Avalon Waterways traces its roots back to 1928, when Antonio Mantegazza used a rowboat to transport goods across Switzerland’s Lake Lugano. His business evolved into motorcoach tourism and expanded into an international travel brand: Group Voyagers, Inc. – parent company of Avalon Waterways.
This consortium of well-known brands such as Globus, Cosmos, and Brennan Vacations has been a leader in escorted tours of Europe for almost a century, but it wasn’t until 2004 that the company launched Avalon Waterways’ fleet of royal-blue river cruisers.
The Avalon Waterways’ fleet expanded quite rapidly, eventually introduced newly designed “Suite Ships”. Today, the Avalon fleet encompasses nearly two dozen vessels. In Europe, Avalon Waterways operates on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Douro, Moselle, and Seine, as well as French wine country cruises on the Saone and Rhone rivers. Avalon also offers sailings on the Mekong, Ganges, Nile, Amazon, and in the Galapagos.
Each ship within the Avalon Waterways’ European fleet features an intimate dining room, a relaxing Main Lounge with panoramic views, a reception area, and a small fitness room. An expansive sun deck allows guests to stroll and enjoy the fresh air, or relax in a deck chair and take in the ever-changing scenery. And while it’s nearly impossible for river cruisers to feature anything more than two dining rooms, Avalon is creative enough to offer guests multiple dining options throughout the day.
Avalon’s “Suite Ship” accommodations measure between 200 square feet and 300 square feet apiece and are equipped with Avalon’s signature Open Air Balcony – a French-style balcony that opens wall-to-wall, transforming staterooms into a giant veranda. These Open Air Balconies are found in nearly 80 percent of the total accommodations aboard Avalon’s Suite Ships in Europe.
When we sailed with Avalon, I we were absolutely blown away when it came to the adaptability and accommodation of the kitchen. On the first day of the trip, we attended a meeting where we shared our dietary restrictions (one of our party is vegan) with the chef and maitre d. From that point on, Emma was practically escorted from the doors of the dining room to the breakfast and lunch buffets and given a personal tour of what she could and couldn’t eat.
Flexible dining times ensure guests don’t miss time to explore, you can stay out in town and come back to the ship a bit later for your dinner. Dinner can also be set up practically anywhere you want per request, with light dinner offered in the lounge every night.
Avalon’s ships are designed with comfort in mind. The lounge houses many couches where guests can relax with a book or position themselves to watch a local entertainer on board, as well tables to play games. Couches are nice and comfortable, the table and chairs can be better sometimes for passengers with limited mobility. It can be hard to shuffle around coffee tables and into the corner of a sectional.
The Cruise Manager will assist if anything in the cabin needs to be changed – Avalon can always make the mattresses more firm or soft, and provide different bedding if needed. (It likely won’t be needed, the beds are seriously comfortable.)
Avalon’s Active & Discovery sailings offer more excursion choices than its traditional itineraries, with added components to appeal to an active group of travelers. The choice of unique excursions offered provide the chance to immerse oneself in the culture of the region through bike rides, canoe and kayak trips, hikes, and so much more – like a visit to an essential oil factory, participating in a Medieval Knights tournament, an olive oil tasting (yum!), art & cooking classes, even a wine tasting in a cave.
Avalon also offers a multitude of themed cruises, from beer and wine cruises to photography cruises. Particularly special are the line’s Storyteller Series cruises, which allow guests to sail with some of their favorite authors.
One differentiating factor for this cruise line is that it boasts the backing of the huge Globus family, which offers some practical value: those who are members of Globus’ Journeys Club, for example, receive discounts and other perks for traveling within the family of brands. The brand’s large footprint in Europe also helps with operational infrastructure, such as guides and transport, enhancing the guest experience.
Read other articles on River Cruise Advisor about Avalon Waterways.
On Thursday, March 28, Avalon Waterways christened its 15th Suite Ship, Avalon Alegria, in Europe. Acting as the ship’s godmother, Cheri Oteri – widely known
On the cusp of the New Year, Avalon Waterways distributed a Wish List survey to past cruisers asking them to share future travel interests and plans. One new, post-pandemic trend the company revealed is that cruisers want longer, more in-depth getaways.
