Thank you for your interest in an Avalon Waterways river cruise! I’ve gathered the most important details in one easy place, so you can see exactly what’s included, what you may want to add, and what to expect before, during, and after your journey.
Avalon is known for its Suite Ships, where wall-to-wall windows and beds that face the view make the river part of your room, along with relaxed dining and a choice of ways to explore each day. Take a look through the sections below, and whenever you’re ready, I’d love to help you choose the itinerary, stateroom, and extras that fit you best.
What’s included, where you’ll stay, and how you’ll spend your days.
What’s Included
Your Inclusive Experience
Avalon Waterways is known for its Suite Ships and a relaxed, flexible style of river cruising. From the moment you step aboard, the details are taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the journey.
Here’s what you can look forward to on every sailing.
Imagine waking to the river framed by a wall of glass, with breakfast waiting and a morning of exploring planned just your way.
Raising a glass to the river aboard Avalon.Photo: Avalon Waterways
All onboard meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with flexible dining times.
Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Regional wines and local beers to enjoy with your meals.
Happy Hour every evening
Every night except the first, a relaxed way to meet fellow travelers.
Coffee & tea around the clock
Help yourself in the Club Lounge, any time of day.
Avalon Choice excursions
Classic, Discovery, and Active ways to explore in most ports.
Bikes & e-bikes
Available onboard for exploring at your own pace.
Wi-Fi onboard
Starlink connectivity, so you can share the journey as it unfolds.
Avalon After Dark
Evening entertainment and experiences after a day of exploring.
Included amenities are subject to change by Avalon Waterways.
Elisa’s Tip
When you compare river cruise lines, look closely at what’s included. With Avalon, excursions, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, Happy Hour most evenings, and Wi-Fi are already part of your fare, which makes the value easy to see.
Your Home on the River
Suite Ship Staterooms
Avalon’s Suite Ships are designed around the view. Most suites feature wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the beds face the river instead of the wall, so the scenery is the first thing you see each morning.
Avalon ships are designed to feel open, relaxed, and connected to the river around you, with comfortable spaces to unwind between adventures.
The Club Lounge
Coffee and tea around the clock, and a relaxed spot to settle in with a view.
Happy Hour
A complimentary toast every evening except the first.
Avalon After Dark
Evening entertainment and experiences that keep the day’s discoveries going.
Adventure Hosts
Your guides for active outings ashore, from bike rides to hikes.
Bikes & E-Bikes
Ready when you are, for exploring each stop at your own pace.
Starlink Wi-Fi
Stay connected throughout your journey.
Onboard facilities vary by ship.
A Taste of Every Region
Dining & Avalon Fresh
Dining aboard Avalon is relaxed and flexible, with fresh, regional flavors and a choice of where to enjoy them.
Where to Dine
Settle into the Panorama Dining Room, keep things casual at the Panorama Bistro, or head to the Sky Grill. Dining times are flexible, so you can plan your day around the destination rather than the dinner bell.
Created with chefs Karl and Leo Wrenkh, Avalon Fresh adds lighter, plant-based choices to the menu, and dishes are labeled for common allergens, so it’s easy to dine the way you like.
Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks
Included with lunch and dinner.
Happy Hour
Every evening except the first.
Coffee & Tea Any Time
Around the clock in the Club Lounge.
Allergen Labels
Clear labeling to help you choose with confidence.
Elisa’s Pro Tip
Share any dietary preferences or allergies with me when we book, and I’ll pass them along so the kitchen is ready for you from day one.
Dining venues and menus vary by ship and itinerary. Stop by reception anytime with dietary questions or special requests.
Beyond the Ship
Avalon Choice Excursions
Cycling past the Pont d’Avignon on the Rhône.Photo: Avalon Waterways
Every day brings a new destination, and Avalon Choice lets you shape it around your interests, with Classic, Discovery, and Active ways to explore.
Classic
Guided highlights of each destination, led by local experts.
Discovery
Hands-on cultural experiences that go behind the scenes.
Active
Hikes, bike rides, and other ways to keep moving.
Plenty of Choice
Up to 28 ways to explore, with an average of 22 on Active & Discovery cruises.
Adventure Hosts
Guides who lead active excursions and help you plan your time ashore.
Bikes & E-Bikes
Available onboard for exploring on your own.
Excursion choices vary by itinerary and port.
Arrive Early or Linger Longer
Extensions & Cruise-Tours
Extend your journey with time in your gateway cities, or choose an Avalon cruise-tour that pairs your sailing with guided time on land.
Ask Me About
Hotel stays before or after your cruise
Cruise-tours that combine the river with time on land
Guided touring in your gateway cities
Flex Air, Avalon’s air program, to coordinate your flights
Extension and cruise-tour inclusions vary by itinerary and are subject to change by Avalon Waterways. I’ll share exactly what’s included for the journey you’re considering.
The Guide
Savings & Rewards
Ways to save, from current offers to perks for returning guests.
Ways to Save
Current Offers & Savings
Avalon offers capacity-controlled promotions that change throughout the year. An experienced advisor can make sure you receive the strongest value for your sailing.
Early Booking
Reserve ahead for the best choice of ship, stateroom, and date, often at the best fare.
Seasonal Promotions
Limited-time savings and added value on select departures.
Solo Travelers
Reduced or waived single supplements on select sailings, when available.
Groups & Celebrations
Special value for milestone trips and travel with family and friends.
