The thought of a holiday in Europe paints a picture of charming villages, cobblestone streets leading up to historic castles, and landscapes so stunning they feel straight out of a fairytale. A river cruise with Avalon Waterways is the ideal way to bring this vision to life. Here the journey is as captivating as the destination and ports en route.

Avalon river cruise ships offer most of the key amenities you’d expect from a contemporary luxury boutique hotel with immersive itineraries that let you explore the heart of Europe. With a fleet of 15 ships cruising along the European rivers, Avalon gives you a wide range of itineraries to choose from. But, before we get to picking itineraries, let’s find out what makes these river cruises such a unique experience.

The Avalon Ship Staterooms
The Avalon Waterways fleet is often referred to as the Suite fleet. After all, 80% of the staterooms on these ships are their signature Panorama Suites^SM. These suites give you 200 square feet to call your own - it’s 30% bigger than the industry standard! The Royal Suites elevate your cruising experience with even more space. More than square footage, it’s the layout and design that makes them special.

Here your bed will face a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling 11’ wide window with panels that can be slid back to give you a 7’ wide open window! It’s a luxury you won’t find on any other river cruise ship. The area beside the window is set up as an Open–Air Balcony® with seating for up to 6 guests. Picture yourself sitting here, sipping a glass of wine and watching quaint villages float by… The bathrooms are equally spacious and equipped with a host of luxurious bath products.

What to Expect from an Avalon Cruise Experience
Avalon Waterways cruise ships are designed for intimate cruise experiences. You’ll probably sail with just about 150 to 180 other guests. It’s a more peaceful cruise experience with no jostling for tables at the bar. The shaded lounge chairs on the deck are a great spot to relax. Or, you could have a soak in the whirlpool… You could even borrow a yoga mat for an early morning workout on the deck.

Avalon cruise bookings are usually inclusive of breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Lunch and dinner are served with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. You can choose to have a breezy al fresco meal at the Sky Grill, try a little of everything from the Panorama Bistro tasting menu or sit down to a 4-course dinner at the Panorama Dining Room. Complimentary room service is an option too. As the sun sets, make your way to the Panorama Lounge for a complimentary Happy Hour every evening.

That’s not all, you can even pick up a made-to-order picnic lunch box for your on-shore excursions.

Cruising Through Europe with Avalon Waterways
You can cruise down most of the major rivers in Europe with Avalon Waterways. There are the magnificent Danube and Rhine rivers as well as the Seine, Saône, Moselle, and Main Rivers. These itineraries range from around a week to a little over a fortnight.

The 5-night Danube Symphony cruise lets you travel eastwards and westwards between Vilshofen in Germany and Budapest in Austria. You’ll be at a new port every day. Along with guided sightseeing trips, you can borrow a bike from the ship and explore some ports on your own.

The 7-night Active & Discovery cruise along the Rhine takes you from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Speyer, Kehl, Breisach, and finally to Basel. From trendy microbreweries to UNESCO World Heritage sites, this cruise lets you explore parts of Europe you might otherwise not discover.

For a slower, more leisurely holiday experience, take a look at the 10-night Rhine & Moselle cruise itinerary. After a night in Amsterdam, this cruise takes you to Cologne, Cochem, Bernkastel, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen and Breisach in Germany, Trier-Remich in Luxemburg, Strasbourg in France and Basel in Switzerland.

Avalon Waterways also organizes cruises for seasonal events and special interests. The 7-night Tulip Time Cruise is a beautiful way to see the breathtaking colours of Keukenhof, the Garden of Europe along with several other historic sites in the Netherlands and Belgium. If you’re a history buff, the 7-night Paris to Normandy WWII Remembrance & History Cruise will seem like it's designed just for you. It takes you on a tour of iconic landmarks and allows you to pay your respects at historic sites along the way.

Getting the Best Deals for your Avalon Waterways Cruise
2025 is a great time to enjoy a river cruise with Avalon Waterways. If you’re travelling alone, Avalon has waived the single supplement fee for Europe river cruises in 2025.  And, if you’re travelling as a couple, you won’t have to pay anything extra for your companion. These cruise deals are valid for a limited time so act fast and plan your vacation.

That said, choosing 1 from the 80+ Avalon Waterways river cruise itineraries for 2025 can be overwhelming. Let us simplify your holiday planning. Tell us what you want to see and we’ll help you shortlist itineraries, book flight tickets, get your visa and insurance in order and even plan a pre or post-cruise extension. Reach out and let’s start planning!