What is a Rhone river cruise going to cost me and how does the cruise I am looking at compare to Rhone river cruises offered by other companies?
Legend has it that Avalon is a mystical island cloaked in mist, steeped in ancient lore and said to be a gateway to the Otherworld—a place where seekers discover inner peace and wisdom. That makes it a perfect name for this river cruise company. Avalon Waterways charts its course along the rivers of Europe and beyond, where every turn uncovers fresh wonders.
As we welcome the New Year, river cruise companies in Europe are gearing up with promises of adventure and luxury for their next season of guests. Several cruise companies have also rolled out exclusive deals to make your next journey even more enticing.
When we think of river cruises, we often think of couples drinking wine and gazing off their balconies, wandering through the cobblestone streets of Europe,
CON “AVALON WATERWAYS “IL CITY BREAK È FLUVIALE! Una crociera fluviale in autunno, in lingua italiana, per vivere da vicino la storia europea: sette giorni lungo quattro nazioni tra capitali, collezioni d’arte e paesaggi resi caldi e romantici dalla luce del tramonto.
Il comun denominatore? Un fiume senza bisogno di presentazioni e la sua musica: il Danubio
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#pazzoperilmare #cruise #avalonwaterways #citybreak #danubio #fiume #cruisetravel #cruisediscover #cruisepassion #cruiseeurope avalonwaterwaysitalia avalonwaterways
This is how we lunch with AvalonWaterways on the Danube River. Enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch on the top deck of our ship overlooking the beautiful city of Passau, Germany. Swipe for more photos.
#Partnership with Avalon. #AvalonInView
#avalonwaterways #europecruise #avaloncruise #danuberivercruise #passaugermany #germanytravels #europedestinations #visitgermantowns #familytraveler #familytravelblog #europeantrip #familytravels
Where are my Christmas Fanatics? Which of you have dreamed of visiting the European Christmas Markets? Is it on your bucket list? I know it is on mine!
Imagine submerging yourself fully in the holiday spirit and enjoying the sights, smells, and culinary delights of the European Christmas Markets? Can you picture it?
Well, #AvalonWaterways is now booking for Winter 2024 and 2025 Christmas Market River Cruises!
These dates fill up fast on these spectacular cruises! So reach out today to secure your holiday Dream!
📧[email protected]
💻https://linktr.ee/erinshepherd
#travelmationerin #travel2024 #travel2025 #christmasmarketcruise #avalonrivercruise #getoutthere #cruiselife #rivercruise #europe #germanytourism #bucketlisttravel #bucketlistchallenge #nomorebucketlist #dontputitoff #holidayseason #holidaygiftideas #roamtheglobe #wonderlusteurope #fun
If you’ve not seen the first episode from our P&O Azura Let’s Talk Ship series, watch it now as episode 2 will be live tomorrow (Fri) at 7pm!
Head over to YouTube and search Cruise Monkeys to watch this or any of our other videos, you find videos from our cruises with #avalonwaterways #cunard #pandocruises #pando #celebritycruises #royalcaribbean #msccruises #virginvoyages #princesscruises - While you are there don’t forget to check you are subscribed 🙏
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#cruise #cruiseship #cruiselife #cruisetime #pocruises #cruiseblogger #cruisetravel #cruiseaddict #travel #cruiseships #cruises #cruiseholiday #instacruise #cruisegram #cruisevacation #carnivalcruise #cruising #kreuzfahrt #wanderlust #cruiseline #cruiseblog
8 day Europe River Cruise in the books. Just published our 1st blog post sharing our thoughts on avalonwaterways (partner) and why we enjoyed it as a family style of travel, and things to consider for your own cruise.
You can read it and see lots of photos via the link in our bio, or the URL is here: www.ytravelblog.com/european-river-cruises-for-families/
Got any questions, ask away?
