Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to transform the entire room into an open-air balcony. The bed faces the view. 11% larger suites. The most view-focused river cruise design on the water.
Avalon Waterways introduced the "Panorama Suite" — a stateroom with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to transform the entire room into an open-air balcony. Unlike a traditional balcony (a small outdoor space with a table and chairs), the Avalon open-air balcony opens the entire width of the room to the river, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The bed faces the view — a deliberate design choice that means you wake up to the river, not a wall. The suites are 11% larger than the industry standard, with a minimum of 200 square feet. The "Panorama Suite II" on the newer ships features even larger windows and a more spacious layout. The design philosophy is simple: the view is the point of a river cruise, so the room should be designed around it.
Avalon's ships are called "Suite Ships" because every stateroom on the upper two decks is a suite with the open-air balcony feature. The ships are designed with a focus on the view — the beds face the window, the seating area is arranged to maximize the panorama, and the bathrooms are positioned to the side (not at the back, blocking the view). The ships feature a sky deck with a whirlpool, a lounge, a fitness center, and a club lounge. The dining options include the main restaurant (open seating), the Panorama Bistro (casual dining), and the Sky Grill (outdoor dining on the sky deck). The ships are designed for travelers who want to see the scenery, not be enclosed in a box.
Avalon operates on the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro, Mekong, Irrawaddy, Ganges, Amazon, and Galápagos. The European routes are the most popular, with the "Danube Dreams" (Budapest to Prague) and "Romantic Rhine" (Amsterdam to Basel) being the classics. The Mekong route (Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap) is a popular choice for Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy route (Mandalay to Yangon) offers a unique glimpse into Myanmar. The Amazon route (Lima to Manaus) combines a river cruise with a jungle expedition. The Galápagos route (operated in partnership with Metropolitan Touring) offers a small-ship expedition experience. The ships are designed for the specific rivers they navigate — the European ships are larger, the Southeast Asian ships are smaller and more intimate, and the Amazon and Galápagos ships are expedition vessels.
Avalon's culinary program features a mix of regional and international cuisine, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The main restaurant offers a multi-course menu with wine pairings, while the Panorama Bistro offers lighter, casual options. The "Avalon Fresh" program includes healthy menu options, vegetarian and vegan choices, and gluten-free options. The "Local Favorites" program features dishes inspired by the regions the ship passes through — Alsatian choucroute on the Rhine, Wiener schnitzel on the Danube, and Provençal bouillabaisse on the Rhône. The "Chef's Table" is a specialty dining experience with a tasting menu and wine pairings. The overall experience is relaxed and informal — no formal nights, no dress code, and no assigned seating. The focus is on the scenery, the food, and the company. Avalon is the best choice for travelers who want a comfortable, view-focused, and unpretentious river cruise experience.
Budapest-Prague
Amsterdam-Basel
Paris-Arles
Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap
Mandalay-Yangon
Lima-Manaus
"The view is the point. The room should be designed around it."— Avalon Waterways Design Philosophy