The Globus family’s river line, known for Suite Ships whose Panorama Suites slide open into an Open-Air Balcony, bed facing the view. Australians fly to Europe or Asia to join one.
Avalon Waterways is the river cruise line of the Globus family of brands, built around what it calls the Suite Ship: two full decks of Panorama Suites with a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling window that slides open into an Open-Air Balcony, the bed turned to face it rather than a wall. Flex Dining means no set tables or times, and Avalon Choice lets you pick a Classic, Discovery or Active version of most included excursions.
Avalon has no ship based in Australia, so you fly to join one: most often Amsterdam or Basel for the Rhine and the Main-Danube Canal through to Budapest, Porto for the smaller Avalon Alegria on the Douro, or Ho Chi Minh City for Avalon Saigon on the Mekong. Cruises run roughly March to December in Europe and year-round on the Mekong, so we build flights and a pre-cruise hotel night into the quote.
The Suite Ships built since 2016, Avalon Envision among them, carry up to 166 guests in Deluxe Staterooms, Panorama Suites and a Royal Suite, with a Panorama Bistro, a Sky Deck whirlpool and Sky Grill, and a Club Lounge serving coffee around the clock. Avalon Alegria was built specifically for the Douro’s smaller locks and carries just 102 guests with the line’s first onboard pool; Avalon Saigon on the Mekong carries only 36.
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Call a Cruise Expert · 1300 214 840 Enquire TodayNo ship is based in Australia; these three show the range of rivers Avalon sails.
One of the newer Suite Ships, with 83 staterooms: 65 Panorama Suites, 16 Deluxe Staterooms and 2 Royal Suites. Sails the Rhine, the Main-Danube Canal and the Danube on the Magnificent Europe itinerary between Amsterdam and Budapest, with a Panorama Bistro, Sky Deck whirlpool and a Club Lounge at the stern.
Built specifically to fit the Douro’s smaller locks, so it is one of Avalon’s smallest Suite Ships, with 51 suites and the line’s first onboard pool on the Sky Deck. The decor leans into Portugal’s blues and golds, with a Club Lounge at the stern open to all guests and a covered Observation Lounge forward.
Just 18 suites with French balconies rather than the full Open-Air Balcony, built as long and wide as ships carrying twice as many guests so the lounges and Panorama Lounge never feel crowded. Sails uninterrupted between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, avoiding the long coach transfers that other Mekong itineraries need for the same route.
Also in the fleet: Avalon View, Expression, Illumination, Impression and Passion, sister Suite Ships on the Rhine, Main and Danube; Artistry II, Panorama, Poetry II, Tapestry II, Tranquility II, Vista and Visionary across Europe’s rivers; and partner ships on the Amazon (Delfin III) and the Nile (MS Farah, Sonesta St George).
What each cabin type gives you. Fares vary by ship, sailing and date, so ask us for the rate on the departure you want.
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A taste of the restaurants, bars and spaces. Anything marked Included carries no extra cost.
The main restaurant, glass-walled on both sides, with Flex Dining: no set table or seating time across the cruise.
Casual meals and afternoon tea, plus the Avalon Fresh menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes at every meal.
Open-air grill on the Sky Deck for lunch and, on warm-weather evenings, a barbecue dinner under the stars.
Lounge chairs, a shade system, a whirlpool, a walking track and light meals, the length of the top deck.
A lounge and bar at the stern, open to all guests, with cappuccinos and tea on tap around the clock.
The forward lounge and bar, used for briefings by day and live music, karaoke or trivia most evenings.
Most days ashore offer a Classic, Discovery or Active version of the included excursion, an average of around 22 per cruise.
Complimentary bikes and e-bikes for exploring independently in port, with an onboard Adventure Host to help plan your own time.
Loungers, blankets and the whirlpool on the top deck, a quiet spot to watch the riverbank go by.
Stretching classes, Fitbits, yoga mats and Nordic walking sticks to take ashore, plus a small fitness room on board.
Avalon includes all the meals, drinks with lunch and dinner, a happy hour every night and around 22 excursions a cruise.
Onboard gratuities are included on Avalon’s Europe sailings; other gratuities are discretionary. We confirm what applies to the cruise you choose.
Avalon has no ship based in Australia, so you fly to the river. Most Rhine and Danube cruises start in Amsterdam or Basel, or Budapest going the other way; Avalon Alegria sails from Porto on the Douro; Avalon Saigon starts in Ho Chi Minh City on the Mekong. We build the flights, a pre-cruise hotel night and transfers into the quote so you land in time to board without a rushed connection.
Your stateroom, all meals on board including Avalon Fresh vegetarian options, sparkling wine with breakfast and wine and beer with lunch and dinner, soft drinks through the day, an Avalon Choice excursion most days, complimentary bikes and e-bikes, an Adventure Host, a Cruise Director and Wi-Fi on the Europe ships. Gratuities, drinks outside meal times and pre or post-cruise hotels are extra unless you ask us to add them.
Avalon Envision and its Rhine, Main and Danube sister ships carry up to 166 guests in Panorama Suites with the Open-Air Balcony, a Panorama Bistro and a Sky Deck whirlpool. Avalon Alegria was built specifically for Portugal’s Douro River, carries only 102 guests and has the line’s first onboard pool. Avalon Saigon on the Mekong carries just 36 guests in 18 suites, small enough to reach villages larger ships cannot.
Couples and friends who want to see Europe or Asia at walking pace rather than from a coach, with the option to be as active or as relaxed as they like each day through Avalon Choice. It suits fewer young families, guests wanting big-ship entertainment, or anyone who dislikes an early start for an included excursion; river ships are quiet in the evenings compared with an ocean ship.
The Rhine, Danube and other European rivers occasionally run too high or too low for a ship to pass a lock or under a bridge, most often in late winter or after heavy rain. Avalon’s contingency plan usually swaps the affected day for a coach transfer and extra sightseeing, or moves guests between sister ships. It affects a small minority of departures; we mention it so you know before you book.
May to September gives the longest days and warmest evenings on the Sky Deck for the Rhine and Danube, while March, April, October and November are quieter and cheaper. Avalon Alegria’s Douro season runs roughly April to October. The Mekong on Avalon Saigon suits the drier months from November to April. Ask us for the current season on the river you want.
Tell us the river, dates or ship in the enquiry form on this page, or call 1300 214 840. We are an independent Australian cruise agency: you get Avalon’s advertised fare, we confirm the total for two in AUD with taxes and fees, help with flights and pre or post-cruise nights, and one specialist looks after the booking from quote to homecoming.
Call 1300 214 840, message us on WhatsApp, email, or tell us what you want and a Avalon Waterways specialist will come back with a quote.
Enquire TodayLuxury Cruises Guide is an independent Australian cruise agency operated by Orange Ninja Pty Ltd, ABN 17 682 640 713. It is not owned or operated by Avalon Waterways. Avalon Waterways and its ship names are trademarks of their owner and are used here to identify the cruise line. Fares shown were published by the cruise line at the time of writing and change with availability.