Include The Right Elements For The Elements
Avalons river cruise ships offer the unique Open-Air Balcony®, giant wall-to-wall windows that invite the outside in, any time of the day or night, come rain or come shine. You will get to enjoy the view from your very own stateroom so pack a light sweatshirt in case it gets a bit chilly. Your new friends might ask you to enjoy a drink and games up on the Sky Deck, or the forecast for your daily shore excursions might be unpredictable depending on the time of year youre visiting. So dont forget to pack a hat and sunscreen for sunny days, a windbreaker for the occasional drizzle. Dont worry, we provide umbrellas in case it rains while on ship or shore.
Be sure to bring layers so you can enjoy drinks on the Sky Deck!
Most importantly, dont forget comfortable walking shoes and layers. Both will be very useful during your river cruise. Now -its time to sit back, relax, and enjoy! Have you been on a river cruise? Share your tips on our page.
Make sure to bring comfy pajamas for when you are enjoying the view from your bed!
What Size Can My Suitcase Be
Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30″x21″x11″ and a weight not exceeding 50 lbs. . We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits on any Avalon vacation outside of Europe. Some vacations have more restrictive regulations than these listed above, such as cruises on the Galápagos, Mekong, and Ganges. Please refer to your travel documents for more information.Please note that air carriers, cruise lines, and other forms of transportation may have other restrictions and requirements, including weight, and we recommend that you contact the suppliers directly for additional information. Some airlines also charge fees for checked baggage, and these fees are not included in our vacation or airfare package price. Check with your airline directly for baggage information and regulations. Avalon is not responsible for additional baggage fees imposed by air carriers.
The Amazing Avalon Impression
An important aspect of any river cruise is the ship you call home. On this cruise, I was on the Avalon Impression.
On the Impression, as on all of Avalons ships, everything is centered around the view. Whether its floor-to-ceiling windows in most state rooms to a dining room designed to make sure every seat has a view of the river, everything about cruising on an Avalon ship is designed to make sure you can see the scenery.
The state rooms
Another thing I like about Avalons ships is that, even though theyre the same size as most other river cruise ships in the industry, they accommodate fewer passengers. Our ship could hold only 128 people , so it never felt crowded, even when you were waiting to grab breakfast at the buffet or a burger during one of the Sky Deck BBQs.
The reason Avalons ships hold fewer people is thanks to their fleet being made up of their Suite Ships, or ships with the majority of state rooms being 200-square-foot Panorama Suites.
These Panorama Suites are pretty awesome, with the wall of windows opening up 7 feet to turn the whole room into an Open-Air Balcony.
And, oh yeah, the beds also face the view, meaning you can lounge in a robe and not miss a thing.
The lounges
Unlike some other river cruise lines that just offer one big lounge onboard, the Avalon Impression makes use of all its space to offer not one, but two indoor lounges .
Flexible dining options
Adventure Host
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What Is Travel Protection
The Travel Protection Plan offers important services to help protect your vacation purchase. Under the Trip Cancellation Waiver, you can cancel your trip any time up to departure for several eligible reasons as listed in the plan and receive a refund of the normally non-refundable Globus cancellation penalty amount. If your reason for cancellation does not qualify for a cash refund, you would instead receive a Cancel for Any Reason travel certificate equal to the cancellation penalty amount. Travel certificates are valid for travel within two years from the original canceled vacation start date.In addition to the above, the plan offers Travel Insurance benefits including Trip Cancellation for independent air arrangements, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, medical expense, emergency medical transportation, baggage loss, theft, damage or delay coverage, etc. as well as 24-hour emergency assistance services.
From The Avalon Waterways Travel Blog
As you plan, or just dream about your next vacation, we invite you to get inspired by the Avalon travel blog showcasing news, tips, and stories! Plus, you can read articles where Avalon Waterways and Avalon ships have been featured in the news. Every great traveller has someone on the inside who knows all of the best kept secrets about their travel destinations. Let us be your inside source!
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Cruise From Home And Relax
Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.
Airport Transfers For Land/cruise
Booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you all the advantages described, however, you may also choose to book with a land-only option . In this case, we offer transfers to and from the airport and your hotel on vacation arrival and departure dates for an additional charge. Avalon passengers who make their own air arrangements on regularly scheduled direct or nonstop flights into terminals may purchase our airport transfer service. Airport transfers can also be arranged when you purchase offered extra nights before or after the vacation. Transfers cannot be provided when joining late or departing early from your vacation.