#AvalonInView
#europecruise #avalonwaterways #avaloncruise #cruiseeurope #familytraveler #europeantrip #europeancruise #familytravelblog #danuberivercruise #wachauvalley #europetrip2023 #europetrips
Regensburg, Germany was the first stop on our 8 day river cruise with avalonwaterways (partner) on the Danube River. We enjoyed a guided tour to learn about its fascinating history, then had lunch at the oldest sausage kitchen in the world.
Regensburg is a city in eastern Bavaria, at the confluence of the Danube, Naab and Regen rivers and with more than 150,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth-largest city in Bavaria after Munich, Nuremberg and Augsburg.
The medieval centre of the city was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 because of its well-preserved architecture, being the biggest medieval city site north of the Alps. From its foundation as an imperial Roman river fort, the city has been the political, economic and cultural centre of the surrounding region.
Have you been to Regensburg? Swipe left for more photos.
#AvalonInView
#avalonwaterways #avaloncruise #regensburggermany #regensburgcity #germanytravels #europerivercruises #europetraveling #visitgermany🇩🇪 #rivercruiseseurope #familytraveler #familytravelblog
Passau in Germany was a great 2nd stop on our 8 day cruise with avalonwaterways (partner). Savannah and I did a guided hike to the top of the fortress with awesome views over the city, while Caroline & Kalyra did a guided city walk, and then enjoyed a fabulous BBQ lunch on the top deck of the ship.
Passau is on the German/Austrian border and lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Known as the Three Rivers City, it`s overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress housing a city museum and observation tower.
The old town below is known for its baroque architecture, including St. Stephen`s Cathedral, featuring distinctive onion-domed towers and an organ with 17,974 pipes.
Swipe for more photos.
#passaugermany #avalonwaterways #AvalonInView #avaloncruise #germanytrip🇩🇪 #germanytravels #europetrips #europerivercruises #europecruise #danuberivercruise #danuberiverview
"Accumulate memories and moments, not just possessions"...has always been our motto since we started our website and traveling as a family 15 years ago, and we certainly accumulated tons of priceless memories on this 8 day river cruise through Germany, Austria, and Hungry with avalonwaterways.
People told us from day one of becoming parents that our travel life is now over, but we knew that traveling with kids IS possible at any age, and they are great adaptors. This river cruise was a first for us at this style of travel, and we have lots more to share in upcoming blog posts and updates on here about our cruise, but here are 4 quick reasons we loved it:
1. Unpacking once over 8 days and unloading all our bags into a closet & draws. So nice compared to jumping from hotel to hotel like we did the other 3 weeks in Europe.
2. Not having to worry about food. Our biggest stress and time waster as a family when traveling is where are we going to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day? Not easy with 4 food tastes and dietary needs. This was all taken care of for us on the ship.
3. Transportation between each port city taken care of and getting a perspective of the scenery from the river.
4. Plenty of excursion options in each port, and the ability to split up as a family and know that we were taken care of by local guides.
What questions do you have about a river cruise in Europe?
Partnership with Avalon Waterways. #AvalonInView
#avalonwaterways #europecruise #danuberivercruise #avaloncruise #familytraveler #familytravelblog #europedestinations #budapešť #danuberiverview #EuropeTrip #europetraveling #Europetravels #familytraveling #familytraveltribe #familytravelmoment #familytravels
Durnstein 🇦🇹 #dürnstein #danube #rivercruise #avalonwaterways #austria #viaggiatore #photography #europe #europeanvacation #vacationphotos #vacationmode #travelgram #travelphotography #traveltheworld #avrupa #seyahat #gezgin #shotoniphone #instagood #instadaily #igers #photographer #photooftheday #nomadlife #travel #tunanehri #traveler #viaggiare #travelblog #love
Squatchy is on tour(vacation) and is loving Lucerne Switzerland. We have been on a foodie whirlwind tour today and enjoying the fantastic weather and scenery, stay tuned for daily updates from Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland. Don’t fret the retail store is still open and in capable hands, Squatchy just needed a well deserved break as we have a very busy summer ahead!! #lego #lego_life #legovacation #squatchyontour #lucerne #avalonwaterways #legoeurope #seattle #tacoma #universityplace #lakewoodwa #fircrest #thurstoncounty #olympia #gigharbor #portorchard #kitsap #afol #spslug #legostore #legomasters
Do not let anyone tell you how to live your life. It is never to late to change the path of your destiny. Your life is your responsibility…take it back into your own hands and make a conscious choice to make different decisions for yourself. This is the end of a cycle. Time to start fresh based upon on your OWN heart space 🤍🤎
This card is from the Mists of Avalon Oracle #mistsofavalonoracle by inserrarose waywardharper rockpoolpublishing 🤎
Happy Odin’s Day 🤍
🪵🤍🌳🤎🪵🤍🌳🤎🪵🤍🌳🤎🪵🤍🌳🤎🪵🤍🌳🤎
Ever wanted to visit the Christmas Markets in Germany?
