avalon river cruises water levels

What to expect with Avalon Waterways

I take you through all the details of an Avalon Waterways river cruise ship – the rooms, the food, the bar, the activities, and more!

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: February 2, 2023

Not all river cruises are created equal. This is what I realise as I float down the Danube onboard the Avalon Impression.

In my previous story, I confessed that this was my first time on a European river cruise – and that my expectations and preconceptions had been all wrong.

I realised that there is much more flexibility than I thought, more variety than I imagined, and more authenticity than I expected.

But, as I say, not all river cruises are the same. There are two things that make this trip a little unlike others.

The first is the ship itself – because Avalon Waterways has some differences in its layout, style, and service.

The second is that I’m on an ‘ Active & Discovery ‘ itinerary – a relatively new idea from Avalon that is aimed at a broader market than the traditional river cruiser. That’s why I was invited to try the trip myself so I could tell you more about it.

If you haven’t read my first story about my overall impression of this river cruise from Budapest to Linz, I would recommend you check it out.

 Because now I want to go into some of the specifics of an Avalon Waterways ship and an Active & Discovery itinerary, to help you get a better impression of what it’s like to be on the Avalon Impression (see what I did there – pretty clunky, right?).

First let’s talk about the ship overall. I didn’t realise this previously but most river cruise ships in Europe are the same size. That’s because they need to be able to fit into the locks that they pass through. So, because each company makes their ships just small enough to get through a lock, they’ve all pretty much got the same dimensions.

This means it’s what you do with the same space that sets the ships apart. Let me paint you a picture of how Avalon does its ships.

An Avalon ship is 135 metres long and has three interior levels and a deck. You can get an amazing 3D look at the whole thing with this virtual reality tour from Avalon:

The bottom level has technical stuff at the front and guest rooms at the rear. These rooms have windows but not the full length ones that can be opened on the other two levels.

The second level has the dining room and kitchen at the front and rooms at the rear.

The third level has outdoor seating at the very front, then the lounge and bar, with the concierge in the middle, with rooms at the rear, and a club lounge at the very back.

And then the deck has a bit of space at the front, then the captain’s bridge, with some outdoor seating behind that, and then the majority of the space is lounge chairs and some other spaces to relax.

Having never been inside a river cruise ship before, I had not previously given the interior design too much thought. But, because we occasionally docked alongside other ships and had to walk through them to shore, I came to realise there’s a big variety in how they look.

It gave me a real appreciation of the Avalon ships, which aim to be comfortable and casual (you are on holiday, after all) but are still stylish.

It is clear that thought had gone into every detail, like in the lounge where there were tables to play cards, pairs of plush seats for couples that didn’t want company, or large open couch areas for groups – all a bit different but all cohesive in their style. Simple but classy.

Meanwhile, as I pass through other ships, I see one that looks like it should be the setting for an Agatha Christie novel, while the interior design of another looks like a dictator’s mausoleum!

(I guess everyone has different tastes and so these ships cater to them… but they’re not my style, I’m afraid.)

Let’s look now at the bedrooms, which are one of the biggest selling points of the Avalon ships. I am in one of the Panorama Suites, which most of the rooms on the ship are (65 of them out of 83). So that’s what I’ll focus on.

The first thing you notice is the bed, which is facing the window. It seems so obvious that you would want to look at the view from your bed, but most river cruise ships don’t do this, they have their beds facing a side wall.

The other thing that is really special is the window, which runs the full length and height of the wall and opens two-thirds of the way across.

Avalon calls this an ‘Open-Air Balcony’, which basically means that it feels as if you’re on a balcony if you sit inside and open up your window the whole way.

While this is clearly marketing talk, I do agree that it’s the best way to design the room because, if you were to have an actual balcony, the room would have to be much smaller because the ship can’t be built any wider.

Aside from the bed and the window, there’s a small couch and table, a desk, a TV with news channels and free on-demand movies, two wardrobes, and a large bathroom with a shower.

All in all, a very comfortable space that I wish I could have spent even more time in!

It’s also worth mentioning that it was cleaned twice a day and that was done discreetly while you were at meals.  

Speaking of meals, the food on the cruise was one of my highlights and it’s definitely an element of the trip that shouldn’t be understated.

If you’ve ever been on an ocean cruise and still have traumatic memories of huge crowds of people fighting for the large buffets of mass-produced food trays, don’t worry, this is the complete opposite.

The main meal each day is the dinner, which is a sit-down four-course meal. (This is included in the price for everyone). There is a menu with choices for the entree, soup, main dish, and dessert… and it’s all the quality you would expect at a top restaurant in the city you are near.

In fact, that’s one of the aims – to make it seem like you are in a local restaurant. The menu is based on where the ship is at the moment, with regional ingredients used to make regional dishes.

When we’re still in Hungary one evening, I have Hortobagyi Palacsinta (Hungarian pancakes with minced pork) for my entree, Palocleves (Hungarian lamb chowder) for my soup, and braised beef cheek as my main. (Other options included a Karfiol Levels cauliflower soup, Turos Csusza noodles, and Fogas Korhely sea bass fillet.)

Lunch is slightly more relaxed because, with the activities, not everyone has time for a long meal. So it’s generally served as a buffet but with the chefs on hand to slice meat and serve some special dishes.

Twice during the cruise, there is also a BBQ on the deck as an option for lunch and I really enjoying sitting outside with my steak and salad.

Breakfast is also a buffet meal with a good selection of hot and cold options, with local influences but also the standard food you would expect at any international hotel chain.

Another impressive aspect of the meals is that beer and wine is free during lunch and dinner. And they’re not shy about topping up your glass!

I probably drink a bit more than I really should’ve because each night there are different wines on offer that come from the local regions and, in such a famous wine-producing area of Europe, it seems a waste not to taste them all!

Seeing as we’re talking about drinking now, let me tell you a bit about the bar on the Avalon Impression.

Again, if you have bad memories from ocean cruises, don’t worry. There are no drinks packages on the Avalon ships and this is not a booze cruise (frankly, there’s just too much to see and do on the trip to waste your time with a hangover!).

But that doesn’t mean people don’t want to unwind with a drink in the evening and that’s how it’s designed.

The bar is in the large lounge area at the front of the ship where people tend to gather and where the daily ship briefings are given. It’s there for those who want it but it is not a focal point of the common area.

Each night there is a happy hour before dinner (which also coincides with the ship briefing), where the drinks are half price. It’s a great way to do things – you can have a cheap cocktail or glass of wine while you listen to the information.

The standard prices for the drinks are about €4.5 for a pint of beer, €5 for a glass of wine, and €8 for a gin and tonic. It makes the half-price happy hour very affordable!

After dinner, if you’re like me and you’ve had a fair amount of wine during the meal, all you may want is another glass or two as you continue your conversations before you go to bed.

This Avalon cruise from Budapest to Linz is no ordinary cruise. It’s called an ‘Active & Discovery’ trip and I want to quickly explain what each of those things mean.

