Avalon Waterways · Globus family of brands · River lines
Avalon Waterways is the river line of the Globus group. Its signature is the Panorama Suite: a stateroom with a wall of glass that slides open and a bed turned to face the river instead of the corridor. Ships sail Europe, the Mekong, the Nile and the Peruvian Amazon. Trips start abroad, so Naples clients fly. I have not sailed Avalon. It is the mid-priced river choice I quote most.
SUITE SHIP Dining Room. Press photo, Avalon Waterways
Royal Suites and Panorama Suites
- Royal Suites are the largest cabins, two per ship on most Suite Ships, with a separate seating area and a bigger bathroom.
- Panorama Suites make up most of the ship on the Suite Ships class. They are not suites in the ocean sense but are large for a river cabin.
- The bed faces the open-air balcony in every Panorama and Royal Suite, which no other river line does across the fleet.
- There are no butlers. Service is by cabin attendants and a cruise director team.
What comes with it
- Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner
- All meals
- A guided excursion in every port, with active and leisurely options
- Bicycles and walking sticks on board
- Wi-Fi
From Florida
None. Sailings start in Amsterdam, Budapest, Paris, Lyon, Lisbon, Ho Chi Minh City, Cairo and Iquitos. Southwest Florida clients fly out of Fort Myers or Miami to meet the ship. Avalon's parent, Globus, packages air and pre-cruise hotel nights.
The ships
Avalon Alegria · Avalon View · Avalon Envision · Avalon Saigon · Avalon Passion · Avalon Imagery II · Avalon Tranquility II · Avalon Expression
Modern, light and unfussy. Fewer inclusions than Uniworld, a lower fare, and a cabin that is the best in its price class on the rivers.
Avalon Waterways in pictures
SUITE SHIP Bar · Press photo, Avalon Waterways
Who it fits
- Travellers who care most about the cabin and the view.
- Globus tour customers moving to a river cruise.
- Active guests who want a choice of pace on excursions.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants a butler or an all-day open bar. Avalon offers neither as standard.
- Guests who want the most ornate ship. That is Uniworld.
Questions about Avalon Waterways
Also river lines
Thinking about Avalon Waterways?
Kathryn will price its top tier against the suites she has stayed in and tell you where it wins.