What’s Included on an Avalon Waterways River Cruise

Avalon Waterways is one of the most distinctive names in river cruising, known for its signature Suite Ships, open-air balconies, and a philosophy that puts choice at the center of every sailing. The best parts of an Avalon Waterways river cruise aren't upsold—they're already yours.

Here's everything that comes with your fare.

Avalon Waterways Inclusions At a Glance

Dining & Beverages

One of the first things guests notice about Avalon is how much of the food and drink experience is already taken care of. Every meal is included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with no cover charges, no upcharges, and no fixed seating times.

That flexibility is the heart of Avalon's Flex Dining program. Rather than assigning you a table and a time, Avalon lets you choose when, where, and how you eat across a full range of venues:

• Panorama Dining Room: The main dining room, featuring elegant four-course dinners and a lighter tasting menu option in a glass-walled setting with river views.
• Panorama Bistro: A casual alternative for lighter bites, nightly tapas, and afternoon tea service with pastries and confections to satisfy your sweet tooth!
• Sky Grill: Al fresco, made-to-order dining on the Sky Deck.
• Club Lounge: Open 24/7 with complimentary specialty coffees, lattes, hot chocolate, teas, cookies, and snacks available throughout the day.
• Picnic Lunch: Complimentary al fresco baskets available to take ashore.
• Breakfast in Bed: Available for guests who'd rather wake up slowly with river views from their Panorama Suite℠.
• Room Service: Complimentary lunch and dinner delivered to your stateroom.
• Afternoon Tea: Served daily in the Panorama Bistro.

For guests with dietary preferences or restrictions, Avalon's exclusive Avalon Fresh menu offers heart-healthy, vegetarian, and vegan options at every meal, developed in partnership with Karl and Leo Wrenkh of the Wrenkh Vienna Culinary School.

Avalon's kitchens are designed to accommodate your dietary needs with ease. Share any restrictions or preferences on day one and the culinary team takes it from there, plus allergen labels on every menu so you always know exactly what's on your plate.

Beverages

Avalon's beverage inclusions go above and beyond. Here's what's covered in every fare:

• Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast
• Regional wine, beer, and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
• Complimentary Happy Hour every evening (except the first night) in the Panorama Lounge, featuring wine, beer, spirits, and signature cocktails, including zero-proof options crafted by world-renowned mixologist Martin Hudák
• Complimentary specialty coffees, lattes, hot chocolate, and teas at the Club Lounge, 24 hours a day
• Complimentary beWell water stations with nutrient-infused water options, plus filtered water replenished daily in every stateroom

Premium spirits and cocktails ordered outside of meal times and Happy Hour are available at the onboard bar for an additional charge.

Avalon Choice Excursions

Shore excursions are where Avalon really separates itself from the competition. Rather than offering one standard guided tour at each port, Avalon Waterways includes multiple excursion options every day through its Avalon Choice program so your itinerary reflects your interests, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.

Every included excursion falls into one of three styles:

• Classic (The Dreamer): Guided tours of iconic landmarks, historical sites, and cultural highlights led by Certified Local Guides.
• Active (The Mover): Higher-energy options like hiking, biking, kayaking, and jogging tours for guests who want to get their heart rate up.
• Discovery (The Doer): Hands-on, immersive experiences like cooking classes, chocolate workshops, painting sessions, and behind-the-scenes cultural encounters.

Avalon offers an average of 22 included excursions across a single itinerary, with select itineraries offering up to 28 options.

For guests who prefer to explore independently, the Adventure Center provides complimentary bicycles, e-bikes, Nordic walking sticks, kayaks, and fitness gear at every port. The AvalonGO app helps the independent experience with GPS-enabled maps, daily schedules, nearby attractions, dining recommendations, and real-time itinerary information.

Onboard Amenities

Avalon's included amenities extend well beyond dining and excursions. From the moment you step aboard, the details are designed to make every hour onboard as enjoyable as the time you spend ashore.

Wellness & Fitness

Wellness is woven into the daily rhythm of every Avalon sailing. Adventure Hosts lead complimentary daily fitness classes (from yoga and stretching to guided hikes and bike rides), and the onboard fitness center is fully equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and Kinesis weight machines. Complimentary bikes, e-bikes, and Nordic walking sticks are available through the Adventure Center for guests who want to stay active at every port.

Evening Entertainment

When the sun goes down, Avalon After Dark keeps the energy going with live music, trivia nights, dance parties, and themed events. Add in al fresco dinners on the Sky Deck, late-night cocktails at the bar, and overnight stays in some of Europe's most celebrated cities, and the evenings shine just as brightly as the days.

Connectivity

Avalon Suite Ships are equipped with complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi—one of the fastest and most reliable connections available on European rivers today. Every stateroom also includes a flatscreen TV with 50+ complimentary movies, and the AvalonGO app keeps guests connected to their itinerary, dining menus, and daily schedules throughout the voyage.

Onboard Spaces

• Panorama Lounge: A light-filled social hub and the setting for nightly Happy Hour
• Club Lounge: A cozy, 24/7 retreat with complimentary coffees, teas, snacks, a library, cards, and board games
• Sky Deck: An expansive open-air deck with premium lounge chairs, a shade system, a whirlpool, and the Sky Grill
• Fitness Center: Updated equipment, including cardio machines, free weights, and Kinesis machines

Suite Ship Accommodations

Avalon's ships are purpose-built around one idea: every guest deserves a great view. Every stateroom across the entire fleet is exterior-facing, and the signature Open-Air Balcony (floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open seven feet wide) means the river is never more than a few steps away.