There’s often a perception that European river cruises are quite boring because there’s not much to do. Well, the ‘active’ part of this trip defies that notion. Each day there are included activities that get the blood pumping (obviously you can choose whether you want to do them or not).

For instance, one day I join an excursion that goes cycling through the Wachau Valley in Austria. This cultural landscape is actually a World Heritage Site because of the rolling hills of vineyards and quaint villages that lie within it.

It’s a beautiful part of Austria that follows the course of the Danube River and that’s what we do on our bikes.

As we go past vines, old churches, and pretty town squares, our local guides tell us the stories of the region. But beyond that we also see some incredible landscapes while appreciating the challenge of the exercise as well.

Another day I join a group of passengers for a hike up to the top of a hill, along a dirt path and through the forest, to an incredible viewpoint.

From here we have an amazing view of a hairpin curve of the river, the blue sky shining above the green trees running down to the shore, and our ship sailing through the water to meet us at the bottom of the hill when we walk back down.

There are also opportunities to do your own thing – you don’t always have to be on an organised activity. For instance, we’re in Vienna for two days and I borrow one of the ships bikes, as you can do at any time for free.

I take the bike for the whole day and go cycling through the city centre, all the way to Schonbrunn Palace , where I tie it up and go inside this incredible residence of the Habsburgs.

In some ways, this is more activity than I’ve had in recent weeks and I enjoy the chance to get my body moving so much. Then again, I am eating and drinking so much, I’m sure I’m not losing any weight!

The ‘discovery’ part of the cruise also involves activities that you can choose to go on, and they aim to offer more in-depth experiences that show you a different side of the places that you’re visiting.

For instance, when we’re in Budapest , I go on a caving tour that takes us on paths underneath the ground to see the formations created by thermal waters.

At the same time, other passengers go on a Retro tour, where they drive around in a Trabant car to visit some of the sites in the city that remain from the Soviet days.

In Vienna, there’s a morning tour that shows us a slice of local life – the public transport, markets, residences. And there’s also the opportunity to go on a tour of an old absinthe shop to learn about the history of the drink and do some tastings.

There’s a very special experience one evening when we go to Clam Castle, a historic home on a hilltop near where we’ve moored for the night in Austria. Here, the castle’s owner, the count, shows us his home and hosts us for some drinks.

And on one of the last nights of the cruise, there’s a pub crawl through Linz with some local guys that is also a good cultural tour of one of Austria’s main cities.

Many times in my travels I have seen large groups of retirees shuffling through museums listening to a guide through an earpiece. Most of the time, these were cruise excursions. Nothing we did on this trip even came close to that.

Now, I have no fear in giving a balanced review and I would want to share with you any criticism I have about the ship or the itinerary. The problem is, I honestly don’t really have any.

I thought my room was so comfortable and I always loved being in it. I enjoyed the food, the wine, and the coffee. The onboard staff were really lovely, and it was nice to mingle with other passengers. I always felt safe and the captain was excellent.

The only slight comment I would have is about the excursions. While some of the excursions were the highlights of my trip, I did find some to be better than others. However, I think this was more about my expectations.

There were times when I had something in my head, and the activity turned out to be a bit different. If I had known better, I probably would have chosen a different option. There were certainly plenty of other things I could’ve done instead.

So, if you are going to do an Active & Discovery trip yourself, my only piece of advice would be to ask a few more questions about what the excursions involve, to make sure the one you choose is what you expect it to be.

And, finally, the other thing to talk about is the price – and this is a big thing (and a big price).

European river cruises are generally not cheap and I think this is probably one of the reason why they have traditionally been popular with older people. But that’s not the full story.

This Avalon Active and Discovery Cruise is 9 days long and costs about US$4500 per person. That means for a couple, the cruise is costing $1000 a day.

In some ways, there is good value here. You are getting very comfortable accommodation, transport, an included activity each day, three meals, lots of wine – not to mention the convenience and comfort that comes with the cruise.

On the other hand, if you were to plan your own trip from Hungary and Austria, you would be able to find the same level of luxury for less than $1000 a day.

There is good news, though. The figure I am quoting is the standard price for the cruise – but it’s actually often quite cheaper. If you aren’t travelling in peak season, you will normally find a better price. And there are also quite often really good deals advertised that include free flights or upgrades.

So, my advice is to be aware that there is a large cost to a trip like this but, if you want to come on the cruise, you can save a lot of money with some clever timing!

As I wrap up, I realise that I haven’t mentioned things like the free wifi, the free coffee and biscuits available 24 hours a day, and the friendly staff who you get to know quite well by the end of the trip.

All of these small things add to the experience I’ve just described and I don’t think I need to tell you much more about them. Hopefully you’ve already got the idea that the Avalon ships are full of little details that are designed to make your cruise experience as enjoyable as possible.

They certainly made my cruise better than I could have imagined. This was my first time on a European river cruise and I didn’t quite know what to expect and was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it. In the end, I loved it, and I think it was this ship and the unique itinerary that made it so great!

14 thoughts on “What to expect with Avalon Waterways”

We did Budapest to Amsterdam on Avalon Visionary 24 May to 8 th June 2023 Everything was superb ship, staff, meals with cruise director Valentin a master at his job. My only disappointment was the sound of music optional excursion wasn’t as much as l expected it was more about Salzburg Have recommended Avalon to friends as they followed my fb tour photos

I appreciated this article, because we will have our first Avalon Cruise, and first ever river cruise in Europe in April 2024. Your description of daily events, meals, etc… gave me some insight on what to expect. Thank you for your thoughtful reporting!

We will be on the Avalon Tulip cruise in April 2024. Really looking forward to that.

Thank you Michael for your in depth review. My wife and I will be cruising with Avalon in October ’24 on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel. Our first ever European holiday (we’re from the land Downunder) I wanted to book with a quality cruise company. Reviews such as yours make me very comfortable that I have made the correct decision.

Thank you! We will be taking the Danube Dream cruise in April 2024 and this was very helpful. My first time in Europe and first River Cruise as well

Hi Leslie…we are too!

We will be doing the Seine River cruise in October which is also our first time in Europe. I did a lot of research before I chose Avalon and your review confirms that we made a good choice.

I have been on several Avalon river cruises and noted that your $1000/day price per couple doesn’t mention that this is the cost of ONLY the room you stay in. The cruise itself is an additional $4000+/-,add gratuities, port charges, and airfare (which isn’t always included) and trip insurance. You are looking at a significantly higher cost. I noted that the trip cost isn’t mentioned anywhere online or in their brochures. Only cabin cost. I feel more transparency is needed by Avalon without having to call them.

Not sure I understand. Compare the river cruise to exploring on your own, both have airfare and probably/possibly travel insurance so lets’ set that aside. then we need to account for Food & Drinks/Lodging, tips, daily tours, (optional bike rental), River cruise includes these (not just the room) while on your own you pay for everything separately.

Sure paying on your own can be done cheaper. But you also have the convenience of not having to pack and waste time traveling city to city, and having to decide on where to eat each day.

