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Cruise European Rivers

River Cruising from a Unique Point of View...Yours.

You see life differently. While others chase what's popular, you follow your own path. Your own voice has never led you astray. You've arrived, knowing what it’s taken to get here. At Avalon, we share your unique point of view. That's why we've designed a river cruise experience that’s just a bit different. Spaces are bigger. Views are more epic. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

Rooms With A View

With Avalon, the View is the Whole Point. Welcome to the future of stateroom design. We threw out the industry standards - and re-invented everything from the ground up. Your entire experience revolves around your comfort and enjoyment. Avalon’s revolutionary Panorama Suites are the most unique accommodations in river cruising.

Get the Best of Both Worlds

Pair certain Globus tours with Avalon river cruises - the perfect way to round out your European travel experience.

Learn More About Avalon

Featured regions.

Europe River Cruises

Southeast Asia River Cruises

China River Cruises

Galapagos Islands River Cruises

Amazon River Cruises

Featured rivers & waterways.

Danube River

Rhine River

Seine River

Moselle River

Mekong River

Galápagos Islands

Amazon River

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Globus Avalon River Cruises | Avalon River Cruises

Avalon River Cruises is synonymous with design, as in cabin, cruising, and touring experience! Unlike any other river cruise line, Avalon River Cruises has elevated the river cruising experience by first designing accommodations to be a part of the overall journey.

From the moment you step into your new home, you are greeted with an open concept design allowing you to have a view of the landscape from where you are, including bed!

Avalon was founded and managed by Globus Tours, which design the itineraries found in their Globus, Cosmos, and Monogram touring products. This experience, provides you, the traveller, with a guarantee that your sightseeing experience is nothing less than superb!

When it comes to their river vessels, Avalon River Cruises has spared no expense in designing some of the best river vessels in the industry. All of their vessels are designed, built, and operated by Avalon River Cruises!

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A member of the Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways operates river cruises aboard sleek ships with state-of-the-art engineering that allows for smooth, comfortable sailing.

Passengers can relax in spacious staterooms featuring satellite television, private bathrooms and hotel-style beds with Egyptian cotton sheets. Each ship highlights a variety of resort-style amenities, including gourmet dining and quality entertainment from local musicians. Panoramic picture windows on every ship provide magnificent views of passing landscapes.

Avalon ships have English-speaking crews, and while the ship is in port, expert guides point out famous tourist spots as well as hidden gems. Guided sightseeing tours are included as part of your cruise, but you can also explore on your own if you prefer.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).

• Save up to $4,000 per couple on Europe sailings with a special bonus offer. Prices shown reflect discount. Click here .
• Save up to $3,000 per couple on Europe departures. Prices shown reflect discount. Click here .
• Save up to $2,000 per couple on cruises worldwide. Prices shown reflect discount. Click here .
• Receive free prepaid gratuities on Active & Discovery cruises (a value of up to $878 per couple depending on the itinerary). This is combinable with most offers. Click here .
• Travel with Avalon Waterways and receive a Welcome Back Credit of $100 to $250 per person after your trip. The credit can be applied toward a subsequent trip with Avalon or its sister brands Globus and Cosmos. Click here .

The Scoop: What to Know About Avalon Waterways

This award-winning river cruise company focuses on experiences and food..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

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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What’s tourscoop.

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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We've spent nearly a century as a leader in the travel industry.

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. Enjoy VIP inclusions and world-class experiences at budget-friendly prices. Adventure is knocking!

Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile, you’ll cruise in relaxed luxury with river cruising’s widest views of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.

It started with a rowboat.

1928 - lugano, switzerland.

In 1928, a young man purchased a rowboat to transport visitors across Lake Lugano, Switzerland. Who would have thought that this single rowboat would launch one of the world's leading travel companies?

Today, the Globus family of brands is a global company reaching every corner of the world, yet remains family-owned and steeped in the values Antonio had when he set out across Lake Lugano—to enlighten travelers by showing them the very best of the destinations we know so well.

Departures/Year

Travelers/Year

Different Vacations

Travel Professionals

It started with a rowboat. Antonio Mantegazza (the eventual founder of the Globus family of brands) bought a rowboat on credit and began transporting travelers across Lake Lugano, sharing stories of local sights.

Paid holidays begin to become standard, which was great news for travel providers like Mantegazza, who expanded his operation with more rowboats on Lake Lugano. Throughout the decade, he also added:

• Taxis on land • A fleet of twelve motorcoaches operating in Switzerland • Operational rights to a popular local route for the Swiss national postal and transportational service

Mantegazza's son, Sergio, joins the company. They partner with Werner Albek, who helps Globus Viaggi operate excursions to St. Moritz, Milan, Venice, Rome, and other popular European destinations.

• Globus Viaggi acquires two competing coach companies • Fleet of coaches grows to 33

In the early 50's, Globus introduces the "circular tour", offering a one price, all-inclusive vacation package. Later, Grand European Touring is launched, offering first-class tours around Europe.

• European portfolio expands to Switzerland, Italy, the French Riviera, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, Britain, and Ireland. • Globus enters the U.S. tourism market.

With the Mantegazza family at the helm, the company's brands begin expanding their markets into countries around the world.

• Globus launches its North American branch - Group Voyagers, Inc. to oversee U.S. operations. • Globus launches Cosmos, featuring affordable, value-priced European touring for the cost-conscious traveler. • Werner Albek's son, Mario, joins the company.

As planes, cruise ships, and travel agent associations grew in size, Globus did too. Globus and Cosmos opened distribution companies in Australia, London, and Canada.

• The United States Tour Operations Association (USTOA) is founded by Globus and a small group of California tour operators. • Circuit Travel begins operation in Australia as a registered distribution company for the Globus family of brands. • Lontours Canada Ltd. opens in Toronto.

Globus is one of the world's most popular tour operators, offering vacations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Africa, the South Pacific, Asia, and South America.

Globus is well-known for offering its travelers more - more vacations, more travel styles, and more included features - securing its position as the worldwide leader in escorted travel.

• Globus and Cosmos grows to record volume and becomes the market leader in escorted travel.

The Globus family of brands with its sister companies is the world's leading tour operator with more than 30 tourism and aviation businesses around the world, and serviced by more than 5,000 professionals.

• Globus launches Avalon Waterways, adding river cruising to its range of travel styles. • In response to Baby Boomers' desire for more independent travel, Globus launches Monograms. • The Globus family of brands begins offering Religious vacations through Globus Faith.

When you've been showing travelers the world for nearly a century, you know what makes for a rewarding vacation - from top-notch transportation to VIP access at the iconic sights. With our level of travel expertise, we also know what makes for a spectacular vacation. We put your needs first with the most experienced Tour Directors, Cruise Directors, and Local Hosts® as well as 50 offices around the world equipped to make your vacation unforgettable.

With our experience and trusted network, there's no reason to put off the vacation of your dreams. When you travel with the Globus family of brands, you're in good hands.

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