There are three stateroom categories to choose from:

Panorama Suites

At 200 square feet, Panorama Suites make up 80% of staterooms across two full decks. Every bed faces the river, so your first sight each morning is a castle, vineyard, or cathedral spire. The wall-to-wall Open-Air Balcony transforms the entire room into an open-air experience at the touch of a button.

Royal Suites

At 300 square feet, Royal Suites are Avalon's pinnacle accommodation. The generous layout includes a separate living area, king-sized bed, second television, double sinks, an oversized shower, and a separate half-bath, all with the signature Open-Air Balcony.

Deluxe Staterooms

At 172 square feet, Deluxe Staterooms are more spacious than the industry average and feature the same thoughtful design and signature Avalon touches as the suites above.

Every Stateroom Includes:

• Comfort Collection Beds with pillow menu and four mattress firmness options
• Egyptian cotton linens, plush robes, and slippers
• Marble bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and L'Occitane bath products
• Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi
• Flatscreen TV with 50+ complimentary movies
• In-room safe, minibar, and climate control
• Complimentary filtered water replenished daily
• Twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service

What's Not Included

Avalon's fare covers a generous range of experiences, but there are a few extras worth budgeting for before you sail:

• Gratuities: Not included in the standard fare. Tips for the Cruise Director and the ship's crew can be prepaid before sailing or added to your shipboard account at the end of the voyage. Note that gratuities for local guides and drivers are separate. Avalon periodically offers prepaid gratuities as a promotional inclusion on select sailings—your Cruise Expert can advise on current offers.
• Premium spirits: Cocktails and spirits ordered outside of meal times and Happy Hour are available at the onboard bar for an additional charge.
• Optional excursions: Avalon Choice excursions are included, but specialty and private tours beyond the standard program are available for purchase.
• Laundry and dry cleaning: Available onboard for an additional fee.
• Spa treatments: The wellness facilities are complimentary, but massages, facials, and salon services are pay-per-use.
• Airfare and transfers: Not included. Avalon can arrange these separately, and your Cruise Expert can help coordinate flights, transfers, and pre- or post-cruise hotel stays.

The Cruise Web Advantage: Our Cruise Experts can help you navigate current Avalon promotions, including sailings where gratuities or other extras may be bundled in, so you're working with the full picture before you book.

Ready to Sail with Avalon Waterways?

Avalon Waterways delivers one of the most inclusive river cruising experiences with dining flexibility, excursion variety, and onboard comfort to match. Whether you're drawn to the rivers of Europe, the Mekong, or beyond, The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts can help you find the right itinerary, stateroom category, and fare for the way you travel.

Call us at 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to start planning your Avalon Waterways river cruise today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avalon Waterways River Cruises

What is included in an Avalon Waterways river cruise fare?

Avalon fares include all meals across multiple dining venues, complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, nightly Happy Hour, Avalon Choice excursions, complimentary bikes and e-bikes, Starlink Wi-Fi, wellness activities, evening entertainment through Avalon After Dark, and all onboard amenities including L'Occitane® bath products and Comfort Collection Beds.

What is Flex Dining on Avalon Waterways?

Flex Dining is Avalon's flexible dining program that lets guests choose when, where, and how they eat onboard. Options include the Panorama Dining Room, Panorama Bistro, Sky Grill, Club Lounge, room service, picnic lunches to take ashore, breakfast in bed, and afternoon tea, all included with no fixed seating times or schedules.

What are Avalon Choice Excursions?

Avalon Choice is Avalon's included shore excursion program offering three styles of exploration at every port: Classic guided tours of landmarks and cultural sites, Active options like hiking, biking, and kayaking, and Discovery experiences like cooking classes, chocolate workshops, and painting sessions. Avalon offers an average of 22 included excursions per itinerary.

Are gratuities included on Avalon Waterways?

Gratuities are not included in the standard Avalon fare. Tips for the Cruise Director and the ship's crew can be prepaid before sailing or charged to your shipboard account at the end of the voyage. Gratuities for local guides and drivers are separate. Avalon periodically offers prepaid gratuities as a promotional inclusion on select sailings — a Cruise Expert can advise on what's currently available.

What is the difference between a Panorama Suite and a Deluxe Stateroom on Avalon?

Panorama Suites are 200 square feet and feature Avalon's signature Open-Air Balcony (floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open seven feet wide) with beds positioned to face the river. Deluxe Staterooms are 172 square feet and offer the same quality finishes and Avalon touches in a more compact layout. Both categories include the full range of Avalon stateroom amenities.

Does Avalon Waterways include Wi-Fi?

Yes. Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi is included on all Europe Avalon Suite Ships. Wi-Fi availability may vary on itineraries outside of Europe.

What is Avalon After Dark?

Avalon After Dark is Avalon's onboard evening entertainment program, featuring live music, trivia nights, dance parties, and themed events. It runs alongside al fresco dining options on the Sky Deck and late-night cocktails at the bar.

Can Avalon Waterways accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. Avalon's culinary team is equipped to handle a wide range of dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian requirements. Guests are encouraged to share any restrictions or preferences on the first day of their sailing. All menus include allergen labels for common ingredients.

What drinks are included on Avalon Waterways?

Regional wine, beer, and soft drinks are included at every lunch and dinner. Sparkling wine is included at breakfast. Nightly Happy Hour includes wine, beer, spirits, and signature cocktails, including zero-proof options. The Club Lounge offers complimentary specialty coffees, lattes, hot chocolate, and teas around the clock. Premium spirits ordered outside of meal times and Happy Hour are available at an additional charge.