I’m not trying to defend the river cruise, but isn’t the cost for everything, not just “the room” AKA lodging? I am confused as to what extra $4k you mention is on the river cruise.

No idea what you’re talking about. We paid about $4000/person and it covered everything on the cruise‍♂️ That would be around $8000 for an 8-day cruise($1000/day). Pretty easy math

I have taken both Avalon and Viking Cruise. I love them both. One thing I loved about Viking was the drink package. While I don’t over indulge, I did find it very convenient. Coming back from an excursion, my wife and I would take a right turn when boarding and visit the bar for a cocktail. We would catchup with others doing the same thing. Without the drink package I go back to my cabin and head back out for dinner. While I could take it or leave it, I prefer to take the drink package when available. The idea of “This is not a booze cruise” falls short for me. On vacation, I am looking for convenience. That being said, I will be cruising again on Avalon in a few weeks.

I went on my first trip to Europe via a river cruise on Tranquility II. If I never go on another trip, I will know that I had the best cruise of my life and will be satisfied that I took the cruise with Avalon. The accommodations were wonderful, the food and drinks were top notch, but the crew made the whole trip as memorable and awesome as it was. The Amsterdam to Brussels trip was a dream with captivating architecture and informative tours about the areas we were in. I LOVED MY TRIP! I will have the best memories of a lifetime because I took this river cruise. Hats off to the people who make all this possible at Avalon.

My wife and I are taking a river cruise in 2026 on the Avalon ImageryII. Has anyone been on that ship and is there any room better than another

Great insights! I’m really excited to learn more about the unique experiences Avalon Waterways has to offer in 2024. The itinerary options sound fantastic, and I can’t wait to explore the beautiful destinations along the rivers. Thanks for sharing!

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Avalon Waterways already breaking booking records for 2025

Post date: Sep 11 2024

Date: Sep 11 2024

By: Travelweek

TORONTO — Avalon Waterways has record-breaking results for 2024 – and 2025 – as demand for the company’s river cruises continues to surge.

Pam Hoffee, President, Avalon Waterways, says: “We’re coming to the finish line of our strongest sales year ever. And I’m thrilled to share that 2025 is on another record pace and gaining. In recent weeks, 2025 bookings are outpacing 2024 by more than 50% year-over-year.”

Hoffee adds that France and Portugal itineraries are leading the way, as well as off-season, special interest cruises, including Avalon’s ‘Active & Discovery’ sailings.

In 2025 Avalon is adding another Suite Ship to the rivers of France and cruising Bordeaux on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, said Hoffee. “Our new, week-long Bordeaux itinerary ‘Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages’ can also be combined for new, longer cruises on the Seine, Saône, Rhône and Rhine Rivers, creating an incredible, in-depth opportunity to enjoy France and Western Europe, as a whole.”

Other, popular France itineraries leading sales for Avalon for 2025 are Burgundy & Provence, Paris to Normandy and Grand France.

Avalon Waterways also made its Portugal debut on the Douro River in 2024, with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria. This new ship sailed at full capacity its inaugural year. For 2025, Douro sales are outpacing 2024.

Meanwhile the company has increased its off-season cruise offerings by 88% since 2023. Among those cruises with the highest year-over-year sales increase are Festive Season itineraries including Christmas in Alsace & Germany, Festive Season in the Heart of Germany and Christmas on the Danube.

“Every year, our November and December Festive-themed cruises sell-out, encouraging us to add more departures. We’re also seeing an increase in sales in the Spring season, adding to the cooler weather cruise trend,” says Hoffee.

Among the company’s best-selling itineraries for 2025 are Avalon’s Tulip Time, Highlights of Holland & Belgium and Treasures of Holland & Belgium cruises.

“Our cruisers are not passive. They want to activate their mind, heart, body and tastebuds on vacation,” says Hoffee.

Avalon’s Active & Discovery departures on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Seine Rivers are among the company’s most popular sailings for next year.

“A recent survey of 16,600 past Avalon guests indicated that 25% want to be active while cruising, immersing themselves in new, passion-packed ways. And in 2025, we’re giving them more options than ever before to move and be moved on all Avalon cruise departures,” says Hoffee.

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River Cruise Ship Evacuated, Danube Shut Down Amid Historic Flooding

Parts of the Danube River are already flooding, or expected to flood soon. Photo: Daniel Zsingor / Shutterstock.com 

Updated June 7: Updated to identify the ship that was evacuated as the Tui Isla, a Tui River Cruises vessel. 

Around 140 passenger were evacuated from the Tui Isla on the Danube River in Southern Germany early this week. Simultaneously, Austria has shut the river down to all traffic. This amidst historic flooding that led Germany to declare a state of emergency on Monday. 

According to reports passengers from the United States, the U.K., and Australia were removed from the ship, which had been stuck in place since Sunday.

Rain has been heavy for several days in southern Germany, with some regions – particularly Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg – experiencing heavy flooding. Several people have died, including a firefighter involved in rescuing a family, MSN reported .

According to DPA International , Austria shut down the entire 350 kilometer course of the Danube within its borders between the border cities of Passau in Germany and Bratislava in Slovakia. The closure, the report stated, forced “some cruise ships” to dock in Linz. The Danube burst the banks in Linz on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the state waterway company, Via Donau , said “Safety cannot be guaranteed above a certain water level.”

Hungary is also expecting trouble, with the mayor of Budapest issuing a flood alert (first-degree, lowest level) on Tuesday. The lower embankment of the river in Budapest is expected to close to traffic from 8 p.m. on Thursday. 

TMR reached out to river cruise lines to find out how their sailings have been impacted. At least one — Avalon Waterways — has already made the decision to cancel two sailings. 

“The Danube is experiencing higher-than-average water levels, due to an unprecedented amount of rain in the last month. This week, we made the decision to cancel two cruises on the lower Danube, due to ship access and availability,” Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, told TMR. 

The canceled sailings are the June 7 Balkan Discovery sailing and the June 13 Active & Discovery on the Lower Danube departure. 

“For both, we provided cruisers – and their travel advisors – options, recognizing the inconvenience” Hoffee said. “Other cruises departing this week on the upper Danube are experiencing itinerary deviations. Our operations team is constantly monitoring the situation and making any necessary updates to accommodate the conditions while ensuring the best possible experience for our guests.”

Viking directed TMR to its website and the following statement: “Currently, sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers are experiencing high water levels. To varying degrees, these conditions may affect select itineraries. Our Switzerland-based nautical team is continually monitoring the situation and will make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the conditions. Guests and their Travel Advisors will continue to be notified directly if we think that their itinerary might be impacted.”

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Avalon Waterways

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Avalon Waterways fleet

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This is CruiseMapper's page that reviews and lists all Avalon Waterways river cruise ship itineraries, destinations, and ports of departure. We have all Avalon riverboat schedules (sail calendar with dates and prices PP). Another feature is the Avalon Waterways ships tracking service integrated into each page. This feature shows on a map the ship's location now (current position on the river).

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").

