe it's what customers want. They do it by stealing space away from the interior parts of cabins.
The result is often cabins that have balconies but feel tight on the inside.
In designing its Panorama Suites on river ships without balconies but with stellar views through walls of glass, Avalon has bucked the trend in river cruise cabin design — and in just the right way.
Cabins with balconies are all the rage in cruising, of course, and cruisers think that's what they want. But when you're river cruising, what really matters is the view. You want to see the scenery of the river bank as it rolls by, preferably from the comfort of your bed.
On that count, Avalon's Panorama Suites, with their view-facing beds and walls of glass, have delivered mightily since they first began debuting in 2011.
TPG's Gene Sloan is reporting live this week from a preview sailing aboard Avalon Alegria, Avalon Waterways' first vessel on Portugal's Douro River. Visit his author's page at TPG for all his dispatches.
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The Scoop: What to Know About Avalon Waterways
This award-winning river cruise company focuses on experiences and food..
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Avalon Waterways is a river cruise company with itineraries on some of the world’s most well-known rivers and the cities on their banks. Excursions and activities onboard and off the company’s 14 ships immerse passengers in the local culture and cuisine and include options like guided walking tours, canoe trips, and cooking classes.
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Food is a big focus at Avalon, and ships feature multiple dining venues where passengers can take advantage of the company’s FlexDining program. Another initiative, Avalon Fresh, incorporates local ingredients to create dishes that are both healthy and inventive.
TourScoop Takeaways
- Destinations: 70+ itineraries/four continents
- Tour Size Average: The average ship holds 150 guests, with some, like the Avalon Saigon in Southwest Asia, carrying just 36 passengers.
- Tour Type: River cruise ship
How to Book
Cruises can be booked by phone with an Avalon Vacation Planner at 877-797-8791 or through a travel advisor . You can also chat with a Vacation Planner through the Avalon Waterways website.
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Credibility Check
Avalon Waterways has received a slew of awards and accolades , including being named a top river cruise line by Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, and Travel + Leisure. It has a Cruise Critic user ranking of 4.7 out of 5 and rates 4.7 out 5 on TravelStride .
Tour Destinations
Avalon Waterways travels on 10 rivers through 22 countries on more than 70 different cruise itineraries. Passengers can travel throughout Europe on rivers including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, and Seine, visiting counties such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. There are also cruise itineraries to Cambodia and Vietnam in Southeast Asia; the Galapagos, Peru, and the Amazon in South America; and Egypt.
River cruise types include classic European river cruises, active itineraries, holiday season cruises, and cruises focused on interests including cuisine, wine, photography, gardens and nature, and history. Typical itineraries range from eight to 16 days, but there are also options for shorter four- to six-day trips and sailings of three weeks or longer.
CHOOSE WELL: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Booking a Tour
Tour Guides
English-speaking staff aboard Avalon ships include Adventure Hosts who can provide information on onboard fitness activities and connect passengers with excursions and gear (think bikes, walking sticks) for exploring the destinations they’re visiting. Expert local guides lead excursions. And street directions, restaurant recommendations, and other information are always on hand in the the AvalonGO mobile app.
What’s Included
Almost everything is included on an Avalon Waterways cruise. That means the price includes:
- Daily meals
- Wine/beer/soft drinks with dinners and lunch and Champagne with breakfast
- Complimentary Happy Hour
- Accommodations in an exterior stateroom (more than 80% featuring open-air balconies)
- Up to 28 included excursions on itineraries
- Use of bikes and e-bikes
- Exercise classes with Adventure Hosts
- On-board entertainment and classes
- Complimentary computer stations
- Complimentary water stations
What’s Not Included
- Optional excursions
Typical Travelers
The average Avalon traveler is in their 50s or 60s. But the variety of itineraries offered broadens that age range. The company’s Active & Discovery Cruises are popular for multigenerational travel and its Storyteller Cruises that feature celebrity hosts drawing in many first-time river cruisers.
STAY LONGER: Should You Pay for a Tour Extension or Do It Yourself?
Avalon river cruises also appeal to solo travelers, and the company waives the single supplement on a select number of staterooms on every departure. There are no special arrangements or activities for children on the ships, and no children under the age of eight are allowed on the company’s cruises.
