Avalon View
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
The Avalon View is an intimate river cruise ship that began sailing the Danube River in 2022. It offers a variety of itineraries ranging from three to 19 nights and stops in European capitals including Vienna, Prague, and Budapest.Read More
The Avalon View is operated by Avalon Waterways, a nearly 20-year-old river cruise line based in Lugano, Switzerland, and Littleton, Colorado. The line’s fleet is comprised of a dozen ships sailing around the world on rivers including the Rhine, Rhone, Danube, and Nile.
The Avalon View is among Avalon Waterways’ collection of Suite Ships, each of which features dozens of spacious suites with large panoramic windows. The Avalon View boasts two full decks of Avalon’s signature Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling sliding windows that make it easy to experience a little bit of the outdoors while you’re indoors.
Onboard the Avalon View, guests can choose between casual buffets or four-course dinners with wine before dancing the night away to live music from a local band or DJ. Onboard fitness classes and bikes make it easier to keep fitness routines going, and every meal offers a range of healthy and vegetarian meal options. WiFi and a range of excursions are included in cruise prices. Excursion options include active adventures like bike rides and hikes.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
The Avalon View has 67 suites and 16 staterooms. 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.
The ship’s full-sized bathrooms are sleek and stylish and come stocked with L’Occitane products.
Staterooms have windows but they’re significantly smaller, and they don’t open.
The Avalon View is not handicap accessible. Avalon requires guests to be able to independently move around the ship and participate in upper deck safety exercises before departure.
Food & Drink
Avalon cruises include onboard dining in the cost of the cruise. The main dining room serves a full breakfast buffet each morning and four-course dinners every evening. An informal dining area serves lighter meals. Guests can choose from several options at each meal, including a creative selection of vegetarian dishes. Menus include a mix of local dishes and American classics. There’s an afternoon tea every day.
An expansive bar and lounge—complete with a dance floor—is where to get the party started, but drinks here aren’t included in the cruise price. At meals, beverage offerings vary by region; in Europe, for example, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, but on a cruise in the Galápagos Islands, wine is only included with dinner.
Coffee, tea and filtered water are complimentary. You’ll need to bring your own water bottle as the ship’s sustainability efforts means there are no single-use plastic water bottles on board. The ship is equipped with several water refilling stations that dispense still, sparkling, and flavored waters.
Entertainment
There’s no theater onboard Avalon’s intimate river ships, but there is the aforementioned dance floor, where local musicians and DJs get things going on select nights.
Guests in search of more low-key entertainment can check out books from the onboard library or settle in with a board game such as 25 Words or Less. Fun fact: This game is based on the TV game show hosted by the ship’s godmother Meredith Vieira, who’s also the original moderator of The View.
Finally, there’s a hot tub on the deck, which is a fine way to unwind after an active day.
Spa & Fitness
There’s no spa onboard the Avalon View, and the fitness center is small and tucked away in a nondescript room. An onboard adventure host teaches fitness classes though, and bikes, for on-shore cycling, are available too. Hiking is another on shore activity guests can take advantage of.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Avalon Waterways requires guests and crew to be vaccinated against COVID-19, though beginning March 1, 2023 this will no longer be a requirement.
There are several hand sanitizing stations on board as well as electrostatic and UV disinfection systems.
Medical services are not available onboard the Avalon View. Because it sails so close to land, the ship is easily able to access on shore medical services.
Dress Code
You can leave your jacket, ties and formal dresses at home as Avalon’s dress code is casual and comfortable; on the other hand, if you enjoy getting dressed up on occasion, the cruise’s celebratory nights provide a good excuse to go a little more glam. Layers, for cool nights at sea, and comfortable shoes, for use in many of the ship’s excursions, are recommended.
Junior Cruisers
Guests under 18 are allowed to accompany adults onboard Avalon Waterways ships but must share a cabin with an adult. Children under eight are not allowed on board.
Service
You won’t have a butler, but you will have a cabin attendant who’s responsible for maintaining your stateroom and making you feel at home with personal touches like handwritten notes and leaving your TV tuned into your favorite stations. Laundry is available for a fee on board.
Tipping
Gratuities are included for waitstaff on board. Gratuities are not included for tour and cruise directors, local guides, drivers and crew members like cabin attendants.