The company's headquarters (as part of the Globus family) are in the USA (Littleton, Colorado). Avalon's current President is Pam Hoffee (promoted from Managing Director in May 2022). Other company executives include Scott Nisbet (CEO-Chief Executive Officer), Steve Born (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer), Camille Olivere (CSO-Chief Sales Officer).

Avalon River Cruises

The premium travel brand and river cruise line Avalon Waterways (avalonwaterways.com) offers exceptional personalized services, with experience in guided vacations and cruising itineraries of over 80 years. Avalon travel experts are constantly thinking of their passengers and always put them first.

The company uses small ships, and their guests do receive personalized service in absolutely no crowd. Avalon makes it easy to enjoy the beauty of destinations, as they include guided sightseeing tours and shore excursions in the basic fares.

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. The expansive sun decks, modern fitness equipment, and beauty salons are another extra.

Each Avalon Waterways ship features a relaxing Main Lounge with exciting panoramic river views, an intimate dining room, and Internet workstation area. Complimentary regional wines, soft drinks, and beer are offered during dinner and lunch. Expert tour directors present educational background: language, culture, even China art lessons, a specialist Egyptologist, lectures on wildlife and natural history of the Galapagos Islands - a plus for all Avalon inquisitive passengers.

Avalon riverboats

The Avalon cruise company became known worldwide with its unprecedented fleet expansion (see in the itinerary section / at least one new ship per year). The reason for so many newbuilds is Avalon's parent company Globus Group. Founded in 1928, the Globus group of companies manages over 30 businesses in the fields of tourism and aviation, offering annually over 10000 departures on over 300 unique itineraries.

This makes Globus one of the world's largest cruisetour agencies with operations in nearly 70 countries on 6 continents and servicing over 0,5 million passengers annually with a huge variety of escorted tours, all kinds of river cruise packages, and also selling independent travel package deals.

Avalon's river cruise deals relate to the following regions/destinations and countries

• Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Holland, Hungary, France, Germany, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Portugal/Douro River)
• North American (USA) Waterways (Mississippi River)
• Asia (China/Yangtze, and Cambodia and Vietnam/Mekong Delta)
• Africa (Egypt - Nile River and Lake Nasser)
• South America (the Galapagos Islands, Amazon River)

Innovation and technology - in 2011, Avalon introduced the Panorama ship - industry's first Suite-class riverboat. On Avalon's "suite ships", ~80% of all staterooms are in Suite categories, sized 1/3 larger than the industry's average, with slide-opening wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows, window-facing beds for a unique river cruising experience. Another design feature is the SDS "Silent Drive System" (providing quieter and smoother navigation), contemporary interior decor, surprisingly spacious public areas (fitted with plenty of woodwork, polished metal and glass), designer lighting, contemporary artworks.

All-Inclusive deals - all shore excursions and guided tours, food and beverages (including a locally-sourced selection of wines and 24hr tea/coffee/cake/cookies self-service station) and the superior service are included in the cruise fares. The onboard experience also features

• premium (5-star hotel room) amenities - premium bedding, complimentary WiFi access, Sky Deck (Jacuzzi, premium loungers), Hair Salon, Fitness, well-stocked library. Guest in the Royal Suite category can also enjoy in-suite complimentary iPads.
• cuisine / food - an open-seating dining, buffet-style breakfast, lunch buffets (2 hot dishes, soups, salads, various bread, and dessert choices), 4-course dinners, complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, 5-course welcome dinners and "chef tastings". These are non-smoking ships, with the exception of those sailing in China and Egypt.
• shipboard entertainment - stylish bars and lounges, after dinner piano music and classy performances by local musicians, special events, movie nights, beer and wine tastings, a great onboard enrichment program (by lectures focused on the itinerary/region), expert tour directors.

Company's clientele/customers are generally well-travelled, 55+ aged, mostly English speaking. The majority of passengers are retired Americans (~60%), Australians (~25%), also from Canada (~10%) and UK (~5%). Hotel staff consists of mostly Eastern Europeans. Shipbuilding company is Neptun Werft. Parent company's website is GlobusAndCosmos.com

The following YouTube video reviews the Avalon Waterways Asia cruises - Vietnam (Mekong River) itineraries.

The following video reviews Avalon's "Suite Ships" cabins.

In 2019, the Avalon fleet left four 138-passenger riverboats - the sisterships Affinity , Felicity , Luminary and Creativity . These vessels are currently chartered by "Gate 1 Travel".

Inaugurated in 2020, the company's "Your Way" program allows Avalon cruise passengers to "chart their own course, at their own pace".

• Globus (escorted tour vacation) with hotel accommodations, sightseeing, Tour Director, certified Local Guides, transportation and coach driver.
• Monograms (independent vacation package) with hotel accommodations, sightseeing and on-site Local Host services.
• Avalon Waterways land extension package with expert-guided sightseeing.

The "Avalon Choice" menu (offered on every cruisetour itinerary) allows choosing from a wide variety of price-included excursions grouped as:

• DISCOVERY - interactive activities specifically designed to cater to passengers' interests (cooking classes, painting workshops, etc).
• ACTIVE - guided trips (jogging tours, hiking, biking, paddling) along the destinations
• CLASSIC - local expert-guided tours themed on the port's/destination's history, culture, architecture

The AvalonGO App helps customers to independently explore all itinerary destinations, providing detailed daily scheduled activities, itinerary information, nearby attractions, maps, travel directions, local dining (cafes, bars, restaurants) and entertainment options.

In 2022, the company introduced the sustainability "Lighthouse Project" (Planet-People-Places) aiming to protect waterways and wildlife and to promote organizations that support sustainability, communities and environmental preservation. As part of this project, in the period 2022-2024, the company planned to reduce its paper waste to ~1% (by replacing paper use with interactive digital technologies), to start using biofuel for bunkering, to reduce by 50% its total CO emissions, to install electric bow thrusters (on all older boats). As of 2022, Avalon already eliminated (shipboard and ashore) single-use plastics, reduced by 95% paper waste, invested in farmers (to secure locally-produced food and beverages and support local economies), installed LED lighting fleetwide), increased using shore power (while the boats are berthed) to further reduce pollution.

In December 2023, Avalon Waterways signed a multi-year charter deal with Arosa Cruises for two boats ( Affinity/Alea and Creativity/Clea ) starting operations for Arosa in April 2024.