Flight information for air purchased separately from Avalon will be required at time of booking the extra night transfers and must be provided to Avalon prior to final payment so that we can coordinate your transfer time. Flight details should be sent apart from other correspondence. Flight details and payment must be received no later than final payment. Time and terminal limitations are provided. Transfers will be provided only if confirmed by Avalon. Look for confirmation of your transfer in your travel documents which are mailed to you approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure. NOTE: Some cruise-only vacations do not include free airport transfers and in some cases, transfers may not be available for purchase. Please discuss your specific transfer options with your Avalon Travel Consultant.
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Arrival & Departure Details
You can add pre/post tour accommodation to your reservation inconjunction with Avalon. This price will include breakfast. Please note that hotels are subject to change but by booking your pre accommodation with Avalon this ensures that if the meeting location changes Avalon we will try to change your pre accommodation to the same hotel. On the rare occasion that there is no availability then alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. If this does occur than the transfer between the hotels will be at Avalon’s expense.
Transfers from the meeting location to the ship on embarkation day is included in the river cruise price. Airport transfers can be added your reservation as long as they link in with the start/end dates of your tour or with pre/post tour accommodation booked with us. Avalon’s Airport transfer service is from $49 per person one way.
Our Top Three For Avalon Waterways
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Not Your Average River Cruise: What Makes Avalon Waterways Stand Apart
By: Matt Long / Reposted from www.landlopers.com
A few weeks ago I had the great opportunity to sail with Avalon Waterways on an Active & Discovery cruise along the mighty Danube. Having sailed the Danube before, I thought I knew what to expect but, almost immediately, I saw that the Avalon Waterways experience was completely different from that onboard other river cruise ships. Ive teased some of these differences before, but today I want to share a more thorough review of my time with Avalon. This post is part of a sponsored project with Avalon Waterways but, as always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Avalon Waterways
What Does Active & Discovery Mean?
Cabins and Public Spaces
This focus on bringing the outside in extends to the rest of the ship and large windows are the common element that, although not all guests may notice at first, make a huge impact. The dining room is open, light and airy a relative oddity in the river cruise industry. Guests can see through the windows on any side, never missing an opportunity to sightsee as the ship cruises along. Lounge spaces maintain this same aesthetic, creating welcoming spots that are fun to relax in. Whether its on the sundeck or the back club lounge, there are plenty of spaces to seek some solitude and to just enjoy the experience.
Food and Service
Overall Experience
Small Details Big Difference
When it comes to the little touches, we think biglike your choice of firmness in our exclusive Comfort Collection BedsSM and pillows, the plushest of towels, LOccitane® bath products atop marble countertops, premium spirits at the upscale bar, and rich premium coffees in the Panorama and Club Lounge. You deserve the best of everything when youre on vacation, including what you need to maintain your healthy lifestyle. On our ships, youll enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, free bicycles for use in select ports, and a bubbling whirlpool on the Sky Deck awaiting your return.
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More Is Included In The Price
When booking any cruise, one thing you need to check is whats included in the price you pay, since the extras can really add up. Thats fine if you know in advance and have budgeted for it, but not so great when you find yourself stung for unexpected costs.
Guided tour in Vienna with Avalon Cruises
With Avalon you get a lot included in the price and could probably get away with paying hardly anything above the holiday price if you wanted to. Heres whats included
Cycling excursion with Avalon
So what extras will you need to budget for?
- Some specialist excursions, for instance a cookery class or cycling excursion.
- Drinks from the bar before or after dinner.
- Laundry services if required as there are no self-service laundry or ironing facilities on board.
- There was a hairdresser on board where you can also have a manicure.
Thats not a huge amount of extras and depending on how you like to spend your cruise, you could get away without spending much above the holiday price. The item that would probably add most to your bill are the special excursions and to give you an idea of the cost, on my cruise these ranged from around â¬50-60 per person for a half day or around â¬70 for a full day excursion.
Avalon Visionary at Grein
Art & Impressionist River Cruises
Expand your appreciation of art with Avalon Waterways. Explore the great art museums of picturesque northern France! Attend an illuminating art lectures by renowned experts on board your Avalon ship. Visit the places and sites that inspired some of the worlds most famous artists, such as Auvers-sur-Oise, Rouen, Giverny, and, of course, Paris the inimitable City of Light.
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Avalon Waterways River Cruises
With more than 80 years experience in travel, Avalon Waterways offers some of the worlds most luxurious river cruise holidays. Whether its sailing along the delightful Danube River, visiting Europes most cosmopolitan towns and cities or meandering through the vineyards of the Rhône Valley, Avalon river cruises offer the ideal way to take in some of Europes most attractive and appealing destinations on truly unforgettable adventures.
