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."New Kid on the River," Vacation Agent Magazine The company became a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 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 Saône in Europe; The Mekong River in Southeast Asia,“The Ship That Sails to Yesterday: Exploring Myanmar’s Hidden Corners,” Smarter Travel, March 25, 2016.“8 Reasons to Skip Thailand & Head to Myanmar Instead,” Vogue, May 11, 2017. as well as on the Yangtze (in China), the Ganges (in India) and the Amazon River (in Peru).
Avalon Waterways has earned river cruise operator awards including "Best European river line" in 2019."Sail Away: These Are the Most Popular Cruise Destinations," CNN
Fleet Since its launch in 2004, Avalon Waterways has christened 23 new ships in Europe and three new ships in Southeast Asia."The River Cruise Boom: Cruising through Europe," Miami Herald
Ship Entered service Length Staterooms Passengers NotesAvalon View202283166Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites.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 II 2015 (March) . 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites. Avalon Tapestry II 2015 (March) . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites. Avalon Poetry II 2014 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites. Avalon Illumination 2014 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites. Avalon Impression 2014 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites. Avalon Expression 2013 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, suites. Avalon Artistry II 2013 . 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites. Avalon Visionary 2012 . 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, suites. Avalon Vista 2012 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 66, suites. Avalon Panorama 2011 . 83 166 Owned. Europe. First "Suite Ship" with 66, suites. Avalon Luminary 2010 . 69 138 Retired from fleet in 2019. Avalon Felicity 2010 . 69 138 Retired from fleet in 2019. Avalon Affinity 2009 . 69 138 Retired from fleet in 2019. Avalon Creativity 2009 361 ft. 70 140 Retired from fleet in 2019. Avalon Scenery 2008 . 69 138 Retired from fleet in 2018. Avalon Imagery 2007 . 85 170 Retired from fleet in 2012. Avalon Tranquility 2007 . 85 170 Retired from fleet in 2012. Avalon Tapestry 2006 . 82 164 Retired from fleet in 2011. Avalon Poetry 2005 . 88 174 Retired from fleet in 2010. Avalon Artistry 2004 . 89 176 Retired from fleet in 2010. Avalon Angkor 2012 . 16 32 Retired from fleet in 2015. Avalon Saigon 2017 (September) . 18 36 Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites. Avalon Siem Reap 2015 (January) . 18 36 Retired from fleet in 2020. Avalon Myanmar 2015 (September) . 18 36 Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites. Century Legend 2013 . 196 392 Chartered from Century Cruises. China. Century Paragon 2013 . 196 392 Chartered from Century Cruises. China. Isabella II 2000 . 21 42 Chartered. Galápagos Islands. Aria 2011 . 16 32 Chartered. South America (Amazon). Ganges Voyager 2015 . 28 56 Chartered. India (Ganges).
Special interest cruises Avalon has offered a range of special interest cruises including culinary-, beer- and Christmas-themed itineraries.“Avalon Waterways Adds Christmas Cruises,” USA Today, April 19, 2017.“The Ultimate Vacation for Beer Lovers,” Travel+Leisure, April 14, 2016.
Godmothers Godmothers of its ships in Europe have included TV personality Meredith Vieira,"Taking in the Avalon View," "Porthole", April 28, 2022. Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert,“Eat Pray Love Your Way Down the Danube with Elizabeth Gilbert,” Newsweek, April 23, 2019. Outlander author Diana Gabaldon,“International Best-Selling Author Diana Gabaldon Named Godmother of Avalon’s Newest Suite Ship,” Cruise Weekly, November 5, 2014. singer/songwriter Jann Arden,“Avalon Waterways Names Jann Arden Godmother of Avalon Tranquility II,” River Cruise Advisory, November 17, 2014. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die author Patricia Schultz and U.S. Women's National Team coach Jill Ellis.“New Avalon Waterways Ship Christened in Europe,” USA Today, April 13, 2016.
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