River Cruising with Avalon Waterways

Are you thinking about a river cruise vacation? There are cruise lines to choose from and several itineraries available around the world. However, it’s important to find the best fit! If you are looking for an elevated cruise experience, river cruising with Avalon Waterways is the way to go!

Finding the Perfect Itinerary

Avalon Waterways offers so many different itineraries on rivers throughout the world. There are options in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. There are “traditional” itineraries that explore everything that each river has to offer. Each of these cruises has included excursions for guests to choose from that provide the opportunity to learn about and explore each port.

There are also special interest itineraries. The special interest itineraries are designed with you in mind and cater to specific interests and passions. Some examples include cruises for wine lovers, history lovers, foodies, and more.

River cruising is often associated with individuals who are looking to just relax and enjoy the views. While this is the case for some itineraries, there are several choices designed with the active traveler in mind! The Active & Discovery itineraries are the perfect example! These cruises are great for guests of all ages, including older kids! Kids who are 8 years of age and older are welcome aboard the Avalon Waterways fleet and it’s not hard to find an itinerary that the whole family will love!

Packing for your Cruise Vacation

Your packing list will vary a bit depending on the time of year and the itinerary that you choose. The overall atmosphere on Avalon Waterways is relaxed. You do not need to dress up for dinner if you don’t want to. There is an opportunity at the end of your cruise to do so but it is not required.

Make sure that you have the AvalonGO mobile app downloaded on your phone. Consider getting a lanyard for your phone and a small crossbody bag or backpack to carry with you on excursions. This is especially important if you are sailing on an Active & Discovery itinerary. Another must-have for your vacation is a refillable water bottle! You can head down to the Club Lounge at any time of the day to grab snacks, coffee or tea, or flavored or regular water.

Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays

It’s always recommended to arrive early when you are cruising. This will make things easier for you in the event that you encounter any flight delays or cancellations. It will also help you adjust to any time difference and recoup from jet lag. Luckily, when you sail with Avalon Waterways, you have the option to add a pre-cruise stay to your reservation. Doing this also means that you will have transportation from the airport and to the port before boarding your cruise. There are typically a few different options available as far as cities to visit. For example, if you are sailing on the Danube, Prague is a popular choice for a pre-cruise stay. If you are sailing on the Seine, Paris is always a good idea!

If you prefer to extend your vacation after your cruise, that is also an option with Avalon Waterways. Examples include post-cruise stays in Budapest, Lucerne, and even Lake Como. The wonderful thing about adding a land stay with Avalon is that there are excursions included as well. For example, when you stay in Lake Como, you can head on a special excursion to Mount Pilatus, complete with incredibly breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.

Your cruise vacation can truly be customized to your wish list and you can experience the incredible service that Avalon Waterways provides before you even board the ship! Your Key to the World Travel Advisor is here to help you create the perfect itinerary!

The Onboard Experience

When you sail with Avalon Waterways, it is truly cruising elevated. From the time that you board the ship, you are bound to experience wonderful service from the entire cruise staff. The cruise director is your point of contact if you have any questions or need to make any changes to your plans. In addition, the AvalonGO mobile app is an important resource to keep track of your daily activities and your reservations.

Accommodations

Avalon Waterways is known for their “Suite Ships”. What does that mean? This means that most of the staterooms on these ships have rooms with a view. The Panorama Suites are beautiful and comfortable with an incredibly unique feature. Each of these staterooms has a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall window that can open to create an open-air balcony. This feature offers spectacular views as you sail along the river right from the comfort of your room. The beds also face the window so you can drift off to sleep and wake up to spectacular views! In addition, you are not giving up space in your room to have a balcony because your room becomes the balcony! Plus, the bathrooms in each suite are truly spacious!

If you prefer, there are also deluxe staterooms available with a regular window and all of the comforts of home! Finally, if you want even more space, consider a Royal Suite.

Each room type has incredible amenities such as a robe and slippers, a well-stocked mini-bar, and plenty of storage.

Dining

The dining experience on the ships of the Avalon Waterways fleet is top-notch! Whether you opt to eat in the lounge or head down to the dining room for your meal, you will never go hungry! For breakfast and lunch, head to the main dining room for a buffet-style meal. Additional items can also be ordered a la carte. For dinner, enjoy a full 3-course meal served with your choice of beverage, including 3 different wines from the area.

If you want to relax in the lounge, that’s not a problem! A light lunch is served each day, as well as tea and cakes in the afternoon.

Right before dinner, come to Happy Hour to enjoy a range of included beverages as you listen to the port talk given by your cruise director.

Entertainment

During the evening, there is no shortage of entertainment as live performers come aboard the ship on select nights. In addition, trivia and other fun is available throughout your cruise. Make sure that you check with your cruise director and the AvalonGo mobile app for more details.

Port Excursions

There are many opportunities to explore each port that you visit with different port excursions. The options will vary depending on the itinerary that you choose. You select these activities prior to embarkation. However, there is plenty of flexibility. If you listen to your cruise director talk about the different ports and each option and decide that you’d like to do something different, you can ask to change your selections!

In addition to the port excursions, it’s easy to go off the ship and explore at each port. You will often have free time and are encouraged to see each port if time permits.

Classic

These excursions are the, you guessed it, classic options. They include things such as walking tours where you learn about the history of the area. For example, in Lyon, France, a walking tour is offered where guests learn about the secret passages in the city, known as traboules. These traboules were used in World War II by the French Resistance and are an essential part of the city’s history. Another example is in Passau. There is a guided walking tour where guests can learn about the “The City of Three Rivers”. These excursions are a great way for guests to explore the history and culture of the area.

Discovery

On these excursions, guests dive in and experience the culture with unique experiences such as food tastings, painting classes, and more. Learn about Van Gogh’s painting techniques in Arles or taste the well-known dishes of Lyon. These excursions are only offered on select itineraries and are exceptionally unique to Avalon Waterways.

Active

These energetic excursions will get you moving! Whether you’re hiking through vineyards to enjoy beautiful views of the Rhine Gorge below, bike riding through Lyon, or kayaking along the river, these options will get your blood pumping as you explore the area around you. Some examples include hiking through the vineyards in Tournon, a rail-bike adventure through the Gorges du Doux, or biking through Vienna.

Optional Excursions

In addition to all of the included excursions, guests have the option to add more excursions to their cruise. These are available for a nominal fee and are worth the cost for additional experiences during your vacation. For example, if you love “The Sound of Music”, you may want to add a full-day tour to Salzburg if you are sailing on the Danube. In Lyon, you may consider visiting the Beaujolais wine region. While these excursions are optional, they are a good value and provide experiences that you are bound to never forget!

Start Planning Your River Cruise Experience!

Are you ready to set sail on a river cruise? Avalon Waterways has itineraries available now through 2025! Contact your Key to the World Travel advisor today to get started!

Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.