How about a 10 Day River Cruise from Nuremberg to Basel with avalonwaterways in 2025?
December 8-17, 2025
2 Adults
Panorama Suite
$6,190
*per person based on double occupancy
Celebrate this magical time of year with a delightful Christmastime river cruise through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, on the Main Danube Canal, and the Main and Rhine Rivers.
Our Suite Ship® feature one-of-a-kind Panorama SuitesSM, with the widest opening windows in river cruising, the industry’s only Open–Air Balcony®, and beds facing the incredible views. Beyond our wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows is a world waiting to be explored- your way.
Making Memories for a lifetime!
#MagicWithJill #creatingmagicwhereveryougo #AvalonWaterways #Rivercruise #ChristmasMarkets #Germany #Cruising #Luxury #PanoramaSuite #GermanChristmas #Travel2025 #BookNowTravelLater #BucketList #WanderlustTravel
I’m super excited to be leaving soon on an expedition cruise to Belize and Honduras on a very small, luxury ship (with Ponant)!
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We are going to be getting as close to nature as possible by taking Zodiac rides, snorkeling and hiking.
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Naturalists will be sharing their knowledge with us on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology.
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And we will be learning about the partake life and ancestral customs of the local populations of Belize and Honduras. Yay!
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Have you been to Belize or Honduras? What were your favorite experiences? Or do you want to go?
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More about the cruise line I’m sailing with: https://ponant.mytravelsite.com/?agency=4614&advisor=43449
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Even if you have been on a bunch of cruises, using me is better than reserving on your own because I save you time, I’m an expert with tons of training and a deep knowledge of all of the finest cruise lines, I get you a better value including perks, I have clout and connections, I customize your trip, and I’m a real human who delivers exceptional service and takes care of you before, during, and after your journey.
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Contact me here via DM, [email protected], 415-939-5773 or http://www.journeysofalifetime.biz
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#luxurycruiseship #luxurycruiseline #luxurycruisespecialist #luxurycruiseexpert #silverseacruises #vikingoceancruises #regentcruise #regentsevenseascruises #seaborncruise #oceanacruises #crystalcruise #crystalcruisers #rivercruiseseurope #rivercruiseexpert #rivercruiser #rivercruisespecialist #rivercruiseeurope #vikingrivercruises #amawaterwayscruise #amawaterwaysrivercruise #avalonwaterways #uniworldcruises #tauckrivercruise
ATTENTION CRUISERS! Do you ever try to step outside of your comfort zone when traveling?
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As the owner of a luxury travel agency, I’m super excited to be setting sail tomorrow on an expedition journey through Belize and Honduras on a very small, luxury ship with Ponant ponant !
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An expedition cruise is different from a regular cruise because you visit remote areas of world where there is no pier or port (so access to shore is via zodiac) and there are no set-in-stone excursions because everything is subject to what nature presents in the moment (think a school of dolphins, or a better place to land ashore today than yesterday).
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We are going to be getting as close to nature as possible by snorkeling, hiking and more.
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Naturalists will be sharing their knowledge with us on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology.