Avalon Waterways cruise price Inclusions

All meals onboard are included in your fares (meals at breakfast, lunch, dinner). Also included are:

• Captain's welcome and farewell parties (sparkling wine, canapes)
• Welcome Aboard dinner, Farewell dinner
• (daily) Afternoon Tea, Night Fare (served at 10:30 pm)
• Local destination chef dinner
• Meals and complimentary drinks (daily) - breakfast (sparkling wine-juices, made-to-order egg station), lunch (soft drinks), dinner (regional wines, beer, soda, choice of appetizers-entrees-desserts-cheese).
• Staterooms amenities - 2 twin beds that convert to queen-size, 3-door ample closets (shelved), 1 private bathroom (with glass-door separation shower), a hairdryer, complimentary bathrobes and slippers, 2-seater sofa, coffee table, smart TV (satellite), a vanity desk, individual room climate control, direct-dial phone, mini-fridge, personal safe, deluxe pillow menu (soft/hard), 1,5L complimentary bottled water. Standard occupancy in all staterooms is 2 guests.
• Other features - panoramic windows, contemporary design of public spaces, headsets (shore tours), premium coffees-cappuccinos-lattes, coffee self-serve station, a lounge for premium spirits, modern fitness center, premium bedding (BedsSM), luxury bath amenities (L'Occitane), early- and late-riser breakfast, full buffet breakfast, Alfresco lunches (Sky Bistro), regional food recipes, 4-course dinners (open seating), English-speaking crew, non-smoking environment, large modern bathrooms (showers are with sliding glass doors), flat TVs (satellite), 3-door closets. Alternative dinners with regional specialties are served at the Panorama Bistro (on the newest "Suite Ships"), complimentary maps and Nordic walking sticks (on tours).

Avalon Waterways cruise prices also Include city tours and excursions (with a local guide), but these visits and their features are subject to change (a substitute will be offered). All Avalon cruise rates in our articles are per passenger (double occupancy, airfare not included). On some of the Avalon cruises, mid-vacation flights are required.

Avalon river cruises Europe, Asia, USA hotel package deals

Note: Avalon river cruise deals are also inclusive of premium hotel stays (included in the ticket's price).

• Avalon Waterways Europe hotel deals - Vienna (InterContinental), Budapest (InterContinental), Prague (InterContinental or Hilton), Paris (Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe, and Pullman Paris Montparnasse), Cote d'Azur (Fairmont Monte Carlo), Munich (Sofitel Munich Bayerpost), Cote d'Azur (Fairmont Monte Carlo), Bucharest (Athenee Palace Hilton).
• Avalon Waterways Asia hotel deals - Thailand/Bangkok (InterContinental Bangkok), Cambodia/Siem Reap (Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa), Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh City (InterContinental Asiana Saigon). Avalon hotel partnerships in China/Tibet - Shanghai (Fairmont Peace), Xian (Hilton), Beijing (Fairmont), Chengdu (Shangri-La Hotel), Lijiang (Crowne Plaza), Lhasa (Sheraton - Four Points).
• Avalon Waterways USA hotel deals - Chicago (Palmer House Hilton), Springfield (Hilton), Nashville (Opryland Hotel), Memphis (The Peabody Memphis) and New Orleans (Hilton New Orleans Riverside).
• Avalon Waterways Amazon River (Peru, South America) hotel deals - Lima (Casa Andina Miraflores), Sacred Valley (Casa Andina Sacred Valley), Machu Picchu (Sumaq Hotel) and Cusco (Casa Andina Cusco).
• Avalon Waterways Galapagos Islands (Ecuador, South America) hotel deals - Quito (Swissotel Quito), Galapagos (Finch Bay Hotel).
• Avalon Waterways Egypt (Nile River) tours and hotel deals - Cairo (Oberoi Mena House, and Fairmont Heliopolis), Alexandria (Helnan Palestine). For Avalon's Nile cruises currently is chartered the ship MS Farah .

If some water level problems occur, or any technical problems, Avalon Waterways may operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to change the entire cruise tour program. Check the visa requirements with your travel agent - visas are the client's responsibility.

(new) Avalon Waterways FlexDining program

In 2019, the company introduced the so-called FlexDining on all boats in the fleet.

• Dining is open seating / not fixed at all shipboard venues.
• FlexDining allows passengers to enjoy more dining time flexibility at all onboard breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• At all the ship's dining venues (Main Restaurant, Panorama Bistro, Sky Grill) were added healthy food options with the new "Avalon Fresh" menu (introduced in 2017). The "Avalon Fresh" dining option is a partnership between Avalon Waterways and the German chefs Leo and Karl Wrenkh. The new menu offers healthy food made with freshest ingredients from local farms and suppliers,
• In the restaurants fleetwide were added more 2-top tables for couples.
• At Sky Deck (Sun Deck) was added bar service plus night snacks (upon request).
• Complimentary picnic lunches are provided on all shore excursions and tours in ports of call.

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.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

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.

Operations were planned to resume on October 1, 2020, but the fleet's pause was eventually extended through 2021 July (Europe and Asia).

All affected Avalon river cruise and cruisetour bookings received a full (100%) monetary refund, including on prepurchased through Avalon Waterways packages and services.

Itinerary of Avalon Waterways

Here are the shortcuts to all the Avalon Waterways river cruise line ships. The company operates a young fleet of mostly European riverboats aimed at North American, Australian and New Zealand passengers in their 50s or older. 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. Avalon Waterways also operate the Galapagos Islands destination. In this section, you will find all their ships, itinerary information, complete sailing schedules with dates and prices to compare.

As an alternative to owning river cruise ships, Avalon leases them. The company partners with shipowner companies with operational ships in a particular destination and brand one or more boats as "Avalon Waterways". These boats are usually chartered for up to 5 years, with the option the company to refurbish them or give them back to the owner. This way Avalon easily maintains one of the youngest and most modern fleets on this market.

In the list below, the newest Avalon "Suite Ships" are starred (*). All "Suite Ships" are scheduled to sail on Danube, Main and Rhine river cruises in Europe.

In 2019, the Avalon fleet left the 138-passenger riverboats/sisterships Affinity , Felicity , Luminary and Creativity . These vessels are currently chartered by "Gate 1 Travel".

• Avalon Angkor (2012) - Mekong River - Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia. Since 2015 the ship operates as "Angkor Pandaw".
• Avalon Artistry 2 (2013*) - Rhine River - Holland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland
• Avalon Envision (2019) - Danube River - Danube River - Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia
• Avalon Expression (2013*) - Danube River - The Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia
• Avalon Illumination (2014*) - the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers - Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey
• Avalon Imagery (2016*) - the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers
• Avalon Impression (2014*) - Danube River - Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia
• Avalon Myanmar (2015) - Irrawaddy river - Burma
• Avalon Panorama (2011*) - the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers - The Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia
• Avalon Passion (2016*) - the Danube, Main, Rhine, Holland, Black Sea
• Avalon Poetry 2 (2014*) - the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers - Holland, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland
• Avalon Siem Reap (2015) - Mekong River - Cambodia and Vietnam
• Avalon Tapestry 2 (2015*) - France (on Seine River leaving from Paris)
• Avalon Tranquility 2 (2015*) - Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers
• Avalon View (2020*) - Rhine and Danube
• Avalon Visionary (2012*) - Danube and Rhine Rivers - Holland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland
• Avalon Vista (2012*) - the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers - The Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia
• Century Legend and Century Paragon offer the Yangtze River cruises in China. Both ships are privately-owned and operated by Viking under a charter. These riverboats are also chartered by other major European lines, like AmaWaterways , Viking and Uniworld .
• American Queen steamboat (1996-launched) offers Mississippi River cruises in the USA. The riverboat is operated under charter - via a partnership with the "American Queen Steamboat Company".
• Aria houseboat (2010-launched) offers Amazon River cruises in Peru (South America). The boat is chartered from Aqua Expeditions.
• Kasr Ibrim (1997-launched) offers Lake Nasser cruises on the Nile River in Egypt. The ship is operated under a charter.
• Sonesta St George (2011-launched) offers Nile River) cruises in Egypt, and is also operated under a charter.
• Avalon Alegria (2024-launched) offers Douro River cruises in Portugal and is chartered from DouroAzul.