- Sightseeing tours in every port of call
- Full board a la carte dining on board with wine, beer and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner
- Gratuities, transfers and port charges
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Luxury river cruise experience
Avalon Waterways has one of the worlds youngest fleets, all boasting contemporary designs and a wonderfully luxurious ambience. Along with the finest facilities, a complete range of modern facilities and incredibly spacious staterooms, on Avalon river cruise ships, youll discover all the amenities of a world-class hotel and the largest staterooms on Europes rivers.
As well as cruising in complete comfort and luxury, you can look forward to the finest cuisine, the most attentive service and perfectly planned excursions. Avalon cruises have a reputation for quality and service that the line has built up over the years, so it comes as no surprise that it has won many awards during its lifetime.
| All port charges and taxes |
Active And Discovery Itineraries 2022
Avalon’s “Active & Discovery” cruises are part of the company’s land tour program . Every day, travelers can choose from a selection of included “Classic”, “Active” and “Discovery” excursions. The average number of “Avalon Choice” tours is 22, giving tourists plenty of opportunities to customize their vacation.
“Active & Discovery” voyages were introduced in 2017. In 2022, Avalon has scheduled 6 such itineraries but for the first time, these voyages will be offered on all major rivers in Europe – Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, as well as on the inland waterways of Belgium and Holland.
Activities on these voyages include canoe paddling , kayaking , hiking to Landshut Castle , a cocktail workshop , visiting a mustard mill in Germany, learning about Normandy’s cheese trail, tasting traditional pastries, new Storyteller Series which in 2022 feature two American authors – Candace Bushnell and Gillian Schieber Flynn .
Priced from USD 2550 per couple, Avalon’s “Active & Discovery” cruisetours have more complimentary excursions compared to other itineraries.
Additionally, Avalon’s “Fly Free & Save” deals offer up to USD 1000 per couple on select 2021-2022 European river cruises.
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Cruises That Include Alcohol In Your Fare
running upward of $50 per day per passenger and individual drinks charged at restaurant prices.
Travelers who feel the pinch of every beer or margarita, or simply don’t want to be bothered with the nickel and diming, might want to explore cruises that include alcohol in their vacation cost.
Here are 17 cruise lines that offer free alcohol with your cruise year-round — no additional package purchase required. Caveat: Most are higher-end cruise lines, with several offering river cruises across the globe, so you’ll definitely pay a premium price for your all-inclusive vacation. Cheers!
History And Ship Design
Avalon Waterways started operations in 2004 with just one initial ship, called Avalon Artistry. The following year, the company added the Avalon Poetry to its fleet.
As of 2019, the company operates ships on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine and Saone in Europe The Mekong River in Southeast Asia, as well as on the Yangtze , the Ganges and the .
Avalon Waterways has earned river cruise operator awards including “Best European river line” in 2019.
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Unrivalled Variety Of Excursion Options
Ive never been on a river cruise that offered this many excursion options. As I said before, there was literally something for everyone! For instance, in Vienna, there was a walking+public transport tour , cooking classes, a Secret of Absinthe tour, a morning run tour, a bike tour, a guided hike tour, dinner at a wine tavern, a VIP tour of the Fine Arts Museum and more! To top it off, almost all these excursions are included in the cruise package! As you can imagine, it was sometimes hard to choose!
Information To Plan Your Cruise
The Avalon Waterways 9 day âActive Discovery on the Danubeâ cruise from Linz to Budapest is priced from £2483 per person to include a selection of activities . Cruise highlights include Linz, Grein, Durnstein, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, Visegard and Budapest. Discover more on the Avalon Waterways website.
If you require any airport parking services, I recommend APH Airport Parking and Hotels, a leading UK provider of airport parking, hotels and airport lounges.
For more information to plan a holiday in Austria, visit the Austria Tourism website
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Can I Stay Extra Nights Before And After My Vacation
If you’d like to add extra hotel nights, we will try to make arrangements for you at our contracted rates. Rates are per person, per night, and include a room with private bath, breakfast, service charges and taxes. Extra hotel nights are only available immediately prior to or after your vacation and are not available on some cruise-only vacations or in some cities. If your vacation includes a hotel stay, every effort will be made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your vacation stays. If space at the hotel is not available, alternative accommodations will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer to and from the included hotel is at our expense. During particularly busy periods, hotel space in certain cities can become so limited that we may be unable to sell extra nights.