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And we will be learning about the life and ancestral customs of the local populations of Belize and Honduras.
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My trips are normally to cities for cultural immersion, or are relaxation vacations in the tropics, so this is a totally different experience for me. Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone on vacation? How was it?
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Even if you have been on a bunch of cruises, using me is better than reserving on your own because I save you time, I’m an expert with tons of training and a deep knowledge of all of the finest cruise lines, I get you a better value including perks, I have clout and connections, I customize your trip, and I’m a real human who delivers exceptional service and takes care of you before, during, and after your journey.
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Contact me here via the link in my bio or DM.
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#luxurycruiseship #luxurycruiseline #luxurycruisespecialist #luxurycruiseexpert #silverseacruises #vikingoceancruises #regentcruise #regentsevenseascruises #seaborncruise #oceanacruises #crystalcruise #crystalcruisers #rivercruiseseurope #rivercruiseexpert #rivercruiser #rivercruisespecialist #rivercruiseeurope #vikingrivercruises #amawaterwayscruise #amawaterwaysrivercruise #avalonwaterways #uniworldcruises #tauckrivercruise
[ Post da Salvare - pt.2 ]
Il mio viaggio fluviale prosegue alla volta di Anversa.
Nel frattempo le nuvole corrono veloci nel cielo e la nave scorre lenta sul fiume. Questo è un viaggio fatto d’acqua, colori, brezza, luce e silenzi.
Si riparte dal Belgio per tornare in Olanda, passando per l`avveniristica Rotterdam fino alla magica Amsterdam.
Scorrete il carosello per un assaggio della seconda parte del mio favoloso viaggio a bordo di questo Boat-ique hotel che è già casa.
1️⃣ La luce del tramonto e dell`alba sono quelle che più amiamo e sul fiume sono incredibili
2️⃣ Anversa - Il suo Porto entra in città a due passi dal centro storico
3️⃣ Anversa - La Cattedrale custodisce 4 capolavori di Rubens, l`Assunzione è il più imponente
4️⃣ Il risveglio mi è dolce in questo fiume mentre faccio colazione guardando lo skyline di Rotterdam dalla mia Suite Panorama
5️⃣ Rotterdam - è una citta avanguardista, le "case cubiche" sono un bosco immaginato da Piet Blom
6️⃣ La luce della sera invade la mia cena al ristorante sulla Avalon Visionary
7️⃣ Amstredram - i canali e le biciclette: ci sono quasi 1 milione di biciclette in città che corrono velocissime e ogni anno 25.000 cadono nel canale
8️⃣ Amsterdam - i canali e i fiori: il mercato galleggiante dei fiori è imperdibile, ma va ricordato che quel che conta qui sono i bulbi, i fiori freschi solo per un appuntamento galante
9️⃣ Amsterdam - i musei: questa volta sono andata alla casa museo di Rembrandt, l`ultimo che mi mancava... o almeno credo
🔟 Un aspetto molto interessante dei viaggi fluviali con Avalon Waterways è legato alle escursioni che sono molto varie e personalizzate.
Ed eccomi per un viaggio tra i Canali di Amsterdam la domenica mattina, quando la città ancora dorme.
~ Travel Long The Rivers ~
Il racconto del mio viaggio è sul blog { il link è diretto in bio chiediloalladani }
Se volete vivere la magnifica esperienza avalonwaterwaysitalia potete approfittare della speciale tariffa inaugurale “BE THE FIRST” per l’itinerario Basilea-Amsterdam ROMANTICO RENO [partenza 3 Luglio 2022]
Invited by
avalonwaterwaysitalia
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#avalonwaterwaysitalia
#avalonwaterways
#viaggioallafinestra #chiediloalladani
A few of my favorite pic’s from cruising the river yesterday back into Amsterdam.
*The photo of the chair & table with a ladder inset on a concrete wall is from inside our cabin when the boat was going through a river lock.
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#rivercruise #netherlands #makingmemories #travelnetherlands #landscapephotography #vacationmode #avalonwaterways