In 2019, Avalon Waterways added 6 new options, including the company's first "Ganges River Cruise" in India. 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 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.

Douro River cruise itinerary (Avalon Alegria)

In 2024 the company introduced the newbuild boat Avalon Alegria which is deployed year-round on the Douro River in Portugal. Departures are from Lisbon , with land travel/bus transfers to Oporto/Leixoes . Avalon Alegria has scheduled two different itineraries - a classic 7-day roundtrip cruise from Oporto (visiting Regua, Pocinho, Aregos) and a 10-day cruisetour itinerary inclusive of three nights (hotel stay) in Lisbon.

With the Alegria ship, Avalon Waterways offers the new 10-day itinerary "Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along The Douro". This cruisetour combines 38x shore excursions - Classic (scheduled/complimentary) and Discovery and Active (optional/at extra cost). Land tours include guided activities like bike rides, food and wine tastings, cooking (baking traditional Portuguese pastries), visiting privately owned farms, and sampling local foods. At a craft class (led by a professional painter) tourists can create Portugal's traditional blue-and-white azulejo tiles.

The next table shows the Douro cruise itinerary's destinations.

Avalon's Douro cruisetour prices in 2024 started from GBP 2730 (EUR 3180/USD 3450) per person with double occupancy.

Avalon river cruise tracker

Our Avalon cruise ship tracker is a function integrated into all Avalon river cruise review pages. At page-bottom on each page, you'll find a map with the boat's current location (AIS position). All the real-time tracking data is provided by VesselFinder. It's all about convenience - you will find where is your Avalon Waterways ship cruising today and right now along its current itinerary - in real-time!

Enjoy the luxury travel cruising on your Avalon Waterways vacations!

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.

Avalon Waterways related cruise news

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Record low river level in Poland hits tourism, environment

WARSAW (Reuters) – For Andrzej Stanski, who runs a company that organises cruises on Poland’s Vistula river, record low water levels mean he has had to alter the routes his boats take.

“We’re sailing off the route, because here and there you can simply hit a stone,” he told Reuters. “The engines cost quite a lot and it’s about the safety of both the passengers and ourselves”.

After a scorching summer across much of eastern Europe, the water in Poland’s longest river is at a fraction of its normal levels.

In Warsaw the water level was 20 centimetres on Wednesday, data from Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) showed, below a previous record low of 26 cm seen in 2015 and against more usual depths of 105-250 cm.

A hydrologist from Warsaw University, Jaroslaw Suchozebrski, said Poland was in a state of hydrological drought.

“We have less and less water at our disposal, which means that water recipients have to approach it a little more rationally… mainly the energy industry. Our energy production is based on cooling processes using water,” he told Reuters.

“The second thing is the quality of this water, because the less water flows in the river, the lower the degree of dilution of pollutants.”

Private Radio RMF reported on Wednesday that dozens of dead fish have been found in southern reaches of the Vistula.

Water levels may rise in coming days as IMGW forecasts heavy rainfall but this may bring new risks.

“… we may have a very quick reaction of the river and even go from a hydrological drought to a flood,” Suchozebrski said.

Other countries in central and eastern Europe including Hungary are also experiencing sharp decreases in river water levels, often with serious consequences for agriculture.

(Reporting by Aleksandra Szmigiel, writing by Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Gareth Jones)

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Magnificent Rivers of Europe 2024

• River Cruise
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Explore Budapest's iconic Heroes' Square
• Hike to Bratislava Castle for stunning views
• Tour Vienna's historic Habsburg Empire landmarks
• Discover Melk's Benedictine Abbey and vineyards
• Cruise Amsterdam's famous canals
• Introduction
• Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
• Day 2 BUDAPEST
• Day 3 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
• Day 4 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
• Day 5 DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY
• Day 6 PASSAU, GERMANY
• Day 7 REGENSBURG
• Day 8 ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
• Day 9 BAMBERG
• Day 10 VOLKACH
• Day 11 WÜRZBURG
• Day 12 MILTENBERG
• Day 13 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
• Day 14 COLOGNE
• Day 15 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
• Day 16 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

Number of tours

8 to 99 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

Introduced in 2003, Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river and small-ship cruising with a young fleet, the most included shore excursions, the widest range of choices and extraordinary itineraries. Our Suite Ships® feature one-of-a-kind Panorama SuitesSM, with the widest opening windows in...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Avalon Waterways Ship

Customer Reviews

• Tour Operator Avalon Waterways 4.6
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• DD Dr. · 20th October 2018 water levels were low - 2 days late to start then 3 hour coach tour to board boat then only 4 days of river cruising before being docked for 3 nights then to be told not enough water to continue. Options to disembark or continue on coach - disappointed... Show more Trip date: October 2018

• JO Jennifer · 2nd September 2018 Tour was great, just needed more time in the ports to enjoy some of the great sights and explore more. Trip date: August 2018

• LH Lee · 1st May 2017 The whole Avalon cruise was beyond my expectations. The cruise crew were exceptional. There is nothing I would complain about. We were looked after. We would definitely recommend Avalon Waterways as a 5 star cruise line Trip date: April 2017
• MC Murray · 27th July 2016 Just finished the Romantic Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel and everything about the trip was superb! We cannot say enough and had the time of our lives. The Ship was new and beautiful, the crew and staff were very attentive and professional. The... Show more Trip date: July 2016
• KB Katherine · 27th July 2016 We did our first river cruise in May last year from Budapest to Amsterdam on the Impression. We had a fantastic time and could not fault it and have booked another cruise. This time from Prague to Bucharest on the Passion in June next year. And no doubt... Show more Trip date: May 2015
• PJ Pat · 27th July 2016 Did Avalon cruise last July Amsterdam to Budapest. Avalon Cruises are the only way to go, Food,staff and excursions all first class would travel again with them. Trip date: July 2015
• MN Mary · 27th July 2016 Excellent staff and crew and great ports Trip date: June 2016

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• Upcoming departures
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• Wednesday 18 Sep, 2024 Thursday 3 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types Avalon Imagery II €7,218 + €1,016 additional upfront costs Book Online
• Thursday 3 Oct, 2024 Friday 18 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types Avalon View €10,103 + €1,016 additional upfront costs Book Online Hold space for 48h

Good to Know

• Currencies € Euro Austria, Germany and Netherlands Ft Forint Hungary

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Hungary and Slovakia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 15th December 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 15th December 2024, a minimum payment of €250 is required to confirm your booking with Avalon Waterways. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Avalon Waterways" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• TourRadar can request Avalon Waterways to hold spaces for you for up to 48 hours without any credit card details.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Avalon Waterways. Please familiarise yourself with the Avalon Waterways payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024 and 2025

Imagine sailing down one of Europe's iconic rivers as picturesque villages, castles and landscapes pass you by, all while twinkling lights from nearby Christmas markets dance on the water. While this might sound like a fairy tale, it can be a reality on a Christmas market river cruise.

