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Avalon Waterways operates approximately 18 comfortable, classy, well-designed ships in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Amazon for a mostly age 55-plus crowd. The cruise line gets props for good tours (it organizes everything; no need for a guidebook) and creative special interest cruises — on topics including golf, wellness, wine, and beer.
The fleet, with ships holding between 36 and 166 guests each, includes two "Suite Ship" classes where 80 percent of cabins are 200 square feet or larger and have beds facing sliding glass doors for scenic views from the moment guests wake up. In 2024, Avalon added 102-guest Avalon Alegria, its first ship on the Douro River in Portugal. Avalon also offers Galapagos Islands cruises on the chartered 16-guest Treasure of the Galapagos.
The Club Lounge Library: On all river ships, space is limited due to the fact the ship has to fit into locks and under low bridges. But on its Suite Ships, Avalon makes the most of what it's got — including in this delightful, windowed room with a self-service espresso machine and views facing aft.
The Inclusions: Daily tours are included in the cruise fare (additional options are available for a fee), and so is sparkling wine with breakfast and beer and decent (and often local) wine with lunch and dinner.
The Sky Deck Whirlpool: Sometimes, after a hectic day of touring, all you need to recover and get ready for a stellar evening aboard is a short soak amid soothing jets in the Sky Deck hot tub.
The Fireplace Effect: It's a gimmick, but when you arrive back in your cabin at night, there's a roaring fire and classical music on the flat-screen TV. It's oddly soothing, even a little sexy.
Spacious Cabins: Larger-than-average staterooms (most measuring 200 square feet) are one of Avalon's calling cards, and Panorama Suites on the line's 128-to-166-guest Suite Ships offer floor-to-ceiling windows and an Open-Air Balcony — a whole wall of glass that slides open so you can catch prime views of, for instance, fairy-tale castles along the Rhine.
High-Quality Tours: Avalon is affiliated with well-established tour company Globus, and that's a good thing. Certified local guides conduct tours that are above the norm. You may find yourself marveling at the insight and pride they show in local history and culture. Avalon also offers a choice of Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions to suit varied interests and fitness levels.
Those Who Like Easy Travel: This is spoon-fed travel for an English-speaking, mostly American crowd, ages 50 to 70. Theme cruises tend to attract a slightly younger demographic, as do exotic itineraries such as those on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, which also have a more international passenger mix.
Alternative Dining Can Be Blah: While guests can opt to dine nightly in the main Panorama Dining Room — where menus are themed to locales and are known to incorporate fresh, local ingredients — the line makes a big deal of its complimentary Panorama Bistro. This reservations-only dinner option on Suite Ships features a tasting menu of a dozen small dishes. The thing is the chefs sometimes work straight from a corporate playbook, and the dishes can be more pretty than delicious.