Communication
Avalon Vacation Planners are available by phone, email, and online chat from booking through travel. Passengers receive five pre-trip email communications after booking, which include a Travel Packet with a detailed itinerary, schedule, and flight information (if flights are booked through Avalon); destination information; tips and guidelines on pre-trip requirements and preparation for their destination; and the ability to add optional excursions to their trip 90 days or closer to the departure date. Avalon also provides access to its AvalonGO app 30 to 40 days prior to departure, which includes information on the destination and excursions, schedules, and interactive maps.
Loyalty Program
Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus Family of Brands , which offers a Welcome Back Credit for returning guests. Each time you travel with a Globus Family of Brands operator, you can earn up to a $250 per person Welcome Back Credit to use toward your next vacation. Guests have two years to book a vacation using their credit with Avalon Waterways, Globus, or Cosmos.
Sustainability Efforts
Avalon Waterways has undertaken numerous sustainability efforts , including supporting environmental organizations like Trees4Travel and The Ocean Cleanup. The company has eliminated single-use plastics onboard its ships, installed LED lighting fleet-wide, reduced paper waste by 80% onboard, and committed to using shore power while docked wherever available to reduce emissions. Avalon has longer-term goals to reach zero emissions and unveil the first, fully electric river cruise vessel.
Health and Safety Practices
Avalon has continued enhanced cleaning procedures that include daily disinfecting, air-filtration practices, the use of electrostatic and UV disinfecting technologies, and hand sanitizing stations when entering the ship and dining venues. For even more peace of mind, you can purchase Avalon’s Travel Protection Plan that includes a cancel-for-any-reason benefit and covers trip interruption expenses.
Family Companies
Avalon Waterways is one of the Globus Family of Brands , which also include tour companies Globus and Cosmos.
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Tour Scoop’s team of travel experts brings you in-depth tour company overviews, tour itinerary reviews, the latest tour news, and travel tips and advice written just for guided tour travelers like you.
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Avalon Waterways is here for the solo cruiser market: Hoffee
Post date: Apr 19 2024
Date: Apr 19 2024
By: Travelweek
TORONTO — According to a recent Avalon Waterways ‘Wish List’ survey, 13% of 16,600 respondents said they’re planning to go solo on their next river cruise.
“Traveling solo doesn’t always mean you’re on your own,” said Pam Hoffee, President, Avalon Waterways. “Providing a balance of solo and ‘nolo’ (on your own but never alone) experiences, we set the stage for the perfect vacation on – and off – our Suite Ships with the bonus of an on-site Cruise Director and expert local guides to ensure an engaging, life-changing cruise.”
Hoffee added that Avalon Waterways’ value proposition for solo travellers on river cruises includes waived single supplements on a select number of staterooms on nearly every departure in Europe and Southeast Asia.
“An average of 10% of our current guests are cruising solo,” said Hoffee. “They know that when they go with us, they can not only save money on their deluxe stateroom (172-square feet) or Panorama Suite (200-square feet), but they’re also invited to explore and engage with the world in the ways that interest them. From small group, passion-packed excursions to on-your-own exploration with the AvalonGO app, our guests are invited to not only uncover new discoveries, but to learn new things about themselves, every day, along the way.”
Avalon Waterways’ ‘no single supplement’ deal is available on a first-come, first-serve basis; see avalonwaterways.ca .
Tags: Avalon Waterways, Lead Story
Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.
We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.
Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
Sail Solo & Save
Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.
We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.
Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
COMMENTS
Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. European River Cruises. Cruise to Austria and sail down the Danube to see Vienna, Prague, Munich, Budapest, Amsterdam & more.
That's because no other river cruise fleet offers you a view of the world like Avalon Suite Ships®. Featuring the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising, your Avalon Panorama Suite is actually river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony ® — with living space that's 30% larger than the industry ...
Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.
Sponsored by Avalon Waterways . You may have heard lately of more families taking European river cruises with their children, including us, and in this post we're sharing our family perspective on this style of travel. On board our Avalon cruise ship in Budapest, Hungary. News is spreading that this is a fun new way to travel as a family.
Our Groups Department can make all the arrangements for the perfect cruise for you and your crew. Get the group together for big fun and bigger savings. Groups with as few as eight can save, while groups up to fifteen can save even more! Call a Group Travel Specialist at 866.821.2752. Or, you can also complete a simple form to be contacted ...
