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Due to the COVID pandemic, Avalon Waterways suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all riverboats) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through late-July 2021. The Avalon Waterways cruise company was founded in 2004 and is a brand name owned by Group Voyagers Inc (also known simply as "Globus family of brands" and "Globus Travel Group"). For the Cunard brand specifically, the line booked more guests during January than any equivalent period in the last decade, according to a brand spokesperson. In North America, Cunard has booked 28% more guests than any other equivalent period in a decade, and there was a 27% increase year-over-year with Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic crossings, Queen Anne U.K.
Avalon Waterways cruise price Inclusions
With the new itineraries are also introduced all-suite newbuild riverboats (with open-air, floor-ceiling balconies) and new shore excursions and onboard activities. Avalon caters to English-speaking travelers from North America, the U.K. The average age of passengers is mid-50s to 60s, but the mix varies by itinerary, and on four- and five-night cruises, you'll find more 40-something travelers and others trying out river cruises for the first time. Children ages 8 and older are welcome onboard, but there is no formal youth program.
Do I have to dress up on a Avalon Waterways cruise?
The line has hosted Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, along with Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden (Could I Be Your Girl; Insensitive) several times now. These voyages have proven so popular that Avalon hosts them every few years or so. TPG's Gene Sloan is reporting live this week from a preview sailing aboard Avalon Alegria, Avalon Waterways' first vessel on Portugal's Douro River.
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Avalon Waterways itinerary options are categorized into 3 classifications (CLASSIC, ACTIVE, DISCOVERY) allowing customers to tailor their cruise according to personal preferences, special interests, and activity level. The DISCOVERY programs target specific interests (like painting workshops and cooking classes) themed on the region's culture. ACTIVE programs target more energetic passengers and include options like guided jogging tours, cycling, hiking, paddling. CLASSIC programs are based on lectures (history- and culture-themed) and walking tours guided by professional local experts. All Avalon riverboats feature a quiet propulsion system and outside accommodations - among the largest of the river fleets. Avalon staterooms are relaxing and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, satellite TV, hotel-quality beds, bathrooms with full-sized showers, and even private balconies.
All-inclusive cruising
Those are great for multigenerational trips, although children under 8 are discouraged. In 2019, the Avalon fleet left the 138-passenger riverboats/sisterships Affinity, Felicity, Luminary and Creativity. Avalon's FlexDining allows all passengers to choose dining venue and times, an alfresco lunch (Sky Grill), less formal Panorama Bistro, 4-course dinner in the dining room restaurant. In 2019, the Avalon fleet left four 138-passenger riverboats - the sisterships Affinity, Felicity, Luminary and Creativity.
Avalon river cruises deals as itineraries and destinations extend to Egypt’s Nile River and China’s Yangtze River - from Hong Kong and Tibet to Ulaanbaatar. In this section, you will find all their ships, itinerary information, complete sailing schedules with dates and prices to compare. When you sail with Avalon Waterways, regional beer, wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and Champagne is part of the breakfast buffet. Shore excursions, in three different styles, including active and discovery options, are included on a daily basis with plentiful entertainment and evening activities.
Still, many passengers may feel more comfortable among fellow peers dressing in business casual. In warmer weather, many travelers wear shorts on excursions, but if you tend to get chilly, pants or a light jacket are great to have. Theme nights are rare, and throughout the day, passengers are relaxed and comfortable in their attire. Your local guide on a river cruise can be a bit of a gamble; the quality can vary, depending on whom the line hires. Because Globus employs guides for its tour business as well as its river cruises, the company is often able to get the best for Avalon Waterways in an area because they can offer them the most consistent employment. Still, many river lines design their river ships with balconies attached to cabins despite such limitations, as they believe it's what customers want.
Wake Up to a New View
The result is often cabins that have balconies but feel tight on the inside. It's been a key differentiator for Avalon since the cabins began rolling out in 2011. That was the year Avalon unveiled its first Suite Ship, as the line calls vessels with such cabins. Inaugurated in 2020, the company's "Your Way" program allows Avalon cruise passengers to "chart their own course, at their own pace". River cruises — both internationally and domestically — are making headway too. Overall, the company’s booked position for the rest of the year remains the best on record, thanks to pricing and occupancy being higher than in 2023.
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Besides the bed placement, Avalon's floor-to-ceiling French balconies that open the width of the room are also a differentiator. Cabins with balconies are all the rage in cruising, of course, and cruisers think that's what they want. You want to see the scenery of the river bank as it rolls by, preferably from the comfort of your bed. It's not just the view-facing beds in Avalon cabins that win my adoration. It's the use of an almost complete wall of glass along the view-side of many Avalon rooms to frame the passing scenery. The Avalon cruise company became known worldwide with its unprecedented fleet expansion (see in the itinerary section / at least one new ship per year).
It’s hard to know where Avalon Panorama SuitesSM end and the view begins! That’s because no other river cruise fleet offers you a view of the world like Avalon Suite Ships®. Featuring the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising, your Avalon Panorama Suite is actually river cruising’s only Open–Air Balcony® — with living space that’s 30% larger than the industry standard.
River Cruises for Young Adults: Are They Worth It? Just Back From Avalon Waterways' River Cruise on the Moselle - Cruise Critic
River Cruises for Young Adults: Are They Worth It? Just Back From Avalon Waterways' River Cruise on the Moselle.
Posted: Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Avalon does include quite a bit in its fares, such as wine and beer at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and at least one shore excursion per day. However, you will pay for gratuities at the end of your cruise, special excursions and drinks outside of mealtime.
Avalon Waterways offers premium, upscale river cruises to destinations around the world with a fleet that includes some of the newest, most innovative and most spacious river ships you'll find anywhere. It has two full decks of Avalon’s signature Panorama Suites, which create an unforgettable indoor/outdoor sailing experience. These suites feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling sliding windows. Each includes a seating area with an adjustable-height table, a large desk and a choice of mattress toppers to adjust the bed’s firmness. Cabins have angled walls that allow for beds to face the room’s windows so guests can lay back in bed and enjoy the view.
Other company executives include Scott Nisbet (CEO-Chief Executive Officer), Steve Born (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer), Camille Olivere (CSO-Chief Sales Officer).
The ship, with its 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary between Budapest and Amsterdam (except for shorter Christmas market sailings), appeals to retired Americans and Canadians, with an average age of about 60. The ship has also been heavily marketed in Australia and New Zealand, whose citizens tend to take longer vacations when visiting Europe. About 50 percent of Panorama's existing bookings are Australians, which may skew the average age lower, as Avalon's passengers are typically only about 25 percent Australian. The mostly Eastern European staff was generally efficient and pleasant, although not all spoke fluent English.
Avalon Waterways Avalon Envision Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Envision - Cruise Critic
Avalon Waterways Avalon Envision Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Envision.
Posted: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:09:02 GMT [source]
Whether you like to paddle a kayak or paint a canvas, each day on an Avalon river cruise is an adventure of the mind, heart, or heart rate if you prefer. So, go ahead, pick up a paintbrush, a paddle, or the perfect vintage. Avalon calls the Panorama Suites on its newer ships "revolutionary." They're 30% larger than the industry standards and feature large wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open up, giving the feeling of a large open-air balcony.
American Cruise Lines (ACL), meanwhile, has also witnessed a record-breaking wave season in 2024 for domestic cruises. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help.
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