Avalon Waterways
Parent company: Globus family of brands
PremiumSee how Avalon Waterways describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Avalon's Panorama Suites feature the line's signature Open-Air Balcony with a bed positioned to face the view
- 2Avalon Choice excursions offer more included choices than any other river cruise line (an average of 22 on Active & Discovery cruises), plus free bike and e-bike use
- 3As part of the Globus family of brands, past guests earn Welcome Back Credit ($100-$250 per person) usable across Avalon, Globus, and Cosmos vacations
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line90 days prior to departure
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure for all Avalon Waterways cruises.
Deposit
Per cruise line$250 pp standard; $500 pp for select specialty ships
$250 USD per person standard deposit for Avalon Waterways cruises. Cruises on the Delfin III (Amazon) and MS Farah (Nile) require $500 USD per person. Deposits and Travel Protection are always non-refundable. Air booked through Avalon needs a separate air deposit.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
2026-2027 schedule: Final Payment Date to 30 days before departure: 50% of total price. 29 to 1 days before: 80% of total price. Day of departure or later: 100% of total price.
Applies to: 2026-2027 sailings
What's included on board
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Guests per ship
- About 150 guests on average (Europe Suite Ships); fewer on the Douro and Mekong shipsPer cruise line
- Gratuities
- NOT included for Tour/Cruise Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, driver, and ship's crew; gratuities for wait staff at included meals (excluding hotel meals in Europe) ARE includedPer cruise line
- Beer & wine
- Included at lunch and dinner, plus a complimentary Happy Hour every night except the firstPer cruise line
- Premium drinks
- Premium spirits served at the upscale bar; no package or price published
- Wi-Fi
- Included - complimentary Wi-Fi (via Starlink) on all ships in Europe; on the Mekong in the Panorama Lounge onlyPer cruise line
- Dining
- Included - four-course dinners, Sky Deck barbecues, al fresco lunches/dinners, Panorama Bistro petite plates, breakfast in bedPer cruise line
- Premium dining
- Included (FlexDining: dining room, Panorama Bistro, Sky Deck/Sky Grill, in-room breakfast all in the fare; no paid specialty venue)Per cruise line
- Included tours
- Avalon Choice Excursions offers an average of 22 included excursions per cruise, plus free bike and e-bike usePer cruise line
Sources differ
Avalon's pages disagree on the average of 22 included excursions: the inclusions page states it for Avalon Choice generally, while the excursions page ties it to Active & Discovery cruises.Inclusions page Excursions page - Extra tours
- Optional excursions at extra cost; bookable online from 90 days to 3 days before the excursionPer cruise line
- Transfers
- Included with air booked through Avalon on qualifying flights and dates (not in North America or on select itineraries)Per cruise line
- Air program
- Available - Avalon Airfare program, with an additional non-refundable air deposit of $300 per personPer cruise line
- Pre/post land tours
- Extra hotel nights before or after the cruise at Avalon's contracted rates (per person, per night, with breakfast)Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Special needs or disabilities must be disclosed at booking, or as soon as they become known; wheelchair use must be reported at booking. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Outside the US, guests must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without a wheelchair or walker; only collapsible wheelchairs up to 40.55 x 21.85 in may be allowed, and motorized scooters are not permitted. Ships may be double-docked, so guests may have to walk through another ship. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Service dogs must be housebroken, under the handler's control at all times and current on all vaccinations; destination paperwork is the traveler's responsibility. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Avalon's terms say ships have no specialized facilities for childbirth, prenatal or early infant care, and pregnant travelers should weigh the risk of delayed medical care. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Loyalty program
Welcome Back CreditPer cruise line
- 1Welcome Back Credit member — automatic upon completing any Globus family of brands (Avalon Waterways, Globus, Cosmos) vacation
Guests may say
“Welcome Back Credit”, “Globus family credit”
Shared across the Globus family of brands (Avalon Waterways, Globus, Cosmos) - one credit pool activated via GlobusFamily.com/WelcomeBack.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Airport transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings on published departure and return dates (airport to first hotel or ship, and last hotel or ship back to airport); guests who arrange their own air on scheduled flights may purchase the transfer service, with flight details due before final payment.
Which ports: Not listed; some cruise-only vacations do not offer transfers for purchase; see page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
Globus family of brands
No sister cruise lines on this site.
Loyalty between brands: Welcome Back Credit: $100–$250 per person toward a future Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon trip. It must be activated and used within two years.
See the whole family →Good to know
Minimum age 8
Per cruise lineAvalon does not accept children under 8, and there are no special children's activities on board.
Casual dress, no dress code
Per cruise lineDinner attire is casual (collared shirts and slacks); jackets are not required. Some guests dress up for the Captain's Reception or Farewell Dinner.
One suitcase outside Europe
Per cruise lineOutside Europe, guests are limited to one suitcase (30x21x11 in, 50 lb); some trips such as the Galápagos are stricter.
Onboard currency is US dollars
Per cruise lineShipboard accounts in Europe are in U.S. dollars and settled by Visa, MasterCard or cash; traveler's checks are not accepted.
Deposit transfers up to 180 days out
Per cruise lineA deposit can be moved to another trip up to 180 days before departure; the new booking takes the new trip's prices, promotions and cancellation schedule.
Adventure Host on European cruises
Per cruise lineEvery European cruise carries an Adventure Host who leads daily workouts, biking and hiking.
Fleet
- Ships
- 16 Avalon Suite Ships (15 in Europe plus the Avalon Saigon on the Mekong); Avalon also sells cruises on 3 partner-operated vessels (Delfin III, MS Infinity, MS Farah)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Avalon Alegria (Douro River, Portugal)Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Suite Ships
Where they sail
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.