Avalon Waterways


Avalon Waterways is a river cruise company owned by the Globus family of brands and offers cruises in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, South America, India and the Galápagos Islands. The company became a member of Cruise Lines International Association in August 2009.

History and ship design

Avalon Waterways started operations in 2004 with just one initial ship, called Avalon Artistry. The following year, the company added the Avalon Poetry to its fleet.
As of 2019, the company operates ships on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine and Saone in Europe; The Mekong River in Southeast Asia, as well as on the Yangtze, the Ganges and the Amazon River.
Avalon Waterways has earned river cruise operator awards including "Best European river line" in 2019.

Fleet

Since its launch in 2004, Avalon Waterways has christened 23 new ships in Europe and three new ships in Southeast Asia.
ShipEntered serviceLengthStateroomsPassengersNotes
Avalon Envision201983166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Imagery II201664128Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites.
Avalon Passion201683166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Tranquility II2015 .64128Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites.
Avalon Tapestry II2015 .83166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Poetry II2014.83166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Illumination2014.64128Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites.
Avalon Impression2014.83166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Expression2013.83166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.
Avalon Artistry II2013.64128Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites.
Avalon Visionary2012.64128Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites.
Avalon Vista2012.83166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 66, suites.
Avalon Panorama2011.83166Owned. Europe. First "Suite Ship" with 66, suites.
Avalon Luminary2010.69138Retired from fleet in 2019.
Avalon Felicity2010.69138Retired from fleet in 2019.
Avalon Affinity2009.69138Retired from fleet in 2019.
Avalon Creativity2009361 ft.70140Retired from fleet in 2019.
Avalon Scenery2008.69138Retired from fleet in 2018.
Avalon Imagery2007.85170Retired from fleet in 2012.
Avalon Tranquility2007.85170Retired from fleet in 2012.
Avalon Tapestry2006.82164Retired from fleet in 2011.
Avalon Poetry2005.88174Retired from fleet in 2010.
Avalon Artistry2004.89176Retired from fleet in 2010.
Avalon Angkor2012.1632Retired from fleet in 2015.
Avalon Saigon2017 .1836Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites.
Avalon Siem Reap2015 .1836Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites.
Avalon Myanmar2015 .1836Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites.
Century Legend2013.196392Chartered from Century Cruises. China.
Century Paragon 2013.196392Chartered from Century Cruises. China.
Isabella II2000.2142Chartered. Galápagos Islands.
Aria2011.1632Chartered. South America.
Ganges Voyager2015.2856Chartered. India.

Special interest cruises

Avalon has offered a range of special interest cruises including culinary-, beer- and Christmas-themed itineraries.

Godmothers

Godmothers of its ships in Europe have included Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert, Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, singer/songwriter Jann Arden, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die author Patricia Schultz and U.S. Women’s National Team coach Jill Ellis.