An Immersive Cruise Experience. Avalon Active & Discovery is an exciting type of cruise that introduces you to the people and places of Europe in the most engaged and fun ways imaginable. Immerse yourself in the history and culture at each port with excursions to historic castles, a culinary tour, a painting class, and even a chance to dress up ...
CroisiEurope gives discounts for children under 10 on all river cruises. On its family-specific cruises in Spain, Portugal and Italy, the line allows children 16 and under to sail for free; in ...
It's a little thing that makes all the difference. As I've written about several times over the years at other publications, Avalon Waterways has my favorite river cruise cabins in Europe, in large part because the beds are configured to face the view in most of them. A Panorama Suite on the new Avalon Alegria. AVALON WATERWAYS.
Globus family of brands . ... Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. River Cruise Vacations with Prague . Suite Ship Virtual Tour ; Videos & Photos ; Avalon Cares ; Reviews & Testimonials ;
Credit: 2024 Avalon Waterways Sailing the Moselle Launched in 2022, the itinerary I enjoyed is one of Avalon's Active & Discovery cruises, following the Moselle from Remich, Luxembourg, to Koblenz, Germany, and then continuing along a stretch of the castle-rich Middle Rhine River before finishing with a short jaunt on the Main River to ...
Take a Croatia river cruise with Avalon Waterways and enjoy the charm and splendor of this unique region. Skip to Main Content . Globus family of brands . Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.
An Avalon Waterways ship on a Mekong River cruise (Photo: Christine Sarkis) Destinations: 70+ itineraries/four continents Tour Size Average: The average ship holds 150 guests, with some, like the Avalon Saigon in Southwest Asia, carrying just 36 passengers. Tour Type: River cruise ship How to Book. Cruises can be booked by phone with an Avalon Vacation Planner at 877-797-8791 or through a ...
Avalon Alegria is a Suite Ship® with 2 full decks of Panorama Suites 30% larger than standard, each featuring an Open Air Balcony®. View Douro river cruises.
TORONTO — According to a recent Avalon Waterways 'Wish List' survey, 13% of 16,600 respondents said they're planning to go solo on their next river cruise. "Traveling solo doesn't ...
Compare April 2024 river cruise prices and choose from a wide variety of departure ports. ... Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways. ... April 2024 Family Cruises.
Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. Find Your Cruise.
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Danube river cruise: Explore the mighty Danube river flowing through 10 countries including Austria, Hungary & more. Enjoy Danube cruises with Avalon. Book today! Skip to Main Content . Globus family of brands . ... Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless ...
The travel agents provide are experienced, accredited and uniquely knowledgeable when it comes to selecting the perfect Avalon Waterways river cruise or small ship cruise vacation. Skip to Main Content . Globus family of brands . Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent ...
Avalon Impression is a Suite Ship® with 2 full decks of Panorama Suites 30% larger than standard, each featuring an Open Air Balcony®. View cruises. Skip to Main Content . Globus family of brands . Experience a world beyond your expectations. ... South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience ...
It's not just ocean cruises that are selling in droves. River cruises — both internationally and domestically — are making headway too. "Avalon Waterways is enjoying record sales overall for 2024," said Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands, which includes Avalon. "Our record pace accelerated during ...
Avalon Passion® is a Suite Ship® with 2 full decks of Panorama Suites 30% larger than standard, each featuring an Open Air Balcony®. View cruises. Skip to Main Content . Globus family of brands . Experience a world beyond your expectations. ... South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with ...
Save $500 per couple on select 2024 Avalon Waterways Europe River Cruises (PLUS FLY FREE from select U.S. Cities)*. booking window: September 5, 2023 through April 30, 2024. travel window: December 31, 2023 through December 30, 2024. view details.
Avalon Waterways warmly welcomes our solo travelers to set sail with us and enjoy new experiences on our cruises for singles. ... Globus family of brands . Experience a world beyond your expectations. ... Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities ...
To make a booking, please contact the Globus family of brands Customer Sales department at 416.915.6743 - you will need to mention the " Friends & Family " offer, the name of the employee/associate who provided you with the offer, and which cruise/date (s) you're interested in booking. The 60% off discount only applies to the cruise ...