From late November through December every year, most river cruise companies with Europe-based ships take excited passengers to idyllic towns to learn about Christmas traditions, shop at local Christmas markets and try tasty seasonal treats.

These river cruises only run seasonally while the markets are open, so they tend to book up quickly with passengers ranging from older adults to all types of families looking for a winter holiday filled with festive fun.

Here, we list the eight best Christmas markets river cruises to take in 2024 and 2025, along with tips to get the most out of each sailing and highlights not to miss.

Best for short cruises: Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas on the Danube

If you're looking for a short sailing to tack onto the beginning or end of a trip, Riverside Luxury Cruises offers several three- and four-night Danube River itineraries into and out of Vienna, Austria. The majority of the line's four-night Dreaming of Christmas on the Danube sailings is spent in Austria, with port days in Vienna, Krems, Mauthausen and Linz before a final day in Passau, Germany.

In Vienna, you can visit one of the city's 100-plus museums or the iconic Opera House before heading to the Christmas market for a glass of mulled wine and shopping. For those interested in wine, Krems is a must-see destination known for some of the best wines in the country. Mauthausen brings a sobering stop; it was home to Austria's largest concentration camp in World War II. Linz is known for its historic old town and main square, as well as its jammy treat, the Linzer torte.

In Passau, be sure to explore the Christmas market, but don't miss St. Stephen's Cathedral. Its impressive organ is the biggest cathedral organ in the world, with almost 18,000 pipes.

Each Riverside Luxury Cruises ship is all-suite and comes with butler service. Vessels also feature an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi for use before or after trips ashore.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

Riverside Luxury Cruises' Dreaming of Christmas on the Danube cruises depart in late November and December in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $1,732 per person, based on double occupancy.

Your cruise fare includes all meals, one excursion per destination, gratuities, Wi-Fi, butler service and transfers. Alcoholic drinks are only included with the Premium All-Inclusive Package, which you can select at booking.

Best for Francophiles: CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley

France is known for some of the most photogenic Christmas markets in Europe, and you have the chance to see some of them on a five-night Christmas in the Seine Valley river cruise with CroisiEurope Cruises. These shorter cruises are great if you'd like to spend a few days in Paris before stepping onto the cruise ship and sailing to three other beautiful towns.

The river cruise starts in Paris, where you can spend the day exploring the city, seeing the Christmas markets in Montmartre or Saint-Germain or shopping for high-end gifts along the Champs-Elysees before the 5 p.m. all-aboard time.

Day two will bring you to Rouen, where you are invited to join Christmas Eve dinner and midnight Mass. You'll also get to see more of Rouen on day four with a guided tour. If you have free time, be sure to stop in at La Couronne, the oldest operating restaurant in France and the place that inspired Julia Child to start cooking.

Spend Christmas Day in Honfleur, one of the cutest cities on the voyage. Be sure to get the town's specialty, a steaming bowl of moules frites (mussels with fries), for Christmas lunch. After three days of touring smaller towns, you'll return to Paris, where the Eiffel Tower is visible from the banks of the Seine.

CroisiEurope's Christmas in the Seine Valley cruise departs Dec. 23 in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $1,560 per person, based on double occupancy.

All of your meals and most drinks, free Wi-Fi, all onboard activities and port fees are included in the cost of the cruise. Headsets are also included for excursions if you choose to go with the group for tours rather than venturing off on your own.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Best for families: Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Christmas Markets

Families looking to explore Christmas markets through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands will enjoy Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets sailing. The eight-day cruise allows kids as young as 5 to join, though Disney's suggested age is 8 or older.

What really makes Adventures by Disney stand out is the Adventure Guides, Disney-trained leaders who are experts in each destination. Each Adventure Guide travels with the group throughout the cruise, so your family really gets to know them, and they get to know you. This allows them to make personalized recommendations about activities and meals. As you walk through each town, they share the history, culture and legends of the destination.

The weeklong trip starts in Basel, Switzerland. You'll then visit Breisach, Germany, the home port from which you can choose to visit Europa Park in Rust, Germany, or head to Colmar, France, which is famous for its Christmas markets and the Cheese Museum. You'll have the next day to enjoy Strasbourg, France, via boat and tourist train rides.

Day four brings the group to Mannheim, Germany, where you can enjoy a funicular ride to Heidelberg Castle or go ice skating at Heidelberg's Christmas market.

In Rüdesheim, you can take part in a coffee and hot chocolate tasting, marvel at one of the largest mechanical music box collections in the world, enjoy a wine tasting or explore the city on your own. You'll spend the evening sailing through the Rhine Gorge, passing 30 castles along the shore.

The last day in Germany is spent in Cologne, where you can visit the beautiful Christmas markets that dot the city landscape, as well as lace up some skates to glide around an open-air ice rink. The cruise ends in Amsterdam, where you can visit the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House Museum or the Van Gogh Museum, along with taking a scenic canal cruise through the city.

Adventures by Disney's Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets cruise departs Dec. 19, 2024. Fares start at $8,299 per adult and $7,499 per child under 11, based on double occupancy. Plan ahead for better rates. Fares for the Dec. 18, 2025, cruise start at $6,599 per adult and $5,899 per child under 11.

Fares for the once-a-year cruise include most meals, drinks at lunch and dinner (plus a nightly cocktail hour where a range of mixed drinks are complimentary), excursions in each port of call, porter service, transportation in port, Wi-Fi, gratuities for onboard staff and Adventure Guides, and onboard entertainment.

Related: Are European river cruises right for families?

Best for couples: Viking's Danube Christmas Delights

Couples looking to get away for the holidays should consider Viking 's Danube Christmas Delights river cruise. The seven-night cruise takes passengers to four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. The trip combines opportunities to explore the ports of call with lectures and cultural performances on board the ship.

In Budapest, you'll spend two days exploring the city at places like Castle Hill and the Grand Market Hall before shopping and dining at the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen's Basilica. Then, in Bratislava, Slovakia, the group will attend an organ concert and shop at the Old Town Christmas market.

In Vienna, the whole city comes alive with lights and a festive spirit. One thing not to miss here is the extra-charge excursion to a local winery, where you will celebrate the year's harvest and vintage.

Another highlight of the cruise is Krems, where the group will visit Gottweig Abbey and get exclusive access to the chapel in the inner courtyard to see the Nativity scene. (The chapel is usually closed to visitors.) Finally, in Passau, you can watch an Advent wreath demonstration or take a flight to see the landmark Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

Viking offers Danube Christmas Delights river cruises from late November through mid-December in 2024 and 2025. Fares start at $2,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

Fares include shore excursions in every port; free Wi-Fi; all meals; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; port taxes and fees; and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In select ports, passengers can sign up for optional excursions that are an added cost. These could be worth the upcharge, depending on the type of experience you want to have.