Returning Guests
Sailed with Avalon before? Returning guests receive a welcome-back credit, and the amount is based on what you spent on your earlier Avalon travel. I’ll make sure it’s applied to your booking.
Offers are capacity controlled and change often. Tell me who’s traveling and your target dates, and I’ll apply every offer and benefit you qualify for.
The Guide
Booking & Preparation
Deposits, gratuities, check-in and the paperwork to have in order.
Booking with Confidence
Reserving Your Cruise
Deposit Per Person
Avalon Waterways deposits per person
Most river cruises
$250
Trips including Botswana, Delfin III, or MS Farah
$500
Flex Air deposit
$300
Final Payment Due 90 days before your services begin.
Deposits are nonrefundable. Promotions can carry different terms, and I’ll confirm yours when I quote.
Cancellation Charges, 2026 & 2027
Avalon Waterways cancellation charges
Final payment date to 30 days before
50%
29 days to 1 day before
80%
Day of departure
100%
Before final payment, cancelling forfeits your deposit. I’ll review Avalon’s full schedule with you before final payment.
Quoted Prices
Unless otherwise listed, all pricing is per person, based on double occupancy, specific to the stateroom category quoted, and subject to availability at the time of booking.
Pricing Terms
Because Avalon Waterways sails limited-inventory river ships, prices and availability can change without notice. By booking, you agree to the supplier’s terms, available on its website.
Supplemental Charges
Cruise lines reserve the right to add surcharges for items such as fuel increases, port fees, or government requirements. Additional fees may apply from Avoya Travel or the cruise line if a cancellation occurs.
Cancellation Policy
Please review Avalon Waterways’ full cancellation policy before final payment, available in its Terms & Conditions.
Travel Protection
I recommend travel protection for every trip, and I’m happy to provide quotes so you can compare coverage before final payment.
Avalon is known for warm, attentive service, and gratuities are a way to thank the crew and guides who take such good care of you. They aren’t included in your fare and are always at your discretion.
Who Gratuities Thank
Ship’s Crew
The team onboard who care for you throughout your cruise.
Cruise Director
Your host and go-to resource from embarkation to farewell.
Local Hosts & Guides
The experts who bring each destination to life.
Drivers
The motorcoach drivers who get you there safely.
Included Meals
Tips for wait staff at included meals are already covered, except hotel meals in Europe.
Avalon doesn’t publish suggested amounts on its website, so I’ll share current guidelines for your itinerary before you go.
Before You Sail
Check-In & Preparation
Online Check-In
In the weeks before departure, you’ll complete a few simple steps online with Avalon, where you will:
Complete your guest details
Confirm travel documents
Add special requests and dietary needs
Review preliminary itinerary information
Completing check-in early helps ensure a smooth boarding experience. I’ll let you know when your check-in window opens.
Helpful to Have Ready
A little preparation makes embarkation day effortless. Keep these details handy:
Passport details that match your reservation exactly
Flight and transfer information
Any dietary or accessibility needs
Emergency contact information
I’m glad to walk through check-in with you.
Passports & Paperwork
Travel Documents & Entry Requirements
It is each traveler’s responsibility to carry proper documentation. Here’s what to have in order before you go.
Proof of Citizenship
A valid passport, valid at least 6 months beyond your return date
Visas where required
Green cards or other immigration documents, as applicable
Authorization documentation when traveling with minors
Names on reservations must match your passport exactly.
REAL ID
Since May 2025, U.S. travelers need a REAL ID-compliant license or other accepted ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights and certain federal facilities.
Travel Visas
Journeys in Egypt and Southeast Asia may require visas and several blank passport pages. Verify requirements through CIBTvisas, and I’ll confirm exactly what your itinerary needs.
ETIAS (Europe)
Europe’s new travel authorization for U.S. visitors is not yet in effect, and no launch date has been announced. I’ll let you know if it applies to your trip.
UK ETA
An Electronic Travel Authorisation is required for entry to the United Kingdom.
EU Entry/Exit System
Europe’s border system now registers non-EU visitors with fingerprints and a photo, so allow a little extra time at passport control on your first entry.
Travel Advisories & Health Guidance
I strongly recommend reviewing travel advisories and health guidance before your trip so you’re fully prepared.
A few things that are helpful to know before you sail.
Flexibility on the Water
Good to Know on the River
River cruising brings you closer to nature, and nature occasionally has its own plans. Avalon Waterways handles these moments smoothly, and a little flexibility goes a long way.
High or Low Water
River levels can affect docking locations, require a ship swap, or modify shore excursions.
Tethering, or “Double Docking”
In some ports, ships may temporarily tie together side by side. When this happens, your river view may be obstructed until the ships separate.
Travel Subject to Change
All travel is subject to schedule adjustments, itinerary changes, work stoppages, weather disruptions, and operational delays.
Your Travel Documents
Depending on your itinerary, documents arrive as digital files or printed packets. I’ll let you know as soon as they’re ready.
The river sets the pace. All you have to do is enjoy the view.
Your Next Step
Let’s plan your journey.
Whether you already have a river in mind or are just beginning to dream, I’d love to help you find the Avalon journey that fits you best. I’ll compare itineraries and staterooms, apply every savings offer you qualify for, and take care of the details from your first question to your welcome home.
Your Advisor
Elisa Rzymski
River Cruise Specialist Certified Avalon Waterways Specialist
Prices and availability are subject to change at any time. Amenities, offers, and policies are set by Avalon Waterways and may change without notice. Photography courtesy of Avalon Waterways.
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