Best for old-world charm: Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets

Travelers looking to explore all of the Old World historic charm of Belgium will want to book Uniworld's Belgian Holiday Markets cruise. The seven-night cruise visits Belgium and the Netherlands, with port days in iconic cities like Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp.

The cruise is a closed loop, starting and ending in Brussels. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship. On day two, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture, a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food.

The cruise continues to Hasselt, where you can take a guided walking tour of the city or head to the French-speaking town of Liege, which hosts the oldest Christmas market in Belgium. Day five brings you to Maastricht in the Netherlands, where you can explore the city and its Christmas market or head to Aachen, Germany, for festive fun. Alternatively, you can visit Valkenburg's underground Christmas market, located inside a cave.

The following day in Antwerp, Belgium, you can enjoy a concert, a walking tour and time to enjoy the city at your leisure. Then it's back to Brussels for a full day in the city, where you can indulge in your favorite vices with city tours that include chocolate tastings or a trip to the Belgian Beer Museum, plus a visit to the Christmas market.

Uniworld offers its Belgian Holiday Markets cruise on four departure dates from late November through mid-December 2024 (and three December dates in 2025). Fares start from $3,999 per person in 2024, based on double occupancy, and $3,689 in 2025.

The cruise fare includes premium spirits and wine, access to bikes and walking sticks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, enrichment lectures and shore excursions in each port. Onboard gratuities and group transfers to and from the airport are also included.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Best for solo travelers: Tauck's Yuletide Spirit

Solo travelers looking to enjoy a river cruise without the hassle of a single supplement should check out Tauck's Christmas market itineraries. On all European river cruises, including the seven-night Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise, the line waives the single supplement on Category 1 river-view cabins.

If your cruise starts in Amsterdam, you don't have to be on the ship until 4 p.m. so use the morning to walk around town or get tickets to tour the Anne Frank House. On your second day in Amsterdam, visit the Rijksmuseum and take an evening canal cruise with the group. Foodies will love it when the cruise heads to Gouda to explore the history of the city, plus get a tasting of stroopwafels, which are cookie sandwiches invented in the city.

The midpoint of the cruise will bring you to the decision to visit either Ghent, which is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, or Bruges, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful canals. The cruise also visits Antwerp, where you can explore the various Christmas markets that are spread throughout the city. Your trip ends in Brussels, with a whole day to explore the cute squares and charming markets and try local fare.

Tauck offers four December departures of its Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels cruise in 2024 and 2025, meaning the last cruise sets sail after Christmas. The 2024 sailings are either entirely sold out or have limited availability; fares for 2025 cruises start at $4,190 for solo travelers in a Category 1 room, but the majority of those cabins are booked. Your best bet is to wait for Tauck to announce its 2026 departures and book those popular river-view rooms as soon as they become available.

Solo travelers should know that these cabins don't have a balcony and are the smallest on the riverboat at 150 square feet, but you likely won't be spending much time in your room on this sailing. The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers.

Best for an extended cruise: Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine

Travelers looking for a longer cruise that sails deep into the southern part of Europe will want to consider Avalon Waterways' Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine river cruise, which includes one night in Lucerne and three nights in Lake Como paired with a weeklong sailing. If you prefer a shorter trip, alternative Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine itineraries don't include the land-based post-cruise days.

For the longer 12-night cruise and land-based trip, your trip will begin with a three-night, precruise bus tour to Italy's Lake Como. You can take a boat ride around the lake, explore the city on your own and marvel at the Duomo. You'll then have a day in the beautiful city of Lucerne. Travel to Mount Pilates, where you will ride 7,000 feet up the mountain in a gondola for incredible views before continuing on to Basel, Switzerland, to board your river ship.

Your first stop will be in Germany to visit the Black Forest, where you can learn about local traditions and German winemaking. The next day brings the cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you can tour the La Petite France District and wander through the warm glow of the Christmas market.

Back in Germany, travelers can enjoy Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum or travel farther on a bus to Heidelberg to explore Heidelberg Castle. Peruse the Christmas markets in Cologne and Rudensheim during the days that follow. The last stop is Amsterdam, where you can enjoy an Amsterdam canal cruise on day two or an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans for scenic views of historic windmills and Dutch houses.

Avalon Waterways offers its Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine cruise Dec. 8, 2024. Prices start at $4,958 per person, based on double occupancy. You won't find a 2025 option, but in 2026, two departures on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 offer starting rates of $5,379 per person.

Fares include meals, drinks during meals and happy hour, Wi-Fi, a library, excursions, bike rentals and a fitness center. Gratuity is not included for hotel stays and meals during the land portion of your trip.

Best for unique destinations: AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe

While many river cruises traverse the waters around France, Germany and Austria, AmaWaterways ' Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary takes guests to Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. The seven-night cruise sails between Budapest and Giurgiu along the Danube River.

If your sailing starts in Budapest, you'll need to arrive a day early if you plan to explore the city; the cruise does not offer excursions here. Your first stop will be Mohacs, where you can enjoy the nearby Christmas markets in Pecs or venture to Szekszard for a wine tasting. Day three is split between Vukovar and Novi Sad, where you can explore the historic towns and enjoy the holiday cheer with live music, artisan crafts and delightful bites of food.

The cruise continues to Belgrade, where you can wander around the city on your own, take a hike to Belgrade Fortress or put on a helmet and take a bike ride around town. Day five is exciting for nature enthusiasts as you sail through The Iron Gates, which is a series of gorges that mark the border between Serbia and Romania.

The final stop is Rousse, where you can venture farther into Romania to Bucharest, which is known as the "Little Paris of the East," for a city tour and Christmas market.

AmaWaterways' Gems of Southeast Europe departs on multiple dates between mid-November and late December in 2024 (2025 dates run mid-November to mid-December). Fares start at $2,723 per person, based on double occupancy, in 2024, with 2025 fares starting at $3,939.

Fares include Wi-Fi, wellness activities, daily entertainment and cultural performances, all meals, drinks at lunch and dinner, plus a daily cocktail hour, excursions in each destination and access to knowledgeable guides.

Bottom line

If you've ever considered a Christmas market river cruise, now is the time to finally cross the experience off your bucket list. Many of the best river cruise brands and tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe, whether you're looking for a family-friendly option, solo travel sans single supplement or a cruise with unique destinations.

It's most important to choose a cruise based on which destinations you wish to visit and which travel dates and itinerary lengths work with your schedule. But don't forget to consider the cruise line.

The inclusions on most of the river cruises are similar but can vary in scope, such as which drinks are included or cost extra and how many complimentary shore excursions you can choose from. You'll also want to think about the overall vibe of your trip and what your expectations are, whether you're looking for a luxury trip with more upscale ships and higher service levels or a more affordable option that emphasizes exploring and finding your own adventures.

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